- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
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…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
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…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore the Rolling Countryside of Burgundy, France
This guy above, Rick Steves, was my TV binge before Netflix even existed! Story by Tony West, Submitted Images Every American who visits France goes to Paris first. (That’s where the airport is.) But the French experience that graces American dining tables doesn’t come from Paris. It’s more likely to travel from Burgundy, France instead. This region of lush rolling countryside has long been a center of prosperity, culture and fashion. This gentle paradise reveals what makes France truly French. “Destination Burgundy” was presented at The Olde Bar Restaurant in Philadelphia’s Old City as a workshop by The Burgundy Tourism Board and Atout France. Emmanuelle Hézard (pictured) of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme…
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Cruising the Mediterranean to Greece, Italy and Turkey with Royal Caribbean
Story, photos by Dave Brosius Twenty years of marriage calls for something bigger than a mere sampler platter and a couple umbrella drinks. I know, you think I mean “also the cheesecake”. And while not wrong per se, you can do better. We say, plan an adventure that would be sure to put a mammoth-sized dent in the savings that you’ll have to explain to your accountant later with a car. The kind with the heavy card stock and embossed gold foil. Sorry, Sheila! So how did we mark our first 20 years? After a little debate, we came to a conclusion: A two week Mediterranean Cruise to Greece, Turkey,…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Escape to a Private Island in San Diego, California at Loews Coronado
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Before someone jumps down my throat, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a peaceful waterfront escape, surrounded by breathtaking waterfront vistas on its own peninsula. According to the Oxford dictionary, a peninsula is a “piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water” which fits the bill perfectly as it has its own palm tree lined road – and road signs leading to the lobby. But it might as well be an island as it totally feels that way with no water taxi needed! Situated directly across from scenic and idyllic San Deigo, California, it is the ultimate luxury…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Enjoy a Desert Oasis and Waterfall at Revamped Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Ever since I moved to Arizona almost seven years ago (!) as of January 2025, I have heard people in the valley refer to Tucson, Arizona as “The Dirty T”. I honestly had no clue why and as far as stereotypes go, you learn more along the way of life like the fact that the West Valley of Phoenix is “bad” which honestly reeks of racism but that’s a story for another time. But seriously, each time I would go down to visit Tucson and try to see it through rose-colored glasses, something really weird would happen that would eject me back to Phoenix.…
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Baby Sea Turtle Season Enchants Everyone in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Releasing baby sea turtles into the Pacific Ocean has been on my bucket list since I was a child! And I felt extremely blessed that Marriott Puerto Vallarta helped make this now adult gal’s dreams come true. We were talking about it for months and it felt almost out of reach toward the end of the summer and also my second trip to Mexico (early that month I took a Cancun birthday trip was the first week of September which I’ll post about soon). Just loading up that passport with stamps before it needs renewed again in fall of 2025! At some point…
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Explore 5 Hidden Treasures Just Outside of London, England
Beyond the glittering core of London, England awaits a trove of splendid locales, waiting to be discovered. These places off the city center are untouched by the typical traveler’s itinerary, yet offer an unparalleled exploration experience, revealing a side of London many foreigners never get to see. Join the International Drivers Association team as we venture beyond the map’s edge to discover London’s secret sanctuaries. To get in the Cheerio spirit, binge these movie fan faves this fall too! “Off the tourist trail, there lies a tapestry of unique locales with their own stories, free from the usual crowds and ready to offer something unexpectedly delightful,” said Julianna Marshall, travel…
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Explore Omni Mount Washington Resort & Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire
Story, photos, video by Cassie Hepler Omni Mount Washington Resort in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is giving all the Bridgerton vibes you’ve ever wanted on the East Coast of the United States! As part of our stay with Bretton Woods Vacations, we were treated to a guided tour of the property as well as a ride on the gondola (not the Italian kind) ride experience which is part of the Bretton Woods Ski Area. Elevate your mountain adventure at the Omni with Spanish Renaissance architecture and views of Mount Washington, New Hampshire! A place where grand history meets modern luxury, it’s a sprawling estate where historic moments shaped…
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Indulge Your Wood Cabin Dreams at The Owl Roost in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Story, photos and videos by Cassie Hepler When you’re car-less in Philadelphia, it is a 180 juxtaposition from the must-have-a-car in Arizona to get anywhere vibes. The Phoenix infrastructure is only really made for buses and the train to the airport stops two stops above my exit in North Phoenix (of course) so getting around easily via public transit is a hassle. On the East Coast, you hop on a train or trolly spreading out like a star from Center City and voila! You’ve arrived at your destination without too much thinking. However, this trip required a lot more planning as we were going way out of city limits –…
