Travel ’16 was LIT!!!!!!!

This past year has been absolutely amazing for travel, sightseeing, wander-lusting and my passport loved every bit of it. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve learned that collecting experiences, memories and souvenirs from around the world add so much value to life. When taking a few thousand dollars to spend on a quick trip to Florida to shop and party ticked my fancies back in the day, these days I scoff at just the thought, knowing I could easily see myself using the cash on a more worthwhile flight. 

Thanks to work assignments, the freelancer life and some good ole vacation days, I was able to visit some of the most amazing places this year; bucket list items that I never thought I’d get to and some I love visiting over and over again. From my far away sky treks to the other side of the world to my quick hops to some of my favorite islands, take a trip with me down memory lane as I relive my 2016 travel itinerary! 

That’s Capital! Washington D.C.

January ’16

For the past three years, it’s been the gag to ring in the New Year in a new city! This year I sat this one out to spend time and get my new year started with the people most important to me; my family! But I partied my way into 2016 at a big ole party in Washington D.C. Relive my Lauryn Hill concert, some amazing food and of course some of the most popular sites in the world! Hit the link! 

That’s Capital: My Top 5 from Washington D.C.

Layin’ Low in Bimini 

January ’16

I love getting the call that I have to travel to Bimini for work! It’s one of The Bahamas’ bluest islands. It’s so small, quaint and quiet and surrounded by the most beautiful waters you’ve ever seen. There’s nothing quite like the cool island breeze that lifts you as you move around, the warmth of the people and the cracked lobster tail snack!!! 

#DoinItInDubai

March ’16

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! I am still gagging about this trip! If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that even up to now I am still posting, talking about and damn near bragging about this amazing trip to the UAE. So here’s how it happened. Thanks to my networking skills, I linked up with the owners of the travel group Hardly Home, became a contributing travel writer for their site and kept my passport handy. Every spring break the group plans a trip somewhere and when I saw that they were going to Dubai, I jumped at the opportunity to see deserts, camels and belly dancing gypsies. I took my sister and friend with me and made it the ultimate girls’ getaway. It seems like EVERYONE went to Dubai this year and I loved reliving my visit through the photos, stories and tales of others who made the amazing trek to one of the most magical and luxurious cities in the world! Check out my Dubai recaps, in the links below!!

#DoingItInDubai: A Bucket List Item Worth Ticking Off!

Who. What. Wear. (Dubai)

A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Girls’ Trip

Abracadabra in the Magic City (Freeport)

April ’16

I’ve always loved visiting Freeport, Grand Bahama. They call it The Bahamas’ second city for a reason; it’s chock full of city energy but the lag of island life throbs like the slow thump of a goatskin drum. Whenever I head to the Magic City, I get to relax, unwind and bask in the beauty of my country. I went there this year on a work trip; to cover the second annual Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, but of course after the interviews, stand ups and on camera smiles, I found time to be a domestic tourist and eat, see and dance my way through Port Lucaya. Get you some magic, hit the link! 

Fabulous Freeport! A Weekend in The Magic City!

New York, New York 

June (and March) ’16

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of! Who doesn’t love going to New York? Even if only for a quick layover or a weekend of work? I actually travelled there twice this year and soaked in every second of it. New York was the layover spot on the way to and from Dubai. On the way back from Dubai we laid up in luxury at The Benjamin Hotel. SO POSH! The second trip was in June to cover the TEMPO concert at Caribbean Week. Relive this gritty city with me! Hit the links below! 

Tasting “The Big Apple”

All About The Benjamin…Layover Luxury

Treasure Hunting in Abaco 

June ’16

So Bimini has some stiff competition in the “bluest of The Bahamas” competition! Abaco is oh so magical and such a great place to visit! I went for work, but when you visit a place this perfect, it automatically turns into a mini vacation. I think we travelled to Treasure Cay, Abaco at the most perfect time of the year! The weather was just right, the blues were at their peak, the sun shined like it had rent to pay, summer was in full swing and the mood (and food) were bananas! June + Treasure Cay, Abaco = a winning combination! Check out the full recap with some pretty cool pics! Hit the links! 

A “Treasured” Start to the Summer

3 ways to Keep your Social Media Poppin’ While Travelling

Gold Medal Trip to Rio (Summer Olympics)

August ’16

YOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Somebody pinch me! I am still screeeeaaaaaming that I not only went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but that I also got to attend, cover and rub shoulders with some of the world’s most elite athletes at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games! PINCH ME!!!!! So listen, I got to watch a race with Usain Bolt, like literally us standing in front of the same TV watching a track race, talk to Justin Gatlin about eating conch fritters in The Bahamas and scream to the top of my lungs as I cheered on my Bahamian athletes! I witnessed the beauty of the favelas, took a train ride up to Christ the Redeemer and blended into the beautifully colored Escadaria Selaron steps! Yoooooo, PINCH ME! Let’s take a trip down Olympic memory lane, follow the links to your awesomeness!

Rio de Janeiro: My Lesson In Judging the Book By Its Cover

A Trip of Olympic Proportions: My Top Moments at the 2016 Rio Games

Who. What. Wear. (Rio de Janeiro)

The Spirit of The Games

The Olympics and Its Peculiar “Pin-terest”

A Day Away to Rose Island 

September ’16

If only for a few hours, if only for a short day! Ok, ok, it seems Rose Island is in the runnings for the bluest Bahama island as well! What the heck? All islands in The Bahamas could actually top that list! My cross fit group held its annual cruise and getaway one gloomy Sunday. After putting it off due to inclement weather they decided to brave gray skies and choppy seas to make this party happen and I was right there for it all! Trust me, there’s nothing like sailing away to an uninhabited island to drink, dance and do handstands! 

So where to next? I’m still in planning mode but from all indications 2017 will be even more air worthy! I’m set for my first big 2017 trip within the first quarter of the year! I’ll keep you all posted!

What are your travel plans for next year?! And tell me where you think I should go next?!