Alli Talley

July 25, 2016

USA, Florida

Five Reasons Why You Should Adventure to Sanibel Island

Alli Talley

July 25, 2016

USA, Florida

Our favorite kinds of trips are the ones that surprise us. Being the intense planners and researchers that we are, it’s few and far between that a destination takes us off guard. When we heard we were going to the Fort Myers area of Florida, we really had no idea what to expect. We figured it would be warm and tropical, we figured there’d be palm trees, and we figured we might get to try some good seafood. But we had NO idea how truly spectacular (and wonderfully under the radar) this little slice of heaven is.

Today we’re going to give you FIVE REASONS why Sanibel Island should be your next vaycay. So pour yourself some rum punch, put on a little Jimmy Buffett, and enjoy!

1. It’s TROPICAL.

You’re probably thinking “Duh!” But when it comes to travel destinations, this place is tropical gold. It’s easy to get to, it’s affordable, and it feels very undiscovered.

We stayed at the dreamiest South Seas Island Resort, where palm trees line every street, little blue trolleys take you from one location to the next, employees know you by name, and the sunsets are some of the best we’ve ever seen. (Especially when you’re watching them from the ocean-front pool, holding an ice-cold mojito!)

The ocean views from our room were incredible. We felt like we were in a Nicholas Sparks novel - as the bright blue ocean and lush green grass didn’t seem real! Not to mention the wildlife - we saw dolphins, beautiful birds, manatees, and monkeys!

2. It’s SECLUDED

As we get older, we appreciate locations that feel a little more “off the beaten path”. Sanibel Island is peaceful, quiet, and the very definition of relaxed. Not once did we ever have to wait in line or drive in traffic. We were able to truly enjoy our day, and not have to worry about rushing to get a table for dinner or bypassing the crowds. Whether we were at the resort's Harbourside Bar & Grill, or Gramma Dot's for a hearty lunch in town, we never felt like we were in an overcrowded tourist hub. This is an extremely rare experience these days (and we loved it)!

3. It’s ROMANTIC

Trolly rides to dinner, sunsets on the beach, drinks by the pool, live music… The South Seas Island Resort is every couple’s dream! While they definitely cater to families, don’t let that sway you from booking a trip. Our stay on Sanibel Island was easily one of the most romantic getaways we’ve had in awhile - and we can't wait to go back! Maybe even with kids! ;)

4. It’s THRILLING

You can easily spend a week in Sanibel and do nothing but chill. (Which if that is how you vacation, we affirm it!!) But if you’re adventure-seekers like us, the options are ENDLESS. In the short weekend that we were there, we went parasailing with Sunny Island Adventures, kayaking in J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, ocean swimming, seashell hunting, and SO much more. We also had some wild weather, which for Californians (in a perpetual drought) is a real treat!

5. It’s BURSTING with SEASHELLS!!!

We know. That’s not something you hear every day. Which is exactly what makes this destination AWESOME. The beaches are FILLED with seashells!

They’re unique. They’re intriguing. And they’re SO beautifully complex! Make sure you plan to explore the island with a guide, as learning and hunting for seashells was definitely the highlight of our trip. (Bobby could’ve spent ALL DAY collecting seashells!) Check out our blog from last month to learn more about seashells!

***BONUS*** There is SO much to see in the surrounding area

Whether you hop on a boat and head to a surrounding island (for more amazing shelling), or head into Fort Myers for more beautiful beaches, there is SO much to see in this part of Southwest Florida. We spent one day exploring the surrounding islands and enjoyed an AMAZING lunch at the restaurant & inn on Cabbage Key. Our favorite part is that there is more than $70,000 on the walls taped up by guests, and the restaurant donates whatever falls off to charity (which ends up being more than $10,000 a year... AWESOME). We had another day where we toured Fort Myers and saw the amazing shopping, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates (Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were buds), and the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. All that to say... we needed more time!

The only way to arrive on Cabbage Key... by boat!

The beach and pier of downtown Fort Myers!

One of the many cars in Henry Ford's Winter Estate garage

There you have it. The five reasons (+ Bonus) why you should adventure to Sanibel Island. We’re pretty sure we could come up with about 500 more reasons, so feel free to shoot us an email if you have any questions - and let us know when you do make it out to the South Seas Island Resort! Chances are we’ll drop what we’re doing and come meet you. ;)

Thank you to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for sponsoring this post!

Alli Talley

July 20, 2016

California, USA

Relaxation, Wine, and Napa Valley Beauty at the River Terrace Inn

Alli Talley

July 20, 2016

California, USA

Napa Valley. Surrounded by serene views and amazing wine, there isn't much better for a weekend getaway. The River Terrace Inn is a beautiful hotel right in the heart of Napa Valley. On your next trip, definitely consider this as your home base for all Napa Valley exploration. We loved it for the location, the rooms, and the amenities.

Location, location, location. If you are flying into Napa, like we did via Surf Air, then this hotel is a short drive from the airport. It is located in the southern part of Napa and is a wonderful gateway to all the local wineries. We enjoyed driving to different wineries all day and then having the River Terrace Inn welcoming us home. There are restaurants in walking distance (head to the Oxbow Market!), and some amazing food within the hotel too!

Part of our passion for travel comes down to our love for hotel rooms. Alli is obsessed with a comfy bed, Bobby loves a great shower, and we both drop our jaws over good views. The room at the River Terrace Inn is comfortable, spacious, and checked all of our boxes in terms of a great hotel room. We slept great, the shower was wonderful, and we were able to enjoy a few glasses of wine on our terrace overlooking the river (We figured the River Terrace Inn would have a terrace overlooking the river… they did not disappoint).

Lastly, the amenities. Everybody is well aware of all the amazing wine right at the fingertips of this hotel, but there are some nice touches that make the River Terrace Inn extra special. First, they have bikes that you can check out to ride around Napa. We were obsessed. Luckily, most of the wineries were just out of our range, otherwise we may have had the bikes all day every day as we rode from winery to winery. Next, they have fun games set out in the lobby for guests to enjoy. We enjoyed a few games of checkers each afternoon! Lastly, the have a wine hour nightly where guests can enjoy different wines for free! If the bikes and checkers did not sell you on this place, trust us on the wine hour (and beautiful river views) that this place is a must!

We had an amazing few nights at the River Terrace Inn, and we hope you give it a try in the near future. And send us an email about all your favorite wineries!

Alli Talley

July 15, 2016

California, USA

Three Reasons We Loved Having A Convertible in Wine Country

Alli Talley

July 15, 2016

California, USA

We recently were in Napa to celebrate our 2-year anniversary where we enjoyed yummy wine, good food, and beautiful views! We partnered with Hertz and were surprised with an amazing Mustang Convertible. While we may have not thought to rent this car on our own, we are convinced that a convertible is a must in wine country. Here are 3 reasons why…

1. The wind in your hair feels awesome. Especially after a wine tasting or two :) Unless you drive a convertible like this on a regular basis, having the wind blowing over you as you cruise along a highway is a great feeling. As long as the weather cooperates, it is way better than just having your windows down.

2. You can get from one place to another much faster (or at least it feels like you can). We are not encouraging any speeding, but the Mustang we had was fast. We zipped around Napa and probably could have explored 7+ wineries per day. Unfortunately for us, as we have gotten older we get sleepy after 2 wineries (HA!). So our Mustang was able to quickly get us from the wineries, to a nice nap, and then back out for dinner.

3. You can soak up all the sights. Napa Valley is a picturesque area that a convertible allows you to really soak in. We enjoyed driving up random dirt roads that led us to some amazing hilltop views. Whether we were sitting in the car or decided to go for a short walk, the beauty of the valley was all around us. From the driver’s perspective, you also don’t have a hard time checking your blindspot…

For three days we drove back and forth between Napa, Yountville, and Saint Helena. Driving our convertible was one of the highlights as the trip, especially since the weather was so incredible. There are not that many other details you need to know here other than that if the weather is right, you should rent a convertible from Hertz. You will NOT regret it. One last thing… if you are going to be tasting a lot of wine, maybe don’t rent a car at all? Enjoy all Napa has to offer, but definitely be smart to not wine taste and drive!

Happy wine tasting!

Alli Talley

July 1, 2016

Carnival, Cruising

"Yes Day" Aboard a Carnival Cruise

Alli Talley

July 1, 2016

Carnival, Cruising

Carnival Cruise Line takes pride in having activities for all ages, and they REALLY do! This is most apparent on the days at sea, when we take a look at our “Fun Times” schedule and are overwhelmed by all of the possibilities! Aerobics classes, wine tasting, bingo, or mini golf tournaments… There simply isn’t enough time in the day! That being said, we decided to take advantage of all the fun on board by making our second sea day a “Yes Day." Which means, we said “Yes!” to every opportunity or activity presented to us. Whether it was ordering an unusual menu option, attending a comedy show, or a behind the scenes tour, here are all of the things we did on our “Yes Day!”

1. Fancy breakfast at the Platinum Restaurant? Yes! Most days we start with coffee and something simple from the breakfast buffet, like cereal or oatmeal. It’s a yummy, relatively light start to our day. But today, we said “Yes” to the morning brunch and stuffed ourselves. Bobby got the Cereal Crusted French Toast and Eggs Benedict. Alli kept it a little lighter with an Omelette and Fruit platter. Annnnnd we had some warm pastries. Oops!

2. Quick round of Mini Golf? Yes! After breakfast we headed up to the top of the ship and got our mini golf on! We played through the whole course in about 30 minutes, and Alli brought her A game!!! Bobby claims he was distracted by the 360 degree views of the ocean… valid excuse.

3. Tour the Galley? Yes! This was one of the highlights of our cruise. Led by our wonderful Maître D’ Suresh, we were taken through the Carnival Glory’s largest galley. Once inside, we quickly realized what a truly massive operation this is. The galley is all stainless steel, and there are various rooms for every moving piece. What normally is all in one big kitchen is spread out over a massive stainless steel maze, which the staff navigates with ease. Our jaws dropped when we saw how many Melting Chocolate Cakes and Prime Ribs were being prepared for that night’s meal. If you have the chance to do the “Behind the Fun” tour, do NOT miss it! It is incredible to have an insider’s look at what happens behind the scenes of a fun ship.

4. Watch some Ice Carving? Yes! We were SO impressed by the ice carving demonstration. One of the chefs has a family tradition of ice carving, and he really showed it off here! We watched as he hacked a 300 pound block of ice down into this amazing Native American wearing a traditional head dress. Normally the intricate detail takes him about 2 hours to complete this work. But today, with the sun beaming down (and melting his canvas), he was able to carve this in less than 20 minutes! Insane!!

5. Take a Nap? YES! We don’t have many photos to prove it (because obviously, we were sleeping) but this was an important part of every day during our cruise. We ended nap time each day perched on our balcony, adjusting our eyes to the bright sunlight off the blue water.. or the fading light on the horizon, depending on how long we napped. ;)

6. Play a round (or three!) of Bingo? Yes! It may sound cheesy, but playing Bingo is one of the highlights of our cruise! It’s always lively, always hilarious, and always accompanied with a couple rounds of drinks. We may have come away empty handed, but bingo sure is a blast!

7. Dance with the Platinum Restaurant Staff? Yes! We get so excited each night that we hear the Maître D’ say “It’s showtime”, knowing that the staff is about to perform some fun dances for us. We cheer them on, swing our napkins and sing along from our seats. But tonight, our server invited us to JOIN them on the floor! Being a “Yes day”, we couldn’t refuse! So we shook, twisted, and danced with the servers in front of the whole dining room. Yep, we were those people!

8. Attend the Punchliner Comedy Club? Yes! This was an easy “Yes”. We attended these shows nearly every night, and laughed hysterically. Alli’s highlight was when one of the comedians asked Bobby, “Where’s Scooby?” (How have we never realized that Bobby totally looks like Shaggy?!) On this particular night, we watched a comedian who did a hilarious routine about her family in Minnesota - accents and all!

9. See a Playlist Productions Show? Yes! Tonight we attended Latin Nights, which was a tribute to numerous famous singers that was an impressive performance of song and dance. It had us on our feet singing along all night! We were really impressed with the setup, including the stage and lights that make it look and feel like a broadway show!

10. Indulge in a Night Cap at the Alchemy Bar? Yes! This is a cool cocktail bar that we would walk by daily, and Alli would always say, “I REALLY want to go there.” Today, we wrapped up our “Yes day” with some great drinks from the long awaited Alchemy Bar. The location of the bar is a perfect spot for some late night people watching, and the bartenders really know how to make a good drink!

11. Movie on the Lido Deck? Yes! Even though a Night Cap should signify that our night is wrapping up, how often can you watch a movie out on the open seas? While we didn't watch the whole movie, we enjoyed about an hour until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. Worth it!

So there it is! A fairly comprehensive list of our “Yes day” aboard the Carnival Glory. We may have failed to mention some lounging in the sun, lots of laughter, and a trip to the Pizza Pirate, but those are daily givens aboard any Carnival ship. Do yourself a favor, and have a “Yes day” on your next cruise, who knows what will happen!!

This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.

Alli Talley

June 15, 2016

USA, Florida

Sea Shelling is COOL!

Alli Talley

June 15, 2016

USA, Florida

We both love the ocean. Growing up in Southern California, time spent at the shoreline revolved around tanning, napping, surfing, or swimming. Occasionally, while walking along the sand you may find a cool seashell that catches your eye and take it home. But here in Southern California, “shelling” is not an activity that we have heard of.

We recently learned that in other parts of the country, “shelling” is a thing. It is what it sounds like… combing the beaches for seashells of various shapes and sizes. Certain parts of the world are much better for shelling than others… like the Island of Sanibel in southwest Florida. So much so that Sanibel is the “Shellebration” location for National Seashell Day on June 20!

We were able to explore Sanibel Island by boat with Captain Brian of Captiva Cruises, and Marine Biologist Stefanie from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. During our journey we learned why Sanibel really is one of the greatest places to find amazing shells. One reason is that Sanibel is a barrier island, which makes it a plateau that acts as a shelf for seashells. To put it in perspective, 80 miles off of Sanibel the ocean is only 600 feet deep! On top of that, Sanibel also has a hook-like shape, which traps the shells traveling along the north-flowing Gulf Stream. All that to say, there are a lot of shells on the Sanibel shores.

During our time on Sanibel we also learned about shells themshellves (hehe), not just how they arrived on the island. Did you know that every shell is made by a live animal? Shells are the left-behind external skeletons formed by mollusks. As mollusks grow, they secrete calcium carbonate, which hardens outside their bodies and forms the shell. As they grow, the shell grows too. There are more than 300 identified species of mollusks around Sanibel, each that produces a different type of shell! This is another reason why there are so many shells on Sanibel’s shores. Shellers are free to come and scan the beaches for their favorites, as long as the mollusk is no longer living. This is pretty easy to tell, because most likely the shell is empty. If you want to learn more about these little creatures, tune in to #WildlifeWednesday on Facebook with Captain Brian!

We had a couple shelling sessions (try to say that fast) on both Sanibel and Captiva Islands (another shelling hotbed). It’s definitely addicting and challenging to try and spot various shells in the sand. We recommend you call Captain Brian, because he will take you to the best beaches and will help you spot some beautiful shells. While scouring the beaches, we learned of “The Sanibel Six”. These are six sea shells you should try to find during a vacation on Sanibel. They are the Horse Conch, the Banded Tulip, Alphabet Cone, Lightning Whelk, Lettered Olive, and the Apple Murex. We found two! The Lightning Whelk and the Lettered Olive. We also learned of the prized Junonia, a beautiful brown-spotted shell that are in deep water and rarely wash up on the beaches. Our goal is to spend more time on Sanibel in the near future and find one!

While we do not have the same caliber of shelling in California, we have already combed our home beaches in search of shells with our new knowledge. It’s not quite the same as on Sanibel, but it is a fun new hobby! Thank you Sanibel and Captain Brian, we can’t wait to come back!

Thank you to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for sponsoring this post!