Travel Thursday - Old San Juan

Source: flickr.com via Erik on Pinterest

We've been to Puerto Rico a few times. Mostly when our cruise ship docks there before we set sail. Last year, I travelled to P.R. with most of my family for my youngest sisters wedding.  I've never had a chance to really explore Old San Juan on any of the trips.  We did go the night before my sisters wedding and dined at Dragonfly. DELISH!  Have you spent any time in Old San Juan? How was it? What are must do's? I mainly want to take some photos of the beautiful buildings......

Source: bellacosas.tumblr.com via Kristine on Pinterest

Source: travelthisworld.tumblr.com via Sophie`s on Pinterest

Travel Thursday - Where are you from?

Photo Credit: Etsy.com


Typically, my Travel Thursdays are based on my travels (places my husband and I have visited or places we plan to visit). I have noticed that I have a lot of readers from across the world. I am intrigued by where people are from.  So, this Travel Thursday, I would like to hear from you! Leave a comment telling:

• What city/state/country are you from?
• What makes your city/state/state/country special?
• What is one thing everyone should do if they visit your place?  Extra points for non - touristy spots!

Travel Thursday - Las Vegas

Bellagio Fountains
Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Vegas holds a special place in my heart. That is where we were married. No, we didn't get married in a stand alone chapel and no, Elvis did not preform the ceremony. (Those are always the first two questions when we tell people where we were married.) We were married in the chapel at the Monte Carlo hotel. It was a beautiful chapel and the ceremony was wonderful. This isn't a post about our wedding - sorry for the side track.

 We have been to Vegas several times and recently discussed the fact that we hadn't been in a while.
We aren't big gamblers. Hey, we win a few bucks (after spending VERY little) and we are done. We just love the sites of Vegas. If you have been, you know the people watching is out of this world. The hotels on the strip are exquisite. Visiting the various hotels alone is a trip in itself. The last trip we stayed at Bellagio. We had a wonderful view of the fountains (and the Chanel store sign). theHotel is hands down the best hotel we stayed at in Vegas. Part of the Mandalay Bay hotel family, these hotel suites are magnificent. I think I developed my love for dark wood cabinetry after staying here. The spa area was a peaceful bit of solitude and I spent quite a bit of time there!

Photo Credit: Pinterest

 You must attend one of the shows if you visit Vegas. My suggestion for your first show would be one of the Cirque de Soliel shows. Out of this world spectacular.

 Vegas also caters to the shopping girl or guy. From top designers to the bargain bin, there is something for everyone. I happen to love the shops in Caesar's Palace.

 By now, most of you know that I love to eat. I mean LOVE to eat. Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world. Name a top chef and they probably have a restaurant here. We have eaten at some good ones, we've enjoyed the buffets (and I am NOT a huge buffet girl). However, my favorite place to eat in Vegas has been FAT BURGER!!!!! The first time I went, I had a regular juicy, sloppy, greasy burger. DELISH! The second time, I took my husband and had a turkey burger. Believe it or not, it was just as good! I wonder if maybe they cook it in the same grease- LOL.

Photo Credit: Fatburger

Have you been to Vegas? I'd love to hear your fave hotel and fave restaurant.
Do tell!

Travel Thursday - Phoenix

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Most of the country is experiencing extreme heat right now. It is almost unbearable to stay outside for any amount of time. You would think this would prompt me to write a post about a cooler place - right? Wrong. I don't like the cold. When we travel, we typically travel to warm locations. So, when thinking of something to write about, my mind immediately thought of Phoenix. I can not remember the time of year we visited, but I do remember it being EXTREMELY hot!  That didn't stop us from enjoying Phoenix. We took a bus trip to Sedona. We had an extremely nice and knowledgeable husband and wife tour team. The Red Rocks of Sedona are massive and beautiful. Each of the rocks has it's own name based on what they look like. There's a Snoopy and a Lucy from the Peanuts comic strip. Coffee Pot and Cathedral Rock are just a few more of the rocks.



Photo credit: Aunt Chilada's



I love to eat and we always visit local restaurants when we travel. One of the restaurants in Phoenix we visited was a Mexican restaurant  named Aunt Chilada's. Get it?  It's a play on Enchilada. How cute is that?
This is a popular spot for wedding rehearsals, birthday parties and just hanging out. I must say the food and the margarita's where delicious!

Travel Thursday - Old San Juan

This photo of San Juan is courtesy of TripAdvisor

We've been in San Juan a few times. Mostly boarding cruise ships. last fall, I was able to actually visit San Juan while participating in my youngest sisters wedding. We had a blast. There was a beach a short walk from our hotel and believe me we used it - A LOT!  We had a lot of wedding related activities so we didn't explore too much. We had a chance to visit Old San Juan and eat at the very popular Dragonfly Restaurant.
One of the bridesmaids and her husband stayed at LaConcha: A Renaissance Resort. This place was GORGEOUS!! If we ever go again, this is where I want to stay. Seriously, how cool is this place:

All Photos: Expedia

From Yahoo Travel:
Founded in 1521 by Ponce de León, the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is the oldest city on US territory. The metropolitan area of San Juan is home to half of the island's almost four million citizens; it is also the heart of Puerto Rican tourism. The city is best known for its beautifully restored historic district, Old San Juan, situated on a rocky peninsula girded by twenty-feet thick walls jutting into the crashing Atlantic surf. Unlike other such gems of Spanish colonial architecture, San Juan also offers miles of smooth sand.

Here is the happy couple in Old San Juan.