Posts in TRAVEL
Glacier Guide: Best Hikes For Families
Glacier Guide: Best Hikes For Families

It doesn’t get much more beautiful than Glacier National Park. Being a Montana native, you could argue I’m biased, but anyone who has ever had the privilege of driving up the park’s iconic Going-To-The-Sun Road would more than likely agree with me. After all, it’s not called “The Crown of the Continent” for no reason. But don’t let your trip be limited to Logan Pass - this scenic drive is simply the gateway to all Glacier has to offer, including over 700 miles of trails that provide opportunities for everyone ranging from short hikes to extended treks. If you plan to visit Glacier with kids, there are plenty of hikes the whole family can enjoy…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownGlacier National Park, Glacier, Montana, Hiking, Family Travel, Travel Guide, SpotlightComment
Nantucket Travel Guide
Nantucket Travel Guide

Twenty-five miles out to sea, Nantucket is a fabled island rich in history and character whose 18th century roots, lovingly preserved through generations, are on display down each cobblestone lane and the Greek Revival buildings that line them. And while classic New England charm and traditions are everywhere you look, there’s also a fresh, dynamic side to the island thanks to a new breed of stylish boutique hotels and contemporary restaurants… a combination I found more than alluring.

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TRAVELCourtney BrownNantucket, New England, Travel Guide, Family Travel, City Guide, SpotlightComment
Exploring Portugal: Guide to The Alentejo Region
Exploring Portugal: Guide to The Alentejo Region

With a strong cultural identity and diverse terrain, Portugal’s heartland is home to sprawling groves of cork trees, rolling vineyards, ancient villages and empty beaches, and recently, a handful of design hotels and restaurants that allow guests to be immersed in simplistic luxury while disconnecting from the outside world. If you’re looking to discover an untouched side of Portugal, whether it be your first trip to the country or a return visit, here are my recommendations from our recent journey throughout the Alentejo.

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TRAVELCourtney BrownPortugal, Alentejo, Comporta, Europe, Travel Guide, Spotlight, City GuideComment
A Local's Guide To Whitefish, Montana
A Local's Guide To Whitefish, Montana

When I started this blog in 2016, the very first article I published was a guide to exploring the resort town of Whitefish, Montana. It felt like a fitting way to jumpstart my journey of sharing travel tips and city guides, as Whitefish is a destination this Montana girl knows like the back of her hand. Fast forward 6 years and the popular-yet-quiet ski town…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownMontana, Whitefish, City Guide, Glacier National Park, SpotlightComment
Edinburgh City Guide
Edinburgh City Guide

A city with many sides (though defined by two), Edinburgh seems conflicted with itself while simultaneously in harmony. Historical yet vibrant, it's split into Old Town and New Town, each offering their distinct perspective. Tucked-away cafes, picturesque curved streets, free museums, lively pubs, hip coffee shops, eclectic stores (plenty selling cashmere and tartan too, of course) and a rugged natural landscape are yours for the taking in this city best discovered by…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownScotland, Edinburgh, City Guide, Europe, Accommodations, SpotlightComment
My Miami Recs
My Miami Recs

If you’ve written Miami off as the flashy, nightlife destination it gets the bad rap for being, take another look. Miami has evolved, shifting its focus to the arts, and embracing the cultures that make it unique. As a result, art galleries, museums, food halls and boutique shops await visitors, as do glitzy hotels and white sand beaches. If Miami is on your travel list, here’s my list of where to stay and where to…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownMiami, Florida, City Guide, restaurants, hotels, Spotlight, AccommodationsComment
We Got Away With Getaway House
We Got Away With Getaway House

The past few years you may have seen pictures on social media of sleek black cabins in the woods, their oversized windows reflecting the nature surrounding them and interiors designed to be a hygge dream for minimalist millennials. Well, those pictures are most likely of a Getaway House cabin, which to be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to until the company opened their latest outpost this month outside Nashville…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownCamping, Getaway House, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, Road trip, Family Travel, Glamping, Spotlight, AccommodationsComment
Alys Beach: Florida's Best Kept Secret
Alys Beach: Florida's Best Kept Secret

Situated on the soothing shores of Florida's Panhandle, Alys Beach is a seaside town unlike any other. With 158 acres to explore, this thoughtfully planned community transports you much further than the Sunshine State in which it resides. In tune with the natural surroundings, Alys' architecture takes center stage while pulling influence from Bermuda, the Mediterranean and Moorish-designs. On paper, it's an unlikely…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownFlorida, 30A, Alys Beach, USA, City GuideComment
Airplane Activities For Toddlers
Airplane Activities For Toddlers

Few things are as exhausting as a travel day with kids. I don’t care if it’s a short nonstop flight or an international red-eye, flying with children of any age will wear out even the most seasoned travelers. For us, being well prepared for the journey ahead is key to minimizing stressors, and a thoughtfully curated travel bag full of activities and snacks is a great place to start…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownFamily Travel, Flying, Baby Travel, AirplaneComment
What It’s Really Like Flying Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, and The Travel Items To Keep You Safe
What It’s Really Like Flying Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, and The Travel Items To Keep You Safe

Strange. But normal. But strange. That’s how it felt to be back in the air after four months grounded. To say I was hesitant to board a flight right now is an understatement. I have been one of those overly cautious people since a world with COVID-19 became our reality. You know the ones. Rarely leaving home, wiping down everything that comes near the vicinity of the house, reluctant to be around people who haven’t been as cautious as me. It hasn’t been until the last few weeks that I’ve felt comfortable running errands and getting take-out, so the decision to board a plane with dozens of strangers was not taken lightly. But ultimately, the…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownTravel Tips, Flying, COVID-19, Travel ItemsComment
Vacation During Quarantine? 13 Unique Rentals For Your Summer 2020 Escape
Vacation During Quarantine? 13 Unique Rentals For Your Summer 2020 Escape

Nine times out of ten, if I had to choose between a hotel or vacation rental, I’d choose the hotel for the amenities included, but in this new world we currently find ourselves living in, I know I’m not alone when I say a house rental sounds very appealing versus a traditional hotel, given the built-in social distancing and safety it provides…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownHOTELS, House Rental, Summer travel, Summer Vacation, Airbnb, COVID-19, AccommodationsComment
72 Hours in Dubrovnik, Croatia: My Travel Guide To The Pearl Of The Adriatic
72 Hours in Dubrovnik, Croatia: My Travel Guide To The Pearl Of The Adriatic

Set on the southernmost tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a maze of limestone streets nestled safely inside ancient city walls that rise dramatically from the sea. The Pearl of the Adriatic, as it is affectionately known, is easily a contender both for Europe’s most beautiful city and for the best preserved medieval city in the world. Once you pass through its gates you won’t want to leave, as you will be captured by the narrow alleyways packed with cafe tables, green-shuttered buildings with their terra-cotta tiled roofs, and hidden doorways in walls that lead to rocky coves perfect for enjoying a sunset…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownEurope, Croatia, Travel Guide, City Guide, Dubrovnik, Best city guidesComment
Need An Escape? My Favorite Virtual Vacations You Can Take From Home
Need An Escape? My Favorite Virtual Vacations You Can Take From Home

Stay at home. Shelter in place. Quarantine. No matter what you call it, so many facets of life are currently at a standstill, especially anything related to travel. Fortunately, technology is changing our at-home experience and since we can’t leave to explore the world, the world is coming to us - an incredible gift since now more than ever we could all use an escape! From virtual tours of museums and national parks, to live streams of stunning hotel views and natural phenomenons, cooking classes and yoga on the beach, there’s something to satisfy every type of…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownVirtual, Stay Home, TourComment
How Rent The Runway Changed The Way I Pack For Trips
How Rent The Runway Changed The Way I Pack For Trips

Oftentimes, I find myself impulse shopping before a getaway, because after all, the vacation wardrobe is part of the fun, isn’t it?! Sadly though, those destination specific items more often than not don't work with my day-to-day routine, resulting in them collecting dust in my closet until the right opportunity comes along again (which sometimes never comes). With a desire to shrink my footprint and streamline my packing process, I turned to…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownPacking, Rent The Runway, Travel Tips, Travel PlanningComment
The Best Ways To Experience Montana In Winter
The Best Ways To Experience Montana In Winter

For most travelers, Montana is an unintentional afterthought for a winter vacation. The state's climate and iconic national parks lend perfectly to the summer months, and for those who do enjoy traveling to cold destinations in the winter, ski towns in Colorado and Utah typically are first in mind. But those who have ventured to Montana in the winter months know exactly how great it can be! And while skiing is the main draw this time of year, don't cross Big Sky Country off your list if hitting the slopes isn't for you… There are plenty of ways to enjoy the state!

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TRAVELCourtney BrownTravel, UNITED states, Montana, Ski, Dude Ranch, Glacier National Park, Whitefish, City GuideComment
72 Hours in Naples, Florida: My Guide To The Perfect Long Weekend In This Gulf Coast Beach Town
72 Hours in Naples, Florida: My Guide To The Perfect Long Weekend In This Gulf Coast Beach Town

I sometimes get asked why I return to Naples over and over again when Florida offers so many great oceanside towns. The curiosity of the question stems from the fact that many travelers don't give much thought to the Sunshine State's West Coast, instead planning their vacations along the Atlantic in hot spots such as Miami or Palm Beach. To them, the Gulf Coast is the sleepy (dare I say boring) cousin to the East, but the towns lining this stretch of unspoiled coastline are not to be overlooked…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownFlorida, Naples, Beach, United States, City GuideComment
20 Hotels I Have My Eye On For 2020
20 Hotels I Have My Eye On For 2020

I’ve spent the first few weeks of 2020 dreaming and planning for the year ahead, so of course, travel aspirations are on my mind. Below are the 20 hotels and resorts that I have my eye on for 2020. Some have been on my radar for awhile while some are new discoveries. Some have been around for a century or more, some are set to open this year. From a small lodge in Washington that will transport you back to the glory days of summer camp, to a stay fit for royalty at the Palace of Versailles, the list is…

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HOTELS, TRAVELCourtney BrownComment
A Magical Christmas Destination: Biltmore Estate
A Magical Christmas Destination: Biltmore Estate

We all dream of the picture-perfect holiday season. A time full of family togetherness, Christmas lights, warm hot chocolate, nostalgic movies and all things merry-and-bright. But often times the reality is a month of endless to-do lists and busyness, causing us to (ironically) barely catch a glimpse of the holiday magic we're striving to create. Sometimes to fully appreciate the wonder of the season, we have to step away from the day-to-day and see it in another light. If you're looking to add some timeless tradition to your Christmas season, I have two words for you: Biltmore Estate.

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TRAVELCourtney BrownUnited States, North Carolina, Biltmore, Christmas, Holidays, Family TravelComment
Top Tips For Traveling With A Baby Under 1 Year Old
Top Tips For Traveling With A Baby Under 1 Year Old

26,505. That's how many miles Sophie flew in her first 12 months! Having a baby changes your life in just about every way possible. We have loved traveling as a couple, and didn’t want to give that up, but knew it was going to look very different once we became parents. So, we confronted our hesitations and embraced the challenge of traveling with a baby head on. We knew we would need to test the waters, so at 3 months old, Sophie boarded her first flight on a trip to…

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TRAVELCourtney BrownResources, Baby Travel, Family Travel, Flying, Europe, Travel Gear, FTT, SpotlightComment