Finca Rosa Blanca has individual apartment-type rooms, we had two ...]]> We just returned from an amazing week in Costa Rica! Our good friend Stacey had wanted to make a trip to the rainforest, so we decided to tag along and I’m so so glad we did. It was a fabulous week full of good food, rainforest adventures, and lots of pool time! We used Latitudes to book our itinerary and our first stop was the organic coffee plantation Finca Rosa Blanca.

Finca Rosa Blanca has individual apartment-type rooms, we had two right next to eachother, Pino and Higuron.  Both had balconies and super-comfy king beds.  We absolutely LOVED staying here, the food was quite simply out of this world, and it was such a tranquil, beautiful spot.  This was our view from breakfast:

We took the tour of the coffee plantation and heard about all of the work it takes to grow coffee!  No wonder it costs $4.90 for my latte!

This is what a coffee bean looks like before it’s shelled, dried and roasted.

Then we got to taste some different types of grounds.  Was so interesting to see how the different methods of producing coffee make it taste differently!

After two lovely nights at Finca Rosa Blanca, we made the 4 hour trip to La Fortuna and the Arenal Nayara.  If you are visiting Costa Rica, I highly recommend hiring transportation (this is what we did) - don’t try to drive yourself!  The roads are quite simply terrible.  That 4 hour trip?  It was a 90 kilometer distance. 

Our room at the Nayara was very pretty.  We had an outdoor rain shower and jacuzzi tub, as well as super comfy beds.  Travelers take note: I was disappointed in the service from the front desk staff here, and their website states there is high-speed internet in each room.  There is not internet in-room and what you can find in the common areas is very slow and unreliable.  I wasn’t pleased that their website advertised something they didn’t have, and although the bar and waitstaff were amazing and the rooms are quite nice, I would not stay here again.

Our first rainforest excursion was a hike at the base of the Arenal volcano.  We saw all sorts of beautiful flora and didn’t even get rained on!  That night, we visited The Springs Resort (if I were rich, this is where I’d stay!) and played in their hot springs.

The next day was waterfall rappelling!  This was seriously freaking awesome.  Hard work, but so worth it!  The highest waterfall was over 200ft, and we loved traipsing through the spring water in the Costa Rica heat.  This excursion was through Desafio Adventure Company and I would highly recommend them.  Our guides were so friendly, we felt super safe, and we had a fabulous time.

And last but not least, we went ziplining!  This tour was through Arenal Paraiso, and I can’t even describe how amazing it was to fly through the jungle.  We had been ziplining before but nothing like this.  There were 11 ziplines, and the longest was over 200ft off the ground and 1200ft long.  And you flew 40 mph!  It was crazy awesome and if you visit Costa Rica, this is a MUST do for you, seriously.

There you have it, our whirlwind week in Costa Rica!  We absolutely loved it – so fun, relatively inexpensive, and even though it was rainy season, it didn’t bother us much, and we definitely didn’t have anything stopped because of the rain.  In fact, we got lucky and it really only rained while we were ziplining, which actually made it even more incredible. 

Have you visited Costa Rica?  Did you go to Arenal?  I have heard awesome things about Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio too, but with as long as it takes to get anywhere, we couldn’t do it all!

*rappelling images by Desafio Adventure Company, ziplining images by Arenal Paraiso, all other images my own. I was kind of proud of my picture-taking skills this time around! :)

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 6 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Travel

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{image courtesy of author’s personal collection}

Well, actually… Ciao from my living room where I’m wishing I was back in Italia, wandering the streets of Firenze with a double scoop of gelato {1 scoop Nutella, 1 scoop rum, please} or sipping prosecco on a piazza in Roma.  You see, the Evs and I just returned from a 9 day jaunt through Tuscany and Rome… from the trails of Cinque Terre to the Ponte Vecchio, and through the hills ...]]> Ciao from Italia!

{image courtesy of author’s personal collection}

Well, actually… Ciao from my living room where I’m wishing I was back in Italia, wandering the streets of Firenze with a double scoop of gelato {1 scoop Nutella, 1 scoop rum, please} or sipping prosecco on a piazza in Roma.  You see, the Evs and I just returned from a 9 day jaunt through Tuscany and Rome… from the trails of Cinque Terre to the Ponte Vecchio, and through the hills of Chianti country to Saint Peter’s Square, we packed in a ton of adventures {and wine} {and mozzarella di bufala}.  You can follow along as I recap our journey over on EA, but I thought I’d share 10 of my must-haves when traveling overseas right here on EAD Living.

{images credited in text below}

(1). Cotton Tanks.  Lugging a 70 lb. rollie-bag on and off Grecian ferry boats 4 years ago officially cured me of my over-packing addiction.  Since then, I’ve practiced keeping clothing to a minimum when traveling internationally… which usually means I end up re-wearing a few tops as well as jeans and dresses.  Packing a cotton tank {or four} to layer under your sweaters, tees, and tunics will ensure that your top layer stays fresh {and re-wearable!} as you bustle through your itinerary.   In years past, I’ve tried all the usual suspects for cotton tanks {J.Crew, Old Navy, Lands’ End Canvas, etc} and the newly revamped ribbed tanks from GAP blow the competition out of the water.  The material is nice and thick, the length is long, and the tank maintains its shape and hue after multiple wears and washes.

(2) Plastic Baggies. Ziplocs… Not just for TSA anymore.  Of course you’ll have your quart-size baggie to get your liquids through security {don’t forget your night-time routine essentials if you’re flying overnight!}, but I use a zippered sandwich bag to keep my credit cards, id, and cash together while abroad.   This way, I can see exactly what I need and access it quickly – for safety purposes, you don’t want to be fumbling through an over-stuffed wallet every time you stop to buy  a bottle of water!   I also pack a few plastic grocery sacks in my luggage.  Shoes all dusty from hiking?  Outfit wet courtesy of surprise rain shower  with no time to dry?  Pop it in the Kroger sack and you’ll save your other items from “pollution!”

(3) Cross-Body Bag. Way safer than your everyday purse and way cuter than that weird money belt your Nana keeps putting in your stocking at Christmas, a cross-body bag will allow you to wander hands-free and dissuade potential bag-snatchers.  Make sure you pick one with a zipper or tight clasp.  This one from Banana Republic is the perfect blend of style and security.

(4). SPF. A a big, ‘ol “duh!”  in the summertime, but don’t leave your skin all naked-like during the rest of the year either! We’re constantly outside whilst on vacation, so I’m never without a tube of  Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer.  It makes protecting my face a no-brainer since it’s part of my make-up routine.

{images credited in text below}

(5). Pashminas / Scarves. An easy way to add a little personality to those interchangeable travel basics, a big scarf is also an easy layering piece in case of temperature change – a godsend if you’re bopping about from sunny plazas to air-conditioned museums or away from your hotel from dawn until dusk.  Bonus Points: Much softer and prettier than those smelly airplane blankets.  Extra Awesome Bonus Points: Your bare shoulders won’t preclude you from visiting holy sites if you’ve got one of these suckers tucked into your bag.  {photo credit}

(6). Tide Pen or Shout Wipes. Remember that highly edited travel wardrobe you packed so carefully?  T’would be a shame if you dripped pesto down the leg of your favorite pair of jeans on your second night in Italy {hypothetically}… unless you remembered your trusty Tide Pen, of course!

(7). Mini Kleenex Packs. Great for the sniffles, yes, but even better for restrooms {or holes in the ground… I’m looking at you, Chiang Mai} without toilet paper or extra drippy gelato.

(8). Zippered Nylon Tote Bag. For day trips or outings that might require a little more personal storage, a zippered nylon tote is your best bet!  The material is easily cleanable {just wipe it down with a wet cloth}, the zipper will keep the pickpockets at bay, and it can double as your carry-on.  I’ve used both Herve Chapelier {pictured} and Longchamp bags with great success, but there are tons of options available!

(9). Light, Weatherproof Jacket. While a pashmina can combat a bit of a chill, having an actual jacket at your disposal during the milder months is always a good idea.  While not a full-on rain jacket, this Runched Waist Anorak from Ann Taylor Loft provides a good barrier from mist and drizzle and is the perfect weight.  I also loved the nipped in waistline!

{image courtesy of author’s personal collection}

(10). Sparkle TOMS. When I lived in Spain, I was all about the Pumas.  My early-twenties-feetsies were clad in Mary Jane-like Merrells when gallivanting in far-off locales.   But, at 28, my traveling toes belong only to TOMS.  Gold Sparkle TOMS to be exact.  Not only are they cute, but they are comfy as all get-out!  My goldies scaled the Duomo, the Florentine clock tower, and the Castello di Angelo, not to mention tread miles upon miles of cobblestoned streets with ‘nary a blister or hot-spot.  And of course, for every pair purchased, TOMS donates a companion pair to a child in need.  You can’t beat that with a stick {of salami} {covered in slices of pecorino} {and shaved onto crusty bread}!

So, now that you have my list, tell me… what are some of your can’t-live-without-’em travel essentials?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 5 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Travel

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{source}

Furbaby Friday will be back next week, but in honor of all of the furbabies, here is Charlie – I was so sad when he left to be boarded this morning!

Happy Spring Break! Ami

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 1 comment · StumbleUpon It! Posted in: Travel Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

We visited La Jolla and Oceanside. We walked along the water ...]]> This was our second married Christmas and our second year splitting the holiday between the east coast and the west coast — my parents live in central Pennsylvania, and Nick’s parents live in southern California. I’m not sure that I’ll ever get used to palm trees and sunshine and sandals in December, but I’ll admit that it was nice to escape the bitter cold winter of the east coast.

We visited La Jolla and Oceanside. We walked along the water at Seaside Village and strolled through beautiful Balboa Park.

We gawked over the Hotel Del Coronado and dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean.

We saw San Diego by boat, and we drank margaritas and ate guacamole in Old Town.

We also spent a day at the Wild Animal Park where we saw the sweetest giraffes and a baby elephant that was born the day before.

On our final day in San Diego, we soaked up the sun poolside and watched a spectacular sunset from Double Peak Park.

We’re so thankful that we were able to spend Christmas with both our east coast and west coast families.

How do you split your holidays? Did you spend your Christmas in the sun or in the snow?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2011 · Permalink · 5 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Holidays, Newlywed Life, Travel

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For the last 7 years, I flew from coast to coast with frequency. I lived in Los Angeles. My family lived in Virginia Beach.  I got on a plane and a few hours later like magic I was at my destination. I never bothered to consider nor appreciate the vast country that lies in-between. When I decided to return to Virginia, I knew that I wanted to drive cross-country. Driving cross country has been on my bucket list for quite ...]]>

For the last 7 years, I flew from coast to coast with frequency. I lived in Los Angeles. My family lived in Virginia Beach.  I got on a plane and a few hours later like magic I was at my destination. I never bothered to consider nor appreciate the vast country that lies in-between. When I decided to return to Virginia, I knew that I wanted to drive cross-country. Driving cross country has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I was fortunate to have my best friend Cicely volunteer to join me. It turned out to be the trip of a lifetime.

We drove from California and passed through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina to get to our final destination of Virginia. It took us 5 days to make the trip. Ideally, we wanted to take 7 days, but we spent some time shopping sightseeing in Southern California. Along the way, we tried cuisine from different locales. Some of it was good; others not so good. We also stopped at as many cupcakebakeries as we could manage. This trip was nicknamed the Cucpcake Tour. The southern part of the United States is beautiful. Here are some of our pics.

Needless to say, we both gained a new-found perspective and appreciation for this country and our friendship. I highly recommend embarking on a cross-country trip of your own either with your significant other or your best friend. My next goal is to drive cross-country via the northern route.

Should you decide to embark on a cross-country trip of your own, I have a few tips.

• Plan to take at least a week to drive from one coast to the other.
  This will allow you to time to stop and enjoy the sights along the way. This also minimizes the amount of hours you spend on the road per day. By condensing our trip to 5 days, we spent far too many hours on the road which was very exhausting.
• Take your trip during transition season like Spring or Autumn.
  We drove in late February which put our travel in the middle of winter. This made for some hairy moments. At one point, we drove just to stay ahead of a snowstorm that was coming across the country. Summers are great, but I don’t necessarily recommend them if you’re going to be driving through the southern part of the country. Anyone that lives in the Deep South can tell you summers are not fun.
• Have your GPS and traditional maps ready.
  My car does not have a built-in GPS unit. So, I opted to buy a stand-alone unit. This was the best decision I made by far. The worst decision was not testing it out and updating it before we left. We ran into a few hiccups while we were in Dallas, TX. This is exactly why you should also have good old-fashioned paper maps at the ready. When the GPS failed us, we simply pulled over and pulled out a map. Voila! Problem solved.
• Do not count on staying with friends when you don’t have a set travel schedule.
  In theory, we weren’t going to have to pay for any accommodations while on the road. In actuality, we made so many stops that we were arriving at our destinations later than we expected. We didn’t think showing up on someone’s doorstep at 12AM was very polite or proper.
• Do not stay in hotels with numbers in their names unless you’re absolutely desperate.
  We stayed at a Motel 6 in Tempe, AZ. That was the sketchiest place I’ve been in a long time. That’s saying a lot considering I lived in L.A. for some time.
• If you plan on making your trip food/restaurant-centric, check the operating hours of the place you plan to visit ahead of time.
  This was supposed to be a cupcake tour. Two of the bakeries we visited were closed. One closed as we got to the door.  The other wasn’t open on Sundays. During our five-day trip, we only got to sample 2 bakeries. :(
• Bring lots of snacks and beverages.
  While it was fun to sample new cuisine, some of the food we encountered did not look like it would sit well with either of our stomachs. For moments like those, we relied on the contents of our trusty picnic basket to carry us through. Also there are stretches of highway were there was nothing for miles. Had we relied on simply eating on the road, we would’ve starved.
• Keep an open mind and be flexible with your schedule.
  Being flexible allowed us to visit blog friends that contacted us at the last minute for meet-ups. Keeping an open mind allowed us to stop and see more than we originally planned.

For our readers who have driven cross-country, do you have any additional tips or stories to share?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 1 comment · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Just for Fun, Travel

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{Image Source: Maistora on Flickr}

Since I don’t have any concrete plans yet over there (besides exploring the biggest mall in the world), I’m hoping to use my time to learn ...]]> I have some epic news to share. Andy and I are moving to Dubai! His company is sending him to the Middle East to work, and I’m tagging along to play! We’ll be there for about 3 months in early 2011, and we’re ridiculously excited for the adventure of a lifetime.

{Image Source: Maistora on Flickr}

Since I don’t have any concrete plans yet over there (besides exploring the biggest mall in the world), I’m hoping to use my time to learn about the food of the region: how to shop for it, make it, and especially eat it. I’m also planning on sharpening my photography skills and working on my 101 in 1001 goals list (which expires next summer), honing the fine art of napping (kidding. Sort of.), and taking plenty of weekend trips to places I’ve never imagined I’d get to go.

{Image Source: Jrodmanjr on Flickr}

I’m pretty flabbergasted that we have such a cool opportunity, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.

{Image Source: JrodmanJr on Flickr}

Has anyone ever been to Dubai, or lived halfway across the world from home? I’d love some insider advice.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 8 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Travel

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