I’ve been reflecting back on our family vacation to Turks & Caicos.⁣

It was a HARD trip. The twins are at the age of trying to learn how to communicate, and it often comes out as tantrums or whining. And Lovely & I are trying our hardest to not lose our minds. HA!

​But as someone said, “The experience is worth more than the troubles.”⁣ So much yes! Witnessing them experience the sand and sea and Sesame Street characters was pure magic for me! They danced. They played. They clapped. They celebrated. All of the good things. ⁣

​I wanted to recap our trip for you, and give you an idea of what to expect for your own family vacation to Beaches Resorts Turks & Caicos.

Kids Club | Even after having touring this resort and learning the behind the scenes of the kids club a couple of years ago, I was a bit leary of leaving my own kids there, and even felt quite guilty, promising them they wouldn't have to go again after picking them up. However, my mind was changed for two reasons! 1) We saw the kids club nannies over the fence (there is a fenced area with kiddie pool for the kids camp only) a couple of days later, and they called out to our littles by name. That blew me away with so many children! 2) Mama needed a break! Ha! Camp Sesame, as it is called, is chockfull of activities, crafts, character meetings, swimming (in their own special kid friendly sized pool), and so much more! BONUS: Camp Sesame and all of its featured activities are INCLUDED in your vacation price AND all of the nannies are internationally trained & certified!

Dining | If you go hungry at Beaches, you are either crazy or a mom or dad. Ha! In all seriousness, the food and selections are great! We just didn't have much time to enjoy them. #twintoddlers We were frequenters of the fire oven pizza, and weren't mad about it. This family loves some "pizzie" as the twins call it. Whether you are up for a casual breakfast, seaside lunch, or nice dinner just the two of you, there are so many options at this resort. Some 21 restaurants are available, so there is literally something for everyone. We particularly loved Schooners and Mario's! TIP: Check the restaurants hours (you'll receive the list at check-in), and plan to check out different options each day taking note of the days/hours open.

Kids Activities | I've already touched on Camp Sesame, but that is not all that Beaches has for the kiddos. A playground, pools, lawn games, and an INCREDIBLE waterpark are just a few of the other activities available for the kids, and kids at heart, to enjoy. I have to say the lazy river at the waterpark was a fave for me! I could have floated through there for hours on end. Along with the outside activties, there is plenty to do inside. Beaches boasts an X-Box lounge, arcade, tween & teen "clubs" (for the appropriate age group only, no adults), and so dang much more. Lastly, a favorite of our littles, the Sesame Street characters! The cast puts on shows, makes the occasional walk around the resort, give weekly parades, and more fun activities. The joy this brought our twins, well it made this hard trip SO worth it!

Beach | This is the crème de la crème as far as beaches go in the Caribbean, in not only my opinion, but the opinion of a slew of travel magazines and websites. Grace Bay, where Beaches Turks & Caicos is nestled, has been repeatedly voted among the best beaches in the world. It is by far the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The sugary white sand, the crystal clear waters, it is just immpecable! The resort offers lounge chairs, covered loungers, non-motorized water sports, and, drum roll, beach drink service! Gimme a lounger, book, cocktails on tap, and the sound of the waves. Yep, it's heaven on earth! You are definitely going to want to enjoy this beauty and the magic of the sand and sea with your kids, but here are a few things to note. The resort does not provide beach toys or life jackets/floaties for beach or pool use. So, keep this in mind when you are planning out your time and packing for your trip. You can buy these items at the gift shops, if available, but it is so much more economical to come prepared and pack these items in your luggage.

Adults | ​Wondering what the heck there is for you to do? Well, plop those kiddies in the kids club OR hire an after hours nanny (same trainings as those mentioned above), and enjoy an array of adults activities. Whether it is a dip in the adults only pool, dinner at the adults only restaurant, or enjoying some late night fun at one of the cars, there is plenty for mom and dad. The spa could also add to your experience and give you a little relaxation time while the kids play. Us? We enjoyed a little time at the beach without worrying about our twinnies running off into the ocean or having to clean mounds of sand out of baby booties. Ha! Whatever your choosing, there is plenty of fun for adults too!

And that is what traveling with family is all about—the experiences together! So grateful for our time away in a beautiful place with those I love most!⁣
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That is what I hope for others, to experience the world with their loved ones. So, are you ready for a family vacation? Contact me here to get started planning an unforgettable family vacation.

​Hey y’all! I cannot believe that is it the last day of May! This year is going by so quickly, and I would love for it to slow down. Today is another last. I’m sharing my final post from my last visit to New York City. To wrap things up, I’m sharing my recommendations on where to stay, what to see, and more. 

Stay
Hotel Edison: This was our hotel of choice this go round, and it didn’t disappoint. The location & rich history are swoon worthy. I’ve sent many, many clients there since!
Lotte New York Palace: We enjoyed a stroll through this beauty, enjoying the stunning courtyard. It is in a great location near Rockefeller Center.
Doubletree by Hilton NYC Financial District: Enjoy a lower key location compared to Times Square, but still in the heart of Manhattan. Not to worry, you can get anywhere quickly from nearby subway stations.

See
Central Park: I never spend enough time here. It is a must! It’s beauty and sheer size within a jungle of concrete are remarkable! There is so much history to see here, I recommend a guided tour for an in-depth look.
Top of the Rock: My top choice for New York City views is the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. You’ll catch views of Central Park and the Empire State Building. The views are like no other!
South Street Seaport: This historic area is a super neat area to explore. Stunning river views, eccentric shops, and delicious restaurants make this a hot spot for tourists and locals alike.

Shop
Bloomingdale’s: The famous 59th Street location is beautiful in its own right, but shop the brown bag for great clearance deals for beauty your wallet will love as well. You’ll also love, my favorite, the beautiful holiday windows!
Bryant Park Holiday Market: Enjoy a stroll through Bryant Park during the winter months, and peruse the holiday market. Find leather goods, yummy sweets, Christmas trinkets, and more. Not to mention, you’ll enjoy watching the ever-present ice skaters over take the park.
Macy’s Herald Square: Always a must for me, especially during the holidays, Macy’s Herald Square is not only full of great shopping, but rich history as well. My favorite aspect? The wooden escalator!

Eat
Rolf’s German Restaurant: Extravagantly decorate for Christmas, Rolf’s will blow you away. Don’t mind the line out the door, they are likely bar patrons there for a stein of beer. Go own in for a table to enjoy authentic German cuisine.
Gallaghers Steakhouse: Located in the Theatre District, Gallaghers is famous for their red booths, bar, and prime cut steaks. We also enjoyed celebrity sightings here!
Paris Café: So much history, delicious food, and stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge make Paris Café a must.

History
Statue of Liberty: Enjoy a ferry ride out to Liberty Island to explore the beautiful Lady Liberty. Be awed by her incredible detail and the views of Manhattan from the Hudson River.
9/11 Museum & Memorial: Learn more about that fateful day, gain a greater appreciation of our nation’s strength, and pay respects to those who lost their lives on 9/11. This spot is a must when in New York City.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: This stunning cathedral is full of rich history, and has been an icon of NYC for nearly 140 years. It has gone through endless renovations, but its beauty and history remains. Be sure to go for a guided tour to learn more details about St. Patrick’s.

Touristy Musts
Empire State Building: Though not my favorite skyscraper views, the Empire State Building is a must, at least for your first visit to New York City. It is so neat to see the Art Deco design, and to learn more about the remarkable construction of this iconic building.
Brooklyn Bridge: Take a walk across the East River on the Brooklyn Bridge, and enjoy stunning views of Manhattan & Brooklyn. You can also do a little souvenir shopping along the bridge promenade, and just enjoy the incredible architecture and suspension design.
Radio City Music Hall: Take a behind the scenes tour and enjoy a show by the Radio City Rockettes at the famous Radio City Music Hall. My favorite? The Rockettes’ costume room you’ll see along the tour and the stunning sunset design of the theatre.
 
Of course, there are so, so many other things to see and do in New York City, but these were some of our favorites. Thank you so much for reminiscing and joining me on this trip! Below you’ll find a listing of everything I shared from our trip. I’ll share those to my New York City Travel Guide as well.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great rest of your week and weekend!

Trip Highlights
9/11 Memorial
9/11 Museum
American Museum of Natural History
 Broadway Theatre Tips & Tricks
 Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Dyker Heights
Bryant Park
Central Park
Chelsea Market
Empire State Building
Grand Central Station
Holiday Store Fronts
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Museum of Modern Art
New York Public Library
One World Trade Center
Radio City Music Hall
NYC Restaurants
Top of the Rock
South Street Seaport
Statue of Liberty
St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Paul's Chapel
The Subway
Trinity Church
Washington Square Park

Happy Friday friends! I hope you've had a great week. It has seemed to fly by, but here's hoping the weekend lasts a bit longer. Well, I've finally wrapped up sharing my trip to Memphis, so I have everything all in one place for you here.

To recap, a few of us from work spent a long weekend in Memphis, Tennessee exploring much that it has to offer. We enjoyed a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, a Broadway show at the Orpheum Theatre, a tour of the birthplace of Rock N' Roll, Sun Studio, a day at Graceland, and much more! Below you'll find a list of all of the great spots we hit. Hopefully, they will help you in planning your own trip to Memphis. Thanks for stopping by!