Whenever someone mentions Florida what's the first thing you think about? Disney World? Miami? Alligators or manatees? A place where old folks go to retire? While all these things may have some truth to them there is a hidden gem in Florida that not everyone gets to see or has even heard of. The Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys are a group of islands that make up the southern tip of Florida. These islands do not seem like they are part of the United States. When walking down the streets or along the shore you'll think you're somewhere in the Caribbean, not in Florida. The most popular island in the Florida Keys is, wait for it, Key West. This little island has so much to offer whether you're staying for a week or if your cruise ship is docked for a couple hours. Here are the things you must do while in Key West!

If you love nature, wildlife, and learning something new then taking a trip down to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory would be right up your alley. The conservatory is a butterfly park that houses different species of butterflies from around the world in a glass-enclosed habitat. Inside the habitat you will also find several different species of birds and even some pink flamingos on the premises. Tickets are $12 for general admission and the conservatory is open from 9am to 5pm. Located on the ever popular Duval Street, the conservatory is a nice peaceful and tranquil point of interest in Key West.

For all of you literary lovers out there, Key West is the best travel destination for you. Many writers throughout history visited and resided on this tropical island to gain inspiration. The most famous of them all was the one and only Ernest Hemingway. In fact, one of the best things to do and see in Key West is to take a trip down to the Ernest Hemingway House. The house is filled with history and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable about Hemingway's work and his overall life. Not to mention the house itself is a gorgeous piece of architecture with stunning views and gardens all around. Plus the house is home to hundreds of cats who are descendants of Hemingway's own polydactyly cat, Snow White. So even if you're not interested in Hemingway whatsoever, you can still appreciate the environment and find some entertainment on the property.

If exploring a fortress in the middle of the ocean is on your bucket list (or something you want to add now) then taking the trip down to Dry Tortugas National Park is a definite must! This national park is located 70 miles west of Key West and has an 100-square mile park that is mainly open water with several small islands surrounding it. The national park is home to Fort Jefferson, which is the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere. Surrounding the fort is the beautiful bright blue ocean, coral reefs filled with marine life, and a variety of topical birds that frequent the area. This island is only accessible by sea plane or boat so signing up for a tour is your best bet. However, there is a ferry from Key West that travels to Fort Jefferson daily.

Although Florida technically is not the most southern point of the United States (Hawaii obviously takes the cake here), it is still home to the Southernmost Continental Point. In fact, there is a buoy to mark it in Key West. From this buoy it is only 90 miles to the island of Cuba. The buoy is a perfect spot to take pictures, not only because the buoy is so iconic but because behind the buoy is the gorgeous blue ocean. Be aware that there will be a line that forms to take pictures in front of this very popular spot. If you don't want to stand in line (which moves surprisingly fast) be sure to get their early! However, the buoy was damaged after Hurricane Irma last year. But have no fear! The buoy has been fully refurbished and looks even better than ever!

If you're a big history buff and enjoy learning more about the United States Presidents then taking the time to visit the Harry S. Truman Little White House will be right up your alley. The Little White House indeed looks like a miniature tropical version of the White House. In fact, Truman spent some of his time as President at the Little White House, which was known as the Winter White House during that time. But prior to that it was actually a naval base. Today, it is the only Presidential museum in the state of Florida and it is stilled used today as a Presidential Retreat.

If you want to get the full Key West experience, taking a stroll down Duval Street is a must do. Duval Street is full of shops, restaurants, and home to Key West's nightlife. Here you can find your classic cheesy souvenir shops and even some really cute boutique stores. At the end of Duval Street you'll find Mallory Square, it faces the Gulf of Mexico and is next to the cruise ship port. Here you'll find more shops, restaurants, some museums, the trolley, and Conch Train. The best thing to do in Mallory Square is to check out the Sunset Celebration. The celebration begins two hours before sunset, every day of the year, and offers arts and crafts exhibitors, street performers, and food carts. Plus a killer view of the sunset.

If you plan on driving down to Key West or renting a car (which is not necessary since the island is so small) the number one thing you have to experience is the Overseas Highway. This famous route is a 113 mile highway that goes through all of the Florida Keys. Fun fact, most of the highway was built over the Overseas Railway. The Overseas Highway offers stunning views of the water, coral reefs and is home to many animals. If you love nature and stunning views, this is a must do. Plus if you want to check out some of the other islands in the Keys, this is the road that will take you there.

Key West may seem like just some little island town in Florida, which it is, but there is so much more to it. This island has so much to offer, no wonder it is such a perfect getaway. Not only is it paradise, but there is a lot of history and culture present. Key West has a special spunk and it makes sure you will never forget about it.

Until next time.

Gather round boys and girls, and men and women you should join in as well. Today Kaitlin Mary has a story to tell. And with all the Christmas cheer in the air, the tone of this story is going to seem familiar. Yes, I’ll be attempting to talk in rhyme, like one of those classic stories in time. But who knows maybe it will trickle out once in a while, not everyone can be like Dr. Seuss. But either way, buckle up ladies and gentlemen, this story is about to begin.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, the sun was starting to shine. Our young heroine, Kaitlin Mary was ready for an adventure. Her annual trip to Cabo San Lucas was all she could think about. She was ready to rest and relax. But little did she know her plans would go to the trash.

On a bright early morning, Kaitlin Mary was frantically packing. Of course she waited until the last minute, like the procrastinator she tends to be occasionally. She took a look at the list she made, checking off items one by one. Clothing, check. Toiletries, check. Makeup, check. Everything seemed to be in place, so she zipped up her suitcase. She ran down the stairs, to see how her family was doing. Mom and Dad were ready to go, but for her brother and his girlfriend that was not the case.

They all had 15 minutes or so before the shuttle would arrive, everyone was bringing down their suitcases and putting them in line. Soon enough the shuttle arrived, and off to LAX they went. Traffic was light, until a fire on the side of the road started to ignite. ’Twas nothing serious just a little brush fire, nothing quite so dire. But everyone on the freeway had to stop and stare then move along once they saw what was there.

Once the family arrived to the infamous LAX, the usual airport routine commenced. The gang and their bags were all checked in, and they went through security in a flash. Looking for their gate was a tedious task, it turned out they had to take a bus and cross the tarmac just to get there. But once they got to their gate, good news came like a chance of fate. Their flight only had sixteen passengers on board, the family scored. Each person had their own row to themselves, how lucky was that? Little did Kaitlin Mary know, this was the moment where her luck ran out.

Once they landed, everything was a breeze. No lines for immigration or customs, and their bags were all ready at the carousel waiting for them. This day was just too good to be true, our little optimist thought. So off to the hotel they went, the ride was bumpy in the night. But they all got to Fiesta Americana in one piece luckily. They were all checked in, and it was off to the room via golf cart. Here we encounter our first unfortunate event. Waiting for the elevator, took some time. Why? Turns out there was no power attached to those lines. Thanks to the hurricanes, it was the stairs for us all.

But something small like the elevators not working wouldn’t put a damper on this holiday. So a good night’s rest was what the family needed. Off to bed they went, some tried to find something on the TV. Low and behold, most of the English speaking channels were not functioning properly. Another side effect from the hurricane one could assume. Luckily, Kaitlin Mary had her Netflix. Even though she couldn’t watch her latest obsession, Riverdale, due to the fact the content wasn’t available in Mexico, she worked with what she was dealt and off to dreamland she went.

The next day, Kaitlin Mary woke up all feeling relaxed and refreshed. She ate a big breakfast and got ready for the day. Today her focus was on laying by the pool and working on her tan. But the theme of this story is that nothing goes according to plan.

Down to the pool she went with her spirits high and bright, she ordered a margarita to sip on in the sunlight. After one drink, Kaitlin Mary felt woozy and decided to switch to something lighter. A Tecate it is, because let’s face it, beer is just water in Mexico. Two drinks later, something was not quite right. I’ll spare you all the details, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Let’s just say, Kaitlin Mary’s day turned to night.

When she awoke from her impromptu nap, her head was pounding. She looked at her surroundings and chugged some water. In order to feel better, Kaitlin Mary thought a relaxing bubble bath would do the trick. After that she attempted to put herself together and went to see how the rest of her family was doing. They were in much better condition, and getting ready to order some dinner. And just like that, Kaitlin Mary’s stomach growled. Dinner was a great idea. She put her order in, and decided to go take a walk outside, some fresh air would do the trick. When she went to look for her shoes, she noticed they were missing.

She asked around to all of her family, no one had any idea where her shoes went. Her first thought was who let her leave the pool area without her shoes?! So now Kaitlin Mary’s leisurely stroll turned into a search for missing sandals. Down the stairs, barefoot, she went to the place where she last had them. Ah yes the scene of the crime: the pool.

To her surprise, there they were. Her sandals were sitting right where she left them. She put them on and proceeded with her leisurely stroll. The fresh air did her some good, but Kaitlin Mary still wasn’t feeling like her best self. So she stopped by the gift shop to pick up a Sprite for her achy stomach. She walked into the store, grabbed a Sprite and was on her way out. But then the cashier called out to her to say something along the lines of have a nice night or feel better, to be honest it’s all a fog.

Let’s move along to the next day, it was a new day for our young heroine. She sought to make it the best day since she missed out on the day before. Plus it was her last day of vacation. She started the day once again with breakfast, this time at the amazing buffet and spending some quality time with her dad. Once they returned to the room to get ready for the day’s adventure, Kaitlin Mary’s mother had a story to tell.

It turns out, while the maid was cleaning our rooms she was taking cash from our belongings. Her mom explained how she was missing over $200 from her wallet while the maid was taking an extra long time to clean. When she went to check her wallet while the maid was in the room, the maid mysteriously found $200 behind the TV. Sketchy, right? This paranoia spread to Kaitlin Mary, so she rushed and hurried to check her belongings. She hadn’t spent any cash in Mexico yet, so she knew she had $80 in her backpack. When she went to check her belongings she saw she only had $40 remaining.

“SON OF A BITCH!” Kaitlin Mary yelled. This could not be happening. Out of all the times she’s been to Cabo, nothing like this has ever occurred before. Each day only got worse and worse, good thing they were leaving tomorrow.

After the morning’s events, the family still went to town. Kaitlin Mary slipped her Tecate while wearing a frown. She looked off into the abyss and thought to herself, how on Earth did her trip end like this? But to get peace of mind, later that night she went down to the beach to unwind. She wrote in her journal of the events that unfolded and watched the wild little sea crabs come out of their holes. And in that moment, Kaitlin Mary found some bliss.

The next day, Kaitlin Mary was ecstatic to get out of this place, this trip to Cabo San Lucas was practically a waste. She was packed up and ready to leave, but one good thing came of this trip. Kaitlin Mary was leaving Mexico a little less naive.

What’s important to takeaway are those important life lessons. If you ever find yourself in Mexico, take things nice and slow. Otherwise your days will be a blur. Also be wary of your surroundings, even in the resorts. Lock up your belongings in safes or hide them away, otherwise things will go missing and you’ll have to file a report. Learn from Kaitlin Mary’s mistakes so when you leave Mexico you leave without a giant headache.

I hope you enjoyed this story based on true life events, but what would be nice is to hear your two cents. Comment below if you have encountered anything like this, or if you want to offer any tips.
Until tomorrow.

During the holiday season, everyone is on the go. People are going home for the holidays to spend time with their loved ones. Others go on winter vacations while they have the time off. Needless to say, getting where you need to go can be a complete nightmare. Back in November traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday was heinous especially in Southern California. Traffic was backed up on all the freeways and lines at LAX were out the door. Needless to say, it was pretty much the same throughout the United States. Most likely, it will only get worse with the upcoming holidays.

With Christmas and New Years rapidly approaching, it’s safe to say more and more people are going to be on the go. In order to survive the chaos and make sure you get to your destination without any hassle follow these tips for stress free traveling during the busiest time of the year.

Pack What You Need. Some experts advise travelers to pack light and only bring a carry on to avoid the long lines for checking a bag. But sometimes that doesn’t always work out. Most of the time, the influx of carry on items makes security lines even longer and there is never enough air bin space available. At LAX, some TSA agents will not let you bring bigger “carry on” luggage through the line and will make you go check it anyways. If you know you can’t fit everything in a tiny carry on bag, then do not force it. Do what works best for you and your travel needs.

Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute. Get everything you need all together at least the day before you leave. The more time you have to pack your bags and wrap up presents, the less stuff you’re likely to forget. Make a list of everything you need at least week before so you give yourself enough time to get everything together. If you need to add more items to your list, you have plenty of time to think as you go. This will relieve some of the travel day stress, and make your journey easier on you.

Dress For Comfort. When you’re going to be traveling for a long period of time, dressing for comfort rather than style is the best case scenario. Wearing something tight and uncomfortable while you’re traveling is only just going to make getting to your destination more miserable. Wearing stretchy material will make you feel more relaxed during a stressful period of time. If you want to be extra comfortable during your travels bring a blanket and pillow so you can reach the ultimate comfort level.

Be Prepared. No matter how long or short your travel time may be it’s always best to be prepared for any possible scenario. According to Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. You never know if your flight will get delayed or even cancelled. There could also be a major traffic accident, you never know. It’s best to be prepared for any possible outcome. Sometimes all you can do is make the best out of the situation. Make sure you bring a snack or get food for your journey so you don’t get hangry. Also remember to charge all your devices for your journey and download all the necessary apps and movies/shows before you leave! Finding an outlet at the airport will be a mission especially with all the extra amount of people traveling. If you’re driving or plan on getting a rental car make sure your car charger is coming with you! With any delays or getting their early, you’ll have a decent amount of time just waiting and hanging around so bring a book or magazine to occupy your time.

Check Traffic Before You Leave. With today’s technology fighting traffic and avoiding it in anyway possible is actually a reality. Apps like Google Maps and Waze help drivers get to where they need to go on the quickest route possible. Waze even has the option to plan ahead for your drive. All you have to do is put in the time you want to arrive and Waze will let you know what time you need to leave.

Be Early. Especially if you’re flying, you’ll want to get to the airport as early as you possibly can for your flight. Lines for checking in and security are going to be long no matter what so it’s best to have more time rather than less. If you can, check in for your flight online to save time, most airlines let you check in online twenty four hours before your flight departs. But if you’re checking in a bag, you’re going to have to check in again in order to get your baggage tags so it might be pointless to check in twice. If you don’t want to have to get to the airport super early and don’t want to wait in the super long lines, invest in TSA Precheck, an expedited screening that has a way shorter security line.

Relax! The only way to successfully get through traveling during the holiday season is just to relax. Take every moment as they come, and control your emotions and stress. Look around at the holiday decorations at the airport and on the road. Don’t be mad if things don’t follow though exactly how you planned. Take a deep breath. Sometimes things are just out of your control and there’s nothing you can do. Just remember where you’re going and why you’re headed there. Every little obstacle will be worth it once you get to your final destination.

This is the busiest travel time of the year so keep in mind you’re not the only one headed somewhere important during this holiday season. If you follow these tips, you’ll survive holiday season traveling this year. Make the best out of the situation and do the best you can to try to make it enjoyable.

Safe travels to you all this holiday season!

Until tomorrow

Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is home to all your favorite vices: drinking, gambling, smoking, clubbing, and etc. But what most people do not know is that Las Vegas has so much more to offer! There are a bunch of other fun activities and sights to see in the city of sin. Here are some of the best things to do and see while in Las Vegas.

Shopping! Las Vegas actually has some of the best shopping experiences. On the strip, several hotels contain malls and various amount of luxury shopping opportunities. Caesar's Palace has the Forum Shops which includes popular retail shops like H&M (which is actually the largest in the world), Victoria's Secret, Sephora, and etc. The Forum Shops also has almost every high end luxury retailer you can dream of, like Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and many more. While Planet Hollywood has the Miracle Mile, which is filled with 200 different shops and restaurants. Also in Las Vegas, there are two outlet malls nearby, the South Premium Outlets and the North Premium Outlets. Both are very similar, however, the North Premium Outlets have more luxury stores like Burberry, BCBG, DVF, Tory Burch and more. While the South Premium Outlets have your standard shops like Kate Spade, Coach, Gap, Nike, and more.

Sightsee! Las Vegas is one of the very few cities where the points of interests are the hotels themselves. The extravagantly themed hotels have a lot of things for tourists to see and do. The Flamingo has the flamingo and bird habitat, the Venetian has the canals, the New York, New York has its Roller Coaster, the Paris has the Eiffel Tower, just to name a few. But each hotel has an attraction that makes them standout. Take a walk down The Strip and see all the hotels, especially when they are all lit up at night, it's such a glorious sight. If you're feeling very adventurous, make your way down to the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign which is at the southern end of the Strip. There's not much around it, but it is a great photo spot!

Take Advantage of the Free Entertainment! If you want to catch some free entertainment plenty of hotels offer free little shows throughout the day. Some of the best complimentary hotel shows are: the Bellagio's spectacular fountain show, the circus performers at the Circus Circus, the Fall of Atlantis at Caesar's Palace, or even the Volcano at The Mirage. These shows are no longer than five minutes and are just some quick things to do and see. But if you have a little more time to spare and you're a huge TV fan, check out Television City at MGM Grand. It h is a television research center where you can sign up to test watch a TV pilot for some upcoming TV shows. All you have to do is watch the pilot they provide and complete a survey. It's fun and free activity to do! Plus they give you a little coupon book at the end as a thank you gift.

Chill By The Pool! During the summer time, Las Vegas can get scorching hot. Now while all the hotels are air conditioned, one of the best ways to stay cool is to relax by the pool. Some of the hotels in Vegas are known especially for their amazing pools. The Go Pool at the Flamingo has a big party atmosphere, but getting to relax in one of their Flamingo inner tubes is a real game changer. However, if that's not your scene the Flamingo has several other family pools filled with waterslides and lagoons. But hotels like Wynn Encore, the Mirage, MGM Grand, the Cosmopolitan, the Hard Rock Hotel and The Cromwell have some of the best and exclusive pool parties. But based on pools alone, Mandalay Bay has the best pool options out of all the other hotels. It's not even a pool. It's an actual beach filled with sand, a wave pool, and even a lazy river. At Mandalay Bay's beach it feels like you've been transported out of the Nevada desert and into a tropical paradise.

Be A Foodie! Las Vegas is home to buffets and five star restaurants. Getting a good meal in Las Vegas is never a problem. Chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, and Guy Savoy are some of the many famous celebrity chefs with their own restaurants in Sin City. But if exquisite dining is not your style or out of your price range, don't worry there are plenty of other affordable places to catch a bite to eat. Las Vegas is also home to some restaurants that can be hard to find based on where you live like Wahlburgers, In N Out or Shake Shack. If you want to get the full Las Vegas experience, then a buffet from is your best bet! Some buffets can be ridiculously overpriced, so do some research before and pick what works best for you!

Grab A Drink! If you are above the age of 21 and you didn't get an alcoholic beverage in Sin City, were you even there? Las Vegas is known for its cocktails. Each hotel bar and restaurant has their own signature and special cocktail. What's most popular is getting the frozen yard drinks from places like Fat Tuesday, which indeed are very delicious.

Catch A Show! Las Vegas may be known for all its hotels and casinos, but it is also known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World. If you're all about the theatre and big productions check out some of the musicals that are currently running or a famous/classic Las Vegas production, like the Blue Man Group or a Cirque du Soleil show. Or check out a magic show, you are in Vegas! Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, and Criss Angel are some of the many magicians that have residencies in Las Vegas. However, one of the most popular things to do is see a Las Vegas headliner show/concert. Tons of performers like Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and many more stars have residency shows in Vegas that perform almost daily.

Test Your Luck At The Casinos! One of the biggest draws to Las Vegas is the gambling. Every hotel has their own casino, and even the airport has their fair share of slot machines. In every hotel you'll find card tables, slot machines, live bingo and keno, and even sports books. Any way you want to gamble, there's definitely a way in Las Vegas. So if you're in Sin City, why not give it at try? Who knows, there's always some beginner's luck there!

If you're still having a hard time deciding what to do in the city of sin, have no fear. Websites like Groupon offer a variety of experiences at low prices. You can find just about any activity, tour, or even event tickets at a discounted rate. Especially in Las Vegas, Groupon offers some amazing experiences like tours to the Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon, club crawls, and even thrilling experiences like zip lining and ATV riding!

From the gambling and nightlife scenes to the extravagant shows and picturesque views, Las Vegas has a lot to offer those who visit this infamous city. With a city that has so much to offer, you'll have a fun and exciting time no matter what you decide to do.

Until next time.

Something that every person from Southern California knows is that we're completely spoiled. California is the greatest place to live, and that's mainly because we have the best weather in the world. No one can fight us on this. Sure it does not rain or snow a lot and we're constantly in a drought, but hey you win some and you lose some.

California in the the winter is like everywhere else in the fall or towards the end of it. The temperature is a high of 70 degrees and depending on the day it can get as low as the 50s, and on very rare occasions it can get down to the 40s. The only thing is that during the winter, that is when California is supposed to get its rain.

So if we don't get snow or a lot of rain, what do us native Californians do in the winter for fun? Well, there's lots of things to do that are special to California and there are some normal winter activities we participate in.

Just because we live in California, that does not always mean we haven't seen snow. In fact, we have plenty of snow towns that are a couple of hours away. Lots of people will travel to these towns for a weekend getaway. See, us Southern Californians are smart. Instead of living in the snow, we travel to it. One of the most popular getaways in Southern California is a trip to Big Bear. Big Bear is a cute mountain town with several ski and snowboarding resorts. But for a further trip there are other ski resort towns up in Northern California like Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain.

Plus if we really want to stay local but still see snow, plenty of theme parks will re-create that snow feeling. Disneyland will create snow for their holiday firework show and Knotts Berry Farm has holiday music and falling snow on Ghost Town’s Main Street. However, you won't find any snow at Universal Studios but you will see The Grinch and rest of the residents from Whoville.

The same goes with the outdoor seasonal ice rinks. Every major city has their fancy outdoor ice skating rink but what's so cool about California's outdoor ice skating rinks is that you get to skate under the sunshine with some gorgeous almost summer like weather. What could get better than that?

One of the best things to do in the winter in California is to go whale watching. During this time gray whales are migrating from Alaska and are heading south to Mexico. They migrate to Mexico in the early winter and return to Alaska in February and March. Lots of coastal cities offer boat tours for whale watching. They'll take you out so you can watch the whales swim by.

Since we're already on the topic of the ocean, why not take a trip down to beach? Sure it may be a little cool with the ocean breeze and the water will be freezing, but there's nothing like sitting on the beach with a blanket and a comfy sweatshirt. Plus you can always have a bonfire!

As you can see, California has it all. We don't get to miss out on winter, instead we have things that make winter even better. Have you ever seen a palm tree with Christmas lights on it? It's pretty cool. California has everything you want and need. I might be a little biased when I say this but California really is the best state. Now you tell me, what's winter time like where you're from?

Until tomorrow.

The temperature is heating up and that can only mean one thing, summer is just around the corner. But there are a few places in the world where summer is the season year round. One place that comes to mind is Miami, especially Miami Beach.

If you are from or familiar with Miami you would know that Miami and Miami Beach are two separate cities. Miami is the main land while Miami Beach is one long island. Most of the main attractions that tourists want to see are in Miami Beach (aka South Beach), but Downtown Miami is growing thanks to the hipster and fashionista movements in the Wynwood and Design districts, as well as all the success of the sports teams like the Heat and Marlins.

But if you plan on visiting Miami and staying for only a short amount of time, don't worry about missing out. Start with the basics and most importantly you must see South Beach. If you go to Miami and do not step foot in South Beach, did you really go to Miami? Here are some of the attractions you have to see and do, especially if it is your first time there.

Go To The Beach! Miami Beach has some of the best beaches in the United States. The sand is white, and so soft, it feels like your feet are walking on powder. The water is a bright blue, that kind of bright blue you fantasize about in the middle of winter. To make it even better the water is also the perfect temperature, not too warm and not too cold. The temperature in Miami is always hot and it can get very muggy, so the best place to spend your time is on the beach. Air conditioning may feel nice, but a dip in the Atlantic Ocean is much more refreshing. Everyone goes to South Beach for their beach time in Miami, especially if their hotel is inland. So if the beach is your main priority check out Mid Beach. It's not as crowded as South Beach and just as nice, plus some hotels are significantly cheaper. You can find a great deal for a hotel on the ocean in Mid Beach.

Shop or Eat at Lincoln Road. Some locals will call this Lincoln Road Mall, but it is nothing like your standard American mall. It is an outdoor road filled with all your favorite stores and a variety of restaurants to try! There are several fruit stands and venders to check out and see as well. If you want to do a little souvenir shopping, Lincoln Road is your best bet. It is also a great place to spend the day, walk around and do some people watching. There's always something interesting going on at Lincoln Road.

Take a Stroll Through the Art Deco Historic District. If you love to admire bright and brilliant architecture from the 1920s-1940s, then the Art Deco Historic District should be on the top of your list. There are over 800 historic buildings with a variety of architectural styles. The pastel colored buildings shine bright at night with all their neon signs. Admire all the historic and one of a kind architecture, snap a couple pictures, and maybe grab a drink at one of the famous hotels in this ever popular district!

South Beach is the perfect destination for a little rest and relaxation with some excitement on the side. It has a little bit of everything, an fun urban city with tropical beaches. The weather is gorgeous, the people are friendly, and the city is colorful. It's easy to fall in love with this city. Then again, what's not to love?

Until next time.

If you have booked a room on the Crown Princess and are expecting to be treated like royalty, you're dead wrong. I have been on my fair share of Princess Cruises and have been a loyal customer, hence the Ruby status, but after my latest experience on the Crown Princess, I have decided to take my business else where. Why you ask? Let me indulge you.

This past January I was on board the Crown Princess for the 2016 Angels Fan Cruise. Since I have been on this ship before (for the previous Angels Fan Cruise), I had high expectations and was very excited for this trip, but from the moment I stepped on that dreaded ship, everything seemed to go downhill.

The Crown Princess just isn't known for all the amazing destinations that it travels to, it is actually an infamous ship. This ship is known to constantly make passengers sick due to the norovirus. The norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans. In simple terms it is a stomach bug that can give you abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. The norovirus can be spread through contaminated food or water and it can also be spread by food handlers, people who touch contaminated surfaces and from person to person transmission. Princess Cruises has experienced the most (over 20) gastrointestinal outbreaks in the last decade, according to Cruise Law News.

Right before my cruise date, the Crown Princess was infected with the norovirus yet again. Our departure time was delayed a couple hours due to this outbreak. The ship itself needed to be cleaned and cleansed of its sins, which is totally understandable, because I did not want to catch this stomach bug. When I was on the ship, it was the cleanest it has ever been. But that still did not help a lot of its problems. My bathroom and some of the public restrooms on the ship had some plumbing issues. Also due to the norovirus outbreak, you were required to sanitize before every meal and you were not allowed to serve yourselves. You could not even go get a pack of sugar for your coffee without someone doing it for you, and when you tried to do it yourself, you would get scolded by the crew.

What that tells me is that the problem is coming from somewhere or someone on the ship. The ship clearly is not being taken care of, in fact, it only gets a good cleaning when the passengers get sick. Since this is a common occurrence, I don't think it can be blamed on the passengers or the itinerary, which some of the Crown Princess crew members tried to do. Because several other cruise lines travel to same destinations and they have not had as many problems as Princess.

Speaking of the Crown Princess crew members, the ones I had encountered this past January were some of the rudest people I have ever met. Some crew members went out of their way to insult me and embarrass me because of my appearance. Never in my life had I ever been treated so horribly, especially while I was on vacation. Several crew members made me cry in public which led to some of my fellow passengers feeling sorry for me.

The crew on the Crown Princess is one of the worst crews I had ever seen in my entire life. Besides their disrespectful behavior, their complete lack of knowledge was astounding. It seemed like not one person knew what was happening on the ship. On our first day, assigned seating for dinner was cancelled and not one person knew. Everyone in the Botticelli dining room had to wait in front of the restaurant and along the stairs for almost an hour until someone told us that our dinner was cancelled, and if we wanted to eat there we would have to wait another hour or so. This is not the first time the dining staff had no idea what was going on, on my first trip on the Crown Princess, my family of five was seated at a table for four. The staff on this ship are not the brightest crayons in the Crayola box.

Disorganized is the best way to describe this ship and its staff. If you're looking to book a cruise, go with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian, instead of Princess. Princess has lost their prestigious and regal reputation because now they cut corners when it comes to quality. They do not care about your needs, all you are is another dollar sign to them.

Until next time.

Arizona and Florida are popular destinations especially during the spring time. And it is easy to see why, warm weather and most importantly Spring Training! Spring Training is every baseball lover's paradise. You get to see the players up close and personal, see the future prospects, get some autographs, and get to enjoy some baseball games.

While it's always fun to hop on a plane and travel to a new or familiar destination, it can have its ups and downs. The worst part of traveling for most people is packing. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I dread it. It all depends on the amount of time away and the size of the suitcase.

Last week, I spent some time in Tempe, Arizona to check out the Angels' spring training camp and even watch a game. I was gone for three days and somehow managed to fit everything (I thought) I needed in my little carry on suitcase. Learn from my mistakes and follow these tips and tricks when it comes to packing for Spring Training.

When it comes to clothing, pack clothes that are light and breezy. Think about how you would dress for a warm summer day. Think of light skirts and shorts, or maybe even jeans. But jeans and leggings are better when it's cooler. Light short sleeved shirts or t-shirts or even tank tops are the best bet for a hot day.

But the first thing you should do before you pack is check the weather before you go! Checking to see what the average temperature will be will make your packing a lot easier and will make it easier to eliminate items you really do not need, like maybe a jacket. Also, don't forget your necessities like underwear and comfortable clothes to sleep in or relax in. Also bring a bathing suit, odds are the place where you are staying will have a pool. Plus nothing is better than taking a dip in the pool on a hot day.

When deciding on what shoes to bring, pack for comfort. Whatever your feet are comfortable in that will be the best bet. Whether they are your favorite pair of sneakers, sandals, or even flats, think about how your feet will feel at the end of the day. Plus remember with the heat, you'll want shoes that will keep your feet nice and cool. You won't need any dress shoes, heels, or wedges unless you're going somewhere fancy or downtown. Everything around the ballparks is pretty casual.

For all your toiletries you'll need the basics: shampoo, conditioner, soap, makeup, lotion, razor, deodorant, perfume/cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, and anything else you need for daily use. Also a very important note, bring sunblock. Don't be like me and make that rookie mistake the first time you go, I came back as red as a tomato. Also don't stress out if you forget any toiletries, hotels normally offer some complimentary toiletries. And if you're not staying at hotel have no fear, you're not traveling to Mars and you can buy what you need at any nearby pharmacy or store.

A hat, a bag/purse, and a pair of sunglasses is all you'll need for your accessories. A hat will help you stay cool and help shield the sun from your face. The same thing goes with sunglasses, your eyes will be protected from the sun and it will help you see the game better. A purse or bag is nice to have so you can bring snacks, sunblock, your wallet, a camera, a baseball glove, or anything you want signed into the stadium. Also most stadiums allow you to bring one sealed water bottle inside.

Since Spring Training is the best place to get autographs from your favorite players, bring whatever you want to get signed along with some markers or pens! Most players will sign anything like hats, balls, bats, posters, baseball cards, and etc. Others are particular and won't sign some items such as jerseys (cough Michael Nelson Trout cough). Players will sign autographs before they start playing and after they finish playing. A spot by the team's dugout is the best place for autographs.

There you have it! Follow this little guide and it should make packing for Spring Training a little bit easier. What are you waiting for? Get packing already! Happy traveling and happy Spring Training!

Until next time.

Cabo San Lucas is probably one of the most popular (and safest) vacation destinations in Mexico. Beautiful all inclusive resorts, delicious food, nice beaches, Cabo has all the makings for a relaxing vacation.

And it also is one of the most affordable tropical getaways. Airfare can be low when booked in a reasonable time frame and lots of resorts offer good deals and are also timeshares. Cabo is is also a popular cruise port as well. It's easy to see why it is such a popular destination, here are some of the best things to do and see in Cabo San Lucas.

El Arco. This is the most famous and best sight to see in Cabo. The Arch, also known as El Arco, is a rock formation at the bottom of the peninsula Land's End. At the marina, you can catch a glass bottom boat that will take you by the arch and get some awesome pictures. Also you'll see tons of fish and maybe some whales or sea lions.

Lover's Beach. One of the most popular beaches in Cabo is Lover's Beach, and it is over by El Arco and can be reached by boat. There are no docks at Lover's Beach so you'll have to jump out and in of the boat. Since it is popular spot, it can get crowded. There are no amenities at the beach but there are vendors who sell drinks from coolers and such. Bring your own snacks and drinks and arrange a time with your water taxi to return to pick you up.

Divorce Beach. If you get sick of Lover's Beach, well then you can simply head over towards Divorce Beach. Which is ironically connected to Lover's Beach and faces the Pacific side. It is a great place to tan and get some sun. However swimming isn't the best idea, due to the strong currents. But here you'll find some gorgeous sunsets.

Window to the Pacific. A cool hidden little gem in Cabo that not too many people know about is the Window to the Pacific. This cute little passage way is where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet. And it can only be found by boat on the way towards Lover's Beach and El Arco. One blink of an eye and you just might miss it.

Whale Watching. From October to March, gray whales migrate to the Baja Peninsula to escape the wintry cold. They pass right through Cabo San Lucas and there are numerous tours that spot plenty of these majestic creatures.

Marina. The Marina Cabo San Lucas may not sound like much, but it is actually the busiest part of the city center. Which makes sense because it is a port city. The marina contains lots of restaurants and shops. It is a beautiful place to walk around and sightsee. Plus if you're sick of resort food or cruise ship food, the marina is the best place to get some tasty authentic Mexican food, plus every hour seems to be happy hour with all the drink specials.

Cabo Wabo. Cabo is known for all its bars and nightlife and one of the most famous bars in town is Cabo Wabo. It is owned by Van Halen's Sammy Hagar and Cabo Wabo actually has their own brand of tequila. If you're not into the whole nightclub scene, have no fear they have a restaurant as well. Between you and me, their bean and cheese burritos are the best thing in Cabo San Lucas.

No matter which way you choose to relax, Cabo has something to offer everyone. You'll find golfing, beaches, nature, nightlife, and activities for all ages (like ATVs, parasailing, etc). You name it chances are they got it. Check with your resort or cruise concierge to see what excursions or tours are available.

Vacationing in Cabo is all about rest and relaxation. But sometimes when you're staying at a resort you never end up leaving or exploring the city, especially if you've paid to be all inclusive. And what's the point of a vacation when you never leave the resort? Don't you want to see what that city has to offer? Sightsee and visit some of these points of interests whenever you're in Cabo, it's okay to leave the resort. You won't regret it.

Happy traveling and until next time.

When you think of California, what's the first thing that pops into your mind? Beaches? Surfers? Mexican food? Amazing weather year round? All of these things are true, especially down in Southern California. But the city that does it best, well that's good old San Diego.

San Diego is a popular vacation spot in Southern California, and it is easy to see why! There is so much to do and see. Here are some of the best things that San Diego has to offer.

Gaslamp Quarter. An urban area with good restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, what else do you need? This neighborhood is the most lively area in downtown San Diego. Plus all the streets have actual gas lamps and they are pretty dang cute.

San Diego Convention Center. The convention center is the home of the world famous Comic Con! Plus if you're in the Gaslamp Quarter, you're nearby so why not take a peak at this famous convention center:

Balboa Park. This is not your normal park. It is an urban park filled with museums, walking paths, gardens, Spanish architecture, a giant fountain, and so much more. It's a great place to walk around and get some steps in all while enjoying a lovely view. This park offers some serenity in the urban environment.

Seaport Village. If you're interested in cute little quaint shops and restaurants, well then you'll fall in love with Seaport Village. This little village is the perfect place to walk around, and it even has a great view of the harbor!

San Diego Zoo. The San Diego Zoo is the best zoo in California, and maybe even the best in the United States. This zoo is one of the first zoos that pioneered the concept of the open air cageless exhibits, which are re-created like the animal's natural habitat. It is also one of the very few zoos that houses a giant panda! Almost every animal you can think of has a home in this zoo. The zoo is a better place to go to compared to Sea World, it has all the same fun and excitement, just without the animal cruelty.
Petco Park. If you're a sports fan, you've got to see the San Diego Padres play at Petco Park. The stadium is nice, and the Padres have become a better baseball team throughout the years. If you're in San Diego during baseball season, why not go out to an old ball game?

Cabrillo Tide Pools. For all the nature and marine life lovers out there, the Cabrillo Tide Pools are a must see. Enjoy exploring the shorelines while searching for marine life. Lots of crabs and other creatures live in the tide pools. What's cooler than seeing marine life in its natural habitat. Plus there's a cute lighthouse here too!

San Diego is one of the nicest cities in Southern California and it's perfect place for a family vacation or even romantic getaway. As Ron Burgundy said in the classic film Anchorman, "You stay classy, San Diego."

Until next time.

During the holidays it's fun to look at all the decorated houses. Sometimes houses are decorated simply and have the bare minimum done. But then there are the houses that put all of us lazy decorators to shame.

So when you're in Southern California, precisely Long Beach, the best houses to see decorated for the holidays are the ones on Naples Island.

Naples Island is a neighborhood in Long Beach that were built on three islands located in Alamitos Bay. The islands are divided by canals that open into the bay and on these islands are million dollar homes. And during the holidays, all these million dollar homes show off their holiday spirit. Some are decorated simply, but most of these houses are decorated to the extreme. You'll even find some playing music to go along with the decorations.

There seemed to be a theme when it came to the decorated houses this year. Every house has some sort of tropical aspect when it came down to decor. Whether it was Santa on the beach tikis with santa hats, or the additional light up palm trees. The holidays on the Naples Island were taken quite literally this season.

And if you noticed at all I've been saying holidays and holiday lights throughout this blog post. Well this is because Naples doesn't just have Christmas lights. There's even a house decked out for Hanukkah! And honestly, this house is decorated the best, but then again, that's just my opinion.

Lots of people come to view these holiday lights, and it's easy to see why. Naples is a nice calm place to walk around and just look at the lights with your family, friends or loved ones. Plus the lights are done extremely well and it seems like it's been done almost professionally.

If you don't feel like walking there are also boat and trolley tours that go throughout the neighborhood. If you want a romantic night with your love, take a gondola ride down the canals. Nothing screams romance like a nice gondola ride.

Seeing the holiday lights on Naples Island is one of my favorite winter traditions. Actually, I just love going to Naples Island throughout the year, it's a nice safe place to walk and relax and pick out which house will be your future home. Talk about house goals, am I right? Who wouldn't want to live in a million dollar home on a canal? Until tomorrow.

When a tourist thinks of Los Angeles, they think of movies and glamour. Anyone who lives about an hour or so away can only think about the traffic and its lack of cleanliness. But somehow this big city seems to attract lots of people each year. Despite my personal dislike for Los Angeles, I can admit there are some pretty cool things to see and do here.

Gaze at the stars at the Griffith Observatory. Although, most people come for an incredible view of Los Angeles, as well as the best view of the Hollywood sign. But what you may not know, is that inside the observatory there is a museum full of space exhibits, this also includes the pendulum as well as the telescope. The museum (and parking) is free however, you do have to pay for a planetarium show.

As much as I hate to say it, how can you say you've been to Los Angeles and never once seen Hollywood. Hollywood is the Times Square of Los Angeles, bright lights and filled with a bunch of tourists who don't know how to walk. Of course this will be the most annoying place to go to, but sometimes these things need to be done. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the handprints/footprints at the Chinese Theatre are a must see for tourists. And across the street you'll have the historic El Capitan theatre. On this part of Hollywood Blvd, is theatre and premiere central. Who knows maybe when you're there you'll stumble upon a real Hollywood premiere.

If you want to appreciate art and culture in Los Angeles, then try The Getty Center. The museum itself is free but there is a parking fee. But from the parking lot, you do get to enjoy a fun little tram ride up to the museum! Paintings, gardens, amazing architecture and a spectacular view, The Getty has something to offer everyone.

Also if you're a really big museum lover there is Museum Row. Here you'll find other popular museums such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or as everyone else calls it LACMA, La Brea Tarpits and Museum, Hancock Park, and several other museums!

And what's a trip to LA without a visit to the most famous zip code? That's right, 90210, Beverly Hills. Take a look at the most fake city in the entire world, I say this because it's where all the plastic surgeons are. And why not take a stroll down Rodeo Drive and look at all the things you probably can't afford.

If you want more affordable shopping, check out The Grove, a cute outdoor mall. And right across from the mall, you'll find the Original Farmers Market.

However there are some tourist destinations in Los Angeles that I completely don't understand. Venice Beach, for one, it's dirty and disgusting. Shady people everywhere and a dirty beach. No thank you. If you must go to the beach head down south towards Manhattan Beach or even Orange County, there you'll find cleaner beaches where it is safe to swim and walk along.

The Santa Monica Pier is another one where I don't understand the hype. It's a very crowded amusement park on a pier, big deal. It's not very clean or well taken care of either. The pier is nice to look at from a distance, but I don't recommend going there. Unless you want to be disappointed in an overhyped landmark.

Also don't bother taking a tour of celebrity homes or buying a map of the star's homes. All you're going to see when you pull up to the house is a very large wall and gate.

Los Angeles, it's a big city filled with a bunch of things to do and see. Sometimes it can be a pain to get around. You'll need a car, and to be careful and have tons of patience because driving in LA is the worst. But the delicious Mexican food will make up for it. Until next time.

Here's a little vlog from my recent trip to New York City. Here you'll find some places you've already seen and some hidden gems. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for watching and if you want to check out more of my videos check out my Youtube channel! Until next time.

The best trip of my life was back in 2001 and it was the first time I went to Europe with my family. I was eight years old and this was certainly the most interesting and entertaining trip, I've ever been on.

This trip was not your ordinary vacation. My brother was going to get married in Sweden, so my mom planned this wonderful two week summer vacation to go along with the wedding. We planned to go to: Paris, France, Malmo, Sweden, Copenhagen, Denmark, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Berlin, Germany, Munich, Germany, Geneva, Switzerland and Milan, Italy.

However a couple months before the trip, the wedding was called off. The trip was nonrefundable, so even though the wedding was not happening, our vacation sure was. Now my brother and the girlfriend did not take the whole trip with us. They were only in Sweden for the "wedding" and only my parents, my other brother and I went on the two week getaway.

As a child I enjoyed Paris the most, something about that city felt right to me. Maybe that's because in my mind, there was soft served ice cream and pastries everywhere. There was also a moment where my family left me in the hotel room by myself and I was terrified because I had no idea where they went. I got ice cream after that so everything was okay.

We traveled by train and that truly is the best way to travel in Europe. No matter where you are in Europe you'll always see the beautiful scenery. Plus there's nothing more amazing than riding a train throughout the European countryside.

There was even one train ride where we had to get on a ferry, and the train actually got put on the ferry, there was a track and everything. That little thing just amazed me at such a young age! A train on a boat?! How cool is that?

Copenhagen was one of my favorite cities on that trip and I'm dying to go back. I got to go to Tivoli Gardens, the world famous amusement park, and inspiration to Disneyland. My most favorite part of Copenhagen was seeing the Little Mermaid statue. Because you know me, Disney freak here, and I love the Little Mermaid! The Little Mermaid statue is in Denmark, because the author, Hans Christian Andersen, is Danish. Denmark is such a cute little fairytale like country and I loved it.

Another city I loved was Geneva, a beautiful Swiss city surrounded by a lake. Our hotel was supposed to be right on the water. Back then there was no Google Maps, so we could not look it up or see the Yelp reviews. Instead we had to trust our travel agent. Well our hotel was not on the lake, it actually was about a mile away and was the dirtiest place I had ever been to. So we went to the Hilton, which was actually on the lake, and checked to see if there were any rooms available. Luckily there were and we even got a suite after telling them our story about being duped. So we left the dumpy hotel and stayed at the Hilton.

Traveling to so many places at such a young age can have its disadvantages. A lot having to do with memories. There were some cities I really didn't remember seeing or remember anything about.

It's sad to say I barely remember being in Germany, because it's such a beautiful country and it's one of my mother lands. I remember some moments, but I don't remember being there. I'd love to go back and see what I can't remember and hopefully jog my memory.

I also don't remember being in Amsterdam. But that is because we didn't spend a lot of time there. We were there for a day trip I think, I know we didn't stay overnight. The reason why I don't remember it is because I slept through it. I think I was tired/jet lagged because there are several pictures of me sleeping in a taxi and at a restaurant. And I have chosen to not share those photos with you all today.

The major advantage of traveling at a young age is that once you start you never want to stop. Traveling can be an addiction, but it is a healthy one because when you see the world you learn a bunch of new things about the world you live and about yourself. This trip started my travel addiction, and I don't see it ever going away. Until next time.

My proudest moment is a moment that changed my life completely. When I was 19 years old, I decided to spend the fall semester of my junior year studying abroad in Seville, Spain, Rome, Italy, and Paris, France. Spending three months in three different countries without my closest friends or family taught me how to be independent and how to live on my own and take care of myself. During this time I discovered who I was as a person and learned a lot about myself.

While I spent my time in Spain, I was homesick a lot and I spent a lot of time by myself just exploring and walking around the city. I made a couple friends in my rotation, but being shy made it hard to put myself out there and be friendly and talk to others. Spain was lonely at first, I spent a lot of time in coffee shops thinking about writing about my journeys (I wish I would have done that) and taking photos and shopping.

But once I started to make friends, my inner explorer came out. My group of friends and I set out for Africa and we took an adventure to Morocco and truly experienced a whole new world and way of life. I even got to ride a camel!! The greatest animal and experience of my life. That was something to check off my bucket list, and since during that time the world was allegedly ending, so I wanted to make the most of my time abroad from there on out.

Next month I was on my way to Italy, one of my many motherlands. There I loosened up more, and channeled my inner Italiana. Here is where I learned, that I love to learn about other cultures and cities and their history.

Walking around Rome I was simply just fascinated and captivated by the city. I didn't care about the bars or night clubs, I loved the city and the culture. I drank cappuccinos and ate pasta and gelato daily. I admired the ancient ruins and the beautiful architecture that surrounded me.

My love for Italy didn't stop at Rome, I wanted to see more of Italy and see more of this amazing culture. So for my fall break, a close friend I made in Spain and I went on a ten day adventure and we traveled by train to Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan. Florence was a beautiful river city filled with art. Venice romanced me with the gondola rides through the canals. Fair Verona, where Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet lays their scene impressed me because of my love for literature and the arts. Milan, the fashion capital of the world inspired me to dress to impress. We even made it to Athens, Greece on our ten day adventure. Since I was living in one ancient empire, I wanted to see another. Lucky for me, so did my friend. We both shared a love for mythology so going to Greece was a no brainer for us. We walked the ruins of the acropolis for hours and never got tired. Simply because we were in awe because of the amazing city we were in.

Saying goodbye to Italy was tough, I adapted well there but I was excited to make my way to Paris, the city of lights.

Traveling to Paris, was tougher than I thought it would be. I was excited to be in one of my favorite cities of all time, but my friends' negativity towards Paris put a damper on my time there. Constant complaining about the weather and how expensive it was tested my optimism. So instead of sulking with everyone else, I spent my free time enjoying what the city had to offer. Paris is rich with art, literature, fashion and all things creative and intellectual. I spent my time in museums, because I love museums. I loved looking at all the art. I spent an entire day getting lost in the Louvre by myself. I can proudly say I've been through the entire museum.

I climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe and saw what no one else could see: elegance. I studied French in high school so I could communicate a little, but after my time in Paris I realized I really wanted to be fluent in another language, several if I could handle it.

Traveling does teach you a lot about yourself, stuff you did not even think of, especially if you are on your own. It teaches you independence and I'm so glad I learned all about it when I did. Because after my three months abroad, I truly became an adult. Age doesn't make you an adult, legally yes, but mentally it's your wisdom and the lessons you learn in life that truly make you an adult. My time abroad made me wiser, and I grew up. But I never want to stop growing and I've grown more since then. I know my futures adventures will help me learn even more and more each day. Thanks for reading and until next time.

I really don't have a favorite quote per say, but I do like to browse the variety of quotes on Pinterest. And when I stumbled upon this one, I had to keep it because it truly spoke to me.

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

Whoever uttered this quote could not be any more right. Money doesn't make you rich, your experiences in life truly enriches it. Being able to see far away places and experience new cultures can shape a person. Material goods like designer bags and luxurious cars may show you have a lot of money to blow but it doesn't make you rich.

You can't buy memories and your memories are all yours. No one can steal your memories, and sell them on eBay. They are yours forever and you'll keep making memories as long as you shall live. When you travel with your friends and family and loved ones you create so many that they will last a lifetime.

Traveling is so rich because it can change you. Some people grow when they travel because they learn so much. Traveling in a foreign place can be challenging as well, so some people have to be quick on their feet and solve problems if they arise. Traveling can change your whole perspective on life and change how you think once you visit a new place where the citizens live their lives differently.

When you travel, you're also educating yourself. They say those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it, but reading a history book isn't the most fun thing to do. But you know what is fun? Going to the place where a historical event occurred. For example, reading about D-Day and how the soldiers landed on the coast of France is one thing but going to the beaches of Normandy and seeing where it all took place really puts history into perspective.

When a person travels, they're investing in making themselves the best person they can be. The more you travel, the more you see. And with the more you see, the more you grow. And the more you grow, the more you change. The more we change, we become better, we evolve. Travelers understand other cultures, other places, other people, and other ways of life. And when they share their experiences it enriches the lives around them.

If everyone traveled and had some sort of understanding what life is like in other places, human beings wouldn't take what they have for granted. Therefore, travel indeed is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.

Back in March I was lucky enough to go to Arizona and attend a couple Spring Training games for the Angels! It was a lovely weekend getaway to Tempe filled with baseball! My two favorite things: baseball and traveling, what could be better? So I went down the street to the Long Beach airport, yes I live right by the airport, and I hopped on one of these tiny two seater US Air Express planes to Phoenix! Look at how tiny that plane is! You should see the inside!

Oh wait you can, with an airplane selfie! Maybe you can't really see how tiny it is but you get the idea.

So I went on this lovely Spring Training getaway with my family, and once we landed and grabbed our bags we headed to the rental car area. A car is a big necessity in Spring Training, especially if you're going to several different stadiums. So we got in the rental car, and headed to our hotel in Tempe. Our hotel was The Buttes, which is a Marriott resort, and this hotel was beautiful!

Just look at that pool and scenery! Settled on top of a hill, The Buttes overlooks Phoenix in one direction and the other direction you can see the Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Spring Training home for the Angels. The Angels' home away from home is settled down the hill from the Buttes and is in walking distance. But fear not there are golf carts located in front of the lobby to take you down and up the hills when needed. And I indeed took a golf cart down to the bottom of the hill to get to my first Spring Training game. My mom actually booked this trip with Angels Vacations, the same people who organized my Boston trip. And by booking with Angels Vacations we received: three nights at the Buttes, the rental car, tickets for two games, a tour of the Tempe Diablo stadium and a meet & greet and dinner with some Angels players and staff!

The real fun (at least for me) is waiting outside the stadium over by the field where the Angels workout and do their warm ups, before the game starts. This is where the players come out to walk to the stadium and some even stop to sign! I got to meet a lot of players, some I knew, and some that I still don't know to this day. For example, Mike Morin, Cam Bedrosian, Grant Green and Drew Rucinski all signed my hat! Others did too but like I said, I still can't figure out, mainly because I can't read their signature.

So I got to watch the Angels play the Giants at both Tempe Diablo Stadium and at the Giants' stadium in Scottsdale. It was great to watch both of the teams get ready for the upcoming season and see the new emerging talent. What I like best about Spring Training games is getting to see the guys who don't get to play everyday or even the ones who may not make the team try to earn their spot. Personally, I liked Tempe Diablo better, but that's because it's my teams stadium and I got to sit in the shade. When I was at the Giants' stadium, I sat in the sun and got burned, tip and friendly reminder, always wear sunscreen and don't forget to reapply. That desert sun burns with all its might. After the game at the Tempe Diablo Stadium, I got to attend the Angels Vacation dinner which included a Q&A with Angels Vice President Communications Tim Mead, bullpen coach Steve Soliz and catchers Chris Iannetta and Drew Butera (now on the Royals). Honestly, I didn't really like who I got meet. If you read my twitter, you'll already know about my feelings towards Chris Ianetta, and Drew Butera was new and now is gone. And honestly, it seemed like they really didn't want to be there, it felt more like it was an obligation they had to fill rather than an appreciation for the fans. However, Tim Mead is a wonderful and very nice guy! After the meet & greet, Tim Mead took us down onto the field and we got to go into the dugout, which was ver cool! It was fun to walk on the field and climb into the dugout and sit where all my favorite players sit! Seeing the Angels get ready and prepare for the upcoming season was a truly amazing experience, also seeing the Angels sweep the World Series Champions, the San Francisco Giants was pretty awesome as well. Even though the Spring Training games don't count, it's still nice to see my favorite team win, and it makes the season ahead much more exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed Spring Training, and I can't wait to go next year!