Cinque Terre & Portofino

January 3, 2019 Allison Graham

Road tripping through the Italian Riviera

Red Frog Beach: Bocas del Toro, Panama

May 24, 2016 Allison Graham

If you are an active traveler looking for an adventure with nature, Bocas del Toro in Panama might be your spot. It's known for world class surfing just south of Costa Rica in the rainforest. (We were there when they were filming an East Coast professional!)

As long as you aren't afraid of getting a little wet-this is a great part of the world (It is in the rainforest.) Wildlife, Surfing, Swimming, Fishing, and Zip-Lining: this is an adventurists dream... also perhaps a photographers.

We spent our Christmas at the Red Frog Beach Resort and rented a house overlooking the ocean, with a private pool, and hired a chef. This might seem over the top, but it actually wasn't . It was part of the reason for choosing it. The cost of renting a house for the week ended up being less expensive than staying at a 4 star hotel on a different caribbean island.

While saying that, if you are looking to go on a surfing trip and want to keep accommodations to a minimum--I suggest the Red Frog Bungalows. (They have surfing packages as well.) It's fairly easy to get to as well. We flew into Panama City the night before and ventured out in the city then took a skipper plane up to Bocas del Toro.

Breakfast at the Red Frog Beach Resort was included and enjoyed on the beach at the Punta Lava Bar. To get around the Island, we opted for some golf carts.

Now, I've come to be "little-miss-Steve Irwin".. ok maybe not that good, but I am fairly lucky at spotting wildlife. On the way to breakfast, I heard rustling in the bushes to my left.. so I pulled over to find monkeys peeling and eating bananas.

You would think they would've scattered, but perhaps realized I was not a threat. One of the monkeys actually enjoyed my company and decided to put on a show. I watched as he peeled the bananas and ate his breakfast.

Next, which might be even more crazy. Finding a sloth in a tree! Now, this might be more impressive, because unlike monkeys--they do not rustle the leaves, they barely move. I was driving slowly on my way to the beach after lunch. I kept looking up in the trees hoping to find wildlife-to my enjoyment, I did just that. A Sloth was sunning himself on the top of the tree.

Ok... So when I said the last finding was impressive. This one might take the cake.. to the extent the locals said they never see the sloths come this close. I didn't want him to touch me, because I didn't want my germs to hurt him (or vice versa) but he kept grabbing towards my camera, attempting to take my Red Sox hat off my head.

Now, if this were a wildlife tour, you would say "yeah, I get it ... pretty cool," except it wasn't a tour, this was just walking around the island. If you are like me and want to find sloths, take photos, and really embrace the island-then you too will find Red Frog amazing. Believe me, it is worth it.

The resort is called Red Frog for a reason; there are tiny red frogs in the rainforest (do not touch, some might be poisonous, also it's not nice.) they are microscopic. Don't let my photo fool you, I had my legitimate camera with me on this trip, and I was very quiet not to disturb him. They are beautiful frogs with vibrant color.

Red Frog, most can be found near the spa

Looking for more activities? Well perfect, because besides fishing, surfing, and swimming there is zip-lining, right on the island. They pick you up right in the lobby and drive on up into the heart of the rainforest. My brave hubby even did this, which proves how safe it is. He is scared to death of heights. He was the champ of the day for doing this--knowing my sister and I were dying to do it.

A few day trips I suggest:

Starfish Beach: Whether you are staying at Red Frog Beach or another resort you can request boat charters from the taxi drivers. (yes, the taxi's I'm referring to are all boat taxis.. they are the same you would take to town.)

Starfish beach was the one excursion I was really looking forward to. It was worth it. We hired a taxi to take us to Starfish Beach, then snorkel on the way back, and finished by leisurely drinking at the Blue Coconut.

Starfish beach is named after all of the starfish found here. You will dock your boat right on the beach then walk into the clear waters to find them. It is not ok to touch the starfish which is why I am not showing them on this blog.

Fishing Expedition: The boys went fishing, do expect "old-school" fishing though, they were hand reeling in the line. Either way they had a great time, minus a mini rainstorm!

Blue Coconut: This spot is great and I highly recommend. It's a bar and restaurant in the middle of the water between Red Frog Beach and town. Great menu and also fun spot to hang out in the sun. There is snorkeling gear as well as hammocks off the docks.

The Town of Bocos: Fun restaurants and some shops. We actually played "Secret Santa" when in town. We picked names and had a budget on what to spend on our gifts, *only able to shop from the stores in town. A few nights out of the week we opted to head to town for dinner instead of our in house chef. We had a great time.

For people looking for a nightlife there are definitely some spots to check out. Right off of the docks in town there is a spot called, Aqua Lounge, this is spot to go to at night. There is a DJ, multiple bars, swings into the water: it's the epitome of a club in the islands.

Surfing: I highly recommend going to the beach at Red Frog and asking for Scott, he's the best. The Red Frog Bungalows is the go-to spot for surfers.

If you are looking for a new part of the world to check out and love to be active, Boca del Toros is the spot. For a bit of luxury: stay at Red Frog Resort, but if you would like more of a rustic stay then definitely stay at Red Frog Bungalows.

On our last day we flew back to Panama City. We were able to see the Panama Canal which is pretty fascinating then found a restaurant with a pool to enjoy a full day of sun! Come back soon to see my quick trip in Panama City!

Until Next Time, Safe Travels!

Montana Angler, Fly Fishing Down the River

April 1, 2016 Allison Graham

A trip of a lifetime. Floating down Yellowstone River fly-fishing and camping riverside in beautiful Montana for 5 days with Montana Angler. *They are the best-knowledge wise and skill wise. I highly recommend.

We flew to Bozeman and spent the first night exploring the town, excited to be picked up in the early am to start our 5 day fishing adventure. We had a few guides, and a few more chef's heading our way for the week of camping and fishing.

Me, a beginner to fly-fishing, needed to be pulled aside and taught what to do. Luckily, I had beginners luck, and caught on über quickly! The first day was spent hiking through this gorgeous boulder river and headed upstream until we caught a bit of still water.

The first day out, we actually drove to a spot because there had been a storm at the start of the Yellowstone River, so we needed to wait for the muck to disappear for visibility. We hiked through a few boulder's to reach our private waters.

Well so much for wearing my waders!

Yes, this was a view we saw quite frequently. Breathtaking.

After Day 1 of a successful fishing trip, we hiked back down to our camping site. This would be the last day with a vehicle. Going forward, we would be on our little zodiac-type boats and float down the river, where we would camp along the river.

On the drive into the camp site, we heard rustling and movement to our left. To no shock to our guides, it was a Grizzly Bear sunning himself on the boulder. I quickly ran out of the truck to snap a photo, but unfortunately he scurried back into a cave. For the rest of the trip, every rustling I heard: I thought bear.. but to my disappointment, I didn't see another one. Although, thats not to say we didn't see wildlife: floating down the river to Yellowstone National Park--we saw wildlife galore.

Finding our hidden camping site....

Settling in for the night in the middle of Montana

Day 2, Ready to float down the river for 5 days. We headed towards our starting point along the Yellowstone River and launched our two boats in. We had three people in our party with two boats and two different guides.

Matt, who I chose to ride with for the majority, would tell me where to throw my line (generally, near the rocks.. where the fish tend to hide in the calmer waters.) Call it beginner's luck...or maybe Matt's skill, he would say "Hook" and then I would pull straight up and try to Rip a Lip. 7/10 times, I would catch the fish. I blame the 3/10 on myself for not pulling up fast enough. This worked to my benefit, as we made bets daily... Most Fish Caught, Different Species Caught, and the Biggest Fish Caught... most days I won... Not that I'm bragging... but.....

How about waking up to this view every morning... pretty terrible right?

Waking up to breathtaking views in Montana

For 5 Gorgeous days of fishing and camping... Oh and enjoying amazing food day and night prepared by our chefs, our float down the river came to an end. I cannot tell you enough how amazing the experience Montana Angler provided. It was the most luxurious camping trip I've ever taken. The camp sites were put up and taken down for us, food cooked daily, bar provided, and the fishing guides were the best I've ever seen. They know the ins-and-outs of all the different locations. If you are heading on a Fly Fishing trip-- Go To Them!! Our next trip will be a 5 Day Smith River Expedition and we cannot wait!

Just when you thought they couldn't be more amazing... they brought us to Holly's Road Kill Saloon, where we got to shoot some pool, grab some drinks... and kiss the queen~

To end our trip: we headed to Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky!!

Montana Angler dropped us off at our last spot: Yellowstone River Lodge. To keep the theme of the week going... we thought staying by the river one last night was a must... ha! I'm Kidding, but we actually did....this time in a hotel! It was a great spot with an amazing restaurant and even more gorgeous scenery.

Last Day in Montana: Yellowstone National Park

When you see a boiling river... you need to ditch your clothes and hop in! Enjoy nature and the beauty that surrounds you. It's simply breathtaking.. and relaxing!

When in Rome, You go in the Boiling River

Breathtaking Beauty of the Boiling River

Now, the Yellowstone National Park is filled with beauty. I suggest you go. Stop when you see something gorgeous and unpredictable! Make no agenda. Just enjoy the beauty and grab lunch at the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room.

Case and Point: the little bison below chose to sit down in the middle of the road, in front of a car. We had no choice but to watch and laugh.

The geothermal areas of Yellowstone include several geyser basins in Yellowstone National Park as well as other geothermal features such as hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. They are also incredibly gorgeous... but smell a bit. They are located in numerous spots around Yellowstone, we hopped out of the car for most of them!

The photos speak for themselves: Beautiful. If you love the outdoors and nature.... or things that are beautiful... I highly suggest visiting this part of the world. Writing this blog, reminded me of the simpler things in life and how beautiful Montana is. Which is why it triggered our desire to push fast forward on our expedition down the Smith River!

But.. don't take my word on it.. Go see it for yourself!

Until Next Time, Safe Travels!!

Destination D.C.

March 30, 2016 Allison Graham

Washington D.C. is one of my favorite towns. Beautiful architecture, clean, close proximity to Georgetown, and a fabulous running spot. My first few trips to D.C. were spent running the Mall, then to Arlington National Cemetery, out to the monuments and circling back around the White House. I was trying to gauge where everything was and thought this was the best way to do it. I was right!

Grab your camera and walk- walk everywhere, you won't believe how much exercise you get. Walking will also lead you to the all the other buildings not on your list of to-dos. The history and beauty of this city is extraordinary. D.C. is a weekend trip-2 to 3 days top, I like to look at long weekends to come and visit.

Museums: *Fun Fact, if you are looking to get your money's worth--check out the Smithsonian Museums; most of them are free and opened daily except December 25!

These are some of my favorites I've been to:

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:
International Spy Museum: This is right near China Town, so maybe plan to grab dinner after going. My favorite part is the Evil Villain quiz: Shows you how you rack up amongst Bond Villains.
National Museum of Natural History
National Air & Space Museum
National Museum of American History
National Museum of African American History & Culture (this was being built my last trip)

Monuments & Musts:

The White House: You must see the White House from both the front and the back! From the front it is gorgeous, from the back it is WOW! You can continue to walk from the White House to the National Mall.

United States Capitol: When standing on the opposite end of the boulevard, you will see the Washinton Monument perfectly centered between the Capitol Building.

National Mall: This is a 2 mile, tree-lined boulevard with monuments and memorials. Consisting of The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Also included Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, The National World War II Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Washington Monument
Arlington National Cemetery

Veteran's Day 2014, Heading towards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

There are obviously many great times of year to visit DC. It is a walking city, so pay attention to the weather. In the spring, you enjoy the beautiful Cherry Blossoms, and in the fall, if you plan accordingly, Veteran's Day is a great time to be here.

Hotels:

Intercontinental The Willard: Extravagant entryway with high ceilings, and ornate detailing. You will think of a different time. This hotel is a 6 minute walk to the White House, 0.9 miles to the National Mall, and 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial. Do enjoy a cocktail at the Round Robin & Scotch Bar, which remains a lively meeting place.
Watergate: Newly renovated iconic riverfront hotel with a luxurious rooftop bar.
W Hotel: Modern interior, located next to the Willard just blocks away from the White House. Cosmopolitan lobby bar with a great rooftop bar: POV.
Four Seasons: 5 star, 5 diamond luxury hotel nestled in Georgetown. Unparalleled service as you can expect with the Four Seasons. OfferingBourbon Steak, Seasons, and the ENO Wine Bar restaurants on site.

Washington D.C. can be a pretty pricey place to stay, so I suggest looking at where you can use or earn points. I've stayed at even the Hilton Garden Inn downtown once, because there was a huge convention in town, and it was fine. Other notable hotels to mention: The Hay-Adams & The Jefferson.

Bars:

POV rooftop bar at the W Hotel has a fantastic view of the White House, just make sure to be dressed up a bit-not super fancy, but smart casual.
Rí Rá Irish Pub in Georgetown is a fun spot to drop into after some shopping or to catch a football game.
Along this street there are plenty of fun pubs to stop into. I just love my Irish Pubs!
Round Robin & Scotch Bar, as mentioned earlier, located in the Willard Hotel. (Intercontinental)

Restaurants:

Café Milano: Spent my first anniversary at this Italian Restaurant. For a lively atmosphere, I recommend the downstairs, but for a romantic night out head upstairs.
Jardenea: High-end American Menu, located at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel.
Old Ebbitt Grill: This is an iconic tavern with an American menu. Yes, this is a bit of a tourist trap, but it's also kind of a must--plan on grabbing a bite before or after your visit to the White House. *If you go next door, you can get your picture taken in the "Oval Office" it's pretty fun if you like to goof-off.. I don't. I'm super serious.
In DC Proper head to China Town, maybe even catch a Washington Capitals game!
Sushi: Sushi Capitol, Sushi Taro, and Kotobuki (this is a bit of a drive, on the 2nd floor)
Rose's Luxury & Pineapple and Pearls, new hot spot by chef Aaron Silverman.

Brunch Extras: You must go to Georgetown. It's such a fun, vibrant town with shops, restaurants, and pubs. Favorite outdoor brunch area is Sequoia, but there are several restaurants in that area, and from there you can hit up some shopping.

I hope you enjoy D.C. as much as I do. It's a very active, healthy and naturally beautiful town. Enjoy the outdoors, take lots of photos, and learn about the history of our great country!

Until Next Time, Safe Travels!

"Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!"

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