Denver was never on my initial travel list. I think I start all my domestic travel stories this way lol. Denver had a lot to do. My friend and I booked a full day Breckinridge Tour via Aspire Tours and it was amazing. We traveled during one of the last ski weekends (late April) so I recommend going a little earlier. It was still lots of snow on the ground and it was actively snowing when we got to the mountains. I read a few reviews here that the food is Colorado isn’t good, so my expectations weren’t high but from my experience, the food was great. Check out Syrup and Denver Biscuit Co. for breakfast. The margaritas at 3 Margaritas (in 16th street) are absolutely amazing and the pizza at Happy Camper was delicious! My friend and I walked down 16th street mall and visited the Capitol to see the 13th step which is exactly 1 mile above sea level. The entire downtown area smells like weed so indulge as you wish! Of course we went into Union station and a couple of local stores in the area. Everything in Denver is pretty inexpensive including Uber’s so we mostly took those. However we stayed in the heart of downtown so most things were within walking distance.
I traveled to St. Maarten in March of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traveling was pretty easy and straight forward. In order to fly into St. Maarten, you have to have a negative PCR COVID test at least 120 hours before your trip if you are a US citizen. Note there are different parameters if you are flying in from other parts of the world. You must upload it into the SXMEntry.com website and receive an approval email. St. Maarten is also requiring that you purchase insurance which will be added once you upload your PCR test. The cost is $30 and covers all hospital bills up to a certain amount if you contract COVID while staying in the country. At arrival, the lines were long but efficient. They double check your documents and stamp that they are ok. No need to print anything out, you can have them electronically on your phone. I went on a girls trip with my favorite gals and we stayed at the Sonesta Maho Beach resort. The resort is clean and COVID friendly. The staff were great, excellent customer service. At the time of my travel, the US was requiring that your present a negative PCR or rapid test before returning to the country. Sonesta offered this for $65 and scheduling and testing were super easy. The testing location is across the street and operated by a reputable doctor/clinic. Sonesta will also give you a $65 credit to use at the spa or gift shop. Sonesta is located at Maho Beach so you not only get a great view but you constantly see planes arriving during your meals or just hanging by the pool. It is also located right in the center of nightlife, make sure to check out 3 Amigos, Saint and We Lounge on a Friday and Saturday night. St. Maarten has 36 beautiful beaches on the French and Dutch side. I would recommend Maho or airport beach for that amazing “money shot” of the planes flying overhead; orient beach (clothing optional), mullet bay, great bay beach (by the boardwalk); and Baie Rouge. But there are so many beaches to explore, you can take your pick. I cant really speak on the local food since we stayed at an all-inclusive but I have heard good things about it from others. Locals are very friendly and the COVID numbers are low so many of them go maskless. Overall we felt safe, COVID wise and via our personal safety among locals. I would love to visit again!
So my friend and I really decided last minute to head to Montreal during a three day weekend. We took the train there which was cool but I wouldn’t recommend doing again. We actually traveled (unbeknownst to us) during a railway strike and had to wait a massive amount of hours for the train to depart. But besides that, Montreal is a beautiful city. Definitely a slower pace than Toronto. We did all the sightseeing at places like Norte Dame and of course St. Viateur Bagels. It’s true what they say, the bagels are bomb and can be eaten plain! You MUST have boozy brunch at Suwu but get there early, there is always a line. We also visited Roue de Montreal which had amazing views and since it was Valentines Day weekend, we even got cute chocolate hearts as a gift. We did some shopping on St. Catherine street which looks a lot like NYC. We did a short visit to the Timeout Market as well. For a quieter but still boozy brunch, try Rosewood, their chicken and waffles were bomb.
I absolutely love Cuba and would definitely go back again and again. Make sure you stay in an Airbnb in old Havana, it will not disappoint. I stayed at Hostal Coabana Habitacion. It has individual rooms and each room has its own bathroom. It cost $75 for 3 nights, 4 days. Can’t beat that. It can be booked via Airbnb and tell Andres I said hi. It has beautiful high ceilings and the breakfast was delicious. Everything from our Airbnb was walking distance. The capital. The Obispo market. La Floridita. Make sure you stop and get a daiquiri and take a photo with the famous Ernest Hemingway statue. Drinks were $6. Drinks and food in Cuba are dirt cheap. I paid $4 for two drinks and $7 for an entire plate of rice, beef, and veggies, and it came with a drink! The souvenirs are all handmade and inexpensive.
Cons
Although Cuba seems very safe, the men can be overbearing when you are walking the streets. They will cat call and stop to ask you “one question” which is usually about being a boyfriend. I don’t have a pro-tip for this. My friend and j just politely said “no gracias” and kept moving. But after a whole day, we were exhausted telling every man where we were from and “no Thank you”. Use your best judgement but whatever you do, be polite.
Pro-tips
Stay in an airbnb!!!
Change USD to Euro, then Euro to CUC, you get a better rate. You can do this at your bank for 3 business day service or at TD bank for same day exchange
Denver was never on my initial travel list. I think I start all my domestic travel stories this way lol. Denver had a lot to do. My friend and I booked a full day Breckinridge Tour via Aspire Tours and it was amazing. We traveled during one of the last ski weekends (late April) so I recommend going a little earlier. It was still lots of snow on the ground and it was actively snowing when we got to the mountains. I read a few reviews here that the food is Colorado isn’t good, so my expectations weren’t high but from my experience, the food was great. Check out Syrup and Denver Biscuit Co. for breakfast. The margaritas at 3 Margaritas (in 16th street) are absolutely amazing and the pizza at Happy Camper was delicious! My friend and I walked down 16th street mall and visited the Capitol to see the 13th step which is exactly 1 mile above sea level. The entire downtown area smells like weed so indulge as you wish! Of course we went into Union station and a couple of local stores in the area. Everything in Denver is pretty inexpensive including Uber’s so we mostly took those. However we stayed in the heart of downtown so most things were within walking distance.
I traveled to St. Maarten in March of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traveling was pretty easy and straight forward. In order to fly into St. Maarten, you have to have a negative PCR COVID test at least 120 hours before your trip if you are a US citizen. Note there are different parameters if you are flying in from other parts of the world. You must upload it into the SXMEntry.com website and receive an approval email. St. Maarten is also requiring that you purchase insurance which will be added once you upload your PCR test. The cost is $30 and covers all hospital bills up to a certain amount if you contract COVID while staying in the country. At arrival, the lines were long but efficient. They double check your documents and stamp that they are ok. No need to print anything out, you can have them electronically on your phone. I went on a girls trip with my favorite gals and we stayed at the Sonesta Maho Beach resort. The resort is clean and COVID friendly. The staff were great, excellent customer service. At the time of my travel, the US was requiring that your present a negative PCR or rapid test before returning to the country. Sonesta offered this for $65 and scheduling and testing were super easy. The testing location is across the street and operated by a reputable doctor/clinic. Sonesta will also give you a $65 credit to use at the spa or gift shop. Sonesta is located at Maho Beach so you not only get a great view but you constantly see planes arriving during your meals or just hanging by the pool. It is also located right in the center of nightlife, make sure to check out 3 Amigos, Saint and We Lounge on a Friday and Saturday night. St. Maarten has 36 beautiful beaches on the French and Dutch side. I would recommend Maho or airport beach for that amazing “money shot” of the planes flying overhead; orient beach (clothing optional), mullet bay, great bay beach (by the boardwalk); and Baie Rouge. But there are so many beaches to explore, you can take your pick. I cant really speak on the local food since we stayed at an all-inclusive but I have heard good things about it from others. Locals are very friendly and the COVID numbers are low so many of them go maskless. Overall we felt safe, COVID wise and via our personal safety among locals. I would love to visit again!
So my friend and I really decided last minute to head to Montreal during a three day weekend. We took the train there which was cool but I wouldn’t recommend doing again. We actually traveled (unbeknownst to us) during a railway strike and had to wait a massive amount of hours for the train to depart. But besides that, Montreal is a beautiful city. Definitely a slower pace than Toronto. We did all the sightseeing at places like Norte Dame and of course St. Viateur Bagels. It’s true what they say, the bagels are bomb and can be eaten plain! You MUST have boozy brunch at Suwu but get there early, there is always a line. We also visited Roue de Montreal which had amazing views and since it was Valentines Day weekend, we even got cute chocolate hearts as a gift. We did some shopping on St. Catherine street which looks a lot like NYC. We did a short visit to the Timeout Market as well. For a quieter but still boozy brunch, try Rosewood, their chicken and waffles were bomb.
I absolutely love Cuba and would definitely go back again and again. Make sure you stay in an Airbnb in old Havana, it will not disappoint. I stayed at Hostal Coabana Habitacion. It has individual rooms and each room has its own bathroom. It cost $75 for 3 nights, 4 days. Can’t beat that. It can be booked via Airbnb and tell Andres I said hi. It has beautiful high ceilings and the breakfast was delicious. Everything from our Airbnb was walking distance. The capital. The Obispo market. La Floridita. Make sure you stop and get a daiquiri and take a photo with the famous Ernest Hemingway statue. Drinks were $6. Drinks and food in Cuba are dirt cheap. I paid $4 for two drinks and $7 for an entire plate of rice, beef, and veggies, and it came with a drink! The souvenirs are all handmade and inexpensive. Cons Although Cuba seems very safe, the men can be overbearing when you are walking the streets. They will cat call and stop to ask you “one question” which is usually about being a boyfriend. I don’t have a pro-tip for this. My friend and j just politely said “no gracias” and kept moving. But after a whole day, we were exhausted telling every man where we were from and “no Thank you”. Use your best judgement but whatever you do, be polite. Pro-tips Stay in an airbnb!!! Change USD to Euro, then Euro to CUC, you get a better rate. You can do this at your bank for 3 business day service or at TD bank for same day exchange