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Marriott Irvine Spectrum Offers Restful, Upscale Hotel to Explore Orange County, California
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I’ve been a Marriott Bonvoy member since I was a teenager. Starting at Penn State University at 17 years old because my birthday is in September, it’s been a no brainer to rack up points with a brand I can rely on for this extra picky back – and now neck. So I don’t have to stress out over is the bed good? Will I be in more pain? Those issues don’t exist when booking with Marriott. I already know and that’s what keeps me coming back. So when Destination Irvine reached out, it was easy breezy and my first press trip…
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Instagram Worthy Vacations Could be Killing Wildlife
We know… you absolutely LOVE corporate conglomerate bootlicking Meta via Instagram and getting that my-life-is-so-perfect photo for your grid however there seems to be some basic decorum in empathy lacking in today’s society. I don’t know if it’s bad manners or just plain lack of respect but it can be seen from something as simple as going to the grocery store (like move your cart out of the middle of the lane while you shop, for the love of God) to traveling where a stranger will literally elbow you out of the way – or worse in your shot – to get a good pic. It’s been the bane of…
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Explore Copenhagen, Denmark without leaving the USA in Solvang, California
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Welcome to Danish Disneyland aka Solvang, California! According to our spooky tour guide, Casey, from The Haunt Ghost Tours, that is what Michael Jackson allegedly called it. MJ’s Neverland Ranch (now Sycamore Valley Ranch) is located about 12 miles North of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Allegedly, the king of pop even lived in self-imposed solitude at the ranch, sometimes visiting the town of Los Olivos and also Solvang. Casey said the reason there is a Subway and Domino’s but no other major corporate food chain stores is town is because those two were his favorites and…
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Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots to Visit this Fall
Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots We all know the East Coast has some of the best leaf peeping area across the USA. But nothing can relate to Pennsylvania’s breathtaking fall landscapes where the mountains and trees are lined with various autumn colors glowing in the sunshine. From the Pocono Mountains north of Philadelphia to the Laurel Highlands, it’s a must-see for anyone who is obsessed with exploring fall colors across the world. It’s the little things like nature’s beauty in life that make life worth living. Sometimes you have to step out of the rat race and regroup in peaceful serenity. Growing up in Central Pennsylvania and then living…
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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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Indulge at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I was forced to visit Tucson, Arizona for a few nights at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa! Oh, no… A truly stunning resort on the inside, the Westin Paloma as locals call it, is a great place to settle in for a relaxing visit to Southern Arizona. With an inclusive resort shuttle, you can even explore some more without driving which means more tequila – or mezcal – tastings with their over 70 bottles available. Each room is nicely anchored at a cool 65 degrees and my room had a great balcony space overlooking the mountains and the pools. It’s also…
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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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Harvest the Moon’s Energy to Live Your Best Spring Equinox Life
Tune in to the moon and how to live and garden in harmony with our nearest celestial neighbor, using The Old Farmer’s Almanac Lunar cycle to-do list. I’ve been a long time follower and fan of this brand and happy to be working with them on sharing these amazing ideas below! Harvesting Moon Energy People who live near the ocean know that a full Moon pulls tides higher. Landlocked Midwesterners cannot see this phenomenon, but the same thing is happening to water below the ground’s surface. This ebb and flow is a natural result of the magnetic pull of the monthly alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon and is…
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Explore the Buttercup Valley, Imperial Sand Dunes in Yuma, Arizona
Story, video by Cassie Hepler, Photos by Brian Delfin Before I even had the idea of moving to Arizona and was a sparkle in my father’s eye, my mother lived in Yuma, Arizona with one of her Pennsylvania friends who moved with her, Judy. She was full on bohemian hippy with her VW yellow bug and adventurous spirit which I have inherited at least half of… My uncle on her side liked to say that I got the traveling bug from Uncle Jesse who would hop trains and then hustle around the country. And because mothers and grandmothers literally carry the eggs of their children and grandchildren, in essence I…
