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Laguna Beach Winter Weekend Getaway

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We recently spent an AMAZING weekend in Laguna Beach! You can follow along on the @VisitLaguna Instagram! In the meantime, here are some of our favorite photos from our time in our favorite coastal town. 

Casa Laguna is a quaint, cozy seaside hotel that is perfect for a weekend getaway. Even with the great weather, we always appreciate an intimate area to enjoy a drink with a fireplace. The room has beautiful decor, a spacious bathroom, and a nice patio where our pup Sally could relax :)

Can you believe this is January? We love southern California!

Oceanfront and candlelit at Splashes... can it get any better? 

Brunch at Harvest and dinner at Driftwood Kitchen... These incredible restaurants made sure we definitely did not leave hungry.

Lunch and a shopping spree at Tommy Bahama! Best. Weekend. Ever. 

The Visit Laguna Beach app allows you to have perfect timing on the trolley so you can make it to Mozambique in time for the rockin' live music!

Stay tuned for an upcoming blog for details on why you should spend your Valentine's Day in Laguna Beach! Ocean. Food. Romance. We probably don't need to say much more than that... but we will :) 

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A Serena Sandwich: Starting and Ending our Ugandan Adventure in Style

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When you make the trip to Uganda from the United States (or from the west in general), you should be aware that it will be a little rough at times. While roads, hotels, tourism, and quality of life has improved immensely over the past 10 years, there will still be times where you may feel very far from home (you are, so get over it). We absolutely recommend that you get the full experience… so visit a village, meet the amazing people, and get out of your comfort zone. Take a trip out to Murchison Falls and look for lions, elephants, hippos, and hyenas. At some point, though, you are going to want a comfortable bed, some air conditioning, and some really good food. Whether it’s at the beginning or end of your trip, we would highly recommend refreshing yourself at a Serena Hotel, East Africa’s leading hotel chain. We recently had the opportunity to start our trip at the Serena Kampala, and finish up at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa.

 

After long flights from Los Angeles to New York to Johannesburg to Kampala, the comfort of the Serena Kampala was most welcome. The hotel is part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection and is a 5-star, stylish gem in the heart of Kampala.

 

With all flying we had just completed, lets just begin with the bed. This cloud of a bed was so wonderful it made us forget the oh-so-common thought of “We miss our bed at home”. There is an ample supply of pillows to meet your particular needs, and there was a strong AC in our room which allowed us to indulge in the coziness of all the covers. Prior to dozing off, we pampered ourselves with some wine and room service (because why not?)

The next morning, we started with a delicious breakfast and then walked it off by exploring the beautiful hotel grounds. The architecture there is inspired by the lakes and rivers of Uganda, which is manifested in extensive water gardens around the hotel. Do yourself a favor and take a good chunk of time to relax in the gardens or by the pool… it is a rejuvenating experience.

If you go out and explore Kampala, make time to start your evening at the Mist Bar for an amazing cocktail. We recommend you continue the party at the Pearl of Africa, their fine-dining experience where you can sit outside and hear peaceful fountains, or sit in their central dining room and be serenaded by their resident pianist. The sounds, along with the scrumptious cuisine, ensures you will have a fantastic evening.

 

After this magical day at the Serena Kampala, we headed to Gulu where we spent time in villages and we even went on a safari. A week later we were in need of some rejuvenation. The Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa came to our rescue…

When you arrive at the Lake Victoria Serena, you really feel like you’re in a different world. While it’s only about 20 minutes from Kampala, you feel like you have been transported to a Mediterranean seaside village. The hotel is styled after an Italian palace, with beautiful pastel colored villas, a magnificent pool, and lush, terraced rose gardens.

The Lake Victoria Serena is a beautiful place to get married. Not only do you have the stunningly manicured hotel grounds, but the event areas and villas all have panoramic views of the marina and Lake Victoria. We have our fingers crossed that some of our Ugandan friends will get married here and we will have an opportunity to go back.

 

We only had about 15 hours at this hotel, and it was wonderful. We spent the late afternoon by the pool, and had some appetizers at the Lake View Pool Terrace. Our last meal in Uganda was at the Asian Fusion restaurant, and it was a good one. If we had more time here, we would have definitely spent an evening at Kigo, the cocktail bar, and Bobby would have most likely hit the links at their 9-hole championship golf course.

Sadly, we had a really early flight so we were not able to stay out too late. Consistent with the Serena Kampala, the bed was a dream. We were so thankful to get good rest the night before 30+ hours of travel. Thank you Lake Victoria Serena!

All in all, we highly recommend Uganda and the Serena brand. As we said in the beginning, embrace the culture and rough it a little. Spend 10 days in villages and on safari. Get dirty. It will make those last 2 blissful nights at a Serena property so special. Trust us :) 

Meet Our Luggage: Delsey Paris

Our biggest traveling game changer.

Let’s be real. Traveling with old, bulky, and broken luggage is the WORST. 

When we first started traveling together, we were both using suitcases we’d had for years - and those suitcases were the cause of several arguments, bad attitudes, and really, REALLY dramatic travel days. One day we realized we couldn’t do it anymore. Our luggage was weighing us down (literally), and the idea of trying to use them “just one more time” was not going to fly.

We started investigating luggage and were immediately overwhelmed. Those of you that have shopped for luggage recently know that the possibilities are endless. There are countless brands, sizes, and shapes to choose from. Finding one that is actually durable, lightweight, and affordable is a lot harder than you would think.

It took some research, but we found them. We were drawn in by their style and price, and then blown away by their durability, weight, and functionality. We hope that if you're in the market for new luggage, that you will trust us and give Delsey a try!

Delsey is a French luggage and travel accessory brand that has an impressive assortment of colorful, stylish, and theft-proof luggage pieces. We currently have 3, and will give you a brief rundown of each.  

First, we both have the Helium Titanium 21" Carry-On Expandable Spinner Trolley. Our favorite features are right there in the name. Helium. It is INCREDIBLY light. Titanium. It has a solid hard-shell exterior that will keep your delicate items safe and secure. Expandable. While this piece is a carry-on, it also has an expandable feature that provides you with more space if needed. Perfect for the souvenirs you need room for on the way home. Spinner. Neither of us knew that wheels could spin so smoothly on luggage. If you see us walking around the airport with these bags, it won't be uncommon for you to see Bobby shoving his bag and marveling at how fast and smooth it whizzes away from him. The smooth roll may not sound like a big deal, but we're confident you will let us know when you experience it and are as satisfied as we are.

Next up is the Helium Shadow 3.0 29" Spinner Suiter Trolley. This is Bobby's go to for bigger trips where we are checking bags. Like the carry-on, this bag is light, hard-shelled, and really smooth. The unique part of this luggage is the top lid opening, which is super useful when packing and unpacking. 

The other piece we have is the Honore+ 27" Spinner Trolley. This is a beautiful piece of luggage. Along with the same Delsey features as the others, the Honore+ also features a heavy duty aluminum frame with a single click opening system. It is amazing. This case is stylish and sophisticated, and is Alli's choice to bring along whenever possible. 

By now we’ve taken our Delsey suitcases to Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, South Africa, Uganda, and more, and we’re amazed at how well they’ve held up. Pushing our trusty luggage through the airport, down the street, even up several flights of stairs is a breeze. We can honestly say they’ve made our travel days a lot more enjoyable! ;)

So, friends, there you have it. Our biggest traveling game changer is definitely our Delsey luggage. We won’t leave home without them!

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Tips for the Ultimate Weekend Getaway South of the Border

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For those of you that are new to traveling, and anxious to explore, but not sure how. And for those of you that have been bit by the travel bug but are short on vacation time… We just discovered a location that we believe is the PERFECT combination of adventure & culture, and ease & comfort.

The Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium Hotel Group is everything you’d want in an all-inclusive, PLUS the rich culture and authentic Mexico flavor you’d want to to explore. This is a rare all-inclusive that truly does highlight and appreciate local culture - and that is extremely hard to find!!

Here are some ways we maximized our stay at the Royal Suites!

1.   TRAVEL TIME :: When making the most out of a short weekend trip, it’s crucial that travel time is very minimal. Lucky for us, getting to the Royal Suites was a breeze! We flew out of our local airport in Orange County and made sure we had a 2-hour direct flight to Puerto Vallarta. Before we could say “Hola!” we were being greeted with margaritas and smiling faces at the airport, and from there it’s only a short taxi ride to the Royal Suites!

2.   MAKE A PLAN :: We know what you’re thinking. Plan when you’re on vacation?! What is that?? But hear us out! Since you only have a few days - plan out the “must-see’s” that you want to do during your stay. Whether that’s horseback riding on the beach or a massage treatment, get those set up before you go so you don’t have to worry about them when you get there. The last thing you want to do on your vacation is spend your time contemplating what to do, where to go, etc. Have everything set up so that you can relax by the pool with a margarita as much as possible. ;)

3.   DON’T DO IT ALL :: This might sound contradicting from our last tip, but listen. You’re on vacation. Escape from expectations. At a place like the Royal Suites, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all of the countless entertainment and activity options... 

4.   TURN OFF :: Turn off your phones. Turn off your e-mail. Turn off “work mode”. For most of you, this might be the hardest, but most needed tip you’ll get. And we stand by it. For this one weekend, forget about what you have on Monday and LIVE IN THE MOMENT! Take a walk on the beach, bring a deck of cards, drink champagne from your jacuzzi tub… You deserve it. And your sanity will thank you!

We stayed at the Royal Suites from a Thursday through a Sunday, which some might think is too short of a trip when traveling to another country. We beg to differ. We were able to see, do, and eat everything we wanted - and came home feeling completely revived and refreshed! International travel doesn’t mean you need to use up all your vacation days and clear out your schedule. You truly can have a relaxing and fulfilling getaway - all within a long weekend! 

Destination Wedding Goals :: The Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium Hotel Group

On the hunt for the perfect destination wedding location? Look no more - we’ve found it. We recently stayed at the Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium Hotel Group and their staff was gracious enough to let us experience some of their amazing wedding packages. Friends, this place is LEGIT. If you are planning a wedding (or anticipating planning a wedding) and you and your significant share a love of travel, we can’t think of a better place to get married than at the Royal Suites! Here’s why:

 1.   It’s Picture-Perfect

We could go on and on about how insanely beautiful this property is. How the saltwater pool glistens in the sunset, how every pool manages to have a to-die-for view of the ocean, how the colorful and vibrant the scenery is, and how every time we stepped outside we couldn't help but gasp at where we were... but we won't go on and on. We'll let the photos speak for themselves on this one! How could you NOT want to get married here?!

2.   It’s UNIQUE!

We've never been anywhere like the Royal Suites. It's timeless and luxurious without being stuffy or assuming. The fact that they have a zoo on the property alone is unreal - and can we talk about the activities?! From surfing, to pool aerobics to sushi making... you're sure to knock several items off of your bucket list!

As far as actual wedding planning goes, the staff will do their best to ensure that your wedding exceeds your every hope and dream. They have several options for ceremony locations and packages, each one is special and breathtaking. If you’re traditional, they have the most charming and romantic yellow church on their property. If you’re all about the panoramic views, we recommend getting married on the beach or at one of their stunning lookout spots. Out of all the packages, our personal favorite was the "Tropical Promise", which features gorgeous, colorful decor, tropical flower arrangements that are to die for, and the most amazing champagne cocktails with matching starfruit. They really do think of EVERY detail!! For the reception, we say definitely have it on the beach! You can book traditional dancers, dj’s, tequila tastings, need we say more?! This place is the DREAM!

3.   The BEST Staff You’ll Ever Have

Serious. We can’t stop talking about them. The staff at the Royal Suites made our trip, and we can only begin to imagine how incredibly accommodating and helpful they would be on your wedding day. And being “newlyweds”, we know how crucial it is to be surrounded by helpful, efficient people when you’re getting married. You won’t need to worry about a thing, and they’ll make sure your favorite drink is always in hand. Very important. ;)

4.   The FOOD!!!

Not going to lie, eating was probably our favorite activity while we were at the Royal Suites Punta de Mita. No matter what you order, you can’t go wrong. (We would know, we ordered pretty much everything! Ha!) You can wow your family with a special lobster feast, or treat your bridesmaids to the perfect “wedding day” brunch… or you can go the traditional Mexican route with table-side Guacamole and fajita bowls! Whatever you choose, it will be amazing and you will want more. Get ready.

5.   Your Guests Will ETERNALLY Thank You.

By having your wedding at the Royal Suites, you will have introduced your friends and family to one of the most incredible havens they’ve ever experienced. They’ll come home refreshed, tan, and full on food and priceless memories.