Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps – unless, of course, you’re in a post-White Castle food coma. Join us for a 3-day whirlwind of glitter, glamour, and gambling in the heart of the Nevada desert! Pre-Trip Gambling Our voyage to Las Vegas was no ordinary trip; it was a celebration of our dear friend’s fabulous birthday. The last time we graced this city, it was for the union of these two beautiful souls at a Vegas wedding, a memory etched in time. While Vegas remains a quick getaway from the SF Bay Area, a dash of planning is now in order. How to get to Las Vegas from the…
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Las Vegas Off the Beaten Strip
What is it like to live in Las Vegas as a local? Tourists flock to the Entertainment Capital of the World, bedazzled by the sparkling lights of Sin City, its promises of quick fortunes, and spectacular shows. We are no exception since it’s such an easy weekend getaway from the San Francisco Bay Area, just under a 1.5-hour flight, or under eight hours by car. We’ve done both, but never ventured off the Strip. So, enjoy this guest post by our friend Tom “Frilock” Tozier, who lived in Las Vegas for four years and is happy to share some of his favorite places in Las Vegas as a local! I wouldn’t…
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3 Memorable Days in Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park, Utah is about a 3-hour drive northeast from Las Vegas, Nevada, near Springdale. Known for its scenic landscapes, majestic sandstone formations, and the spectacular Virgin River, Zion National Park has been on our radar for years. Our friends were fortunate to visit Zion National Park and were excited to tell us about their trip when they returned home. Not having the chance to visit Zion ourselves yet, we thought it’d be a fantastic idea to have our friends share their experiences with all of you as well. Enjoy this guest post by Naina and Vinod! All images in this post are their own unless specified otherwise. Day…
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Bespelled by the Oregon Coast — Road Trip
Every Fall you’ll see caravans of cars driving from the San Francisco Bay Area up north Highway 1 and 101 to chase the gorgeous change of seasons along the Oregon Coast. Oregon Coast is beautiful any time of the year but truly magical in the Fall. So, after booking the hotels, we loaded our car, converting the back seat into a luxurious road accommodation for our dog Monkey, and joined the fun. Chandelier Tree, Leggett, California On the way to Eureka, California (our first overnight stay on the road trip), we swung by the famous Chandelier Tree in Leggett to stretch our legs and let Monkey sniff around. Looking up…
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Hunting for Treasures & Odd Artifacts in the British Museum
Considered to be one of the largest museums in the world, the British Museum is truly magnificent. With free admission, it’s a must-see stop on your first trip to London. People cherish a chance to visit the British Museum and dedicate an entire day or two to admire its vast treasures. Be it the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs, Parthenon Marbles, Egyptian Mummies, Hoa Hoakananai’a (The Easter Island statue below), or more obscure ones, like the artifacts we were after. With over 80 MILLION items in its collection, only one percent is currently on display – that’s 800,000 things to look at, and you don’t want to miss a…
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Stonehenge: A Mystery, History, and Magic Day Trip from London
Stonehenge was the number one destination during our first visit to the United Kingdom. And how could it not? Shrouded in mystery, popularized in literature and movies, it’s like the Holy Grail forged in Stone. However, our friends in the UK proclaimed our visit to Stonehenge to be “the last time they take anybody there again.” Why, might you wonder? Well, let’s start with this tidbit of information on transportation options and what to expect when you visit this 5,000-year-old mystical site. DISCLAIMER: We visited Stonehenge before Covid-19. Check their website for opening times and tours. Transportation We piled into our friends’ car in Twickenham, a charming suburban town southwest of London…
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Edinburgh: Down The Rabbit Hole (Part 3)
Strolling to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, we felt so lucky. How often is someone welcomed to a new city with the sounds of a live concert in front of a medieval castle? And, by II Divo, no less! Their voices resonated with immense power as we walked closer towards the Heart of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle When you are traveling to Edinburgh for the first time, most likely Edinburgh Castle will be at the top of your list of places to visit. For us, it was a no-brainer. As with most medieval structures, Edinburgh Castle is not just a standalone castle, but a complex of buildings strategically built for…
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Edinburgh: Discover Secrets of Rosslyn Chapel in a Day Trip
With our love of lore and architecture, we couldn’t resist visiting the fabled Rosslyn Chapel, located in a suburb of Edinburgh… Roslin, Midlothian County. The Chapel is super easy to reach from the center of the city. Hop on Bus 37 towards Penicuik/Deanburn (the sign is in the front window of the bus) and enjoy your 40-minute ride to Roslin. Breakfast in Roslin If you decide to tour Rosslyn Chapel and use a public bus to get there, as we did, there is a small café in town called Dolly’s Tea Room right by the bus stop named “Original Rosslyn Hotel”, just by the Chapel. With homemade cakes and scones and freshly…
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Edinburgh: Down The Rabbit Hole (Part 1)
Staring at the evening sky in Old Town Edinburgh, our eyes followed bright white seagulls navigating through narrow streets, purposefully peeking into windows of the upper-level flats. It made us wonder if these birds were the inspiration for the messenger owls of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books. You’ll most likely catch a literary bug while wandering through the City’s streets. However, for us, exploring the city and writing about our Edinburgh adventure has turned out to be quite a challenge. Edinburgh — down the rabbit hole we go! Visiting Scotland, and Edinburgh, in particular, was a dream come true. Its vast cultural, historical, and mystical heritage is what attracted us…
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Newgrange and The Hill of Tara — First Time Solo Trip in Dublin, Ireland (Part 4)
The mystery-shrouded Newgrange and The Hill of Tara were my main destinations on this first-time solo trip to Ireland. Wondering why? Because these two places are so deeply woven into the spirit of the country, its history, legends, and traditions that they are simply impossible to miss for the first-time travelers to Ireland, just like me! The Hill of Tara The first time I heard the name “Tara” was in “Gone with the Wind” (my Mom’s favorite movie of all time, besides the “Avengers” movies 😊). The Tara plantation in Georgia, U.S. was Scarlett O’Hara’s sanctuary; and she would do anything to keep and protect it. The name “Tara” stems…
