Travel – LifeAccording2Ashley

A Fabulous Boston Weekend

June 20, 2021 No Comments

Boston is such a beautiful city, and there is so much history and culture to it. I loved driving around and seeing something you can tell they have worked hard to keep that historical touch to while other items were very modern. Though I did not get to try and of the staple Boston food, which I was bummed about, I did get to try a lot of amazing unique food, different restaurants take off certain items.

Before I get too much into food, let me touch on some of the other items I got to do while visiting Boston on a Bachelorette trip. One of the fun things we did was take the Boston duck tour, and there are three different locations you can take the tour from. Each is a little different. Our tour started at the prudential center, and the tour guide was hilarious. I loved learning and seeing some of the historical places around Boston. I love the old architecture of buildings, and we saw Trinity Church, the State House, the oldest Police station in Boston, which also doubles as a firehouse now. When we were within the water which was so lovely and really cool to be in a vehicle that drives on land and can be in the water. We went past Cambridge, saw some pretty bridges and just lovely landscapes.

We also went on what I like to call a booze cruise; why do I call it that? Because that is all, we brought with us. The name of the private boating company is called Boston Lux Cruise. Honestly, it hands down the nicest people I have ever met. They are so happy and willing to help and do whatever is needed. If you are going to bring champagne, I would suggest bringing more than two bottles, because that’s how many we brought as since we decided to use the champagne gun that the company provided, which was so fun to use. We ran through the two bottles so quickly; we did bring other bottles, but my own opinion is the champagne bottles are just so much more fun.

**Six/West**
**Margarita Pizza & Nacho’s**

Now onto the food; I really loved the best first rooftop we went to, which was called Six/ West; I was so obsessed with the food. Their take on the margarita pizza was amazing, and this is coming from a jersey Italian girl. My favorite brunch spot that we went to was Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant, they served tavern type food but had their own twisted on each item; I shared their breakfast pizza which had poached eggs, bacon, roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, hashbrowns, fontina, pecorino romano, and tabasco. I am not a fan of poached eggs, but this had so much flavor, and I enjoyed eating every slice.

On our last night in Boston, we went to Mariel; this restaurant is absolutely stunning; you can totally tell they put so much work into every detail in the restaurant, including the walls, which have paintings right on them. They have two very different amazing style large group drinks, both of which are so fun to see and to drink, of course. The great part about this restaurant is that they had so many shareable plates, and we ordered a ton of what they called “snacks,” while some were called small plates. This was perfect for a table of seven girls. Everything they brought out had so much flavor to it. There were so many items I had never tried before and really loved. The management was so amazing as well, and the general manager helped us take great group photos and even gave us advice on where the best location would be to take the photos. I have to say about the management was how outstanding they were at the end of the night. Boston currently has a shortage of Ubers, so we actually ended up being stuck at the restaurant past closing time. They did not give us any issues about staying inside when it was cold and very late out until we could find a car service to get us, and they even gave us a complimentary drink.

Travel

Adventures to the Edge

May 27, 2021 No Comments

Sometimes you do not have to travel outside of the country to have an adventure or even a memorable time. Last week I went with one of my amazing friends to New York City to the Edge – Observation Deck located at Hudson Yard. The whole location is stunning, with so many different areas to walk around and take in the sites.

I will note that they do not allow you entrance until it’s on the dot of your time slot. Since we had time before we could go into the observation deck, we walked around. The Vessel, the interactive artwork they built in the middle of Hudson Yard, is beautiful. I hope they will allow people to climb the steps again one day. It does not matter where you stand or what angle you are at, and you will be able to get a beautiful photo with the Vessel.

Now the observation deck is not for anyone who fears heights, that’s for sure since you are going up about 100-stories-high. There is a glass floor where you can sit or lay on and take photos, of course, but it is also charming to be able to look down and see NYC from an entirely different perspective. Inside there is a bar where you can purchase other times of drinks, and whether you are inside or outside, the views of New York City are astonishing.

I highly recommend booking your tickets for sunset, because at least for me, I think I fell in love with NYC all over again just from seeing the city from the edge with the sunset lighting. The skyline during sunset is so beautiful, then once nighttime hits and all of the city lights come on. Everything looks so magical, and of course, the photos at nighttime are equally as beautiful.

For more information, I have added the website links for the observation deck and the Vessel to this post. Pricing can verify, however, we picked the lowest level tickets and were completely happy with those tickets. Happy exploring all do something outside of your comfort zone or normal routine I promise you, you will not be disappointed sometimes it is not about the amount of money you spend on an object but the amount you spend on the moments, the adventures and memories those are the important things in life at least that’s how I’m trying to think of things now.

Travel

The Beautiful Bahamas

February 10, 2021 No Comments

One of my favorite vacations I have ever been on was going to Atlantis Bahamas. I fell in love with the Bahamas’ clear waters everything about the Bahamas was like a dream. I felt like I was in a completely different world when I was there and when it comes to being on a vacation that is exactly what you want. I am not sure what I loved more all of the beautiful views and scenery or the activities there were to do there.

There are so many amazing activities you can do while you are there one of my favorite things was being able to see the dolphins up close and personal. This was located in what they call “Dolphin Cay” there were different levels you can swim with them, I actually kayaked with the dolphins and they even have a good morning mini activity you can do which was super cute to see as well. Dolphins have always been my favorite animal so I was amazed to see all the different types of activities you can do with them. They also explained how this is actually a marine animal rehabilitation facility which is really interesting to learn about.

Another activity I truly became obsessed with the minute i started it was getting the chance to snorkel with the fish out in the ocean. The amount of beautiful fish and the coral you were able to see in the clear water was breath taking. I could have swam around for hours just looking at everything it was so magical. The tour guides take you to about two or three locations depending on the length of time you are out there for, another fun part was during the drive there and back they pointed out different celebrities houses which I personally found really fun to see who has a house in the Bahamas. I am personally not a very good swimmer but i felt extremely safe and secure in my vest and knowing there were instructors around just incase.

If you are anything like me, photos are always important and having fun areas to take really cute photos can be key. The resort itself has some really great landmarks for photos and of course memories. I went on one of the slides and it was slightly terrifying for me but at the same time it was so much fun. Another take away for me was how amazing the food was, i do not think i had a single bad meal. My favorite was the sushi I had at NoBu, I had a spicy margarita with my dinner and is was differently spicy.

This vacation was something very special for me, every day there was amazing and a really great memory. From doing all of the amazing activities to just walking around and enjoying the views. When you go to places like this it is always important to go with the right people. Who i went at the time was very special to me and it make this vacation even better.

Travel

From the Beach to Wineries!

October 13, 2020 No Comments

Just like basically everyone else I’ve been itching to take a vacation and just get away. Sometimes you must get a little creative and do a little research. Recently I went down to Long Beach Island and have a nice little weekend trip, the shore in the fall is probably one of the prettiest places to be ever. Also a fun like secret many probably do not know there are a ton of wineries close to LBI so you can get the best of both worlds, the fun shore vibes with the fall activities everyone loves to do.

Friday night I went to Hotel LBI for dinner, the food is truly amazing, and they change the menu depending on the season so there is always something new to try whether its drinks or entrees. If you sit outside you will also have a pretty view of the sunset as well, I always love a good sunset.

Saturday was a day whole of wineries which was so much fun, the wineries are about an hour away from Long Beach Island. The first stop was to Tomasello Winery & Banquet Hall in Hammonton, NJ truthfully this may have been one of my favorite out of all the locations. We did a wine tasting where you had your choice of picking 5 different wines from a very long list for about $12, with coconut shrimp and a cheese board on the side.

The second location was Plagido’s Winery also in Hammonton, NJ this place would be such a pretty spot for a bridal shower or event spot. You are actually allowed to bring your own food with you which is always a plus and sit at a picnic table. I had a frozen sangria which was good tasted like a grape ice pop.

Our third destination was Dimatteo Vineyards which also was in Hammonton, NJ. I loved the backdrop of this location, and they had this cut little food truck. We shared a briskets sandwich and a smore’s cupcake all of which was very good. They had a seasonal Pumpkin wine which was cute to see, though i did not personally try it.

The last location was my all time favorite the views, the food, the wine everything about this place. I truly want to go back to this place again with a bigger group at night when you can make smores around their fire pits. The name of this place is Sharrott Winery also in the same town as the others. You can pick three types of wine for your wine tasting and a really great treat is you get three basically whole glasses of wine. In regards to food we had a hummus plate and a sweet treat a pumpkin Donnoli which is a Donut and Cannoli mixed together with was worth every calorie i ended up eating.

Since all of the wineries are very close to each others it becomes very easy to make a full day of traveling to all different locations and trying as many places as you can. I truly has the best little vacation and i felt like i was in upstate New York when i was so close to the shore.

After a full day of wine tasting and traveling around Hammonton, i could not end my trip without watching the sunset by the Lighthouse in LBI probably one of my favorite stops when visiting Long Beach island and depending which side of the lighthouse you decide to stand on will depend on the type of sunset view you end up having.

Travel

The Great Pumpkin

October 6, 2020 No Comments

Everyone is looking for those fun fall activities to do right now, or at least i know i am anyway. I work all day in my house i am forever itching to get out and do things. A friend of mine invited me to The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, which is in Croton-on-Hudson, New York basically very close to Tarrytown and Sleepy hallow New York. I am not a huge Halloween person at all but i am so glad i did not pass on this event. The artwork in the pumpkins are so breathtaking i was so impressed with everything i saw.

It took me close to an hour to get to the location, the drive away not horrible at all and being able to see all of the leaves turning really helped to put me in the mood for fall. An adult ticket price is $48 and if you have a child with you under the age of 12 their ticket price would be $40, which truthfully is not bad once you see everything there is and how much work went into everything.

Each section had its own theme some even had movement which was so impressive to me, trying to figure out how each pumpkin carving was built or how they put multiple pumpkins together to make one piece. My group picked the 6:30 pm time slot which you would assume would not be the greatest with daylight, but by the time you park, check in and start going on the path it will start to get dark and then it becomes the perfect time frame. It becomes dark but not to chilly so its a good combination and you do not become miserable with the cold weather.

Travel

Forever a Disney Girl

June 19, 2020 No Comments

I may be in my thirties but i will always be a disney kid at heart. Disney World has such a special place in my heart, I went there for the first time when I was three and then again as a teenager. However it was not until i was in my thirties when it truly became a special place for me. I went to Disney World in 2017, 2018, & 2019 each year was a little different and each time was special. Going to Disney World has become a tradition for my sister and I, each time we went with different people but we always went together. Disney World has brought us closer together as sisters in a way, the best part was the months leading up to our trip where we sat and planned things out.

I know Disney can be a very expensive vacation but there are so many different tricks to saving and spending when you are there. That will be another blog post though down the line on how to save prior to and at Disney.

I think one of the things I love the most about Disney World, is the feel of the old magic with the new magic. Walt Disney had a dream he turned into reality and even though it’s been many years since that dream started. While changes and improvements have been made since Walt’s vision was put into effect. Even today so many years later there are still glimpses of that old magic when you walk down main street. Disney gives you a chance to remember your youth while making brand new memories all at the same time. Where else do you have a chance to have both of those things at the same time.

Whether you go to Disney with friends or family, whether it’s your first trip or a yearly trip it becomes so special. You live in that moment and everything bad in the world seems to just fade away for however long you happen to be there. It’s on my bucket list to go to Disney Land, hopefully something i can do within the next couple of years.