Drinking Coconuts & Kissing Stingrays: A Day in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is a Caribbean paradise known for fabulous beaches, incredible underwater reefs, and of course, snorkeling with stingrays!  If you're like me and can't think of a better way to spend your day than surrounded by a bunch of tropical fish in crystal-clear aqua-blue water, I think you've found your next travel destination.

STINGRAY CITY
Snorkeling with stingrays? in the wild? I know. I thought this sounded crazy too. But Grand Cayman is famous for Stingray City: a beautiful shallow sand bar a few miles out from the Northwest corner of the island that fills with stingrays every day, drawing in tour boats of snorkelers eager to interact with the friendly rays.  

It's said that the rays began gathering here decades ago when fishermen, returning from a fishing excursion, would navigate behind the reef into the sound - a calm, shallow area off the island, where they'd clean their fish and throw the guts and leftovers overboard, giving the local stingrays a feast!!! Over time, like the pavlov rays they were, the stingrays associated the sound of a boat engine with the act of getting food. And, so, stingray city was born. Today, the tour boats do the feeding of the rays and the snorkelers get the opportunity to swim with (and touch!) the rays.
Join a tour for the day (only around $45/person) and they'll give you all the snorkel gear and safety information you need to feel comfortable swimming with the rays. It's an unbeatable experience, and one you'll never forget. 

KISSING A RAY
They say that if you kiss a stingray you'll have good luck for years to come. It's a silly superstition of course, but I like it. Here you are face-to-face with a wild stingray in the open ocean, usually something to be feared, something that can hurt you, even kill you, and instead of running away from it, you kiss it. because what better way to have luck go your way than to face a challenge head first, and with a little love. 
So, yes, I KISSED a sting ray in Grand Cayman.

SNORKELING THE REEFS
On our same snorkel trip, we had the opportunity to go to a nearby coral reef and swim for an hour or so. The reef was unbelievable. the colors, the lively coral, were unlike anything I've seen before. I also got to play with my new gopro under water which was such a blast. 

SEVEN MILE BEACH
When you're done snorkeling with your new friends, check out arguably one of the most popular and famous beaches in the Caribbean- Seven Mile Beach. 

Seven miles of white sand and aqua water? Yes please. 

JetsetChristina wearing Kiini Bikini

Thinking about moving down here and selling coconuts from my tiki hut.. thoughts?

XO,

Christina

Crazy about Croatia

With approximately 1,200 islands, sparkling azure water, and picturesque medieval villages full of history and charm, it's no wonder Croatia is on every traveler's bucket list. 

The stunning view from the fortress of Hvar

In fact, Croatia was recently named as the Mediterranean's fastest growing tourist destination, as more and more people each year flock to its pristine national parks, beautiful beaches, and the medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik. The immense popularity of HBO's hit TV series, Game of Thrones, has boosted this country's tourism as well, as the show highlights the majestic beauty of old town Dubrovnik, the shooting location for Game Of Thrones's King's Landing. 

So, if this country mixes the historical charm of Italy with the beautiful beaches of Greece, why is it the world is just starting to hear about this gem on the Dalmatian Coast? 

Well, here's a quick crash course in Croatian history: After a rich history dating as far back as 11 B.C. (as part of the Roman Empire), Croatia became its own kingdom in 925 A.D., after which it went through many mergers and acquisitions, ending in 1918, after the end of World War I and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, resulting in Croatia joining Serbia in the forming of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia, however, began to fall apart in uprising and civil war resulting from the country's adoption of communism in the mid to late 20th Century. With a weak economy, cracks in the Yugoslav system began to grow, and Yugoslavia became severely divided. 

When Croatia finally declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Serbs living in Croatia declared their own independence from Croatia, making civil war inevitable. The war that followed lasted until 1995 and was a territorial battle among Serbs, Croats, and Bosnians - characterized as the bloodiest and most horrific event in Europe since WWII. Today, almost 2 decades later, the strength of this country is seen in its miraculous ability to bounce back from this dark period of its history. Most of the Croatian coastline remained amazingly untouched during the war, and the aged, multicolor brick roofs seen in the seaside towns tell a beautiful story of having survived centuries of invading powers. In Dubrovnik, however, the noticeably brighter orange roofs tell a different story, having been replaced after the Dubrovnik bombings in 1991. Today, the country's history just adds to its allure, and the war damage is completely unseen, leaving behind stunning coastlines, charming towns, and a wonderfully unique european culture. 

So, you're into history, beautiful sparkling blue water and medieval architecture mixed with some wine country and delicious food? Let's plan your next trip. 

Where should I go?
Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a must see. Jutting out on a chunk of Dalmatian coastline, the city walls of Dubrovnik are nothing short of spectacular. The bad news? Dubrovnik is no longer anyone's best-kept-secret, as the Old Town is gridlocked with tourists during the summer. The good news? Travel in the spring or fall to miss the tourists, or simply walk the city walls first thing in the morning (they open at 8am), when you can beat the crowds.

Hvar
Wow, wow, wow was all any of us could think about this place, which ended up impressing us so much that we all unanimously called it the best destination we visited this summer. Hvar is a beachy town, with gorgeous islands a 5 minute water taxi ride away. But beaches aren't the only thing this town has to offer. Have you seen the view from the fortress?? If you're going to Croatia, do not miss out on Hvar.

Fortress-ing high above Hvar

Palmizana

Alert the masses. Add it to your travel list. Tell everyone you know.... I found heaven on earth. Palmizana island, a short water taxi away from Hvar port, is a yachter's paradise. Palmizana not only has picture-perfect seaside beach chairs lining it's unbelievably turquoise blue water, but also delicious fresh mediterranean eateries and Veuve-Cliquot-branded VIP lounges scattering the island... Boom. You're Beyonce on the beach.

The Most Beautiful Waterfalls You'll Ever See: 

Krka National Park or Plitvice Lakes National Park

Thanks to a jagged coastline and mountains rich with rivers, waterfalls thrive in this beautiful country.  Plitvice Lakes National Park in particular is world-famous for it's pinterest-worthy waterfalls, making it indisputably one of the top attractions in the country. Krka is just as wanderlust-worthy with its stunning falls. Take your pick, you can't go wrong.  

Arena Pula

Into history? You can't miss this one. The Arena in Pula, Croatia is the only remaining Roman amphitheater to have four side towers and all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. It was constrcuted in 27 BC-68 AD and is among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world. It is also the most popular (and arguably most beautiful) ancient monument in Croatia.

Things to do in Dubrovnik

Walk the city walls

Have you ever seen views like this anywhere else in the world? The old town of Dubrovnik is something out of a storybook, and walking the walls you are presented with gorgeous views of both the town and the Adriatic. The walk takes about 1.5 hours and you won't want to forget your camera. 

Have dinner in the square

You've never seen a weekday night like they do in Dubrovnik. With masses of locals eating (late!) dinners in the square of old town, it's hard not to wish our society was a little less work obsessed and a little more on-permanent-vacation like the Croatians are. It is so much fun to people watch, as the square is clearly THE place to be at night. The food is delicious and fresh pretty much anywhere, so just walk around, pick a good spot, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. 

Have a Drink... On the Rocks

Cafe Buza, continuously ranked as one of the most scenic bars in the world, is hard to find, but well worth it for the best sunset view in town. The best way to get there is to go behind the Church of St. Blaise and to keep walking past Hemingway bar, past the Cathedral, then pick a little side street and walk towards the wall facing the Adriatic sea and Italy. When you hit the wall keep walking along it until you reach a door. At this point, you can go left or right, and either way will take you to one of the two Buza bars- slightly different spots, I preferred the one further down, so keep going after you see the first spot. Great views either way. 

Go to Wine Country

Peljesac peninsula is the place where some of Croatia's finest wines are cultivated and there are many tour companies who will take you there on a day, or weekend trip to visit many family-owned Croatian wineries. It is about 1 hour outside of Dubrovnik. Fun fact: one of my very favorite wineries in Napa, Grgich Hills, is made by the famous winemaker Mike Grgich, who hails from Croatia. 

See the City from Above on the Cable Car

There is a cable car, a short 10 minute walk from the old town, that will take you straight up the hillside to a beautiful vantage point overlooking the entire city. Highly recommend doing this.

Kayak around Dubrovnik

This was one of my favorite things we did while in Dubrovnik, as the water is just gorgeous and the coastline so amazing. Take a tour or rent your own Kayak, either way, you'll love your day on the Adriatic. 

Have any of you been to Croatia? What are your must-sees? I would love to hear about it in the comments! 

xo,

Christina

Follow along my travels on instagram @jetsetchristina 

Montenegro: Europe's Next Big Hotspot

If you have been following my instagram, you know I just got back from a two week European cruise to Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece. One of my very favorite spots was Montenegro. This small Balkan country has everything! Medieval villages, rugged mountains, and a picturesque coastline spotted with gorgeous beaches that rival any of its mediterranean neighbors. I fell in love with this captivating country in just one day, and I have no doubts that you will too. So, here is my go-to guide to your perfect day in Montenegro.

Step 1: Arrive By Sea

One of the most jaw-dropping things you will see on your trip to the Dalmatian Coast is the fjords of Montenegro. If you're thinking Fjords? I thought those were only in Norway and Iceland? , you're not alone. I thought the same thing before visiting Montenegro, but was quickly corrected that in fact the Bay of Kotor, a stunning maze of sea inlets, is Europe's southernmost Fjord, and home to the beautiful city of Kotor.

Step 2: Explore the medieval town of Kotor & Hike to the top of the Castle of San Giovani

As you sail through the Bay of Kotor, you'll reach the end of the bay, home to arguably Montenegro's most famous town, Kotor. It looks like a typical coastal town until you see up close that it's surrounded by medieval city walls, built by the Venetians to protect it from invaders. If you're up for the climb, these five kilometer long stone walls run right into the steep hillside above the town, offering incredible panoramic views across the entire Bay of Kotor. The hike is pretty treacherous-- you'll be climbing approximately 1,350 stairs to a height of 4000 feet!! It will take you around two hours to get up and back, and is a fantastic workout to start off your day. Don't forget to bring your camera! 

After your hike, walk the town! It's a walled city that feels as if you're stepping back in time, and there are lots of cafes and shops to explore. 

The view from the steep hike to the top of the Castle San Giovani

Step 3: Hop in a cab to Budva

Getting the right cab driver here is key. The right driver will know all of the gorgeous spots to stop at as you're driving the coast of this beautiful country, and they'll fill you in on all of the rich culture and history in Montenegro on the way. For example, did you know that the Montenegrans are the 2nd tallest people in the world? After the dutch. They also play a LOT of water polo (and they're very good at it) and will often play right in the ocean instead of in a swimming pool, since there are very few waves and the salt water provides extra buoyancy. Having grown up a swimmer/water polo player myself I thought that was very cool. 

Here are some of the views we saw on the way to Budva of the town and beaches. 

Budva is a seaside town on the other side of the mountain from Kotor, and it's at most a 40 minute drive from each town to the other. In Budva, you'll find gorgeous beaches and restaurants and shops, making it a perfect spot to swim and relax for a couple hours in the middle of the day. We stopped here on our way to Sveti Stefan and are so glad that we did.

Step 4: Eat lunch at the Olive Cafe on Sveti Stefan

Aman Sveti Stefan is a luxurious coastal resort that takes over a small island off the coast of Montenegro. Look at this island. How can you not be completely captivated by it?

 Researching where to go in Montenegro, I just KNEW I had to see it. Only one problem. This resort has 24/7 guards guarding the bridge and only allowing the guests onto the resort. And by guests, it means the people paying upwards of 2k a night. Oh, and famous tennis player Novak Djokovic, who, in between holding world records in tennis and often being ranked #1 singles mens tennis player worldwide by ATP, held his wedding at this beautiful resort. So, what are the rest of us to do when we are just dying to see it? Well, there is a beach that is accessible to the rest of us who aren't athletes or celebrities, and it, my friends, is SO beautiful. However, if you want to lay on this beach, it's going to cost you. 75 euro per person. That's a lot for a beach! Worth it? 
Not in my opinion. So what do you do? Eat at the stunning restaurant on the beach overlooking the resort.

The Olive restaurant directly overlooks the island with a prime view of the beach, the resort, and the sea. It's extensive outdoor seating, luxurious restaurant decor and its amazing staff will provide the perfect setting for a delectable mediterranean meal by the sea. I had told the restaurant we'd be visiting for the first time and we were greeted by the wonderful manager, Misko, who was an amazing representation of the friendly Montenegran culture. From the moment we sat down, so much attention to detail was given to the entire experience of the meal. From the perfect positioning of every outdoor table to have a gorgeous view of the island, to the highly trained waiter anticipating our every need. The food was quite possibly the best I had on my entire trip to Europe, and was very reasonably priced. The melt-in-my-mouth fresh fish was the highlight of the meal. We also had shrimp that was to die for, bread with tzaziki, farm-fresh greek salads and, of course, a delicious chilled bottle of summery Montenegran white wine. It was a perfect meal. I cannot recommend this restaurant (and its staff) highly enough. 

Step 5: Enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking Sveti Stefan

The Olive restaurant also has the BEST sunset view in all of Montenegro.. With plenty of outdoor tables & delicious drinks to enjoy it. I mean, look at this picture taken at Olive. Does it get any prettier?

There you go. A PERFECT day in Montenegro! I hope you'll visit this beautiful country soon, because it is so wonderfully off-the-beaten tourist track right now but most definitely won't be for long!!! Just look at the immense growth in popularity of tourism in Croatia and I can tell you that Montenegro is definitely Europe's next big thing. 

Cabo San Lucas

What do you get when you combine picture-perfect coastal beauty, add in gorgeous high-end beachfront resorts, fuse them with all-night fiestas, and top it all off with definitive Mexican charm? 

Bienvenidos to your new favorite margarita-filled getaway, Cabo San Lucas. 

Nestled at the southernmost tip of Baja California del Sur is Mexico's notorious party paradise, Cabo San Lucas.  I've been traveling to Mexico at least once every year or two since as far back I can remember, and many of my favorite memories as a kid were spent traveling the western shores of Baja California.  Since the Mexican Riviera is an easy 2 hour flight away from my hometown of California, we explored everything that Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Acapulco, East Cape, and Cabo San Lucas had to offer... often traveling with other families and friends and doing everything from deep sea fishing to snorkeling to sailing to sunning to shopping the Mexican markets. I'm pretty sure I learned how to barter in Spanish before I even learned how to read in English... haggling with Mexican shopkeepers in broken six-year-old-kid Spanglish over the price of everything from fireworks and poppers (that we would light up on the beach at night), to a woven bracelet with my name on it (that I'd unabashedly show off to all my friends at recess while they complained about their family's fifth spring break road trip to the Grand Canyon).  I'm so grateful that my parents not only showed us the beauty of Mexico from such a young age, but that they taught us Spanish the way I think everybody should learn any language, by speaking it with the locals, everywhere we went.  I am pretty proud that I still speak Spanish like a Mexican local, and even more proud that I can still haggle with the best of them.  $20 for a cab downtown? Ay ay ay. Try $5, senor. Not the blonde gringo you thought I was, amigo.

Anyways, I just recently got back from an amazing trip to this Mexican oasis, and I cannot wait to tell you all about it. Cabo has something for everyone and a fun-loving culture all it's own, which is why it continues to reign as a global hot spot, year after year.  

for the tourist

medano beach

The bustling main strip of Medano Beach creates the epicenter of this party paradise, filled with excited vacationers, margaritas firmly in hand, taking "that" quintessential photo of Cabo with the Land's End arch, and searching for their next beach activity. At Medano Beach, you can chill out and relax or choose from infinite water activities like parasailing, jetskiing or even taking a sunset cruise. This is definitely where the action is. 

land's end arch & lover's beach

I definitely recommend taking a water taxi from Medano Beach to see the arch, which is a stunning rock formation where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Nearby the arch, ask the taxi to drop you off at Lover's Beach, which opens out to a different ocean on each side. It is a great place to spend a couple hours and play in the waves. 

sail & snorkel

The best way to see the sea is by sea!! I love Cabo Sails for a great sail & snorkel trip. They'll take you everywhere (the arch, lover's beach, and pelican rock to snorkel) and it even includes lunch and a premium open bar. 

santa maria bay

I love this little beautiful bay for snorkeling. Take a cab or your rental car and drive 15 minutes north of downtown and this hidden gem provides some of the best snorkeling in Cabo. Go there on a calm day and get there early! All of the sail boat trips will come later in the day and you'll want to beat them to having the beach (and the tortugas) to yourself!  :) 

My new favorite restaurant view in the world @ Sunset Da Mona Lisa

for the foodie

The food in Cabo is outstanding. And this is coming from the girl who pretty much has guacamole for every meal in America. When I got to Cabo, you know all hell broke loose. I think I tried every chips & guac & marg the town had to offer, and I was not disappointed. Here were some of my favorite places:

Sunset da Mona Lisa - I cannot say enough incredible things about this restaurant, as it was easily the most picturesque (and delicious) meal I've ever eaten in my life. It's ranked as one of the top 5 coolest restaurants in the world by the NYTimes, and there's no question why. With breathtaking views spanning the entire coast of Cabo, there is literally nowhere I would rather be. The service, food, atmosphere and overall experience were all top notch and we had the most memorable night here.  Of course had to bring my favorite Napa Valley merlot (pictured to the right).

Hacienda Cocina y Cantina - Nestled right above Medano beach, I loved this place for dinner. Great resort-ey ambiance and great Mexican food! Get the carnitas and a spot outside where you can watch the sunset.

Mi Casa - Is this place is touristy? Yes. But is it also exactly what you want when you think of a dinner in Mexico? Absolutely. Mi Casa is a beautiful hacienda-like candlelit patio restaurant with colorful mexican decor everywhere you look. Enjoy the DELICIOUS queso (the best I've ever had), and take in the awesome atmosphere, complete with balloon hats and lots of fun mariachi music, of course.

where to stay

Casa Dorada - Wow, wow, wow. I loved this hotel. Perfectly positioned next to the Mango Deck on the prime real estate of Medano Beach, Casa Dorada is the perfect place to spend your vacation in Cabo. The service was impeccable (think, blended punches upon arrival) and they even complimentarily upgraded us to a GORGEOUS lands-end-view suite steps from the beach.

Pueblo Bonito - This hotel has a GORGEOUS setting right on Medano Beach and beautiful white architecture that makes you wonder if you're in Mexico or Greece. But, my favorite part about this hotel isn't the architecture or the location, it's the pool. During our vacation in Cabo, you could find us every day at 2pm "Tequila Volleyball" in the pool, which was an absolute blast. Fun activities, sunshine, and poolside drinks at the drop of a (sun)hat...This place is paradise.

Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar - The Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar is the ideal oasis away from the hustle & bustle of downtown, if that's more your style. I loved getting to experience both Medano Beach and Los Cabos (about 20 minutes outside of town) because they are so different but both great. The I loved the Sheraton's beautiful hacienda architecture and, of course, the infinity pools :)

for the margs

Rough day at "The Office"

The Office - this bar and grill, located in the sand of Medano Beach, is a rite of passage for cabo tourists. Decked out in beach umbrellas, tiki torches and colorful tablecloths, this is the spot during the day. The food is good and the margs are even better. 

El Squid Roe - this outrageously iconic Cabo night club and restaurant is a one-of-a-kind. With four stories of open air dance floor, countless throngs of partygoers and waiters armed with jello shots, Squid Roe is loud, wild, and full of energy. I had so much fun dancing the night away here.

Mango Deck - Take a stroll on Medano Beach and you can't miss this place with it's live music and hilarious entertainment. What El Squid Roe is for Cabo nightlife, Mango Deck is for Cabo's beachlife. Located with a prime view of Land's End, Mango Deck is party central. The hilarious MC will corral beachgoers into the restaurant with games, contests and all sorts of tequila-soaked entertainment. During the high season, this makes Mango Deck Spring Break home base, but it's a great place to grab a drink and laugh at some ridiculous drunken contests any time of year. 

spanish phrases for gringos 101 

Mango Deck @ Medano Beach

"Soy Christina, soy de los Estados Unidos" - I'm Christina, I'm from the USA
"Me gustaría la guacamole" - I would like the guacamole 
"Me encanta la playa!" - I love the beach!
"¿Cuanto Cuesta?" - How much is it?
"Adiós, amigos!" - Bye, friends!
"Hasta la vista, baby" - See you later! *See Arnold Schwarzenegger for pronunciation*
and the most important one of all....
"Mas cerveza, por favor" - Another beer, please.


Whether you're looking for a quick weekend getaway or a longer oasis, there's absolutely no place like Cabo for a little R&R on the beach with a margarita in hand. Ah, la vida es gran.
xoxo,
Christina