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Last weekend my family and I headed to Woodloch Resort in the Poconos (Pennsylvania) for a long overdue fall getaway. If you have been a subscriber to Pearls & Paris for a while, or follow me on Instagram, then you know we love our travels so staying put for the last 7 months hasn’t been easy. This was the perfect road trip from NJ (only a 2 hr drive!) and we knew we would catch the beautiful Fall foliage so we were very excited.

Upon arrival you get your temperature checked at the Wellness Station and then you proceed to check in. Check in was quick and easy and they had great precautionary measures in place. You must wear your mask in all indoor public spaces and outdoors when a social distance of a minimum of 6 feet cannot be achieved, except for when eating & drinking. They also had hand sanitizing stations across the property. Click HERE to see Woodloch’s Wellness Standard. After we were all settled in our room, it was time to explore.

Myself along with the other mama bloggers invited on this trip got a quick golf cart tour of the property before dinner. The property itself is much bigger than I expected and it made me super excited to plan my activities for the next day with my family.

The dining area has fantastic views looking out over Lake Teedyuskung. The staff was super attentive and the food… ah, the food!! SO DELICIOUS. We were pleasantly surprised by how tasty all of our meals were during our stay, but especially dinner. Two of my favorite items had to be the shrimp pot stickers and the BLT Grilled Chicken with Cavatelli in pesto. After dinner we kept it low key and checked out the fire pit and then headed back to the room so the kids could sleep and we could enjoy some wine on the balcony.

The next morning we opted to get our breakfast to go so we could eat in the room, this is actually what we did our whole stay for breakfast and lunch. It was a very convenient option since traveling with the kids as their schedule varies per day. My husband also picked up coffee for us every morning from Gigi’s. The Pumpkin Pie and Maple Pecan coffee were my favorite.

After breakfast we headed out as we wanted to check out as many activities as we could. Woodloch has an app that has a ton of information on it along with the daily food menus and daily activities. Some of the activities require a reservation which you can do directly on the app or you can opt to call the activity help desk. Our day consisted of paintballing, bumper cars, go karts, basketball, bowling, the playground arts & crafts, a boat tour around the lake and the arcade. (Yes, I need a nap after thinking about all of that too lol) With the exception of paint-balling, all of the activities were complimentary.

After dinner we headed to the indoor splash zone! Victor & Ryan actually went earlier in the day while Celine napped and they loved it. It was the perfect way to end our last night at Woodloch.

We were so sad to pack up the next morning and head home but we first made sure to fill up on a delicious breakfast, pick up some homemade pastries to bring home (trying the baked goods from Woodloch is a MUST! All of them are out of this world), some Gigi’s coffee and of course Victor needed another round of go carts and bumper cars. We also did one more walk around the lake. The views, especially during the Fall, are everything!

Our time at Woodloch Resort was perfect. While I know this may be a scary time to think about traveling, the resort is doing everything possible to keep you and your family safe. They are currently only occupying 40-50% of the resort so social distancing is not an issue at all. They also are implementing contactless exchange of room amenities and have removed items such as coffee pots, decorative pillows etc. that are easily contaminated. We also were able to check out right from our room before leaving. If you live in the tri-state area, you need to check out Woodloch Resort for a weekend getaway. You won’t be disappointed.

…until next time!

[ Thank you to Sherri Schubert Events + Woodloch for hosting my family for the weekend and for Children’s Place for the super cute outfits. All opinions, as always, are my own]

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Most people spend so much time planning out their Spring and Summer vacations that they tend to forget the best season to travel – Winter! What’s better than heading off for some fun in the sun while it’s snowing back at home or indulging in cold but fun winter activities? Here’s 5 destinations that you should check out this winter season.

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Puerto Rico

With an average temperature in January of 85 degrees, Puerto Rico is a fantastic destination to head to this winter if you’re looking to escape the cold. This little island is rich in culture and offers a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. Puerto Rico is also a foodie’s paradise! (Tip: Make sure to order the mofongo at least once during your visit and don’t leave the island without having a piraqua) Walking tours, rum tastings, ziplining, snorkeling or just relaxing on a beach chair with a pina colada in hand… the possibilities are endless.

 

Quebec City 

Quebec City is one of my favorite winter destinations. Is it cold? Yes – very. But nothing layers and a warm drink can’t help. If visiting between the end of November and December they have a small Christmas Market set up as well as Santa Claus outside meeting with the children which is super cute if traveling with little ones. Some other great things to do is stay overnight at the Ice Hotel, go down the Toboggan slide, celebrate the Quebec Winter Carnival and make a visit to the Siberia Spa.

 

Bahamas

The Bahamas are made up of 700 islands. With the devastation that has occurred due to Hurricane  Dorian to Abaco and the Grand Bahama Island – they need our tourism dollars more now than ever. The Bahamas are still OPEN and the best thing you can do to help is to visit. The winter months happen to be some of the best to visit the Bahamas. You will be exchanging the cold and white snow for white sand and sunshine. Adult only or some family fun – there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can take advantage of eco tours, fine dining, fishing or simply sinking your toes in the sand. Some other fun events that place during the winter are Junkanoo and Marathon Bahamas.

 

Iceland

Iceland is the perfect destination year round, but during winter – it is pure magic. Get ready for a winter adventure as you can chase the Northern Lights, snorkel between tectonic plates, check out numerous waterfalls, visit a black sand beach, relax in the Blue Lagoon and so much more.

 

Key West

It’s often said that the Florida Keys are America’s Caribbean Islands. Key West is busy during the winter months and for good reason. This is the perfect destination if you want to stay within the US but feel like you’re on a remote island. Duval Street has endless options to keep you busy! Join a bar crawl, go on a ghost tour, catch a drag queen show or watch the stunning sunset at Mallory Square – there is something for everyone. Some other activities you can do is visit the Dry Tortugas and catch a charter boat and spend the day fishing. (Tip: Visit Cuban Coffee Queen for a Cafe con Leche, Blue Heaven for Brunch and Better than Sex for dessert)

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My first visit to Iceland was back in February of 2017 and tourism was booming then and even more so now, so I’m not surprised by the amount of people taking advantage of a 24 hour layover before continuing to their final destination. I loved my time in Iceland so much that I did just that a few months later on the way to Paris. This was my first time experiencing a 24 layover anywhere and since my time was limited, I made sure to put in that work to research exactly what I wanted to do. Headed to Iceland on a layover soon and not sure what to do? No worries – here are some of my suggestions to make the most of your time in the Land of Fire & Ice.

First, I want to note that I would encourage you to rent a car/truck – depending on the season. With only 24 hours, tours will limit what you can see but if you’re headed there in the winter and nervous about the ever-changing weather, booking an all day tour will work too. While you can make Reykjavik your home base (this will be your ideal location if you decide to book a tour), I personally would suggest staying local to Keflavik Airport. I like the Grindavik area but there are a lot of other surrounding towns that will work as well.

  1. Snorkeling Silfra – This has to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had during my travels. Silfra is one of the top dive sites in the world and situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thingvellir. Silfra is a freshwater fissure about 200 feet deep, where you can almost see end to end as the water is so clear. It’s also one of the few places where you can dive or float between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which are gradually drifting farther apart. The experience is cold, beautiful and one of a kind. I went with snorkeling in a drysuit but you can also dive. You can read more about my experience HERE and check out a short video I captured on my GoPro HERE. 
  2. Visiting the Blue Lagoon – I love, love, love the Blue Lagoon. Is it touristy? YES but who cares. It’s beautiful and so relaxing… oh, and they have a swim up bar! There’s also a ton of add-on services such as spa amenities, in water massages and 2 separate spots to grab some food. I would say to either do this at the very beginning of the day or at the end of your busy day to wind down. 
  3. Northern Lights Tour – If your layover happens to be between September and April, this would be a great way to end your evening before catching your flight the next morning. There is never a guarantee that you will see them, but chasing them is thrilling and the reward if you do end up being able to see them is priceless. 
  4. Drive the Golden Circle – This is the perfect driving route when you do not have much time to explore. You will be able to visit Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfose Waterfall and Kerid Crater. 
  5. Explore Southern Iceland – If you chose this route, it will take all day but it will be worth it. The southern part of Iceland has to be my favorite. You will be able to visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skógafoss Waterfall, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Black Sand Beach and the village of Vik. 

If you decide that taking a tour is better for you, click HERE to checkout my favorite tours. I’m partial to the tour company mentioned in that post because I booked multiple tours with them during my first visit there but you can also check out TripAdvisor and Viator to see others that people recommend. You may have also noticed I left out exploring Reykavik. With only 24 hours, I personally would say skip it as you can always do that on a later trip. While the downtown is nice, the restaurants and bars are very expensive and in my opinion, you can spend your limited time there doing something more thrilling.

A 24 hour layover isn’t for the faint of heart but it’s a great way to get out there and experience a little bit of a place that you always wanted to visit – so to me, it’s totally worth it.

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If you didn’t know by now, Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world. When my mom retired, my sister and I figured it was the perfect time to have a girls trip to celebrate this milestone and we decided on Paris. This would be my moms 2nd trip there, my 3rd and my sisters very first time in this incredible city.

My first thought was how excited I was to be going on this adventure with them but my 2nd honestly was stressing out  a little about doing the same exact thing I had done in previous trips, over again.

Thankfully I came across this really unique tour of the city and knew I had to book it.

Cedric’s Paris offers many different tours around Paris while cruising in one of their old school CV2 cars OR a larger VW Kombi. While we would have fit very comfortably in a CV2 – I had my eye on the Volkswagen Kombi and decided to splurge and book that instead… after all, we were there to celebrate!

Cedric’s Paris offers many different types of tours but we went with the 2 hour Paris by Night Tour. There is something about Paris at night that is unforgettable and truly mesmerizing and by the end of the tour, I was so happy we decided on this one.

Chris was our driver and he picked us up promptly at 9:30pm. When you book a 2 hour tour, Cedric’s Paris will give you a complimentary additional 1/2 hour or a bottle of champagne. We decided to go with the extra time and brought along 2 bottles of our own champagne. He mapped out a personalized itinerary based on what we told him we wanted to see and it was perfect in every way. When you go to Paris you visually see these iconic monuments and grand buildings and while you are in awe – do you know the background history of what you are seeing? More than likely – No. Chris was full of knowledge and besides the incredible views, we learned so much about the city.

What I loved most about this tour was that it was perfect for someone who have never been to Paris AND the person who has been multiple times. All of the guides are born and raised Parisians and so they are very passionate at showing and teaching you all about their city. They know this city like the back of their hand and when you get dropped off at the end of the night – you will not be disappointed. This was the absolute BEST tour I have ever done in Paris and cannot recommend it enough.

Click HERE to check out all of the tours they offer and HERE to check out their cars.

If you book with them, let them know Shareen from Pearls & Paris sent you!

*Just a sidetone: This post isn’t sponsored nor do I or you get a discount if you book and say I sent you lol I just like companies to know when I post about my experience with them.

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Mid August I had the pleasure of visiting Walt Disney World and staying at an incredible 2 bedroom cabin at the Cooper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge all thanks to Disney Vacation Club. Disney Vacation Club is a flexible vacation-ownership program that helps families enjoy the magic of Disney. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any 14 Disney Vacation Club Resorts or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.

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I don’t think any amount of words or pictures can do justice for just how incredible these cabins are… but I’ll try. Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, has 26 unique 2-Bedroom/2-bathroom waterfront Cascade Cabins. These private, luxurious quarters can sleep up to 8 guests. In addition to a washer and dryer and a fully equipped, open-style kitchen, each Cabin features a double-sided stone-hearth fireplace and screened-in wraparound porch with a built-in hot tub. Guys – I want to relocate and move into one permanently! They are so beautiful and literally have everything your family will need during your Disney vacation. One of my favorite amenities had to be the screened in wraparound porch. We were able to catch the fireworks display from Magic Kingdom while sitting out there with the accompanying music. The cabins are truly pure Disney Magic. Here’s a few pictures of the Cooper Creek Cabins:

Click HERE to check out my full Cabin Tour video!

Over the next few days we got to experience Disney as a Disney Vacation Club Member and it truly was such an incredible experience. I never realized all of the perks, offerings and events just for DVC members.

Day 1: We had a smooth & easy check in. I have never been to the Wilderness Lodge before and the main building is absolutely beautiful. We were able to settle in our room and relax before meeting for a group dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe with the DVC team. The food was absolutely fantastic … we enjoyed it so much that my family decided to have dinner here again the last night! After dinner we headed back to our room for a good nights rest before the fun started for Day 2!

Day 2: We started our day with room service for breakfast and then the boys headed to Animal Kingdom. As for me – I made my way to Salon by the Springs where Maria, a fellow puertorriqueña, gave me the most incredible pedicure. This was not just any regular pedicure, it was truly an experience. I’m talking essential oils, a foot mask, heating powder, warm towel wrap and a wonderful massage. Guys – make an appointment your next time visiting Disney World and thank me later! Later in the afternoon we headed to the Reunion Station, which is a new space at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge that was created especially for Disney Vacation Club Members and their special guests. You can head here to unwind, dine and participate in an array of activities. One of the activities offered, that we got to take part of, was New World Wine 101.  This class was fantastic and would add a little pixie dust to any DVC member vacation. We then got to tour the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs. The 3 bedroom Treehouse stand on stilts 10 feet off the ground and are surrounded by a wooded area – perfect for a large group vacation. That evening the group joined our families at my favorite park: EPCOT! for dinner in Japan. This wasn’t just any night in Epcot though. This was Moonlight Magic – an exciting after hours celebration complimentary for Disney Vacation Club members & their guests. Basically you get to stay at the park after it closes and there will be minimal wait times at attractions along with complimentary food and drinks and unique character meet-and-greet opportunities. Located in Epcot is also the Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge which is a complimentary space for members to enjoy while visiting.

Day 3: Victor woke up with a fever this day so while him & Ryan relaxed and rested in the cabin, I met up with the group to do Painting with a View and then tour some other really amazing DVC properties. I think the Painting with a View activity is a fantastic perk for members. Not only was it fun but the view at Top of the World Lounge, where the class is held, was unmatched! The Grand Villa at Bay Lake Tower has to be one of favorite properties we got to see. I love spaces where a big group can stay yet not feel crowded. It was very homey and had spectacular views. The bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian are what dreams are made of. I have a new bucket list of places to stay at during my next Disney World vacations. The one MUST on our list was to experience Toy Story Land. Victor had been talking about it since the commercials started and unfortunately it was a bust! I met my husband there but Victor’s fever came back and he was just out of it – mix that with the heat and there was just no way we could stay an explore. We ended up spending the rest of the afternoon and evening at the cabin. I did sneak out for a little around 8pm to meet the group for the Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace at Magic Kingdom. Since I was solo, I took advantage and somehow worked my way through the crowd to be dead center for the Happily Ever After Show. I wasn’t able to catch this show when I was at Magic Kingdom a few months prior so this was a must for me and guys….. it was EVERYTHING!!!! I am a little embarrassed to admit this but I got emotional more than once while watching it – I mean full on tears! LOL It was just so magical and if you haven’t experienced it in person, make it a priority during your next visit.

We were so sad to leave the cabin and make our way to the airport. I cannot recommend Copper Creek Villas & Cabins enough. The cabin was the most amazing accommodation I’ve had while vacationing and am looking forward to booking a reservation at some of the other fantastic properties we had the chance to tour.

A huge thank you to DVC & Cooper Creek Villas & Cabins for such a wonderful opportunity.

This post is in collaboration with Disney Vacation Club. As always, all opinions are my own.