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Explore Space Exploration Day at EPCOT in Orlando, Florida
Story, photos by Jeni Paradiso Planning my family’s yearly vacation took a welcome direction when I was fortunate enough to be offered invitations to the Celebration of Space Exploration day at EPCOT Center in Disney. This catalyst created a wonderful plan to share a childhood iconic vacation at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, since my niece and nephew, ages 8 and 9 years, have not yet been. Excited and ready to explore, I ventured to Orlando, Florida arriving via the Brightline train easily from Miami and my family joined from the north ready to go to space! Our first family activity was the Space Exploration celebration. We arrived excitedly holding…
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Enjoy Caribbean Sea Views in Every Room at AVA Resort Cancun, Mexico
Photos, story, videos by Cassie Hepler The best things about AVA Cancun is that each upscale room looks out over the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and it’s located 5 miles from Cancun International Airport. And it’s an all-inclusive resort located right below the hotel zone giving it island-style privacy from noisy neighbors. It’s definitely not a crazy Cancun party spot which I appreciated, especially not really being in a very celebratory mood which I will share that debacle story at a later date. The pool closes pretty early and things settle down shortly after sunset. However, the pool music “boots and cats” sounding bass kicks on right after sunrise…
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How to Plan a Visit to Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera’s Hidden Gem
How to Plan a Visit to the Cinque Terre (and What to See) Cinque Terre is perhaps the most quintessential spot along the Italian Riviera. Here’s what to see and where to stay. The Italian Riviera offers travelers a plethora of beauty, with eye-feasting blue waters, rugged coastlines, and brightly colored villages for as far as the eye can see. Perhaps the most quintessential spot is the Cinque Terre – a string of five fishing villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – connected by its own scenic trail. The Cinque Terre villages were once a well-kept local secret and are now an unspoiled Italian gem – with perfectly preserved…
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How Mobile Office Vans Are Powering the New Era of Remote Travel
The workplace as we know it is dead. Not metaphorically speaking – it’s literally transforming before our eyes. In 2019, roughly 9 million Americans worked from home, but by 2024, that number has nearly quadrupled to 35 million people working remotely. What started as a pandemic necessity has evolved into something much bigger: a complete reimagining of where and how we work. But here’s where it gets interesting. While most remote workers settled into home offices and coffee shops, a growing tribe of professionals discovered they could take their office anywhere – literally anywhere – with mobile office vans. This isn’t just about working from pretty places anymore; it’s about…
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The Modern Day Wife hosts What She Said Miami, Florida Style
Story, photos by Jeni Paradiso Arriving at the Icon Brickell condos – one of the most revered residential addresses in Miami, Florida with luxury finishes and world-class amenities – again after having been a teacher for a belly dance class, this was sheer pleasure to attend the What She Said Miami event hosted by The Modern Day Wife. What She Said is a movement across the United States to empower and inform women to elevate their lives, families and businesses. Not only for wives, it’s for all women to uplift each other and we’re all about that at Explore! Publisher Cassie Hepler has attended, helped promote and runway model for…
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Weft and Warp Transports Guests to Portugal Passport Wine Dinner at Andaz Scottsdale
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I almost married the mayor of Lisbon, Portugal‘s son. Before you come at me, yes I am aware they don’t have “mayors” per say like in the USA but close enough translation without going into a Portuguese political rant. Anyway, I met this gentleman fresh after a breakup and visit to New York City to hang with my fashion designer friend. He had an accent – and abs of steel and came to the Big Apple to chase his dream of becoming a model and actor, leaving an almost finished law degree and his pissed off family behind him. He chased me for…
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Explore Maui, Hawaii from Aston Maui Hill Resort in Kihei on a Budget
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Getting to Maui, Hawaii for this vacation was like pulling teeth! Originally I had booked The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali through my Marriott affiliate deals which was a steal… but it was over my birthday on September 7 and we all know what happened then – the tragic Lahaina fires. Immediately I canceled everything once it happened that August and had to fight with The Westin to get refunded, but eventually it happened. My heart broke for this beautiful island and its amazing community of people. So once the new year rolled around in January, my friend offered to book her…
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Put A Fish Called Avalon Restaurant on your Miami Beach, Florida Bucket List
Where to Eat in South Beach Miami Photos, story by Jeni Paradiso Clad in casual elegance, my friend and I sauntered down the famed Ocean Drive in South Beach Miami, to reach the modernized art deco hotel, The Avalon, ready to dine in their attached restaurant, A Fish Called Avalon. If you’re driving, valet parking is included for up to three hours according to the website. Fortunately for me, Miami, Florida is now home via a former Philly gal so it was an easy walk down the street. Shown to our table along their oceanside terrace, we were greeted with the smooth guitar sounds of live music as it drowned…
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What To Do in Saint Martin Island in the Caribbean Sea
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I’m finally starting to share my “vacation” experience in Saint Martin! Saint Martin is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea and is actually two separate countries, divided between its northern French side, called Saint-Martin, and its southern Dutch Netherlands side, Sint Maarten. I say vacay in quotes because it was perhaps the strangest travel experience I’ve had yet so prepare for a doozy of a story. I had won a week stay on some random online raffle and one of the only intriguing options to me among many more plain places was Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Originally my photographer friend was…
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Relax at the Low Key Westin Hotels & Resorts in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler First things first, let’s talk about location as there are many Westin hotels in Cancun, Mexico and this one is tucked away on its own slice of heaven. The Westin Hotels & Resorts in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico is where I escaped on an I-forced-myself-to-take vacation which internally I was kicking and screaming not to go as there was so much work to be done. Once you become a lifestyle and travel blogger, it is hard to turn if off when not traveling for work but I am happy to say I did create and take content but only because I wanted to…
