I'm in my 'getting back into adventuring era'. But you know when you are getting back into something, and I always say this when talking about people getting into solo traveling or adventuring, you gotta start with the basics. Baby steps, until you're walking with the swagger of an overconfident but definitely mid (at best) man. So come with me on this one to get back into adventuring with a little outing to the Turkey Creek Park in Niceville, Florida. An easy, baby step like adventure that's serving a whole lot of nature vibes just 30 minutes from Destin.

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Whether you're visiting Loveland for the Strongest Man On Earth event (that's what I did) or simply for a quick getaway, there's plenty to do and no shortage of gorgeous scenery. Seriously, it looks like a Nat Geo postcard! Here's a detailed guide on how to plan a weekend in Loveland Colorado, with everything you need to know to prepare for a memorable time.

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Listen. We both know you have at least 200 loyalty points on your Starbucks app at any one time. But, let's take a break from the corporate coffee and try something new on your vacation. I've done the research (super hard job but someone has to do it) and here are my picks for the best local coffee shops in Destin for you to try while you're in town. I've included the areas either side of Destin as well since they're only a short drive away and are well worth stopping in at while you're beach hopping.

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It's your trusty pal Katie with a detailed guide on how to plan an epic trip to Curacao with all the best things to see, do, and eat during your visit. Basically, it's got everything you need to know to make the travel planning a whole lot less stressful. So all you need to do is put that leave application in, pack your bags, and get ready for an awesome time. If you have any questions, let me know. Otherwise, I hope you have an awesome time there!

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One does not simply visit Curacao without seeing the famous sunken tugboat, right? One of the best things about it is that it's a unique snorkeling adventure that's easily accessible and doesn't require advanced skills or scuba diving. Here's my detailed guide on how snorkel to the tugboat wreck in Curacao with all the tips you need to prepare for an epic adventure. If you have any questions just let me know. Otherwise, have fun!

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If ever a tree could be described as majestic, this is it. The Tree of Life stands on a hill with its large roots exposed and spread out around it. It looks like something out of a fairytale and almost as if nature had placed it there to serve as a beautiful ornament for us to admire. You'll look up and think "is it real? does Rafiki live there?" Then hopefully you'll snap some photos and enjoy the views. Here's my detailed guide on how to hike to the Tree of Life Curacao with everything you need to know for your adventure. If you've got any questions, just let me know otherwise have a great time at this gorgeous spot.

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Preparing for a trip to Bonaire is mostly simple, but there are a few things that will help you make the most of your time there. These things either saved me stress, added convenience, or maximized my adventures, and they all got a lot of use while I was there. Here's my guide on what to pack for Bonaire with all the essentials to prepare you for an epic vacation. I've written six main things that are worth having - aka the essentials, and a couple of extra handy tips.

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We all know that Bonaire is a famous destination for scuba diving, but there's so much more to this beautiful island than that. Here's my detailed guide on all the best things to do in Bonaire for non divers. I've split it up into sections so you can browse through tours and activities, attractions and photo spots, food, and finally the best souvenirs. If you have any questions, just let me know otherwise I hope it helps you plan your vacation.

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Bonaire is the shore diving capital of the world so if you love snorkeling, it needs to be on your travel bucket list. The water around the island is a protected nature park which means you can walk in from the beach and snorkel amongst incredible reef areas and lots of wildlife. Here's my guide on all the best places to snorkel in Bonaire with everything you need to know to plan your adventures. If there's anything else you'd like to know, just let me know in the comments. Otherwise, I hope it helps you make the most of your time there.

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Allow me to introduce you to Bonaire, a little slice of heaven that puts the 'B' in the ABC islands of the Caribbean. If you like laid back beach vacations, I have a feeling you will love it. Here's my full guide on how to plan a vacation to Bonaire with everything you need to know to take the stress out of travel planning. If I've missed anything, feel free to ask in the comments.

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Montgomery has the vibe of an up and coming tourist destination. It's got attractions and nice accommodation to give you the tourist experience, while still retaining a lot of small town, local charm. A little bit shiny, a little bit gritty, and full of history, character, and welcoming faces. Here's your complete travel planning guide on how to spend a weekend in Montgomery, AL with everything you need to know before you go.

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I am stuck for words when it comes to an intro for this post because the coolness factor speaks for itself. So today we will just get straight into it. Here's a complete step by step guide with everything you need to know about how to watch the Blue Angels Practice in Pensacola, Florida. Check out my YouTube video for a video tour of the experience too. With all this you should be prepared to make the most of your day trip and if you have any questions just let me know.

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Nature pool - check. Walking trails - check. Unique mother flipping underground caves to walk through - check. This place is perfect for a day trip to get you out of the house and into nature. Here's my complete guide with everything you need to know to prepare for an epic day trip to Florida Caverns State Park.

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Destin is wonderful... destin-ation (too soon in the post for a pun?) for long summer days at the beach, cocktails, and salt water adventures. With the amount of commercialization and private beaches though, sometimes figuring out where to go can be a little tricky. Here's my guide on where to find the best beaches in Destin and the surrounding areas to make your adventure planning easy.

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Coming to you today with an adventure that is worthy of your bucket list. It's a great option for when you want to take a break from the beach days but still swim in gorgeous blue water. This guide has everything you need to know about how to get to Cypress Spring without a tour so you're prepared for an awesome adventure!

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I'm happy to share one of my favorite outings with you today. If you want a quieter beach day compared with the fast paced vibes of Destin, this is a great option. Here's a detailed guide on how to spend a day at Grayton Beach so you can maximize your adventure. If you have any questions let me know otherwise have fun!

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I have to say... I loved the food in Costa Rica! It ticked all the boxes. Fresh and flavorful ingredients - tick. Generous portions - tick. Casual dining - tick. Healthy options that still taste amazing - tick. If there's one thing I recommend, it's to try as much as you can while you're there. That's part of the fun of traveling anyway, isn't it? Here's my guide on where to eat in Puerto Viejo with all the great local spots you don't want to miss.

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Let's get started on planning that trip to Costa Rica! Here's my guide on how to plan a trip to Puerto Viejo which is an amazing little beach town on the Caribbean side. This post is going to give you the overview and planning basics, and I've also linked my other detailed guides which will nail down the smaller details. Between all this you should have everything you need to plan and prepare for your trip!

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Your trip planning just got a whole lot easier because today I'm sharing a detailed guide on the best things to do in Puerto Viejo. These are the things that made my time there as amazing as it was. You'll find a mix of culture, nature, and wildlife activities, and as always supporting local businesses as much as possible. If you have any questions, just let me know. Otherwise, I hope it helps!

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Well slap me silly and call me Mowgli, have I found a treat for you. If you ever dreamed of escaping to the jungle to live like George (you know, of the Jungle), then you'll probably love it. This is where those dreams come true. Today I'm sharing an epically cool eco-friendly jungle treehouse in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica. Here's everything you need to know to prepare for your trip.

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Costa Rica is a place where a little bit of preparedness goes a long way when it comes to your packing. It doesn't mean it has to be overly complicated though. I was able to pack in carry on only and still have everything I needed for an amazing trip. There are a few things that really made the trip as awesome as it was, so in today's post I'm sharing those as well as an overall look at what I took with me. Here's my guide on what to pack for a trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions, just let me know.

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So you're ready to plan your trip to Costa Rica. First of all, great choice. It's a very popular destination for solo female travel and am amazing place to unwind and connect with nature. However, it's not without problems and there are some things you need to be aware of. Here's my guide on solo female travel in Puerto Viejo with practical tips to help you prepare for a fun (and safe) vacation.

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I think Le Cameleon is a fantastic choice for many travelers, not only solo travelers. While I was visiting I saw everyone from families, to friend groups, and older travelers. Somehow they've successfully created a space that is suited to all kinds of travel styles without diluting the experience for any one of them, and for that they deserve a lot of credit. Here's a real talk review of Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel and why I think it's the best hotel in Puerto Viejo for solo travelers.

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Truth be told, I'm scared of horses. There's no real reason for it. They've never done anything to me. I've just never liked them. Maybe because they can read minds? I don't trust large creatures with superpowers. Anyway, so why do a horse riding tour? Well, I like to do things like this every now and again to remind myself that these little fears are crazy. Riding a horse on the beach in Costa Rica sounded pretty amazing so I figured this would be the perfect location. Now I'm here to help you prepare for your own tour. Here's my guide on how to book an epic horse riding tour in Puerto Viejo with everything you need to know before you go.

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Picture this. You're on vacation. The sun is shining, the beach is your new backyard, and you've developed a 'it's 5 o'clock somewhere' rule for margarita consumption. What's missing? That's right - a bowl of blended tropical fruit, topped with more tropical fruit! Nothing says vacay like tropical fruit! Here's my guide on where to find the absolute best acai bowls in Destin Florida.

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So, you're planning to visit a place where you can't drink the tap water. *Travelers diarrhea has entered the chat.* There's no need to panic though - it doesn't mean your trip is ruined. Here's my real talk guide on how to avoid travelers diarrhea, what to pack, and what to do if you get it.

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Hiking probably isn't the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of visiting the Destin area. It certainly wasn't the first thing I thought of. I've come to learn that it's got a lot more to offer than beaches and cocktails - though, it is an amazing place for that too! Here's a detailed guide on how to hike the Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake Trail System with everything you need to know before you go.

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What better way to kick off my content in the new chapter here in Destin than a renaissance fair? I mean just look at my profile pic on Instagram and you'll get that it's my jam. This was my first event here in Florida and it didn't disappoint. One thing I noticed before I went though, was that there wasn't a lot of detailed information available in terms of what to expect. Of course the blogger hat came on so I could prepare a full guide. Here's my review of the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire so you know what to expect before you go and have some tips to make it a fun, festive, and stress-free day.

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It's fun to travel with your furry best friend and can save money on boarding costs, but traveling with an anxious dog is not easy. There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. My dog Coco Chanel is a really chill dog most of the time, but gets very anxious while traveling. With each trip I've learned more about what she needs and how to help her through it so I thought I could share some of that today. Let's take a peek inside her travel bag. Here's my practical guide of travel essentials for anxious dogs to alleviate stress for you and your furry loved one while on the road.

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So you've been stationed at Fort Bragg and just arrived in the Fayetteville area. You're wondering to yourself "why are there so many abandoned cars on the side of the road?" Yeah, you'll get used to that. So first of all, welcome! Secondly, here's my local business guide for Fayetteville to help you get settled in. 

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Lunchtime is approaching. Tolerance for your annoying coworker is diminishing by the second. The hangry monster is about it hit. It's about to be an emergency. Before you do anything drastic, I'm here to help with this detailed guide on the best places for lunch in Fayetteville. Whether you need a quick grab and go option or want to sit down for a lunch date, it'll have you covered (and full!) Of course, if you have any other favorites just share it in the comments section so others can try them too. Bon appetit!

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It's the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains and for good reason. Linville Falls has it all. It's easily accessible and with hikes that are good for all skill levels and there's lots of beautiful scenery along the way. Here's a complete guide on how to hike to Linville Falls from the visitor center covering all the trails there. You'll have everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.

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The weather is warming up so it's time to go coastal. Today I'm sharing an awesome day trip itinerary for a coastal city in North Carolina that's full of charm and character. Here's a detailed guide on how to plan a day trip to New Bern with everything you need to know for a fun-filled adventure.

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You know I love a unique roadside attraction here at The Katie Show Blog, and I'm bringing another one to you today. Possibly one of the most interesting and unique ones I've seen so far and I am very grateful that I was able to squeeze this one in before I moved away. If you're in North Carolina, I'd love to help you plan a visit to it as well! Here's a full guide for visiting the Collettsville Cup House in North Carolina with everything you need to know to maximize your visit.

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I'm coming to you today with another fun, unique attraction in North Carolina. I think these are my favorite because they add a unique character to the destination. If the city was a person, these unique attractions are the personality that make each place different. This one makes for a fun day trip from Fayetteville, but there's enough to do in the area that you could also turn it into a weekend or 4 day weekend trip quite easily too. Here's a full guide with everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Mickey Coffee Pot Historical Marker in Winston-Salem, NC.

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I gotta say, sunrises don't get much better than this. And, yes, it's absolutely worth the early start. While this adventure is just over the border in South Carolina, it's certainly one to add to your bucket list if you're living in North Carolina. Here's my full guide on how to plan your visit to watch a sunrise at The Pretty Place with everything you need to know before you go.

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Don't sell yourself short - you deserve a complete spa day experience, not just a one hour treatment. I'm talking fluffy robe, hot tub, sauna, steam room, treatment, and free smoothies. Fortunately, I know just the place where you can get all that and more. Here's my full guide on how to plan a day trip to The Spa at Pinehurst for the epically relaxing day you deserve. It's got everything you need to know to plan your day and if you have any questions, just let me know.

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This area might just be my favorite part of North Carolina. It's charming, full of outdoor adventures, cute wildlife, great food, and lots of local stores to check out. Here's a detailed guide with everything you need to know about how to spend a weekend in Banner Elk. I've included a range of things, some I did and some I didn't, so you have a broad list of things to add to your weekend itinerary. No matter what you do, I hope you enjoy this gorgeous area of North Carolina as much as I did.

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Pack your adventure bag and get ready for some epic views. I feel like this super popular hike is a must do while you're living in North Carolina because it'll serve up those quintessential Blue Ridge Mountain views on a picture perfect platter. Plus it's just a fun hike to do. Here's my detailed guide for the Rough Ridge hiking trail with everything you need to know to prepare for an awesome day out.

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Are you ready for a hiking challenge? Here's my favorite hike in North Carolina so far. This hike has it all. It's a full day adventure with enough challenges to keep it interesting, incredible views, and cliffside ladders that make for an epic photo. Here's my full guide on how to hike Profile Trail to MacRae Peak. If you have any questions let me know, otherwise I hope it helps you plan your day out!

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For a beachy, touristy getaway in the US, it's hard to beat the Florida Keys. It's a place where you can soak up sunshine, explore gorgeous nature, and relax away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here's my guide on the top things to do in Key Largo and surrounding areas to help you plan your visit. If you have any questions, let me know. Otherwise, I hope you have an awesome time there!

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One amazing thing about living in North Carolina is that you don't even have to leave the state to have an awesome weekend away. There's so much opportunity for adventure here and a lot of variety as well so you're not always stuck doing the same thing. It's a pretty amazing place to call home, or even an adopted home for a few years. Today I'm sharing some tips to help you plan a weekend away in a cool town with lots of incredible scenery. Here's my guide on how to spend a weekend in Maggie Valley with what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. I hope it can help you and if you have any questions just let me know.

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If you do a lot of hikes in the same area, at some point they start to look the same. It can get to a point where you might want to mix it up. Maybe to see some different scenery, different vegetation, or maybe something really unique. Maybe something like hiking on an old speedway complete with old cars and empty buildings that give it the feeling of a zombie movie set. Here's my complete guide on how to plan a day trip to the Historic Occoneechee Speedway trail with everything you need to know to prepare for a fun adventure.

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If you're planning to visit Maggie Valley, the impressive nature is probably going to be the highlight of your trip. It's just a wonderfully gorgeous area and it has a bit of everything! Today we are taking a closer look at a really cool waterfall with this guide on how to hike to Soco Falls in Maggie Valley. It's got everything you need to know to plan your adventure and more. If you have any questions, just let me know otherwise have fun hiking!

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So you've been sent to Fort Bragg and now you need to figure out what to do on the weekends, right? If you like the outdoors, this one is for you. Here's my guide to 10 awesome hikes 1 hour from Fayetteville to help you plan your adventures. The list starts with the hikes closer in to Fayetteville and moves further out as it goes along. I often find that when I move to a new place that's a good way to start exploring as I get used to the area after a move. Happy hiking!

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Writing this one presented a tricky situation. You see, I think it's a cool place to visit for an easy outdoor outing but there was this one thing that brought it down for me. It was a weird situation where I liked it and think people should check it out, but I wouldn't necessarily be in a rush to go again. Let me explain and let's explore it together. Here's my full guide to help you plan a day out to the scenic Mott Lake, North Carolina.

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My Lords and my Ladies, I'm very happy to share this with you today. Over the weekend I attended my first ever Renaissance Festival and, well, it was far better than I could've imagined. As I entered the gates, I was whisked back in time and into a place where us nerds were *finally* cool. It was the best day ever! Here's my full review as well as lots of tips for the Carolina Renaissance Festival to help you prepare for your adventure.

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I'm not really a foodie traveler, but one thing about me is that I LOVE seafood. And I love any solo trip where I can eat as much as possible! On my recent trip to Key Largo, the food was definitely a big highlight for me and I was on a mission to try a bit of everything. Here's my guide to the best seafood restaurants in Key Largo. I hope it can help with your trip planning and if you have any questions or other recommendations, just leave a comment below.

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This one has to be a must do while you're living in or visiting North Carolina. It's pure magic. I think it doesn't matter how many animals you've seen in the wild, every time you get an encounter with them is something special. Here's a guide full of useful tips on how to spot Elk in Cataloochee Valley to help you prepare for your visit. Of course, if you have any questions just let me know and please share this so others can plan a visit too.

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This place has it all. You can kayak through a unique mangrove setting, spot lots of wildlife, and even hand feed huge fish! I went here on my solo trip to Key Largo and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my trip. Now I'm sharing all the details with you in this guide on where to go kayaking in Islamorada and how to spend a day at Robbie's. I hope it can help you plan your adventure and if you have any questions, just let me know.

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Before I visited the Keys, I knew one of the must-eat foods was Key Lime Pie. And you know what? I didn't know just how good it would be or how much I'd fall in love with those sweet, citrus flavors. It became an adventure in itself to experience and appreciate how this one food could be slightly different at each place, as each creator prepared it with their own special twist. Today we are taking our sweet tooth on a tour with this guide on where to get the very best Key Lime Pie in Key Largo. I doubt you're going to find a bad pie in Key Largo, but if you're looking for where to go, I hope this helps get you started.

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When I think about the Florida Keys, it conjures up quintessential beach vacation images in my head. What about you? I recently visited on a solo trip and it totally lived up to what I imagined. Here's my full guide on solo female travel in Key Largo with everything you need to know to plan an awesome trip. I've also linked some other guides at the end which have even more tips for visiting Key Largo. Even if you're not going solo, it'll help you start planning for an awesome beach vacay. Let me know if you have any questions otherwise I hope you have a great time there!

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I didn't think I'd ever be saying this but... I snorkeled with Jesus. And I have the selfie to prove it. It's true, and when you visit Key Largo, you can too. Here's my complete guide on how to book a Christ of the Abyss snorkel tour and everything you need to know to plan your adventure. If you have any questions just let me know. Otherwise, I hope this makes it easy for you to plan your adventure too.

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When the combination of value for money, amenities, and convenience is just right, a good resort can be the factor that takes a trip from average to epic. It doesn't matter if you're traveling solo like me, with the family, or a couple of friends. If you're looking for the best resort in Key Largo, I've got you covered. In this post we are taking a closer look at the details as I share my review of the Reefhouse Resort and Marina (formerly Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort.) Of course, if you have any questions, just let me know.

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In November of 1983, a combination of poor weather and alcohol led to the crash of a small Cessna 414A plane, killing all on board. The wreckage still lies in the quiet mountains where it landed, leaving a unique site for hikers. Here's my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing.

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Who doesn't love a good brunch? Noone, right? That's what I thought. Well today I'm here to give you some new ideas with my top 8 places to go for brunch in Fayetteville. Some of them are the classic mimosa and pancakes style brunch experience and others offer something a little different. Either way, they're all good for a mid-morning date. If you have any others, feel free to share it in a comment, otherwise enjoy!

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I don't know about you, but if the destination is by the water, I'm probably going to be snorkeling. Sometimes you can find great snorkeling right off the beach which is awesome. But other times it's worth taking a boat tour to be able to snorkel with wildlife in amazing reefs. After taking different snorkel tours in all sorts of different places around the world, today I'm sharing my best tips on how to prepare for a snorkel tour in a few easy steps to make sure it's an epic experience.

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Egypt is a place that I get a lot of questions about, and recently I received one that led me to prepare this post. It made me realize that I had guides on safety and how to plan a trip, but didn't share a guide on the best things to do when you visit Egypt. Now, of course, this isn't the be all end all of what you can do. It's a big place with plenty more on offer. But I hope it gives you some ideas and starting points for planning your trip when you are organizing it with your guide. If you'd like even more suggestions, the guides I listed in the post are the ones I hired and they'll be able to help you.

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No offense Rick Steves or Lonely Planet, but when I'm planning a trip, I don't use guidebooks. The thing about them is, everyone is reading the same guidebook. So everyone goes to the same places. And I find that they're very corporate. They usually just share all the same big ticket attractions and tours that have paid their way in. It's not the best way to get a complete experience of the destination. Now, don't get me wrong, I love to visit the popular touristy places when I travel. But I also like to balance it with unique finds or smaller attractions. This way I get a more holistic experience and support smaller businesses. Today I'm sharing the main things I use all the time to plan things to do while traveling to help you get the most out of your next trip.

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It's time to let your inner basic girl shine because today's post is all about flower fields. While they might be over for this year - sorry I didn't get to this earlier to allow more time for you to get there, I'm hoping this can help you prepare for future years. Here's my guide on checking out the sunflowers in Raleigh at Dorothea Dix Park. You can visit just for the flowers and I've added some tips at the end with other things to do in the area if you want to make a full day trip of it. Hope it helps and as always, if you have any questions just let me know.

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Jordan Lake has just about everything. Beaches, camping, hiking trails, bird watching, boating, and a whole lot of gorgeous nature. Best of all, since it's only an hour away from Fayetteville, it makes for a great option for an adventure day in the sun and water. Here's my guide on where to swim at Jordan Lake with everything you need to know to plan your adventure.

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Even though I moved to the US in 2013, I've never actually been to a 4th of July event. I haven't deliberately avoided them, it's just that each year I've either been working or traveling and missed the whole experience. Is that grounds for being arrested for treason? Who knows, but if it helps my case, it all changed this year. I'm sharing this post on what it was like to spend 4th of July at Fort Bragg because as we know, no one America's harder than a bogan Aussie immigrant. Oh yeah, and also because if you move here in the future (btw hi - what's the future like?) and you're debating whether drive your flying car to attend this event or not (do they still have events in the future or are they all on Zoom?) at least with this you'll have an idea of what to expect.

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If you saw my post last week but feel a little overwhelmed about what to pack to go off the grid, I hope this will help! Here's my guide on what to pack for glamping at Glamping Unplugged. I've written it based off my experience at that specific glamping site, but I'm sure you could adapt it to wherever you will be going glamping - whether that's in the US or somewhere else. Just check what facilities you'll have and make whatever changes you need. Either way, I hope it can help make the packing process easier and give you a few ideas on how to keep it simple but still have an awesome time!

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When you watched George of the Jungle, did you ever dream of living in his treehouse? Well, here's your chance. Sort of. Today I'm sharing a solo adventure I recently went on which was an off the grid glamping experience. It's got unique accommodation, nature, and a healthy balance of relaxation and adventure. If you plan to go glamping in North Carolina, here's everything you need to know to plan your stay at the awesome Glamping Unplugged.

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"I'm here for Andre." That's what I said when I walked into the Rankin Museum of American Heritage. You see, when I moved to North Carolina, I didn't know much about it at all. I wouldn't have been able to point to it on a map (though I had a guess it was up north somewhere so even my guess was wrong!) The only thing I did know was wrestling history. Actually, wrestling is about all I know generally speaking - I'm the girl who went to WrestleMania alone after all. North Carolina gave us a lot of great wrestlers and Andre the Giant owned a ranch here. On this adventure I went to the town where he had his ranch to see if there were any tributes to him and I ended up finding this hidden gem of a museum. Here's my guide on how to plan your own visit. Even if you're not a wrestling fan, it's still worth a visit because it's got a lot more than just wrestling memorabilia and makes for a fun day trip.

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Are you ready? I have another World's Largest thing for you today. And it's another one that is right here in North Carolina. If you're in the Fort Bragg area it makes for a perfect day trip whether you're on a solo adventure like me, heading out with friends, or have family visiting and want to take them somewhere unique. Here's why you gotta visit the World's Largest Strawberry Building and how to prepare for your visit so you have everything you need to know to get exploring.

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I'm excited to share this one with you today because it's a hiking area with a unique twist. You'll be able to hike around a diverse range of settings, share the space with lots of wildlife, and even see a historic water powered mill. Here's my guide on how to plan a day trip to Historic Yates Mill County Park with everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.

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Anyone who has been on holidays knows that while it's awesome, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. I'm looking at you travelers diarrhea. Today I want to chat about one of the pitfalls of traveling - being a magnet for pickpockets. And theft in general. It's not nice but it happens and solo female travelers are even bigger targets. Here are my tips on how to avoid pickpockets while traveling and keep your belongings secure. I hope they can help you have a safe, stress-free vacay!

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When the weather starts heating up, it's time to cool off in refreshing nature pools and stop for a gelato afterward, right? One thing I love about Vicenza is that you have a lot of scenic places with clear, refreshing water right in your backyard. Here's my guide on places to go outdoor swimming near Vicenza where you can find all the coolest (literally) nature pools and waterfalls.

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I'm keen to try just about anything to experience local cultures and traditions when I'm traveling or living somewhere - when in Rome, right? Recently, I got to try another tradition in my new home which is picking strawberries at a local farm. It's not just a common spring activity here in North Carolina, but in a lot of places in America and it's an adventure that's as delicious as it is fun. Here's my guide on 3 awesome local places to go strawberry picking near Fayetteville. I've also linked their Facebook pages and I recommend following them for updates on the season.

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Are you struggling to figure out where to start when it comes to getting out and exploring Fayetteville? Today I'm here to help get your adventures started with this guide for 6 easy hikes in Fayetteville that are all kid and dog friendly. I've also linked my in-depth guides for each which contain all the information you need to plan your adventures. If you're new to living here, these are great options to get you started exploring the local area. I hope it helps and if you have any questions, just let me know!

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Are you ready for an off the beaten path waterfall hike? While it might not be the biggest waterfall you'll ever see, at least it's something and getting out in nature is always a bit of fun, right? Here's a detailed guide for hiking the Pauline Longest Trail in Fayetteville where you can see a cool waterfall and gorgeous river views. As always, if you have any questions just let me know otherwise I hope this helps you plan your hike!

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An easy nature trail for dogs, check. Scenic area without a long drive, check. Outdoor trail running or cycling area, check. A waterfall, check. This is an awesome local spot to get outdoors and soak up some sunshine. Here's my practical guide on how to plan a hike at the Cape Fear River Trail in Fayetteville, NC with all the tips you need to plan your day out.

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I'm coming to you with another local Fayetteville outing this week. It's a great spot if you want to get outside for a bit without committing to a full day drive. It's great for families and trail runs and there's a lot of tours offered if you want to get more in depth to learn about the area. Here's my full guide on how to plan a visit to the Lake Rim pool and park in Fayetteville NC. If you have any questions, just let me know and I'm happy to help however I can otherwise I hope you have a fun adventure!

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I'm really happy to share this one with you today because it was one of those outings that was unexpectedly awesome. Like much cooler than I expected when I went there. This spot has family-friendly trails, a waterfall, lots of tour options, and even dinosaur sculptures. Here's my full guide to help you plan a visit to the awesome Clark Park, Fayetteville NC. One of Fayetteville's coolest parks in my opinion. If you have any questions, of course let me know otherwise I hope you have a fun outing there too!

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You want to know something that was on my dream list for this year? Visiting a unique world's largest thing - and the quirkier the better. I found one right here in North Carolina, planned a little solo day trip, and am sharing all the details today. If you're living around Fayetteville, it makes for a unique and easy day trip as well as just being plain old cool. Here's my guide on how to visit the World's Largest Chest of Drawers in High Point, NC with everything you need to know to plan your day out.

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There's a lot more to living in Fayetteville than exploring the outdoors, so I figured I would share a cool local museum with you today. It's a huge attraction downtown that comes complete with interesting exhibits, local history, and even a motion simulator ride. Here's my guide on visiting the Airborne and Special Operations museum in Fayetteville with everything you need to know to plan your day out. If you're stationed at Fort Bragg, it's definitely something you have to see while you're here.

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When you first move somewhere, what do you need to set up? A place to live, a gym, and to find some good coffee shops, right? Well, I'm here to help you sort out one of those things with this list of the best coffee shops in Fayetteville. I love a Starbys as much as the next basic bish but here are some other options where you can support local businesses and find some unique coffee shops. Because after all, getting into the local community is the best way to start settling in somewhere.

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Time for a little travel throwback today. I know 90% of the time my blog posts are detailed guides or resource type content. But sometimes you just want to be a person and not only a resource, you know. So today, I wanted to connect in a different way and share my favorite travel photos and the stories behind them. I promise not all of them are selfies! 😀

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Here's a unique and super fun off the beaten path attraction to add to your list of places to visit while you're living at Fort Bragg. It's fantastic for kids - or big kids at heart like me, and is close to a few nice outdoor walks so you can easily turn it into a day or half day adventure. Here's why you need to check out Dunrovin Country Store and what to expect when you're there. I've added the information for a couple of the outdoor walks at the end of the post to so you're fully prepared to plan your adventure.

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I don't want to jinx it but the weather seems to be warming (and drying) up. I feel like the Titanic meme while saying "it's been 84 years since I've seen sunshine." Ok, a bit dramatic but dang it feels like it's been raining forever, right? Now that we have a little sunshine, it's the perfect time to start getting in some outdoor adventures. I did this one as a mid-week solo adventure last week and today I'm sharing all the details to help you plan your own visit. Here's a guide on how to plan a visit to Reservoir Park in Southern Pines.

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If you want to splurge on your travels, go for it. I'm not here to tell you not to and, in fact, my motto is live poor travel well. I love a good vacation splurge too! But, if you're on a budget and looking to get a little more bang for your buck, here are 10 super easy ways to save money while traveling overseas. These are just simple changes that make a big difference to stretch your travel budget a little further - and make splurging more doable.

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It's my six month anniversary of living in Fayetteville - how fast the time goes! I had wanted to do a post like this when we first arrived but the move in process was... rough. Not through anything specific to the location, just because of moving on only three weeks notice in the middle of a pandemic. It made finding a place to live and the settling in process a lot more difficult. I felt like it was a bit unfair to do first impressions at the start when we were so wrapped up in restrictions and dealing with organizing everything. The six month anniversary was a little more fair of a time frame to actually get some time to experience the new home. Here's my take on what getting stationed at Fort Bragg has been like so far.

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Are you ready for Carvers Creek part two? You might remember I have already blogged the Long Valley Road access section of this park, and today I am following it up with the other side. Truth be told, I went there on a whim expecting it to be the same as the first one I had done. I thought I'd be out for a quick hike then home for lunch, but no. This one's a lot bigger and there's a lot more to explore. By the time I was done I was happy for the time in a beautiful area but starving! Here's what you need to know to prepare for the Carvers Creek Sandhills Access park so you are ready for an awesome adventure out there.

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This one was a big reminder to take reviews with a grain of salt because the reviews made it seem much more intense than what it actually is. Now, I'm not saying it wasn't intense for those people. It probably was. But it's more a reminder to me that the only way to really know what a hike is like for you personally is to go and check it out for yourself. Maybe it's easier for you than it was for others and you get an awesome adventure under your belt. Or maybe it's as hard as people say and you can't finish it - hey, at least you tried. Here you'll get an Anna Ruby Falls hiking guide with as much real talk information to help you plan your own adventure to this awesome waterfall.

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One thing for sure is that here in North Carolina there's no shortage of beautiful outdoor experiences. I have another hiking guide for you today that will take you on a slightly less crowded trail that leads to an awesome 5 tiered waterdall. Here's my guide on how to hike to Little Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC with everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.

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If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, then this is for you. Welcome to the zen zone. Here's my guide on how to plan a trip to Campobello with everything you need for a relaxing trip - in a treehouse! We stayed here for our family holiday over Christmas break and it was so heavenly that I had to share. It's a great place to get away from it all and relax in nature or use it as a convenient base for your outdoor adventures.

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It's visiting alpine Germany, hold the long flight. Yep, you can have an alpine German style getaway complete with beer, bratwurst, and colorful buildings right here in the US of A. Here's how to spend a weekend in Helen, GA with everything you need to know to prepare for an awesome getaway. It's definitely a place to add to your US road trip bucket list.

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What are the biggest fears you have when it comes to solo travel? When I'm chatting with people, one of the most common ones that comes up is safety - which is why I try to share a lot of safety tips on my blog. Another one is just that fear of being lost somewhere by yourself. I want to chat about that today, so here's my guide of practical, real talk tips on how to overcome the fear of getting lost while traveling solo.

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If you want to get out of the house and into the outdoors but don't want to drive too far, I've got a great place for you. I like this one because it's good for just about everyone. If you're a beginner, there's easy well-maintained trails, if you want to add some oomph to it, you can run them. If you're bringing a pup or kids, it's good for both. Here's my guide on how to plan a day hiking at Raven Rock State Park with everything you need to know to plan your day out.

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Let's say you're new to living in the Fayetteville area and want to start getting out and about to explore. Where do you even start? Today's post is for you and the place I'm sharing is a great place to start. It's easy to get to, not too far from Fort Bragg, and very beginner-friendly. Also, if you're nervous about getting out during the week with the kids or by yourself, it's a good one to ease you into the solo outdoor adventures. Here's my guide on how to plan a day trip to Carvers Creek State Park.

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Today I'm posting a little throwback to the first outing I did since moving to North Carolina. This is a hike I did when I first got here and was still living in a hotel room. We rented a car for errands and maximized it by throwing in a family hike. Oh the relief to be out in nature again! It's just the best feeling, especially when paired with exploring a new home base. I'm here to help you plan a visit too, so here's my guide on hiking in Weymouth Woods with everything you need to know to plan your day out. It's an easy day trip idea if you're living in the Fayetteville area.

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When I moved to North Carolina I was told I had to try apple cider donuts. It seemed that if I was going to be experiencing east coast traditions, this one wasn't optional. I wasn't going to question the good advice of people who recommend things to me and I'll try anything twice so it was added to my list. When I found this place, it was actually just a last minute fun day out and I had no intentions of blogging it, but... since it was a really cool outing I figured I'd share all the details here for people who might want to visit in the future. [Heads up that the pics are just some I took for fun on my phone] Here's where to get the best apple cider donuts near Fayetteville. If you're living in North Carolina, make sure this is on your list to visit during fall.

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One of the things on my bucket list while living in Vicenza was to have an epic treat yo'self staycation. It presented a problem though because I kind of had this staycation on a pedestal. I knew it was going to be on the pricey side so I wanted to make sure I got value for my money and I wanted it to be an epic experience. The pressure to find the perfect one was sky-high. After a lot of research, here's what I had it narrowed down to. I didn't stay at all of these but wanted to share my top 5 list in case the one I stayed at isn't available when you visit or you'd prefer one of the others. Here are 5 awesome spa hotels near Vicenza to help you narrow down the choices.

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Let's not pretend that this is all there is to do in Stockholm. But, since there has been somewhat of a Viking theme on my blog, I'm following the trend, OK? So here's a guide to some of the awesome Viking things to do in Stockholm. I visited over New Year's and these are some of the things I enjoyed, as well as a couple that are on my list but I didn't get to see. There's a mix of everything from museums, to feasts, to authentic souvenirs, and if you're a bit of a Viking nerd (like me) I think you'll enjoy it. Also, this is a post I decided to do for fun after visiting Sweden for a family holiday, so these are some iPhone photos from my own collection.

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It's one of the most popular destinations in Italy. And, while I think it's generally pretty overrated, I think it's absolutely worth visiting to see for yourself, swim at the beaches, eat all the seafood pasta, and buy everything with a lemon print. Today I'm sharing my top 10 tips for visiting the Amalfi Coast so you know what to expect and how to prepare for your vacation.

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Look, between the hiked up prices, crowds, and commercialized beaches, I'll be the first to admit that I think the Amalfi Coast is one of the more overrated places in Italy. In saying that, it's definitely worth a visit and also well worth visiting the nearby island of Capri. For me, I knew I didn't want to spend the day walking around the island in the heat of the day so I looked into boat tours. Today I want to share my experience and answers to whether a private boat tour of Capri is worth it or not.

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Are you dreaming of a weekend in the rolling hills of Tuscany? It's really easy to make that dream happen if you're based in Vicenza because it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Perfect for a weekend or long weekend away. While I was looking over some of my posts, I realized I had never created a guide on some of the fun things to do. So, here's a guide with some things to do near Rufina when you spend a weekend in Tuscany. These are perfect for when you stay at my favorite agriturismo. Of course, the details are included and the hosts are super knowledgable on the area, so they'll be able to suggest even more ideas.

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If you need to get out of the house but don't know where to start, I've gotchu. Here's a guide to some easy hikes near Vicenza that are both kid and dog-friendly. These are great to get you started on your adventures when you first move to Vicenza because most are fairly close, then you can go further into the mountains for even more outdoor adventures.

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Coming to you today with another easy day trip idea. I like that it's something a little different to add variety to your adventures - not that mountains ever get old, but it's fun to keep things different and throw in a gorge every now and then, right? This one's got an easy hike, water to cool off in, and a pretty neat gorge to see. I read that it was called the Grand Canyon of Italy and, while I feel like that's overstating it a bit, it's still a beautiful place to visit. Here's a practical guide on how to hike to Brent De L'Art in Belluno, Italy.

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