Staying at ARRIVE in Palm Springs

Soak in the old school Hollywood glamour and natural beauty of the desert oasis in Palm Springs! Easily one of my fave spots in my home state, this little California city has it all.

When I arrived back stateside, I made a beeline for the city of hot springs, chic hotels, and luxe spas to unwind poolside at one of Palm Springs’ top hotspots.

Here’s my experience staying at ARRIVE in Palm Springs!

Getting There

If you are coming from outside of the West Coast, the easiest way to get to Palm Strings is to fly into the Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Orange County’s John Wayne Airport. From there, just rent a car at the airport.

California is very car-friendly so you are definitely going to want to have your own wheels.

Of course, if you are coming in from the neighboring cities or even states, I’d highly recommend driving the entire journey. California is one of the best places on the planet for a road trip so take your time getting to Palm Springs.

Once you get there, ARRIVE offers complimentary valet parking for your entire stay.

The Hotel

This four-star low-rise hotel is centrally located in the heart of Palm Springs. I had an awesome experience with the ARRIVE staff from bringing to end. They provide you with a phone number, so you can just text them anytime you need something. They are very quick to respond and get you whatever you need.

The hotel also offer a free drink on arrival, which is always a very good thing. Their margaritas were delicious and perfect for a steamy day.

The Rooms

I adore the interior design of ARRIVE. The property is mid-century modern. The rooms have a hipster vibe and are far from the standard cookie-cutter chain hotel look.

With stunning views of the San Jacinto mountain range, each room has a king-sized bed, rain shower, filtered water, DirecTV, and Apple TV. The highlight for me was a cute little book on “What to do in Palm Springs”. It was fully of cheeky and witty tips for around town.

The Food

Reservoir is a beautiful onsite restaurant with great modern Southern California cuisine. Their bar is open late so it’s the ideal spot for a cocktail anytime.

Be sure to also get over to their coffee shop beside the hotel, Customs Coffee. They serve organic coffee roasted by Joshua Tree Coffee Company. The coffee was some impressive stuff and they’ve got a full-time pro barista.

Last but definitely not least, head over to the Ice Cream Shoppe for dessert. Their ice cream parlour has cute designs with amazing flavors. And don’t forget your camera! This is a very Instagram-friendly spot.

Activities

Of course, the pool at ARRIVE is one of the biggest attractions. It is oversized with plenty of comfortable seating and beds. You can upgrade to private poolside cabanas with a fire pits, or go mingle at the group fire pits and lounge seating.

When you are ready to treat yourself, check out the ARRIVE spa services provided by Grounded Bodyworks. You can get a treatment in your room or patio.

After you’re sufficiently chillaxed, head back to the pool area for the ping pong tables and lawn games.

Whatever time of year you head to Palm Springs, be sure to check the ARRIVE event calendar. They have regular dive in movies— and is there any better way to take in a show than chilling on a floating lounge chair?

They also host cool events like poolside yoga, tarot card readings, renowned DJs, architectural bus tours and much more.

 

More Information

• Hotel: ARRIVE
• Location: Palm Springs, California
• Accommodation: Boutique, Luxury
• Price Range: $$-$$$

 

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Staying at ARRIVE in Palm Springs is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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The Ultimate Gili Trawangan Travel Guide

Known as Gili Trawangan, or the much-easier-to-pronounce Gili T, this heavenly little island is a shining jewel of South East Asia.

With direct ferries from Bali, this is one place you won’t want to miss. Here’s my ultimate Gili Trawangan travel guide.

• What to Expect

• Getting Around

• Where to Stay

• Where to Eat

• What to Do

• What to Expect

What to Expect on Gili Trawangan

Gili T is the largest of the three Gili Islands, but it has a permanent population of around only 800 people. Backpackers first stumbled onto this place in the 90s, and it’s still holding onto its natural charm.

• Language: Pretty much everyone in the Gili Islands speaks some level of English. The native language is Indonesian, which has a unique dialect in both Bali and the Gili Islands.
• Currency: The local cash is the Indonesian Rupiah, which is commonly abbreviated to Rp. 1 USD is currently 13,168 Rp. Since the math is a bit tricky, I recommend keeping a note on your phone with some handy math. For example, 100,000 Rp.=$7.60; 250,000 Rp.=$19.00; 500,000 Rp.=$38.00. Having a few conversion rates memorized will make dealing with money way easier.
• Credit Cards: Cash is king here, and it’s best to bring it over from Bali. You’ll find an ATM at Hotel Villa Ombak on Gili T and a few others on the island.

  It’s important to note, however, that the ATMs aren’t always available 24 hours, and the maximum withdraw amounts can be low. You’ll find all the big hotels and dive centers accept credit cards, but they also add on a fee for using them.

• Climate: The weather here is as close to perfect as you’ll find anywhere. The average day is around eighty degrees, with the rainy season running from November to April (although it gets much less rain than Bali).
• High Season: There are two peak seasons: July to August and December to January. These are the best times to go, but they’ll also be the busiest.

• Getting Around

Getting Around Gili Trawangan

• Horse-Pulled Carts: Known as Cidomo, these are actually the island’s only means of public transport. Having no cars on an island is a blessing and a curse. You won’t deal with the traffic or pollution of Bali, but it does mean that if your hotel is outside of walking distance/have a lot of luggage there’s no other way to get around.
• Bicycle or Walk: Gili T is less than six square miles in total, making it easy to rent a bicycle or walk to anywhere you want to go.
• Ferry or Fast Boats to Other Islands: There are several ways to get to the Gili islands from Bali. You can take the fast boat from Padang Bai or Amed; hop on the ferry from Padang Bai to Lombok then Lombok to the Gilis; or go for a private sailing charter.

  The private options are pricier while the ultra cheap public ferry takes hours. The fast boats are generally the most popular pick. Both fast boats leave around 9 a.m. You can stop by any local travel agent or book online.

• Where to Stay

Tips on Finding Accommodation on Gili Trawangan

This was one of the toughest places for me to find accommodation as a solo traveler. It was pricey, and there were very few options.

If you’re not too fussed with having a plan, I think the best strategy is to show up and walk around to find a good cash deal at a place that has available rooms.

Keep in mind that during high season, however, hotels can be completely sold out. I moved three times in less than a week because everywhere was at full capacity!

Want to make sure you have a place to lay your head? Here are a few good picks.

• Kelapa Villa: This four-star spot is stunning. It has just ten luxury villas that range from one to six bedrooms, and it can be a good pick for groups of all sizes.
• Private Treehouse Villas: I’m always a sucker for a treehouse! Located right on Gili Trawangan Beach, the Gili Treehouses offer one- and two-bedroom options in a striking environment.
• Scallywags: The popular Scallywags Gili Trawangan Resort has some nice standard double rooms along with some luxe rooms with private plunge pools.

• Where to Eat

Where to Eat on Gili Trawangan

• La Boulangerie: This place is great for breakfast with freshly made pastries and fresh squeezed juices..
• Pituq Café: Start your day here for the perfect tropical smoothie bowls. You’ll find some heartier veggie and vegan options for every meal too.
• Pearl Beach Lounge: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this place is the perfect stop right on the beach. They even have an ice cream shop!
• Trawangan Dive’s Bar & Restaurant: After a day of diving, their little restaurant offers international dishes, local favorites and an awesome list of cocktails!
• Night Market: For ultra fresh seafood, this is the place to be. Located right next to the Gili Air Hostel by the harbor, the night market is open daily from 4 to 10 p.m.
• Thai Garden: Thai food in Indonesia? Why not? Opposite Warung Sempurna, this place is a good pick with fresh food, vegetarian options, and delivery.

• What to Do

What to Do on Gili Trawangan

• Lay Out on the Beach: Once you’ve explored the sea, lie out under the sun, and forget about the world. There are nice beaches all over the island, and they are very close to each other. It is easy to stroll down the beach until you find the perfect spot.
• Shop on the Island: Plan some time to browse Casa Vintage Beach and the street stalls along the eastern coast. Keep in mind, though, that many souvenirs are cheaper in Bali, so look for only real one-of-kind items here.
• Dive, Swim, Snorkel, Surf: It’s all about the water here! With perfect beaches and crystal clear water, Gili T is the ultimate spot to make like a fish. Be sure to get to Turtle Point during high tide.

• 

• Nightlife: Of the Gili Islands, Gili T is the best place to party. On Monday, check out the Blue Marlin rave, then on Wednesday, go to the Tir na Nog Irish bar Shipwrecked Bar party.

  Rudy’s Bar is the place to be on Friday, while you find something pretty much every night of the week at the Sama Sama bar.

• Explore the Hidden Grottos: Hike through the green cliffs and canyons in Bangli, and then keep walking through the river to find the hidden grottos. They’re hard to spot, but there is a sign for the canyon and a waterfall, so keep your eyes peeled.
• Tukad Cepur: This cave waterfall is only five minutes from the grottos. Be sure to check it out while you’re in the area.
• Rent a Bike: The best way to explore and take in the natural beauty of the island is by bicycle. Ride around the island, and be sure to check out the swings in the water from the different resorts.

^ BACK TO TOP ^

 

 

Shop my Gili T Island style essentials!

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The Ultimate Gili Trawangan Travel Guide is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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Top 15 Things to Do in London

London’s calling! The most visited city in Europe and the second most popular spot on the planet, the British capital has a charming appeal like nowhere else. Whatever you love, London has it. It’s a dream destination for anyone, so start packing if you haven’t made it there yet!

Here are the top 15 things to do in London!

Brunch Time

“Brekkie” is huge in England. The first step is to get a full English breakfast—and make sure you come hungry! After you’ve had that quintessential experience, it’s time to start exploring the world of modern British cuisine.

Forget everything you’ve heard about food in the UK, and get ready for the brunch of a lifetime. I don’t think I could narrow it down to even just a dozen top spots. There are so many great restaurants all over town.

Your best bet is to check out this definitive list and see what tickles your fancy.

Trafalgar Square

In the heart of Westminster, you’ll find the iconic Trafalgar Square. It’s full of incredible museums, galleries, cultural spaces, and historic buildings that you can’t miss.

Get off at Charing Cross, stop by the Cafe on the Square, and plan on spending at least a couple hours wandering around and snapping pics.

Vintage Shopping

Forget about the touristy stores! Shoreditch and Notting Hill are the places to shop in London. You’ll find so many one-of-a-kind items. You can wander around until you stumble upon treasures or check out the local guide to the best of the best.

Big Ben & Palace of Westminster

Sure, it may be touristy, but it is an essential stop for any first-time visitor. No picture can do justice to this striking monument sitting beautiful on the river. Be sure to visit the rest of the Palace of Westminster, and join in for one of the Parliament tours while you’re in town!

Westminster Abbey

When you’re at Big Ben, you’ll see Westminster Abbey right away. One of the greatest churches in the world, it is stunning from the exterior, and I highly recommend going inside for a full tour around the 700-year-old building. It’s still one of my favorite spots in London, and a true pillar of English history.

Don’t miss this UNESCO World Heritage site!

St. James Park

In the center of the city, you’ll find one of the most beautiful parks in the UK. You can get amazing views of the lake and fountain from St. James Café, and if you’re lucky enough to get a sunny day in London, you’ll never want to leave.

Buckingham Palace

St. James Park, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben are all within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, and the whole area is very tourist friendly. It’s all located in the Westminster borough of Central London, so this is really the best spot to spend day one of your first visit to London.

Street Art in Shoreditch

Another cool thing about Shoreditch is the street art. This is where Banksy shot into fame, and you can still see some of his original pieces around the neighborhood.

There are local street artists who do tours around Shoreditch; go for it if you have time, and they’ll show you all the best spots.

Afternoon Tea

No Harry Potter fan will want to miss the chance to have a proper high tea at the Royal Horseguards Hotel. Be sure to try the strawberries and cream tea for a sweet treat.

British tea with French pastries? Yes, please! Head over to the Wallace Collection hotel’s Peyton and Byrne French-style brasserie for an afternoon tea you won’t soon forget.

Markets

Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, the Borough Market is a mecca for foodies who want to sample all things fresh and local.

Portobello Road Market is literally the world’s biggest antiques market, and it is a must-see for any serious shopper. The market is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., which makes it’s easy to get to both markets.

Fashionista? Get over to Old Spitalfields Market to see the best of British fashion– also open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily!

Read More: Tips for Visiting London’s Borough Market

River Cruise

The River Thames is the true center of London, and the Thames Clipper river bus service will give you a perfect view of the best of the best in the English capital.

Museums

London not only has some world-class museums, but it also offers free entry to many of them! For some gratis fun in the city, get to the British Museum any day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

If you have time, the National Gallery and Natural History Museums are free too and have some impressive exhibits.

Bird’s-Eye View

The best view in London is from the Shangri-La Hotel bar. It is cheaper than the London Eye, and you can get a glass of bubbly while you’re up there.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Welcome to heaven, Harry Potter fans! At the Harry Potter Studio Tour, you can experience The Making of Harry Potter and totally nerd out.

Read More: Visiting the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London

Pubs

What’s a visit to London without having a pint or two? Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is everything its name implies, and it’s been hosting guests, like Mark Twain and Arthur Conan Doyle, since 1538.

And, if you only make it over to one other pub, go to The Churchill Arms to dig into some curry while you admire the Churchill memorabilia.

 

Shop my favorite London style essentials!

 

READ NEXT:  The Ultimate London Travel Guide

 

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Top 15 Things to Do in London is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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2018 Tour Announcement: Travel With Me To Kamchatka, Russia!

Kamchatka Adventure Travel & Photography Tour

Adventure Travel Tours

You guys have been asking to travel with me for years, now I’m finally going to make it happen! Join me this spring for my first adventure travel & photography tour to Kamchatka.

Have you ever heard of Kamchatka, Russia? Not many people have. It’s cold. It’s isolated. It’s not your typical travel destination.

Which is exactly why it’s the perfect place for us to go!

My wife Anna & I will be co-leading our first adventure travel & photography tour, an extraordinary expedition to the remote Russian peninsula of Kamchatka near Siberia.

Kamchatka is home to unspoiled nature, thick boreal forests, huge volcanos, hardy any people, and very few roads. This is a truly off-the-beaten path travel destination.

We’ll be venturing into rugged Russian wilderness, traveling hundreds of miles by snowmobile, to live with indigenous Even reindeer herders while learning about their way of life.

Reindeer Herding in Russia

Living Off the Land

Nomadic Reindeer Herding

For the Even people, life revolves around the nomadic herding of domesticated reindeer for meat, supplemented with hunting, fishing and animal-trapping.

Along with their Eastern Orthodox faith, they also practice Shamanism.

Nomadic reindeer herding is a tradition that goes back centuries, but it’s also a dying profession. Younger generations are no longer interested in following the footsteps of their parents.

If older generations can’t pass their knowledge on, the practice could die along with them.

Which is why our trip to live with and learn from the Even people in Kamchatka will be an especially unique travel experience.

Eat Traditional Food

Traveling by Snowmobile

A Difficult Journey

This isn’t your typical group tour. Conditions will difficult. It will be cold. Life in North Eastern Russia is harsh. We’ll be camping in the wilderness some nights, living in yurts, and traveling by snowmobile for days.

There are no supermarkets out here. No Starbucks. No luxury hotels. We’ll be living off fresh reindeer meat, just like our hosts do. So… this trip probably isn’t for everyone.

This is the real deal — true off-the-grid adventure travel. However if you’re the type of traveler who’s always up for a challenge (like me!), I promise it will be one hell of a journey!

A rugged travel expedition unlike anything else you’ve probably done before, one you’ll be sharing stories about with family & friends for years to come.

Live with Local People

One of Kamchatka’s Volcanoes

Trip Highlights

Traveling by 4×4 bus and snowmobile to reach the Even reindeer herders. Local homestay experience with locals in a mixture of cabins and yurts. Winter wilderness camping. Bartering for reindeer meat.

Watching, participating, and photographing daily life of the Even people. Getting to know a foreign culture.

Visiting natural hot-springs. Photographing active volcanoes from a distance. For those who want to, we may charter a helicopter for a scenic flight over a volcano.

Adventure On the Edge of Siberia

Practice Your Travel Photography

Travel Photography Tips

While you don’t need to be interested in travel photography to join us, I will certainly be sharing all my favorite travel photography tips & tricks during our adventure together.

Learn how I prepare my gear, which settings I use, how to tell a story with your photography, and special post-processing techniques to make your images really stand out.

Whether you’re packing a DSLR or a point & shoot camera, I’ll try to teach you something new and help you improve your travel photography to get the best images possible from our adventure!

When Is It?

March 18th – 31st, 2018

How Much Does It Cost?

$2,900 USD

What’s Included: Food, accommodation, camping gear, local transportation, snowmobiles, and most activities during the tour.

What’s Not Included: International flights to and from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia. Cold weather clothing. A possible scenic helicopter flight over local volcanoes. You’ll also be required to have your own travel insurance (I recommend World Nomads).

Join Us In Kamchatka!

If you really want to get into the heart of a destination, meet local people, experience traditional culture, and explore a remote wilderness destination that doesn’t see much tourism, than this is the trip for you.

I’d love to have you join us on this wild adventure travel expedition into the Russian wilderness! Click below for more details about the itinerary and sign up before all the spots are filled up…

Click Here To Sign Up!

Bonus Video! Kamchatka Experience

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Have any questions about the Kamchatka tour? Would you be interested in more trips like this? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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10 Affordable Must-Have Travel Products for Your Next Trip

After years of traveling, I found that a few simple travel hacks can make life so much easier. When I first started traveling, I was always worried about forgetting something, but I’ve since learned the art of streamlining and only packing high-value items.

At this point, I’ve turned my packing routine into a fine art, and now I have a short-and-sweet packing list that I always use.

Ready to make things simple? Here are my ten fave (and affordable!) must-have travel products for your next trip.

• Anker Portable Charger ($39)

• My phone is my number one travel companion, and I start to panic any time I see a low battery notification. Portable chargers are priceless when I travel.

  Some days, it’s impossible to find a charging spot. The slim chargers are super handy to stick in my bag for a quick charge, and the more powerful ones are great for charging multiple devices.

  When I’m traveling solo, it’s a bit of extra security to know that I’ll never be stuck without my phone. 

• USB Travel Wall Charger ($11)

• I love this wall charger because it allows me to charge with two USB chords at a time, and its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology actually give you a faster charge. 

  Charge your phone WAY quicker than before!

  

• Skyroam WiFi Hotppot ($8-10 day)

• You can choose to rent the hotspot, or make a small investment to purchase your own Skyroam if you’re a frequent traveler. Then, you can get unlimited data for a 24 hour periods of time! I travel everywhere with mine, and it’s kept me connected in 50+ countries!

• Ear Plugs ($9)

• I always travel with ear plugs. You never know when you’re going to wind up trying to sleep beside a noisy street or partying neighbor. Some styles are more comfortable than others, and I’ve found Hearos Ear Plugs Xtreme Protection to be good enough to sleep in.

• Bluetooth Headphones ($30)

• Wireless headphones are so handy. SENSO Bluetooth Headphones are perfect for me because they are sweat proof and last for eight hours.

• Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker ($40)

• Waterproof Bluetooth speakers were made for poolside or tropical vacations. This speaker sounds amazing, can be connected wirelessly, and gives you eight hours on a single charge.

  Plus, you don’t have to worry about splashing it.

  

• Vapur Portable Waterbottle ($12)

• I always try to keep a Vapur Element Bottle in my bag. It takes up practically no space and weighs nothing, but you can get a full liter of water into it. It’s especially handy for airports (who wants to pay $6 for a bottle of water?) and long walks.

  It is also durable and BPA free, so you can keep using it for ages.

• Packing Cubes ($16)

• Living out of a suitcase is one of the biggest downsides of traveling so much. Packing cubes have made a huge difference in my ability to stay organized. They come in a wide variety of sizes so I can sort all of my stuff into different cubes and keep it structured.

• Travel Humidifier ($25)

• I’m in love with this portable, personal humidifier. This cool humidifier works with a simple water bottle to add a bit of moisture to the air. When I’m traveling in dry climates, having this little device makes a world of difference for my skin and sinuses.

• Portable Laundry System ($47)

• This microbial- and hydrolysis-resistant bag is genius. You can get a machine-quality wash anytime, anywhere! The Scrubba Portable Laundry System Wash Bag is perfect for long trips or anytime you will be away from a washing machine for a while.

  Just grab some travel laundry soap ($9) and you’re set.

 

More of my favorite travel essentials!

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10 Affordable Must-Have Travel Products for Your Next Trip is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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