The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

The Ultimate Virginia Beach Travel Guide: Things to Do, Hidden Gems & Weekend Trips

by Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

 

Virginia Beach isn’t just a beach town – it’s a coastal playground full of sun, sand, adventure and history. Locals know it’s the perfect place for family fun, solo trips & romantic getaways. As a longtime resident of the city, I know  what visitors enjoy as well as local “secret” spots.

From exploring the boardwalk and discovering hidden gems to hiking nature trails or taking the kids to interactive museums, this guide will help you plan the perfect Virginia Beach adventure. Take a look at my ultimate Virginia Beach travel guide to find the activities to create your perfect visit.

Beaches & Oceanfront Fun

Of course, no trip to Virginia Beach is complete without a day on the sand:

  • Oceanfront & Boardwalk: Build sandcastles, swim, bike or enjoy weekend events at Neptune Park. You even find lots of free event during the summer to keep those travel costs down!
  • JT’s Grommet Island Playground: Perfect for little travelers and its 100% handicap accessible.
  • Sandbridge Beach & Little Island Park: Family-friendly, less crowded beaches with playgrounds and sports.
  • Chicks Beach & Chesapeake Bay: Quieter, calm bays for relaxation and wildlife exploration. The is where the locals like to relax and soak up the sun.

Related article with more details: Best beaches in Virginia

[Read more…]

25 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Thailand: A First-Time Traveler’s Guide

by Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles and it doesn’t take long to see why. The country is a dazzling mix of ancient temples, bustling markets, turquoise seas, friendly locals and food that will have you wishing there was room in your belly for seconds – it’s that good!

Whether you’re wandering through Bangkok’s colorful chaos, relaxing on a beach in Phuket or exploring the quiet charm of Chiang Mai, Thailand manages to feel both exotic and welcoming.

If it’s your first time in the country, here are 25 things to know before visiting Thailand. I’ve included a mix of practical tips and cultural insights to help you make the most of your trip.  Just be prepared, if may be your first time in Thailand, but you’ll already have the next visit planned before you’ve even gotten on the flight back home.

Things to Know Before Visiting Thailand

Before You Go

1. You’ll Be Greeted with a Smile and a “Wai”

Thai people are famously warm and polite. A common greeting is the wai – palms pressed together in a prayer-like gesture with a small bow. While it may feel unfamiliar at first to return the greeting, you’ll quickly find yourself returning it without thinking.

Tip: The higher your hands are placed (closer to your face), the more respect you’re showing.

2. Download Grab & Bolt Before You Land

Grab & Bolt (Thailand’s version of Uber & Lyft) is the easiest way to book reliable transport in cities. It helps you avoid haggling and guarantees fair pricing. We tend to use Grab more frequently but Bolt is another great option. The app just didn’t like my credit cards, so we used this option more when needing to spend the rest of our cash.

[Read more…]

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas Review: 4-Night Bahamas & Perfect Day at CocoCay Cruise Guide

by 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas is advertised as “the world’s biggest weekend” and the ship definitely lives up to the hype!! As the newest Oasis Class ship, it’s packed with dining, entertainment, and activities for travelers of all ages. Whether you’re sailing as a family, couple or group of friends, this ship is the perfect choice for a short, fun filled Bahamas getaway.

Currently, Utopia of the Seas sails 3 and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We sailed on the 4-night itinerary, which included two port days and one sea day in an oceanview balcony cabin. If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend doing a back-to-back cruise – there’s just so much to explore on this ship that four nights barely scratches the surface.

About Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas:

Utopia of the Seas brings fresh design touches and artistic details that make it feel more glamorous and high-end than any previous Oasis Class ship. You’ll find the classic favorites like Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade, but also exciting new venues such as Pesky Parrot, a tropical cocktail bar and Royal Railway, an immersive dining experience unlike anything at sea.

This review focuses on our personal experience aboard the 4-night sailing – for ship-specific information, itineraries and more new features, check out my separate Utopia of the Seas Tips & What’s New Guide.

Utopia of the Seas Day #1 – Embarkation & First Impressions

We boarded Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas around 1 p.m. after a brief delay caused by an electrical outage at the port. Even with the power issues, check-in took only about 45 minutes and staff did a fantastic job keeping things organized once power was restored.

Tip: Join the Facebook group for your sailing. Fellow passengers were posting live updates about the outage, which helped us time our arrival perfectly and avoid long lines.

After boarding, we headed straight to Solarium Bistro for a lobster and stone crab lunch — a special perk available only on embarkation day. There was also a similar seafood spread in Windjammer featuring fresh lobster, crab, and shrimp. Icon of the Seas offered the same perk during its first year, but it’s unclear how long it will continue on Utopia. She’s already been sailing over a year and seafood is still an embarkation day special.

If seafood isn’t your thing, Park Café offers great salads and sandwiches in a quieter setting or you can grab a table at a specialty restaurant to skip the embarkation crowds.

[Read more…]

10 Things to Do in Fredericksburg, VA: A Local Travel Guide

by Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

If you’re planning a trip to Virginia, you’ll want to add Fredericksburg to your itinerary. Nestled halfway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, this charming city is bursting with history, local flavor, and small-town Southern charm. From battlefields and cobblestone streets to vibrant food spots and river adventures, there’s something here for everyone. As a mom of a UMW student, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the city and can’t wait to share all that Fredericksburg has to offer.

In this travel guide, I’m sharing my favorite 10 things to do in Fredericksburg, VA (FXBG) so you can make the most of your visit to this historic gem.

10 Things to do in Fredericksburg, VA

1. Walk Through Historic Downtown Fredericksburg

Start your exploration in the heart of the city. Historic Downtown Fredericksburg is full of 18th- and 19th-century architecture, vintage shops, and locally owned restaurants. Stroll along Caroline Street, grab a coffee, and take in the history. The oldest surviving building dates back to 1737!

Tip: Stop by Possum-Bilities for cute gifts, local artwork and all things opossum. You’ll likely get the meet one of the rescued Virginia opossums!

[Read more…]

Free Printable Cruise Planner

by 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Free Printable Cruise Planner

Some of our favorite family vacations have been on board a cruise ship.  These massive cities on water provide great food, entertainment and the ability to move from place to place without the hassle of changing hotels.  Before taking your next adventure on the high seas, download my FREE printable cruise planner.  You’ll find plenty of space to enter your flight and cruise information, as well access to my cruise packing list and travel checklist.

Click HERE to download the printable cruise planner or you can click to print each image below.

Don’t miss our printable packing list for cruise vacations to help with your packing needs. We’ve included over 20 things to pack for a cruise, so you don’t forget anything and have purchase it one the ship.

Cruise Planner with cruise and flight information

[Read more…]

Travel Tips & Tricks

More Travel Tips Posts

Getting Away Without Kids

More Adult Getaways

Travel Foodie

More Travel Food