Venice - Day 2

As much as I love taking photos, I force myself to remember to be consciously present and in the moment. Yes, it'd be nice to have a physical photograph of every little thing, but my mental photographs have been doing a great job. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't be so busy taking the photo that you forget to look up and enjoy the visions before you. I make it my business to tuck my camera away only to wander off and enjoy whatever sights I can find. Even if that means stumbling into a church built in the 17th century or an 18th century cemetery. It's crazy how many times I've wandered off alone down a random street or into a small, dark shop just to take a peak. If it's morbid, looks creepy, or just plain scary, you'll find me there observing.

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Venice - Day 1

Let's also pretend that I haven't been back in town for well over a week, and that instead, I just touched down yesterday, and that I am bringing this post to you ASAP because I am just that dedicated. First things first. After an overnight flight, which I've become accustomed to with most international travel, we finally arrived at our family owned hotel in Quarto D'Altino, Italy. It was quaint, charming, and all the words that come to mind when "family owned" fits the bill. We were kind of in the middle of nowhere, but that was just fine because while waiting to check in I realized that the bikes parked right out front, were free. Yes, $free.99 is the best price and will always get my attention. This would turn out to be something to do on the mornings that we didn't run to town (and by town I mean take the 30+ minute ride into Santa Lucia/the Grand Venetian Canals) on the first train.

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What to do... #WashingtonDC

Today proves that I found the perfect job. Not because of the work, but more so because of the likeminded people. One coworker is on the second leg of his Spain/Amsterdam vacation, one coworker flies out tomorrow to go to Switzerland for a couple weeks, another literally decided on a whim last friday that he's going to go to Germany this thursday, and today I fly out to Venice. Do I fit in or what?

As I work from home, which loosely translates to: START PACKING, you have a flight to catch this evening, I think about how going away is nice, but exploring your own city is just as good when there's no time, or money to get away. Every now and then I remind you that I am from Washington, DC. So there's your reminder. Born, raised, currently living here. I think it lives up to the title of the "Nations Capitol." We're a perfect mixture fast-paced and chill, and there is always something to do.

How about we start with exactly what I did when I recently had a guest that had never been to the city...

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the scoop!

Canada - Day 2

After Niagara Falls we immediately drove to Toronto. I remember that as soon as we got to the city, we parked and found food. Actually, most of the time, if we were driving around, we were looking for food...and I'm okay with that.

Naturally, when we woke up in Toronto, the first place we went was to the.....lake. Ha, no food yet. We headed to Lakeshore Drive for one of the best views of Lake Ontario.

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Costa Rica - Day 3

When recently asked about my trip - well it was more so mentioned and I just oozed information - I think the best advice I gave was....DON'T BUY ANY TRIPS UNTIL YOU GET THERE. I am the ultimate planner and like to purchase all things (especially vacations) in quadruple advance...whatever that means. However, this time, I was more inclined to wait. The main reason was because when I found out where I would be staying, I automatically skipped off to some website like tripadvisor.com to see guest photos. One photo that stood out was of a billboard that was for the adventure booking office on the resort grounds. This is what caused me to WAIT. THIS is where I found and booked the Aquatour that consisted of snorkeling, fishing, a BBQ on a remote beach, and plain 'ol FUN. 

YOU HAVE TO go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the entire post and even more pictures. Also, as promised, is an excerpt from my travel journal. 

Costa Rica - Day 2

What can I say? Day 2 of Costa Rica, after what I'm just going to refer to as an entire day of traveling, was my relaxation day. Luckily for me, it turned out to be a FREE day in more ways than one. The hotel happened to have a small location where guests could book tours. It really came in handy as we made more than a couple visits to the office. The best part about it was that the tours/adventures/excursions all left right from the beach of the hotel. What worked out was that as we were looking into a couple excursions, we were told that a little later that day, probably within the hour, a boat was leaving from the island to go to another small beach about a 10 minutes ride away. Now, that 10 minutes definitely felt like a 20-25 minute ride, but I for one wasn't complaining because I enjoyed the ride and it was free. We ate breakfast and got packed to go.

HEAD TO TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the full post, tons more pics, and a journal excerpt from my personal travel journal. 

Guanacaste, Costa Rica - Day 1

I know it's been a couple weeks, but trust me, I have been waiting to bring you this trip. I scooted off to Guanacaste, Costa Rica for a few days and it's safe to say, I had the time of my life. My mom keeps telling me how this has been my best trip, and hey, moms are ALWAYS right. How about we start with Day 1?

I still feel like I spent the entire day either in the sky, or in an airport. After two layovers and three separate flights, I actually arrived in Costa Rica. As I walked out of the airport, I was greeted with the night sky. The actual ride to my resort was the craziest journey because everything surrounding Liberia's airport seems so remote and deserted. Even in the daytime, I did not see as many people as I would see within a couple blocks radius here in D.C. As we rode to my final destination I sensed mountains surrounding me and was always either going deeper into the mountains or ascending up some dirt round. Then finally, I arrived here...

Jet on over to THEMONIQUEMICHELLE.COM to check out the full post and the stunning pictures that accompany it. HURRY!

Dressy Casual (1st Day in Paris)

EXCERPT!...

          I think that for my first day in Paris, I just wanted to be extra. It was one of the first couple days of Paris Fashion Week, and I wanted to be slightly over the top. Does that make sense? Slightly, over the top? Anyways, I decided to pack one of my favorite, dressiest, dresses that was still simple in a way. 

Be sure to go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for THE FULL BLOG POST as well as outfit details and more pics! Enjoy ;)

The Bahamas

          So I have this tradition: NEVER BE IN THE USA ON SEPTEMBER 26TH. Why? Tis' my born day. In September of 2012 I finally got out of the country by way of water. I took cruise to the Bahamas (Norwegian Sky: Freeport, Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay) and of course the first thing I fell in love with was that gorgeous sky blue water. Why can't we have that in DC? Why can't it be everywhere. Anyways, this trip started something. Other than eating for free in a restaurant for 2-3 meals a day, it only increased my "itchy foot". I can't sit still. I must always be on my way to somewhere. And why shouldn't I be? I must explore every inch of this globe.

Check out the full gallery over at http://www.themoniquemichelle.com/