Girls Weekend in New Orleans | The Ultimate Travel Guide

Someone once told me to stop thinking of New Orleans as a city in the South and to start thinking of it as a place all on its own. The minute I stopped trying to categorize New Orleans I truly developed an appreciation, and even a love for the city. There are few places in America with as much character or uniqueness. It's not everyones cup of tea, but New Orleans can be a wonderful place for that perfect getaway you need. 

A couple years back I created A Weekend in New Orleans | The Ultimate Travel Guide. Despite the fact that it is now severely outdated, it is STILL my most popular post on this blog. After getting to know the city even more, I thought it was about time to give you an updated travel guide, specifically for a girls weekend!

QUICK FACTS

Time Zone | Central

Airport | Louis Armstrong International (MSY)

Transportation Airport to French Quarter | $33

Transportation Streetcar | $3 day pass

Average Hotel Price Per Night | $90 - $350 

Average Meal Price | $22

French Quarter 

FRIDAY

6PM Fly into Louis Armstrong International Airport. From there take either a taxi or an Uber into the French Quarter. Both will set you back $33, however if you opt for a taxi note that an added rate of $14 is added per additional passenger. 

7PM After checking into your hotel, make your way through the French Quarter to Chartres House for a bite to eat. The French Quarter is notorious for expensive restaurants and bars. Chartres House is a are rare gem that is both tasty and reasonably priced. Try the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, it won't disappoint! 

9PM Enjoy the magic of the French Quarter! Whether you decide to explore Bourbon Street or opt for something a little quieter like one of the many courtyard spaces, theres plenty to do, all you have to do is walk around and explore for yourself!

12AM Need to fuel that late night craving? Don't worry, Cafe Du Monde is open 24/7! Going late at night means you'll miss the crowds! The line is usually out the door during the morning breakfast rush.

Buckner Mansion in the Garden District 

SATURDAY 

9AM Its time for a cup of coffee. Take the St. Charles Streetcar to the Garden District and hop off at Jackson Avenue. Remember, the streetcars only take exact change so have your $3 ready! It'll give you a roundtrip ticket for the day. Walk down Jackson Avenue, stopping to take pictures at Buckner Mansion, before reaching Magazine Street. At the corner of Jackson and Magazine you'll find one of the best places in the world for donuts, and that isn't an exaggeration! District Donuts is a donut lovers dream! Try one of their specialty donuts of the day and pair it with a cup of cold brew. 

District Donuts Sliders and Brew

10AM Head north of Magazine Street and explore the beautiful Garden District. You'll pass several walking tours while exploring the Garden District, but I've found it's easier to walk at your own pace.  Download this Self Guided Walking Tour to make sure you don't miss a thing! Some of my personal favorites include Buckner Mansion (the American Horror Story Coven House) and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

1PM So you're probably a little hungry by this point. End your Garden District trip with lunch at Atchafalaya, a local favorite! Head back to the French Quarter after you've finished exploring the beauty of the Garden District. 

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

7PM Tonight is all about jazz. You are in New Orleans after all! Grab a bite to eat at Paladar 511, a favorite for pizza, before walking over to Frenchman Street for some of the best jazz in New Orleans. The most difficult decision will be choosing with jazz club to step in to! There are dozens! Spend the night listening to the sounds of New Orleans. 

SUNDAY

9AM Sadly, it's your last day in New Orleans. End your trip with a bang by going to a local favorite for breakfast, St. Roch Market. Here, everyone in your party can get what they want. From grits to avocado toast or breakfast burritos, St. Roch Market has been serving up local produce since 2015. Don't forget that cup of coffee either. Coast Roast Coffee at St. Roch Market is some of the best in the city! 

St. Roch Market

If you have any time to spare, head back to your hotel by foot! The journey from St. Roch Market to the French Quarter gives you a taste of real New Orleans, colorful, magical, and always unique! The city of New Orleans is full of history and character. The mix of French, Spanish, and Caribbean history makes this city like no other.

What are some of your favorite spots for a Girls getaway? Leave your suggestions below, and make sure to reach out to me if you have any questions. Happy traveling!

xoxo

My Favorite Travel Photos & the Stories Behind Them

I take a lot of pictures when I travel. Hundreds upon hundreds of pictures for a single trip usually. A lot of these photos get lost amongst the rest, only to be occasionally stumbled upon some months or years later. Although these pictures tell stories I may have already shared with this blog in the past, there may be a few new ones thrown in that may put a smile on your face. Case in point: the Stonehenge Photobomber. 

The Stonehenge Photobomber: England

It was the coldest day of the year and my friend and I were on a tour of some of the most beautiful places in England. Despite the weather, when we arrived at Stonehenge it was a mad house. 7,000 people had already visited that day and everyone was trying to get up front to achieve that 'perfect picture'. Tired and cold, we took a quick selfie before moving around to the other side. It was only later we realized we weren't the only ones being silly that day at the stones. 

Stone Lover & The Devil's Chair: Avebury Stone Circle, England

Sometimes you just have to hug an ancient circle. Other times, you just have to stand on the supposed gateway to hell. 

Making Friends: New Orleans

I'm the first to tell you there are some major touristy scams in New Orleans. The carriage rides, although somewhat informative, are one of those. On a normal day I would recommend steering clear, but on this particular summer evening I had a drink or two in me and decided to make friends with one of the locals - a donkey named Zulu. 

The Next Supreme: New Orleans

It's no secret that I am a huge American Horror Story fan. Fiona Goode is essentially my spirit animal. While spending a little time in New Orleans I stumbled across (more like strategically planned a trip to) Buckner Mansion, the main location from Coven. 

Just Jump: La Fortuna, Costa Rica

When my friend and I signed up for canyoneering we thought it would be some cool hike thing. Boy were we wrong. Canyoneering is essentially rappelling down waterfalls, and it is awesome! You may not be able to tell in this picture, but I was experiencing a mixture of sheer terror and adrenaline before I made the decent down. 

Jumping Fail: Nashville, Tennesse

I'm a sucker for a good brick wall. This picture captures the moment I attempted to jump for the camera and my mom leaning out to photobomb me. 

Sometimes, looking through old photographs reminds you of the joy of traveling. If pictures are worth a thousand words, then I have millions of memories. 

xoxo

Traveling the World While Holding a Full Time Job

As I sat at my local Starbucks, coffee in hand, the busy Houston traffic zooming past me outside the window, I came to a realization. Time is a luxury I no longer have. The past two years have been a whirlwind of changes, but the biggest change of all was that of finishing my academic career and joining the 'real world' as some people called it. When I first landed my full time job a common phrase amongst my friends was 'welcome to the real world'.

The phrase irked me a bit. What exactly is the real world? There were unwritten rules that I was obviously not following, such as settling down, buying a house, or having children. While I have absolutely nothing against my friends who are doing these things, my real world is a path I have created for myself, and in the center of that path is travel. 

Let's face it. You can't do what you love without a solid foundation in life. So, as I write this on a sunny Saturday morning, I am not only blogging but also aimlessly scrolling through my work email. My full time job has become not only rewarding, but allows me to live the life I want to live. I would like to share my the secrets to traveling the world while still holding a full time job. 

MAKE TRAVEL A PRIORITY
You won't be able to travel unless you make it a major priority in your life. Chances are you are going to miss a lot of things: birthdays, parties, weddings. That is okay. Do what makes you happy and make the right choices to achieve that. 

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS
I miss the days of jumping on a train in England and being transported somewhere new and exciting within minutes. Here, in the US, it's a little more complicated than that. A common misconception in the US is because it is so spread out, you can never truly visit somewhere within a weekend. I'm here to tell you that is complete crap! It may require a little research, but planning a weekend getaway is not only do-able, but can also be affordable! Weekend trips I have been able to plan without taking any time off include New Orleans, Dallas, OKC, Nashville, and even Chicago! With one or two days off, plus the added weekend, I've been able to plan trips to London and Dublin!

PLAN WISELY 
Planning your travels will take a lot of dedication and research. There are MANY factors you will have to take into consideration. Do you have enough PTO (paid time off)? Will you be able to request off those days? How many hours will you have to work overtime to make up for the ones you plan on taking off? My first few months were spent building my PTO. I barely spent anytime traveling. But because I did that I was able to build and build and build! Now I have the luxury of traveling without worrying about going into a PTO deficit. All I have to do is make sure I plan my trips far enough in advance so I can easily request my desired days off!

VISIT THAT FRIEND WHO MOVED AWAY
One of the most expensive parts of travel is accommodation. Other than transportation, accommodation is easily the biggest money drainer on any getaway. Why not visit that friend who has moved away? Chances are, you know at least one or two people who have moved somewhere new and exciting. Take advantage of that! Spend a weekend with them catching up and exploring their new city!

SET ASIDE A TRAVEL SAVINGS FUND

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I am a good at saver. I always have been. It might have something to do with the fact that I am a banker's daughter, or maybe it's just because I am borderline OCD (you should ask my coworkers). Regardless of the reason, saving is essential to being able to travel. Set aside an account and automatically transfer funds every pay check, however small. Once it's in your savings account don't touch it. Don't even think about it really! Act as if it never existed and eventually it'll grow.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF 
I recently caught a stomach bug. It had been going around and by the time I got it, it had become a full blown nightmare. I had to take of two days of work, which could have been two days of travel. Take care of your health and your body so you don't have to take as many sick days. Your growing PTO will thank you later.

Working full time can often be exhausting, especially when you are using every spare moment you have planning your next vacation! Print out the desk planner below to keep you motivated and on track for your next getaway!

Would You Rather | Travel Edition

I am usually not one to fill out Q&As or tags, but sometime one comes along and it is just too good to pass up! I've seen the "Would You Rather :: Travel Edition" floating around in the travel blogging sphere but most recently I saw it over on What the Elle. I loved the answers to these questions so I thought I'd give it a go!

Travel or focus on your career at the age of 25?
I always thought I would want to focus on my career at 25. Now that I'm close to that age (less than a year away) I realize my priorities revolve more around travel than my career. I would love to work on both, but if I absolutely had to chose one it would be travel.

Have a $10,000 budget for a holiday and fly first class for $5,000 and stay in mediocre accommodation, or spend $1,000 on economy and stay in luxury accommodation?
Absolutely spend $1,000 on economy and stay in luxury accommodation. I can handle long haul flights, it's just a part of travel. Accommodation can make or break a trip in my opinion so I much rather stay somewhere nice!

Never take the train or never take an airplane again?
Never take the train. I love traveling by train but it's very limited. Flights can take you anywhere! 

Stay in a palm hut along the seashore for seven days or stay in a log cabin in the woods for one month?
I'm a beach girl. I love spending time outdoors in the woods, but my dream relaxing vacation is on the beach. I can't think of anything better than spending seven days in a little hut, soaking up the sun and drinking pina coladas. 

Be left behind in the bush on an African safari or be left behind in the water on a scuba trip?
Both of these sound horrible, but the open ocean TERRIFIES me. It's possibly one of my biggest fears of ALL TIME. So I'm going to have to go with the African bush. Yes, I may be mauled by a lion or eaten by hyenas, but I rather die like that than be attacked by a shark or drown. 

Have an awesome job in a mediocre city or a mediocre job in an awesome city?
A mediocre job in an awesome city. I love to soak up my environment. I believe the city you live in effects your attitude and mood more than you realize. I could absolutely risk having a job I didn't enjoy just to live in a place that made me happy. 

Be able to teleport to places you’ve already been or only be able to teleport to places you’ve never been before?
Being able to teleport places I've already been before. I think if I had the power of teleportation I would want to use it to visit friends and family in an instant. If I were able to teleport places I've never been it would require way too much planning. I'd probably end up confused and wouldn't be able to enjoy it!

Be stuck on a seven-hour delay, or turn up at the airport and realize your flight is tomorrow?
I can handle a seven hour delay. Yes, it would be inconvenient but far less inconvenient then driving to the airport, parking, going inside, and then realizing you have to do it all again tomorrow! 

Be able to play every musical instrument that you touch or speak every language that you hear?
Can I have both? When I was younger, I learned Spanish, ASL, piano, and guitar. Although I was okay with all of them at the time, I was never able to stick with them. However, I think at this point in my life I would have to chose speaking every language! 

Would you rather travel along the ocean floor or take a trip to outer space?
I've always said if I could be an animal it would be a dolphin (which probably makes no sense since the open ocean terrifies me). But the thought of taking a trip into space terrifies me even more, where as I would find traveling on the ocean floor beautiful! As long as I'm nice and safe inside a little submarine. 

Travel back in time to meet your ancestors or forward to meet your descendants?
As a history major, the idea of meeting my ancestors is amazing!! Seeing where my ancestors were from and what their lives would be fascinating. I come from a Mexican, Spanish, German, and Welsh background. With such a variety of cultures in my blood I would love to compare the lives of each one of my ancestors and see what really mattered to them. 

Have in-flight WiFi but no legroom (like, zero inches) or in-flight legroom but no WiFi?
This is such a hard one!! I love it when flights have wi-fi but leg room is super important, especially since I have crappy knees. As much as I hate to say it, I think I'll go with the leg room and no wi-fi. 

Be able to eat anything and any quantity of food with no negative health effects or be refreshed and well rested after only three hours of sleep?
Food or more hours in the day? CAN I HAVE BOTH?! Urghhh, if I have to answer I think I'll go with eating anything! I just LOVE food. 

Make sure to post a link to your blog if you decide to answer the tag!

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Why I Didn't 'Travel More'

Since moving back to the states

one of the most frequently asked question has been 

"Why didn't you travel more?"

In the 17 months I lived in England I never went to mainland Europe. 

Heck, I only left the United Kingdom twice 

(once to visit my family in Texas, once for a trip to Ireland). 

But that doesn't mean I didn't travel.

That question absolutely infuriates me.

So my response, 

"I spent my time exploring the country I did live in". 

There's more to the United Kingdom than London, Bath, or Oxford.

There's an entire country waiting to be explored.

There are so many places I still have yet to visit in the UK. 

I didn't just want to travel to the UK, I wanted to understand it. 

And I was not going to pass up that amazing opportunity.

You can't understand a country by visiting it for a weekend or two. 

Living abroad allows you to understand your new country in a completely unique way.
Being an expat doesn't just mean you are experiencing another culture,
you are living it and allowing it to shape who you are.
It changed who I was for the better. 

Paris will always be there. Amsterdam too. 

There are so many places I want to visit, 

but I have the rest of my life to do so.

Living abroad is a blessing that should not be taken for granted. 

Polly from 'A Girl and Her Travels' has also written a lovely post about traveling and living abroad, which you can read here.


Happy Monday!
xoxo

Shanklin | Isle of Wight

Our adventure continues on the Isle of Wight! 

After a short trip to Sandown, Elle and I were ready to head to our next destination: Shalkin. Elle, having done far more research than I, knew it was only a short trip away. Yet the distance of the two cities on the map didn't seem walkable, so we opted for the bus. But after waiting an hour for the bus only to be told it didn't go to Shanklin, Elle and I settled on taking a train. The train station in Sandown sparked much debate on horror movies and being murdered in the middle of nowhere but once the train came we were instantly put at ease. 

Five minutes later, we were in Shanklin. We walked up to the coastline and looked down. There, in the near distance was Sandown Pier. Yep, we had waited an hour and some to get to a city we could have walked to in 15 minutes. Our spirits, while slightly defeated, were ready for Shanklin. Shanklin is a beautiful Victorian seaside resort. Every other building was an inn or hotel, all of which looked closed for the winter. The beach itself looked too cold for a dip, but was a perfect spot for a few "profile pictures". Shanklin was by far my favorite stop on our visit to the Isle of Wight so I highly recommend it! Stay tuned for Shanklin Chine!

Happy Thursday!
xoxo

5 Southwest English Towns You Should Visit

I'm not lying to you when I say some of my closest friends back home still think I live in London. For some reason it's hard for people to process the fact that there are other cities in England, let alone why anyone would want to live outside the capital anyway. I do love London, I really do, but trust me when I say there's a whole country worth exploring. 

I've been calling the Southwest home for the past year. No, not the American Southwest. The English Southwest! From Roman baths to medieval cathedrals, the English Southwest has so much to offer. So if you ever find yourself in England and dare to explore outside of London, here are five Southwest English towns you should consider visiting. 

I’m pretty biased when it comes to Bristol. Bristol is home now, and without a doubt I could not be happier. I moved here having never visited, which was kind of crazy but oh so worth it. Bristol has the small town feel with all the conveniences of a big city. I’ll leave you with my favorite quote, one that describes Bristol perfectly. “I love Bristol because it knows who it is. It's cool and cosmopolitan and it doesn't compete with other cities. Bristol is happy dancing to the beat of its own drum."- Stephen Merchant

Stepping off the train in Bath is like stepping through a time machine. Instantly you feel as if you are in a Jane Austen novel. Bath is England’s most romantic city. It happens to be the home to some of England’s oldest history as well. Visit the Roman Baths, then Bath Cathedral just a few steps away.

The smallest city in all of England, Wells is the setting for the hilarious movie “Hot Fuzz”. Although small, Wells is home to my favorite cathedral in England as well as a beautiful medieval palace.

Home to one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, Salisbury is located 20 minutes south of Stonehenge. It’s local markets and impressive cathedral are must sees on a visit to this medieval city.

Just 8 miles southeast of Bath, this tiny town is commonly nicknamed “Little Bath”. While the architecture is similar, the atmosphere of Bradford-on-Avon is completely different. Off the beaten track, this town is perfect for capturing true English village life. 

Happy Wednesday! 

xoxo