Get in Touch with the Outdoors on Tybee Island!

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Jamie

The East Coast caught my heart nearly 6 years ago when I took my first trip to Washington DC, I soon traveled to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Rhode Island after, and every part I’ve visited I’ve fallen in love with.

A part of the East I’ve always wanted to visit is Georgia, but more than anything, the beautiful coastline that resides there, as well.  To get myself inspired, and you, I’ve come up with a list of Outdoor Adventures to experience on Tybee Island, Georgia.

Tybee-Island-Main-Beach

Photo Credit: Photosbybelle.com

Tybee Island, also known as Savannah Beach, is an easily accessible barrier island located just 18 miles away from the Hostess City of the South, historic Savannah, Georgia.  This island is an ideal vacation destination for those looking to get away, some place a little more peaceful, and for those wanting to get in touch with the outdoors.

A few Ways to Get in Touch with the Outdoors on Tybee Island

The Beach

Tybee-Sunset

Photo Credit: PhotosbyBelle.Com

Some of the best places to vacation to are off the coast.  These small beach towns are a slice of heaven, but the other part?  The beaches are what make it incredible.  You will find this on Tybee Island, and a huge reason to spend a day or week along the beach line creating sand castles, swimming in the sea, or sunbathing.  A great place to create memories with the family.

Dolphin Tours:

Tybee Island has a variety of Dolphin Tours available.  These tours are where you get out on a boat, and experience dolphins in their natural environment, doing what they do best, out in the ocean.

Captain Derek’s Tybee Dolphin Adventure

Captain Mike’s Dophin Tours

Visit a Lighthouse:

Lighthouses are some of my favorite sights especially off water.  These lighthouses help protect the fisherman out to sea, but offer so much historical value, as well.  The guiding light for so many.  Tybee Lighthouse, Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Lighthouse has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years.  With over 178 stairs and first order fresnal lens.

Rent Jet Skis or a Kayak:

When on a beach vacation nothing is more fun than getting out on the water.  But, boats aren’t the only way to have fun.  Rent a Jet Ski or a Kayak to have a fun day at Sea.

Visit Fort Pulaski:

For those looking for a little history, take a trek to Fort Pulaski. Fort Pulaski is located on Cockspur Island about 15 miles away from Historic Savannah Georgia. The monument was named after the Revolutionary War Hero Casimir Pulaski and was established as a National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge in October of 1924. Today the National Park Service strives to protect restore and manage the Fort Pulaski National Monument for all people to enjoy ~Tybee Island

Take a Bike Tour:

Another favorite! Rent a bike for a tour and explore all that Tybee Island has to offer.  A bike can easily get to places that aren’t nearly as easy in a car, or sometimes, even on foot.

Rent a Vacation Home:

Tybee Island has a variety of Vacation Rentals available for rent.  The best part about having your own vacation home while on vacation, is that it has all the amenities we crave while on vacation.  A kitchen, space, and even the luxuries we sometimes forget back home.

Natural-Retreats

With Natural Retreats, luxury accommodations are already made for you.  But the best part?  With each booking through Natural Retreats, an entire Xplore Team is available to help plan your vacation, guide you in getting in touch with the great outdoors, and more.

And recently, Southern Living Magazine has teamed up with Natural Retreats to showcase these gorgeous homes through their Southern Living Handpicked Homes Collection.

Happy-House

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to book my vacation to Tybee Island, just in time for Spring Break.

Upcoming Festivals coming to Tybee Island:

Tybee Island Wine Festival: April 22-26, 2015

Tybee Turtle Trot: April 25

Tybee Rainbow Days: May 1

Tybee Island Tour of Homes: May 2

Beach Bum Parade: May 15

Independence Day Fireworks: July 3

Labor Day Beach Bash: September 6

Tybee Island Pirate Fest: October 8


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Dress Up Your Easter Table with Gourmet Gift Baskets!

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Jamie

Disclosure: I was sent products for review purposes.  I loved the products and all stories are my own.

Easter-Cookie

Easter always bring back such wonderful memories for me.  From times visiting my grandparents to waking up each morning in search for my Easter Basket to Easter Scavenger Hunts to spending a full morning at Church during mass to remember the reason for the season.

It was also a time that I went through communion, and even became baptized, and even as an adult went through RCIA training during college.  It is a holiday that brings such fondness to me, and always a good celebration for bringing families together.

Gourmet Gift Baskets has a GREAT selection of Easter goodies to choose from.  If you have family that is far away, you could look through their selections and send something over to those family members to let them know you’re thinking of them.

Or if you want something a little different for your Easter Brunch or Dinner table, the Easter Bunny Cookie Cakes are a great option that will guarantee a compliment from your guests.

Easter-Gift-Tower

Featured above is the Easter Gift Tower with each basket filled inside with different Easter treats from chocolate bunnies to Easter Peeps to Swedish Fish, Popcorn and more:

Happy-Easter

The Gift Tower is just 49.99, and a thoughtful gift for those far away.

For those that want a little something different for their Easter table, or want to send a fun decoration to their loved ones The Easter Bunny Cookie Cakes are also a great option.  The first photo showcased above:

Cookie-Cake

The cookie cakes are incredible rich, but fresh and easy to cut through.  Decorated with fun frostings over the chocolate chip cookie.  A fun treat for any age to enjoy.

For those Grandparents or Aunts or Uncles that may want to send an Easter Basket to a young member of the family, Gourmet Gift Baskets also has some fun Easter Baskets to choose from.  For those with two young members of the family the Double Bunny Easter Basket is a great option (109.99).

Bunny-Easter-Basket

Fun gifts for everyone in the family. Now the fun part. One of my lucky READERS has the chance to win an Easter Bunny Cookie Cake of their own just in time for Easter. Retail Value: 34.99

Easter-Cookie-Cake

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. Must be 18 years or older and reside in the US.  All other rules can be found here.  Winner will be notified by email.  Giveaways ends at 12am EST on 3/30/2015.


Categories: Desserts, Fun Stuff, Giveaways | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

A Hidden Gem Right in San Francisco: The View

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Jamie

Disclosure: I was invited out to The View this past weekend.  All opinions are my own.

The minute we (my friend visiting from Minnesota and I) walked off the elevator we were in love with The View at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.  Our eyes turned left then turned right, and we were instantly overwhelmed by “The View.”  A simple name that says so much.

City-of-San-Francisco

The View, a sky bar atop the San Francisco Marriott Marquis in Downtown San Francisco sits atop the 39th floor with views of the city all around.  This Sky Bar just went through major renovations and reopened this past January.

And, if you’re ever in San Francisco for a conference at the Moscone Center, or in for a weekend visit, or longer, taking a stop atop The View is worth it.  With different views of the city throughout the area, and cocktail drinks named after The City itself, it’s a great place to stop in for.  Right across the street from the Metreon and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a 10 minute walk from Union Square, it is a really great place within close proximity of many favorite San Francisco spots.

San-Francisco

Drinks such as: The Van Ness Press (tanquerey gin, raspberries mulled, mint and citrus), Moscone Mule, (american star lime vodka, fever tree ginger beer, fresh lime juice), Fog City Collins (nolets silver gin, st germaine, cucumber), or The Marquis (San Francisco’s 209 Gin, fresh citrus), and many more offerings.

Cocktails

Featured above: Far away: Van Ness Press and closer: The Fog City Collins.

But it doesn’t stop there.  The food, served in small bites, is also well presented by Executive Chef David Hollands, a well-known chef within the city of San Francisco.

And, every bite we had was enjoyed and well recommended:

Beef-Carpaccio

The Smoked Beef Carpaccio

Crudo-three-ways

Crudo Three Ways

Cheese-Plate

The Cheese Display showcasing local area dairy cheeses including Cowgirl Creamery, Bellweather Farms, and Cypress Grove Farm

But our favorite of the evening was the Braised Pork Belly:

Pork-Belly

Bites so tender, and the juice below added so much flavor and deliciousness.

If you’re more of a dessert person, like myself, they have you covered there, as well.  Just a suggestion: Order the Butterscotch Pudding:

butterscotch-pudding

But the most iconic feature about The View are their windows.  A full rounded window showcased on both sides of The View, a full size window from head to toe of the bar itself:

The-View-San-Francisco-Marquis

The reason why this Sky Bar is so epic, and needs to be a must visit on your trip to San Francisco. As word gets out about The View being open, the bar tends to fill up fast so get there early, and of course, enjoy the view and your drinks while there.  It makes for some great photos:

Cocktails-at-the-view

 


Categories: Bay Area, Northern California, Restaurants, San Francisco, Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments