My Journey to Traveling with May

That moment when you realize your brain is smoking because you have to get all the information out of it... yea that's me right now. 

I am going to attempt to do so without making you feel like you're on the upside, inside, outside, all sides ride in Willy Wonka's Factory. 

Let's Do This... 

Travel has changed my life. It has allowed me to meet so many amazing people and have some of the most informative and stimulating conversations. I have truly been able to see, live and thrive in cultures many people only dream of. 

This was a gradual process. I always knew I wanted to travel someday but I never put a time frame on it. Life had me occupied for a very long time. I was living what I thought was my best life. I then became the "responsible adult" I was supposed to be. 

I still viewed travel as a "one day I will" thing and not an "it's now or never". This definitely changed as I began to maintain being the "responsible adult". In being responsible I had to change my leisure activities, focus on school and building a career. I also learned I never wanted to live life with any regrets. I never wanted to be that seventy-something saying "I should have done...". 

As I fully embraced living with no regrets I began to interact with like-minded people. You know, other responsible adults who were focused on goals, careers and the future. They were from different walks of life with very different goals but all had one thing in common... they traveled. 

It was as if it was a sign to go for it. Well, my mom received her passport first and I must say I was green-eyed with envy. So, I applied for mine as well. Now, I will be honest and say it was not a fast decision as I would often spend my money for a passport on happy hours, night outs with the girls, or just food in general. I was a work in progress. 

Eventually, I decided I'm going to do this... and... I DID. 

One day while on break from work, I walked to the post office with my paperwork and an old passport photo from Jr. High School (thank baby Jesus I still looked exactly the same) and I stood on line and completed the process. 

I was nervous because the clerk told me my photo was too big for the box and they may reject it. I also had no idea they kept the birth certificate. Since I was being responsible I made a copy thinking they only wanted to see the original, but no. I kept the copy. The clerk informed me it will be returned with the passport. I felt a little better but still anxious. 

Weeks passed and I forgot about submitting the application. I come home to an envelope from the government and I'm so confused. I opened it and sighed with relief as my passport and birth certificate were inside.

Within one month I booked my first trip out of the country. It was my friends' birthday and she wanted to go away. I was ready to do this. I was introduced to Cheap Caribbean and I have been loyal to them ever since. 

She decided on Mexico, and like most Americans, I had the stereotypical view about the water and the crime. However, I was quickly informed it's safe and they have bottled water. 

I was so excited, I was also in great shape and ready to show it off. Mexico was so much fun. Every day was filled with laughs, alcohol and some great food. I also learned how much of a thrill-seeker I could be and it only increased with each trip. 

Mexico is cool. I've been there quite a few times now and it never disappoints me. 

I was proud of myself. I stepped outside of my version of normal and tried new things. 

I went to the Dominican Republic, not too long after this and I stayed at what is my favorite resort hands down (stay tuned for that post). The Dominican Republic was different for me and filled with thrill-seeking adventures. Take a look:

Inside the hotel room... yes please! 

Good food

Fried Ice Cream

Some Entertainment 

Jumped down there

See 

Climbing Out

I continued to be a "responsible adult" I was focused on school. Like really focused, almost obsessed with it. I then decided on my major and realized I want to see more than Mexico and DR, I wanted to see the world. I was offered an amazing opportunity to visit Italy. I would give up the majority of my spring break but I was going to Europe! 

I had no idea what to expect and that was the best part for me. I didn't allow myself to get stuck in a specific mindset about anything. 

I landed in Rome and I made the best of it. On that trip I learned some very important things:

I can never be afraid to explore on my own. 
I cannot allow other people to influence the outcome of my vacation.
I want to do this forever.

With this new found perspective I was convinced I needed to do all I can to be great. There were no limits on what I could do and how far I could go. 

Rome was truly a crossroads for me in terms of travel. I could have easily decided to just stay in the room and not explore more than what was required. I could have just stayed with the group the entire time and done only that. 

I wanted more. I wanted to see the real Rome, beyond the tourist spots and shopping areas. I wanted to explore life with the locals and I did just that! I was able to put my reservations to the side and go for it. It changed me, for the better and only solidified my desire to travel the world and get paid to do so. 

I learned the importance of currency exchange. It was a very fast lesson and easily implemented. 

TIP: When you are able to, use your bank or credit cards. Especially if you have a card that does not charge for an out of country purchase. Capital One is a great card for traveling. 

I would use my card, save my cash and make the payments on the card while I was there. So, it made spending money better because I would only use what I put on the card. When I returned I did NOT  have this astronomical amount of money owed. 

Rome ended all too soon and I was back to reality. I had over 1200 photos and I had to sort them. I got to relive my vacation. 

Side Note: Taking photos are super important. Sometimes you forget certain places or what the resort offered and how the food looked. Photos can allow you to remember those things. They also provide an opportunity to have those moments of nostalgia again. 

Rome really allowed me to desire more than a Caribbean vacation and truly explore countries, cities and towns like a native. It was my introduction into being okay with wandering and getting lost. 

I went back to being responsible and focusing on school. I started looking up vacations and figuring out how soon I could go to the next one. Well, I didn't wait too long I took my mom on a much needed and well-deserved vacation. It was perfect. We explored a little (she is not the thrill-seeking type) and relaxed a lot. It was also her first time out of the country and I was super excited to see her reaction to it all. 

As I kept traveling my desire only increased, so much so that I would return from vacation and within one week I was planning the next one. 

I learned some savvy tricks about shopping for flights and all-inclusive hotels. It was so exciting to gain all this knowledge that would allow me to get more for my money. I took five vacations in one year as a result. This was it, I was hooked and my passion was realized! 

I began to share my journeys via social media, I began to receive questions. A lot of questions. There were so many people who wanted to balance work, family and fun just like I did. It was a joy sharing my ups and downs and lessons learned. 

I decided I needed to share it with the world. I was sure there were so many people with the same questions, concerns and hesitation. I knew major blogs only shared some information and would ensure you pay or sign up to get more in depth content. I didn't want to do that. I also was scared to see/read the feedback on my blog. The Internet is not always nice but in posting on this blog and conversing with people about my blog I have gained a lot of confidence. 

I can only hope this blog helps you in your journey to see the world one destination at a time. 

Ok, those were my thoughts. I hope they helped you understand how I became a travel junkie and it inspires you to be responsible and go after your own passion. 

Until next time, 
Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May 

Staycations Count Too!

A few weeks prior I decided to do a "Staycation", it was also for a very special person who recently completed a really tough process for a promotion. Ok, enough about that.

Let's Focus.

I decided since both of our schedules were a bit hectic and we didn't get to spend much time together it wouldn't be possible to go away for the weekend. However, we did share the same days off and that worked out perfectly.

I decided to book a hotel for one night and two days. Here's the deets on the digs and all things staycation:

The Neighborhood

Make sure the neighboorhood is far enough from where you live that you don't just want to go home or run into people from your town/city. The environment makes a huge difference. Try a town or city you may have visited for a special occasion and always wanted to explore.

You can also search Google or TimeOut to see what's happening in the area you are thinking of. It can give inspiration or solidify a decision to visit a place.

Or, you can pick the place depending on what the person or you like. I knew my person loves the unconventional, artsy and innovative design and relaxed environments. It was as easy as click, click pack and done.

It was in an extremely artsy neighborhood with everything in walking distance. There were amazing boutiques and restaurants nearby and it made for a beautiful afternoon stroll.

I stayed in the super trendy and relaxed in nature but vibrant with colors neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

Transportation

The easiest way to feel like you're away is not to take your normal mode of transportation. It's really simple, if you drive, don't or if you take public transportation, don't. In my case, I decided to Uber everywhere. It wasn't super expensive and I was able to relax and enjoy the ride and the company of my person. 

Everything was in walking distance but we did uber to one location as we were running late (I took an extended nap... lol). 

We also took an Uber back home. It was a nice transition back into reality and it allowed the weekend to linger for just a few minutes longer. 


The Hotel

As described above it helps to know the person and even yourself. Small gestures make a huge difference such as the decor and vibe of the hotel. The hotel just was just perfect. When I viewed the photos online I immediately knew this was the place. It has everything I was looking for, it was a great balance of something for both of us. 

I booked online and was able to get a special promo to use in the hotel. Because, we like Free! and free isn't possible we like discounts and lots of them. I called the hotel to confirm the details and decide if it was really worth it. Once I calculated the difference with and without the promo and weighed the options it was totally worth it. 

We were able to receive an early check-in. The room was ready and we were ready to relax. The relaxation didn't last too long as we were hungry. 

Speaking of food, the promo is called Eat and Drink. Here are the deets:

Drinks
Two drink tickets for the rooftop bar... yes, please! The hotel only serves top shelf alcohol so it was a true win-win. 

Food
There was a credit to be used at the restaurant on the ground floor or the rooftop bar. The credit would be applied at checkout and deducted from the charges. 

We ate brunch and it was SOOOOOOOO GOOD! It made me so happy. I ate the crispy Bacalao with caper aioli, sage, and arugula salad. The food was well seasoned, and the greens were fresh and crisp.

Here are Some photos of the room:

:

The Fun Stuff

After a much-needed brunch, we decided to go out and explore. Although we have previously been to the neighborhood we never just took the time to stroll the streets and explore the neighborhood with no time restraints or reservations. 

We walked to our favorite Ice Cream parlor. After ice cream, we walked the street and stopped in a few stores to look around. We found a cool shoe store and well, let's just say our feet were very happy. We popped in a few more stores and did a decent amount of damage for the afternoon. 

While walking we saw A$AP Rocky and he was walking the neighborhood like everyone else. No one bothered him or asked for photos. It was refreshing to know everyone was in their own world but sharing the same space. 

We decided to skip the pier as we have been there so many times and wanted to explore some new additions to the neighborhood. If it is your first time in the neighborhood, don't skip the pier. I would recommend going in the evening as the sunset is awe-inspiring. 

In conjunction with my earlier statement about events in the neighborhood, make sure there are some things to do and/or explore. Pre-purchasing tickets will help and can allow you to plan the day better. 

You can also wander the streets and let the wind guide you through the day. That usually leads to the best "remember that time" stories.

We went back to the room and decided to just relax. After all, that's the point of the staycation. I definitely relaxed more as my quick nap turned into hours of sleeping hence the needed Uber mentioned earlier. 

We got to the movies and found good seats. We watched Sorry to Bother You and it was a very interesting discussion as we walked back to the hotel. 

The beautiful thing about the staycation is the night does not have to end. This particular neighborhood has a great nightlife. There are plenty of vibrant bars, underground music spots and art shows happening all the time. 

A quick search or random conversation with someone can lead to a fun-filled night. Hopefully, without a pounding headache the morning after. 

However, we ended the night in the room watching Harry Potter movies... 

It was the best weekend I had all summer, bar none. 

See staycations can be super fun, relaxing or the combination of both. They can be whatever you want them to be. It's great to be a tourist in a local city at a fraction of the cost of a booked flight, hotel and the time spent on airport security lines. 

Let me know where you decide to do a staycation in the comments. 

Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May.

How to Plan the best Vaca... EVER!

So, its almost the amazingly dreadful time of year. You know, the time when your super happy but really sad and nervous. When you want to be flawless but look effortless. It's the infamous "back to school" conundrum. 

You may be just starting college or getting ready to send the children off to school as they begin their journey into adulthood. Wherever you fall on this scale you have time. Time for what you ask, oh just to book the most amazing vacation ever!!! 

While most people are getting ready for back to school, I am getting ready for vacations. That's right I'm in travel planning mode and you can be as well. It's not too hard or overly complicated. In fact most websites or apps make it quite easy to book. 

Here is a quick and carefree guide to booking an amazing vacation. 

1. Pick your travel date/s 
You have to decide if you wan thanksgiving with the parents or Christmas in Cannes. Maybe you want to be close for the holdays so spring break is more ideal. Once you have your dates you can move to step 2. 

2. Pick a location 
In my opinion this is by far the hardest step. There are so many places in the world to explore how can you just pick one? Ummm easy, don't! You can book more than one vacation, or extend your vacation by having multiple destinations (it's not as expensive as the 'cha-ching' sound in your head is implying)

Looking for winter wonders check out this cool link 
Looking for Summer in the winter like me? Heat it up here

3. Book the flight/s
Now, this can be a bit overwhelming but I'll share my personal tricks for success. 


 I use hopper, this phone application is absolutely amazing. I select my dates and location/s and it notifies me when the flights are at their lowest and/or the highest. I fly to Japan round trip for less than $800!!!! Yea, you read that correctly. This application is my travel friend! Well, if apps had the capacity to maintain friendships (shrugs). 

I also LOVE LOVE LOVE JetBlue! They ALWAYS have travel deals on flights. Now, is the perfect time to take advantage. There's one way flights to Aruba from New York for less than $200 p/p! Don't believe me? Check it out below.

These are my two faves but there's more especially if you choose all-inclusive. Speaking of that let's detour..

3a. If you choose all inclusive cause you want tropical/carribean vibes. Here are some great websites to help with that. 

Cheap Carribean- it's the first site I used to book an all-inclusive vacation. They have an abundance of options, pick the country, pick the hotels and you can choose the amenities you want. It's AWESOOMMMEE! (and my personal go to when lookin for a quick getaway) 

Bookit- is also another great website. There are all sorts of great ways to save on this site. There are several ways to refine your search and get that perfect vacation!

4. Pick a hotel/Bed and breakfast or Air BNB: because Europe doesn't offer all-inclusive 

This step is usually the easiest for me. I know what my comforts are and what I like to have when I travel. Therefore, hotels are easier for me but, like most things this comes with time and learning through mistakes. 

Here's some options to help with those mistakes:

cheaphotels.org has super inexpensive deals for local and international destinations. The best part is, its NOT just hotels! Yes, that's right, there are apartments, rooms and homes for rent. So you can really pick what you like and not break the bank. 

TripAdvisor.com- is a great place to start if you are not sure what kind of hotel you are looking for. Once you find the hotel, you can check out other sites to see which one has the best rates for the dates of your choice. 

Often, times it might be best to book directly with the hotel. As they ay have special rates and offers not advertised on third party websites. 

Hey! Guess what? Once you finish those simple steps you've done it! That's right you booked your perfect vacation. 

Now, the only thing left to do is save the date and get ready to lice your best life. 

Let me know what places you use to book your vacations in the comments. 

Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May

Mexican Secrets... Tell Every One!

I recently went to Mexico, again, with my mom. This was part of her Mother's Day gift and an opportunity to bond, get out of the city but mostly, just relax.

I've been to Mexico quite a few times, usually it's for a celebration or event. I never go to unwind, there's always so much to do and see. However, I decided this time, I'm going to just relax, literally, do nothing. Best. Decision. Ever.

In doing this, I was able to fully explore what the hotel had to offer. I was able to see if they meet the expectations set on the website and travel sites. 

I stayed at the Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. I know, when you think of Cancun, relax does not come to mind, but it was actually very peaceful. Let me explain why...

The Hotel
The resort is located at the end of the island, literally, and it's so quiet. There is about a 15 minute drive to the resort once you enter the grounds. Which screams privacy and I loved it!

The check-in process is standard and includes a glass of champagne for all guest and cool hand towels. 

The room included a private pool, also known as a swim-out, with central air that can be controlled by the occupants. The TV offered a wide variety of shows, in English, Spanish and Italian. I personally kept it on the music station, because hotel rooms are made for dancing! 

The bathroom was gorgeous, there was a jacuzzi tub, walk in shower, dual sinks with lighted mirrors and a basket of toiletries (replenished daily). 


The Food
Of course, one of the benefits of vacation is eating, everything! I totally did that and then some. There were seven restaurants on the resort offering everything from Sushi to Indian food. 

I ate at each restaurant during our stay, whether for lunch or dinner or two dinners. The food was soooo delicious! During the afternoon there is a pop-up restaurant of sorts by the pool. They offer paella, grilled seafood, chicken, steak, plenty of salads, veggies and cucumber lime water. The water was so refreshing.

I loved watching them cook the food in front of me and taking in the aroma of seasonings, it was heaven for my tastebuds. 

The best part about the food is... there's more! Yes, that's right. The resort offers access to the hotel next door for meals as well. And they were just as tasty and accommodating. 

The Fun Stuff
Now, for the section we've all been waiting for... the fun stuff.

The resort offers plenty of activities throughout the day, if you can leave the beautiful beach or the cool pool. There are water aerobics, salsa classes, painting sessions, traditional Mayan ceremonies, and of course water sports. The jet skis were in full throttle throughout the vacation.

There is a beautiful spa that can be accessed daily. There is an offer for packages at check in and an opportunity to utilize the coupons for the resort for various services. We had massages, and yes it was the best part of my day. (This service is additional to the booking price.)

Oh, there is a movie theater on the resort and they offer nightly shows filled with live music, fire shows and other performing acts.

The hotel truly offers something for everyone and the best part is you can access the resort next door as well for even more things to do. 

The resort next door offers amazing activities, including a water park, and two lazy rivers. There are two water slides that are quite high, but just enough to get the rush you need before splashing into the water. 

Wrap Up
The staff is super friendly and very accommodating. There was nothing I needed but whatever I wanted it was by my side in less than five minutes. They allow you to feel as though you are being waited on hand and foot and it is much appreciated, especially, when that is the goal. 

It's truly a good time... and did I mention it was All-Inclusive! 

If anyone is seeking a great way to unwind in Cancun, Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is definitely the way to go. 

Mommy Views 

I hope you check it out for yourself and Travel with May as you do! 

All Inclusive... Is It Worth It?

So, you’ve decided you’re taking a vacation. You want sun, sand, and drinks in your hand. As you begin to research, you see these astronomical prices for just three nights. Ummm no way!

As you keep scrolling there are some more reasonable prices but they are labeled “All-Inclusive” and of course, here comes skepticism, with ‘that can’t be true.’ Guess what? It is! 

When researching for travel, there will be a constant option for All-Inclusive and, of course, you want to know if it’s worth it. Well, let’s discuss.

All-Inclusive can mean two things:

1-flight, hotel, food, and transportation to and from the airport

2-hotel, food, drinks and activities. 

So, it really depends on what you are looking for when traveling, in addition to the location, and time of year. 

I believe All-Inclusive is a great way to save money while ensuring you will get the most bang for your buck! It’s an opportunity to explore things you my not be able to without the All-Inclusive package like dance lessons, art classes or even free massages! Yes, you read that right, free massages!

When I travel, specifically to tropical locations, I prefer All-Inclusive. Its better for me to know I am receiving all of the food, drinks (top shelf of course), and amenities that I would like, prior to arrival. It also allows the flexibility of activities like, water skiing, parasailing, nature excursions and other cultural activities. There is no rush to participate in any specific activity as they are usually offered daily, unless weather conditions don’t permit. Did I mention the room service… can you say cherry on top! 

It’s also better, if it is a family vacation. Some hotels have water parks, baby sitting and daily activities to keep children occupied at the set price with no surprises. 

Think about, if you purchase a round trip flight for $650, book a hotel for $550, pay $95 for transportation to and from the airport. That’s $1200 so far and what about the children? You still need to eat and will have to purchase breakfast, lunch and diner AND of course you want to do the fun stuff, like swimming with dolphins or horseback riding on the beach. You have easily racked up over $2000 for 4 nights and 5 days. No, thank you! 

I will happily take the All-Inclusive rate of $1600 (not including the price for children) for the same service with everything included and, I always have the option to upgrade should I feel the need to. I can enjoy my vacation and relax without worrying about over spending or questioning if I’m really getting the best deal at the restaurant or activity. 

Perhaps, I believe the absolute best part about the All-Inclusive option is the trip insurance. It is peace of mind if there are any unexpected situations that may cause you to delay or even cancel the trip. It may be an additional fee but, trust me, it’s worth it. Besides, if it is used you can always book another vacation with the credits. That’s a definite WIN! 

I love to travel and I love to get the most for my money and this is amazing way to do both. It ensures a good time with a guarantee of your needs, wants and desires being met. 

Overall, in my opinion All-Inclusive packages are a great way to get quality service for a quality price. Any tropical destination is worth All-Inclusive. The best part is there are plenty of websites that do the hard work for you, they compare and allow you to choose what amenities and services you are looking for and then… BOOM… here is your vacation, on the screen and waiting to be booked. 

I hope this helped. Now, go, book that trip! So you can begin Traveling with May!