Travel Diaries of a Dreamer

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5 Sun Destinations Perfect for a Getaway

When you live in a country like Canada, dreaming about sunny islands and tropical destinations becomes inevitable. The promise of warm rays and balmy summer breezes is enough to send us browsing travel websites, especially in the middle of winter. My Instagram photo collections probably grew exponentially this past winter due to the harsh temperatures we had.

With my five-year wedding anniversary just gone by, I took a trip down memory lane poring over my honeymoon pictures and I thought it might be fitting to share some tropical destinations we have enjoyed (so far). These spots are easy flights (at least from Toronto) and are perfect for any length or theme of vacation (honeymoon, extended long weekends, and longer stays).

1. Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica will always be special. This is where we ended up for our honeymoon. I say “ended up” because our initial plan had been Hawaii; however, as a result of Mother Nature conspiring against us (who can fight two back-to-back hurricanes heading Hawaii’s way for the first time in 20 years?), we had to re-route our honeymoon to Jamaica. Honestly, no regrets.

Located about an hour and a half from Montego Bay, we stayed at the Riu Negril and found this quiet little place is perfect for kicking back and relaxing. The water is calm and perfect for swimming, and so clear for snorkeling. We did not do any excursions on that trip. After months of planning, a week of wedding festivities, and the onset of a bad cold during said wedding, lounging in the sun and doing absolutely nothing was what I loved best about my trip. This will not be our last time here though, because the island does have a lot of natural beauty to offer (Dunn’s River Falls anyone?).

2. Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is another special place in my heart as this is where my husband proposed to me. It was also our first all-inclusive experience. We stayed in Now Larimar Punta Cana along Bavaro Beach. I found the sea to be a little rough for a weak swimmer like myself. However, the beaches are white and pristine, which more than make up for the choppy waves.

I personally recommend an excursion to Catalina Island. The day trip consists of a catamaran ride to the island, followed by snorkelling and lunch. The island had the calm lagoon and white beaches that I was looking forward to. Afterwards, the excursion continues with a river cruise to Altos de Chavon, a small touristic and charming village.

3. The Bahamas

My husband and I travelled with friends to Nassau, our first baby-free trip since the birth of our daughter. As a new mom, I was initially filled with the ever-present mom guilt even though it was just for an extended long weekend. Nassau had a way of soothing those feelings with its dreamy white beaches and warm breezes (and no, it was not the alcohol!).

There is so much to recommend for a weekend getaway to Nassau. We did not stay at the Atlantis resort, but we were next door at the (more budget-friendly) adults-only Riu hotel. The walk to the Atlantis is decorated with small gushing waterfalls and fountains, making it a gorgeous stroll, especially at sunset. I also suggest visiting the port area at Prince George Wharf and walking around Downtown Nassau. We booked a taxi through our resort, and then returned via a very inexpensive ferry for a more scenic route.

An excursion that I would very much recommend is the underwater subs (this is the one we booked). It was such fun (and surprisingly hard!) to ride these underwater scooters, and I really appreciated that the divers took care that our inexperienced riding did not disturb any corals during our dive.

4. Riviera Maya

Let me start with the drawback of our trip to help set expectations. In the last few years, there’s been an increase in seaweed in the ocean and beaches along that coastal area. We stayed at the Barcelo Maya Caribe, and, during the week we spent here, we barely swam in the ocean. They had a flag system to show when the water was safe to swim, and it was red most days. If you really need your fix for swimming in the ocean, there are tours offered with the promise of clear snorkeling waters and unspoiled beaches. So, there are ways around it, but at a cost.

Our main enjoyment of our time in Mexico was the day trips we took by renting a car – one day to Chichen Itza and the other to Tulum. It is possible to book these same excursions via the resorts; however, because we had a toddler with us, we needed more flexibility in timings (i.e. I refuse to wake up my two-year old at 4am for Chichen Itza). We still set out early, but at a more reasonable 8am on each day.

We visited the famous Chichen Itza site by booking a private tour at the ticket booth itself, which allowed for a more leisurely pace (or should I say our toddler’s more leisurely pace). On the way back, we stopped at Valladolid for lunch. The next day, we headed to Tulum. We walked around the ruins and enjoyed the beautiful views while learning of a time long ago. Unfortunately, I cannot speak about the beach as it was closed that day due to the seaweed issue.

5. Cuba

Cuba is likely one of the most affordable destinations in the area. There are always deals to be found, so it may be the easiest getaway to plan.

We went to Varadero for our friends’ joint bachelor/bachelorette getaway, and stayed at the adults-only Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa. As with bachelor and bachelorette parties, much of our trip was spent enjoying the all-inclusive perks of our resort.

One of the days, though, we decided to rent scooters from our hotel and ride to town on them. The route from the resorts into the town of Varadero is straightforward and safe, so it’s worth considering. The town itself is very touristic, souvenirs and crafts galore. We also found a quiet post-card perfect stretch of beach with the bluest water and whitest sand. A short, but enjoyable, day trip at our own pace.

There’s nothing like the feeling of the sun on your skin, warm breezes ruffling your hair, and the sound of waves ebbing and flowing. My picks of easy tropical getaways will not break the bank and will provide that much-needed pause that we all need sometimes. So, whether it’s time for a summer getaway, or it’s an escape from winter, look no further than these destinations as a start.

For more photo inspirations, follow me on Instagram (@traveldiariesofadreamer).

Have you been to these destinations above? Did you love them? What are some other destinations I should add to my bucket list?

Paris – Top 5 Favorite (and Budget Friendly) Things

Paris. For each person, this city evokes a different sentiment. In some, it calls to their sense of romanticism. To others, it appeals to their feelings of beauty and aesthetics. Everyone sees (and feels) the city differently depending on the way the city is explored.

My first time in the city, I had just a few days to barrel my way through all the main sights and historical landmarks. It was intense, madness, exhausting, but I loved it. Audio tours, guided tours, self-guided walking tours, detailed itineraries, pre-booked time slots and tickets, you name it and I probably did it.

The second time I visited Paris, though, was a completely different experience. It was a short 3-day stopover on the way to the French Riviera. This time, I went with a more relaxed and flexible itinerary and discovered what I actually enjoyed the most in the city. Below are budget-friendly tips to experience this beautiful city and create memories that will stay with you.

1. Walks in Jardin du Luxembourg

Out of all the main gardens, my favorite park to roam about in was the Jardin du Luxembourg, located in the 6th arrondissement. The grounds are quite extensive, with sculptures and beautiful landscaping. The “chateau” with the fountain is so picturesque. It was lovely to walk around and observe how well-trodden this park is. Children playing at the fountain, joggers and wanderers everywhere, seniors sitting and chatting, even a tournament of pétanque (a popular French game) on that day. There was less of a tourist crowd, which made our walks calming and very “homey” in a way. I would recommend taking some time to just enjoy the atmosphere of Jardin du Luxembourg.

2. People-watching near the Panthéon

One thing that Paris is well known for is people-watching. Many restaurants are set up for that specific reason with the chairs all facing the street. One such restaurant that we went to is Le Comptoir du Panthéon on Rue Soufflot. The Panthéon overlooks the street on one side, which adds to the charm of the place. The vibe of the restaurant is quite laid back. It gave us an opportunity to observe all the people passing by, or the comings and goings of the restaurant, while enjoying a nice late afternoon rest from a day of walking and exploring. A few drinks and snacks, and we felt recharged.

3. Evening at Champs de Mars and the Eiffel Tower light show

When in Paris, you cannot miss the Eiffel Tower. However, take some time out to visit it at night. Every evening, at the beginning of each hour (sundown to 1AM), the Tower is illuminated and twinkles with lights. Bring a foldable blanket, light snacks and drinks, and settle in at Champs de Mars. When I went, there was a street performer singing middle eastern tunes, strumming his guitar. The atmosphere was friendly and laid back. We had such a lovely evening, enjoying the general vibe and the balmy air. And the Eiffel Tower suddenly twinkling behind it all added a beautiful feel to it. One thing to note, and to expect, is the constant comings and goings of the street peddlers (some selling alcohol, others selling souvenirs and gadgets). These vendors are at every tourist landmark, so just say no firmly and they will move on.

4. Night view of the Eiffel Tower

To stay on the topic of the Eiffel Tower, if you want a beautiful Instagram-worthy view, go to Pont de Bir-Hakeim. The night view of the Eiffel Tower is especially beautiful. We took the regular daytime pictures with the Eiffel Tower from the Champ de Mars. However, my favorite pictures of the Eiffel Tower are the nighttime ones, and the view of the Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim with the ripples of the Seine is absolutely one of my preferred pictures from the trip.

If you are already near the Eiffel Tower, or you are planning to follow my above tip to spend the evening at Champs de Mars, Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a short walk to or from the Eiffel Tower. There is a metro station located close by it too. Go at sunset and stay at the viewpoint to take some amazing pictures of the Eiffel Tower at dusk and at nightfall.

5. Follow the river Seine

My last suggestion is more about sightseeing. Take a walk along the Seine and see what you see along the way. We started off in the early morning at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and headed towards Pont Alexandre III. Then, we walked inwards towards the Champs-Élysées and walked along the famous street to the Arc de Triomphe. Of course, with the recent fire having caused the closure of Notre Dame cathedral, I would suggest starting at Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie area, and just spending a day wandering through Paris’ main tourist areas (the Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Pont Alexandre III, Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, the shopping area along the Champs-Élysées until you reach the Arc de Triomphe). Snack at smaller bakeries for a budget-friendly option along the way.

So, here were some of my favorite things that I did in Paris. A trip to this city is really what you make of it. While I would recommend first-timers to visit the main landmarks and museums, do take some time out to just meander your way through Paris too. Smell the roses, as they say. Those will be the moments you will most remember and love.

Welcome to Travel Diaries of a Dreamer!

Who’s this Dreamer, you ask? Hi, I’m Nish from Toronto, Canada. I am a paradox of traits – a bookworm who loves being a homebody (to the disconcert of my more social husband), I am, at the same time, very much consumed by the desire to travel. Exploring new places and learning about the history and culture of other peoples fascinate me. Since my husband and I met almost 9 years ago, we have travelled to multiple cities. And our bucket list keeps growing!

I am not a full-time traveller. I travel like most people probably do – one week here, two weeks there, or long weekends extended by a day or two. With my husband, I’ve gone the checked luggage route and the backpack way. Over time, our travel style and itineraries have evolved, especially now with a 2.5 year old.

Becoming a mom did not lessen my love for travel. I definitely am one of those people who work to travel, so I was not ready to give that up. With trial and error, I’m learning the adjustments needed to make it work when travelling with a toddler in tow.

So come along with me as I share my experiences, tips, itineraries and journeys with you all. I’ll write down my memories of the world as I see it through my own story lens, and if it helps any one of you along the way, then my blog will be all the better for it!