Travel Archives - Page 31 of 84

What’s New at the Gasparilla Inn

November 10, 2021

What’s New at the Gasparilla Inn
📍 Boca Grande, FL

What's New, Boca Grande, Florida, Gasparilla Inn, beach resort

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Whenever I seek some rest and relaxation, there’s only one destination in Florida that I turn to. The Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande is just over an hour away from my little slice of St. Pete. One of our favorite escapes to booking overnight trips here from Sunday to Monday. We get up early on Sunday morning, spend the day relaxing beachside, enjoy a good dinner and good night’s sleep, and we get home Monday morning before the workday begins. When our schedule gets busy and hectic, it’s always nice to know that Boca Grande is just a quick drive away. How many times will we visit this season? Only time will tell! If you have never experienced this slice of Florida, let me share one more round-up to help convince you!

Grab a Coffee and Explore

It’s almost become a bit of a tradition when we arrive at the pristine streets of Boca Grande. We check-in and stroll down to the Inn Bakery. Even at 8:30 on a Sunday morning, there’s always a consistent buzz here. Some have just gotten done with an early morning tennis match, and others are on their way to church. Most are simply early risers, like us. With an oat latte and croissant in hand, we happily strolled through the neighborhood. Over the summer, my favorite Florida resort had a bit of a makeover from the incredibly talented Kemble Interiors. Although the changes are subtle, the new fabrics and wallpapers were a wonderful update to the interior decor.

Sun and Frozen Drinks at the Beach Club

Next, we made our way to the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. I always recommend getting there early so you can grab the perfect spot. Although we were one of the first to arrive, we were happy to grab lounge chairs underneath a large straw umbrella. It’s honestly the best seat in the house! One of the beauties of visiting Boca Grande is that it tends to be a device-free experience. My phone is tucked away, I have no thoughts on social media, and I just watch the waves crash in. Consider it my version of meditation. After a while, I ordered a few frozen drinks to get the entire vacation experience. The Banana Daiquiri is always a personal favorite, but the list of options is sweeping.

Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande, Florida, Beach

Relax at the Cottage

After an afternoon in the sun, it was definitely time for a quick disco nap. This trip was our first time booking a cottage, and I highly recommend them if you want to have a little more space to spread out. Our cottage had a lovely little lanai and dining area, where I ended up doing some work early Monday morning. These are also an excellent option for traveling with a large group because they have adjoining doors with multiple cottages. While we relaxed in the cottage, the sun was shining through the blinds, and I felt another level of relaxation.

Pink Elephant and BZ’s

Dining and cocktails are always a treat while visiting the Gasparilla Inn. Before dinner, we grabbed a round at BZ’s, a fun little bar in the Main Inn. As soon as you walk into the cypress-covered room and sink into the plush easy chairs, you feel like you’re home. We opted for an early dinner at the Pink because we didn’t have a dinner reservation, which I usually always recommend. We were lucky enough to grab a seat for two at the bar. Dinner here is always incredible, from the fresh round of cocktails to the entrees and dessert. We left full but had enough room for a nightcap, once again at BZ’s. Chatting with another young couple visiting, the time flew by, and it surprisingly became a late night.

24 hours in Boca Grande always does the mind and body good. As we finally slipped into the world’s comfiest King-sized bed, I was ready and recharged to start a new week. Whether you stay for one night or one week, I truly cannot recommend the Gasparilla Inn enough!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Highlights from Salt Lake City

October 29, 2021

Highlights from Salt Lake City
📍 Salt Lake City, Utah
📸: @carterfishphotography

Salt Lake City, Utah, Fall, travel, trip

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Last week, I had the incredible opportunity of flying to Salt Lake City for a work conference. I don’t typically talk about my 9 to 5 life on the blog, but I’m the Community Manager for an Educational Publisher. Inspired by the chaos in local schools, I transitioned from the classroom into this new role in August 2020. I can honestly tell you that it was the best decision I’ve ever made! Because I work remotely, this was also my first opportunity of meeting two of my co-workers in person! Wanting to take advantage of visiting a new city, I wasted no time exploring different spots around the downtown area. Salt Lake City, you absolutely blew me away! Here’s a quick little look into my highlights during my very brief visit.

Lunch at Eva’s Bakery

With a few hours to burn before getting together with my colleagues, I had time for some exploring and eating. My first stop was the adorable Eva’s Bakery. This little bistro is right in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City on Main Street. The restaurant’s exterior feels like it’s right out of the Left Bank in Paris with a menu to match. After a long flight, I devoured my Roasted Beet Salad with a complimenting glass of Blueberry Compote Mimosa. On a crisp day, be sure to take a Dirty Chai Latte for the road as you wander more through the Beehive’s State capital city.

Exploring the Grand America Hotel

After lunch and a few work-related errands, I met with Carter Fish at the Grand America Hotel for a quick photo session. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this hotel exceeded each one. Looking like it came straight from a fairy tale, this is where I would choose to stay if in town for a personal trip. Make reservations for Afternoon Tea or grab drinks at the Gibson Girl Lounge. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Dinner at Copper Onion

After several sessions at an educational conference, my team and I worked up quite an appetite! Each meal was incredible, but our final dinner together probably takes the cake! Copper Onion is also in the heart of the city, serving up outstanding and locally sourced dishes. Since my colleagues and all love a good meal, we took our run off the menu, sharing several plates. Personal favorites include the Pork Belly (because when isn’t that good?), Ricotta Dumplings, and Duck Carbonara. We all left both stuffed and wonderfully content.

Post-Meal Drinks at The Ivy

Our first evening, we had time for post-dinner drinks. Since it was pretty late (on a Wednesday), we found ourselves at The Ivy. By chance, I already had dinner there earlier that night, ordering the Catfish BLT. For drinks, I sipped on the Hibiscus Oleo Margarita and later the Smoke and Rain. Although they include the same spirit, Tequila, these drinks couldn’t be more different in flavor! I highly recommend both, and it just depends on your mood!

Shop Through City Creek Center

Typically I don’t comment on local malls, but Salt Lake City’s is the exception. The entire concept of the City Creek Center brought nature inside, with a creek running through the center. As I walked through, I also noticed some of my favorite stores, including J. Crew, Anthropologie, and LOFT. It almost feels as if this space was made just for me! It’s a good thing I didn’t have much room in my suitcase, or my wallet wouldn’t have been hurting!

Morning Coffee from Three Pines

Is it a trip to a new city if I don’t visit a local coffee shop? Of course not! I noticed Three Pines earlier in my stay because it was right next to Eva’s Bakery. With a line out the door, it’s obvious why it sparked my interest. With a few hours to myself, I decided to walk by and give them a visit one morning. The morning was cold, so a cup of their chai sounded like the perfect little treat. For a more substantial meal, you can also grab a savory breakfast pie for the road.

When my friends go out to Utah, I so often hear that they skip Salt Lake City to get out on the slopes ASAP. After spending a few days, I can honestly say that I was impressed with the dining scene, the cocktail bars, and the locals I met. Do not overlook SLC. Even if it’s for just 24 hours, I promise you won’t be disappointed in what you find!

Love from Salt Lake City,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

I Love New England

October 11, 2021

I Love New England
📍 Newport, Rhode Island

New England, Newport, Rhode Island, Nautical, style

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Although I was born and raised in Florida, I feel like I must have lived in New England in another life. Every time I visit, I feel so connected with the history, cuisine, and culture that makes this region unique. Luckily for me, I happened to marry a New Englander, and visits to the northeast can be as frequent as we want to be. Earlier this month, we took a trip to Rhode Island for David’s college reunion. He ran track for the University of Rhode Island, and I learned that he was kind of a big deal on campus. After the alumni festivities, we spent a few days in Newport. Because it’s a quintessential nautical town, it’s a huge reason as to why I love New England!

The History

Founded in 1639, Newport is steeped in all of the colonial charms you can handle. As you stroll through the historic district, you’ll notice countless placards that boast the year a home was built, who lived there, and often what historical event happened there. On my next trip to Newport, which I will probably be sooner than I realize, I want to take a full historical walking tour to learn as much as I can about the town. With whatever New England town you opt to visit, you can find the same kind of history from the colonial era to the present.

The Architecture

Because architecture goes hand in hand with history, it simply has to be on the list. Obviously, I love the coastal feature and colonial design, but it’s so much more than that. No trip to Newport is complete without visiting one of the incredible mansions. These summer “cottages” once belonged to the titans of American industry. Now many of them have been revitalized as a museum by the local preservation society. It gives you an intimate look at the gilded age of American history.

New England, Newport, Rhode Island, Nautical, oysters

The Food

My home state, Florida, has incredible seafood in its own right, but it’s an entirely different experience to have fresh seafood in New England. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how often I ordered clam chowder. The weather was cool and cloudy, making it perfect for sipping a warm bowl of chowder. Apart from the seafood (like the above, picture-perfect meal from Midtown Oyster), you can also find traditional comfort food that works perfectly with the colonial history. One of my all-time favorite restaurants, White Horse Tavern, can also be found in Newport. Established in 1673, it is considered the oldest restaurant in the country—a must-visit when in New England.

The Style

There is a certain je ne sais quoi to New England style. Because it changes from season to season, it always feels seasonal and festive. At the same time, most elements are classic and haven’t really changed much over time. Think Bean Boots, cable knit sweater, and nautical stripes. I’ve always gravitated towards that look, no matter my location. Being in New England, I was excited to lean into that aesthetic. I almost feel like embracing classic fashion is enough to get me to visit.

The Weather

When we got home from our New England visit, Florida days still began with heat and humidity. While I appreciate our temperate climate in January and February, it was so lovely to escape to some slightly cooler weather. The summers aren’t as intense, and the falls have such an incredible crispness in the air. Even the cold winters have their own sense of charm, especially around the holidays. While I may never be the first one to sign-up for a snow day, it’s always a fun treat every once in a while.

The Details

As you walk through coastal New England, keep a keen eye out for all of the little details. Anchors, whale tails, and other nautical motifs sometimes make unexpected appearances. Because they were custom built over 200 years ago, the homes themselves have so much attention to detail that gave them a personal touch from each builder. Finding homes older than 100 years is a rarity in St. Pete. I enjoyed drinking in some of the elements that you can’t find elsewhere.

New England, you are always such a treat to visit! While my experience is somewhat limited to Vermont and Rhode Island, I greatly look forward to visiting the other states in our country’s smallest region. New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, I hope to see you all soon!

Love from Newport,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.