Rob Taylor's Blog, page 20

Staying at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver- the Castle in Downtown Vancouver

I’ve been to Vancouver BC countless times and have stayed in many hotels. Staying at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is, I think, one of my favorite hotel experiences in Canada. Between the city views and the wonderful indoor pool and restaurant, the Fairmont Vancouver, also known as the Castle in the City, is just wonderful.

We stayed at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for the start of our Rocky Mountaineer journey on the train from Vancouver to Banff. If you’re doing the train, starting here real...

Train from Vancouver to Banff: Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West

Luxury train travel is apparently how I was meant to see the world, and the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Banff was a great introduction for me! Titled the First Passage to the West, this beautiful Canadian train trip is both high end and a very approachable way to see some of the most beautiful sights in western Canada. I’ve got all the details about what to expect on the Rocky Mountaineer, how to plan your complete Canadian dream trip and some bonus highlights from the train route....

Rocky Mountaineer Train Journey: Guide to Planning and Travel Tips

Rocky Mountaineer is such a mystery to those who’ve heard of it but not yet been on one of their journeys. I’m excited to share all about my experience on this luxury train ‘First Passage to the West’ journey through Western Canada, and also lay out the details of planning your own adventure. From our start in Vancouver to ending in Calgary for our flight home, I’ve got the full scoop on what to expect and how to make the most of a Rocky Mountaineer train trip.

Have you done this luxe vacatio...

15+ Beautiful Islands in Florida the AREN’T the Florida Keys

I love a good Florida road trip, especially one that visit lots of beautiful beaches and islands. Did you know that there are actually tons of beautiful islands in Florida that AREN’T the Florida Keys? It’s true! Due to the Intracoastal Waterway, nearly the entire state has barrier island around the edge. This makes for all sorts of different and interesting Florida vacations.

Yes, we really do love the Florida Keys and actually have a whole website all about exploring the Keys, but there are...

Visiting Cedar Key: Beautiful Old Florida on the Gulf Coast

Today I’m sharing all about visiting Cedar Key, FL. When you’re planning a trip to Florida, you’ll hear about all sorts of places that sound either bizarre or like a must visit, or you’ll hear about the most gorgeous beaches not to miss. Well, we’ve got a place we love and have a great time at, but it DOESN’T have awesome beaches and ISN’T convenient to get to, but it’s perfect. Visiting Cedar Key is unlike any other type of Florida Getaway.

“Why are you underselling Cedar Key?” Well, quite s...

Trip to Playa del Carmen: a perfect destination for nature and fun

We know how to do a beach day. I mean, we live at the beach, but what do you do when you’re in a beach destination without kids? And what if it’s a beach destination that also has non-beach stuff that is pulling you away from the surf? Playa del Carmen is just that. Here’s how to plan an amazing trip to Playa del Carmen and do more than the beach.

If you’re unfamiliar, Playa del Carmen is on Mexico’s east coast, on the Caribbean, and part of the Yucatan Peninsula.  It’s very different from th...

Sustainable Souvenirs: 5 Great (and Small) Ways to Bring Back Memories

No matter how you try, part of being a tourist is browsing through trinkets and postcards at some point during a trip.  You might not mean to do it, but you’ll undoubtedly look at a snow globe or t-shirt even if you have no intention of purchasing it. We aim to only consider sustainable souvenirs when we travel and we’ve got some great ideas to help YOU find cool, low impact options to bring home.

When you travel with kids, a simple stop to grab a snack can turn into an accidental window shop...

Universal Orlando Resort Podcast Episodes – Tips and Tricks for Planning

Of course we have podcast episodes about Universal Orlando! Being annual pass holders and having visited many times before we lived in Florida, we have lots of experience in the parks and staying at the many hotels around Universal. Our Universal Orlando podcast episodes dig into the tips and tricks of visiting, as well as highlight the things we love about each park.

If you have ideas or requests about a podcast episode you’d be interested in hearing, either about Florida theme parks or anyt...

Universal Orlando Spring Break Plan: Everything You Need to Know (and TIPS!)

We are so excited to share our Universal Orlando spring break plan! We’ve been going to Universal Orlando for years and always love it, but you know what? During spring break EVERYONE else goes to Unviersal too.

We have tips for being able to make the most of your time during the busiest weeks at Universal Orlando, as well as tips for where to stay to get the best deals. Making a trip meet both the fun and budget requirements is tricky, so hopefully we can help you out with YOUR spring break...

6 Beautiful Scenic Drives on the Big Island of Hawaii

There’s something about the Big Island that I just love and keeps me writing about it over and over. While you could always just show up and check into a resort, why would you when there are so many things to do on the big island, including some epic scenic drives. We’ve put together 5 beautiful scenic drives on the Big Island that you will love. Whether you’re staying in Hilo or on the Kona Coast, you can plan for each of these mini-road trips.

As you plan your trip to Hawaii, you’ll see tha...