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Enriching Pursuits
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Super Excited You Found Me!
Nichole, Crazy Passionate Traveler Who’s Constantly Researching the Next Destination
I created Enriching Pursuits to share our foodie & outdoor experiences. Here is how we like to travel.
DISCOVER ALL CORNERS
We travel to discover new places from our own backyard in the United States to charming faraway towns in Vietnam.
EAT NEW FOODS
We travel to eat from roadside food shacks in Mexico to Michelin-starred restaurants in Slovenia. And yes, like true fans, we have watched every episode of all the Anthony Bourdain shows.
SIP WINE
We travel to sip wine. Oh, yes. We are guilty of planning quite a few wine vacations (12 to be exact!).
EXPLORE COCKTAIL CULTURE
We travel to experience a country’s cocktail culture and try out our new discoveries at home. Our favorites have been Mori Bar in Japan and The Old Man Bar in Hong Kong.
EMBRACE THE OUTDOORS
We travel to be active in the great outdoors through day hiking, biking, and snorkeling in both popular and off-the-beaten-path locations. Getting older is no joke. Those pounds stick more than they used to. We have to work off all that amazing food somehow!
SLEEP IN UNIQUE LODGING
We travel to stay in unique boutique places, where we can meet other cool travelers. Sleeping in a treehouse out in the African bush? How about a small producer Champagne house in France that serves you the best house Champagne at breakfast? Yes, please!
Does this sound like you?
If so, let’s start planning!
Most Recent Blog Posts
Featured post
Pic Paradis: Ultimate Guide to Hiking St. Martin’s Highest Peak
St. Martin has several fantastic hikes across its mountainous terrain. One of the ultimate hikes is Pic Paradis. The summit offers some of the best views of the island, and you may even see monkeys! Follow my guide to discover how to...
Virginia Wine Country Getaways: 3 Incredible Itineraries From a Local
I was born and raised in beautiful Virginia and have been all over the state. My husband and I live in the city and love doing weekend Virginia wine country getaways. We have done quite a few wine vacays not only in Virginia but...
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Portugal: 2022 Complete Guide
The Algarve coast in southern Portugal is simply breathtaking. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in all its beauty is to hike the edges of the coastline on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. You will encounter towering limestone...
12 Best Things to Do in Sperryville Va According to a Local
It was not until a few years ago that I discovered Sperryville, a little Virginia town of just over 340 people. It is fast becoming a foodie gem for those in the know. Pair that with incredible hiking and some of Virginia’s top...
Three Blacksmiths in Sperryville: 7 Things to Know Before You Go
The secret is out! Especially after the recent writeup in the Washingtonian on Where to Eat, Drink, and Stay in Sperryville. Ahh, oh well. I guess have to share now. My husband and I have dined at almost every incredible restaurant...
Best Cheese Tasting in Paris: 8 Mouthwatering Cheeses & Wines to Try
You simply cannot come to Paris without trying the mouthwatering French cheeses! When you walk into a local fromagerie, the variety of cheese options is overwhelming. How do you pick among the 500+ varieties? What are you going to...
Travel Hacking 101: 9 Critical Tips to Know
Travel hacking 101. Sounds complicated, but it’s not. With a couple of a few pointers, you will be well on your way to earning points and miles to cash in on free flights and hotels. Suddenly that 2-week trip to Africa or exotic...
How to Choose an African Safari Lodge: 11 Things to Consider
How to choose an African safari lodge that’s right for you can be overwhelming especially for first-timers. There are many choices at various price points. It’s a big decision, so you want to make sure you get it right. After all,...
7 Top Safari Destinations in Africa: Pros & Cons
Your first trip on an African safari will seep into your soul. It is unlike any other experience in the world. Picking which country for this quintessential experience can be overwhelming. There are many fantastic choices that will...
Sabi Sands vs Kruger: Here’s How to Decide
If you are planning a South African safari, one of the first things you will need to make a decision on is which safari location is going to be best for you. Two of the most popular choices are Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands...
Best South African Wine Regions & Wineries to Visit
South African wine is really starting to make a name for itself. You can find some beautifully crafted high-quality wines at an affordable price. Most of these award-winning wineries are less than an hour from Cape Town. We spent...
Best South Africa Wine Tour: Honest Review of La Rochelle Tours
If you landed on this page, you obviously love wine and want to experience some of South Africa’s best! South Africa has several incredible wine regions to explore. One of the best ways to discover some of these world-class wineries...
Ojstrica: Map + Hiking Guide to Lake Bled’s Most Scenic Viewpoint
Lake Bled, Slovenia is stunningly beautiful. One of the best ways to view it involves a small hike to an epic viewpoint that stands high above Lake Bled. This viewpoint is called Ojstrica, which means a sharp peak. It does require a...
Burgundy Bike Tour: Planning Guide + Full Itinerary Revealed
With some of the best (and most expensive) wine in the world, the Burgundy wine region in France is a wine lover’s dream. One unique way to immerse yourself in French wine country is to do a Burgundy bike tour through the vineyards....
Slovenia Wine Tour: Honest Review of Winestronaut
My husband and I love discovering the wine regions of the countries we visit. We have done quite a few including in Napa Valley, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, South Africa, Italy, and Portugal. When we heard about the...
Best Safari Clothes for Women: Outfit Examples + Where to Buy
Images of khaki pants and an Australian outback hat immediately come to mind when I think of the safari outfit. As a first-time safari-goer, I had no idea what to wear. Now that I have done two safari experiences, one at Lion Sands...
Ultimate African Safari Packing List: 24 Items I’m Glad I Had
Aw, the African safari. No matter if it’s your first or tenth safari trip, the safari drive is exhilarating and new every time you set foot in that jeep. What you pack is very important in order to make your experience comfortable...
Douro Valley Wine Tour: Honest Review of Douro Exclusive
We love wine. We love travel. Our trips now seem to gravitate towards incredible wine destinations. Douro Valley in Portugal was one of them. With its mesmerizing steeply terraced vineyards, scenic windy roads, and a meandering...
Paiva Walkways + Arouca Bridge: Our 8 Step-By-Step Hiking Guide
We love day hiking! There is something incredibly therapeutic about getting outdoors and immersing yourself in nature. We knew we wanted to incorporate some type of outdoor adventure as we planned our trip to Portugal. I consulted...
Arouca Bridge in Portugal: 7 Things to Know Before You Go
Love adrenaline rushes and hiking to beautiful destinations? Then you are going to love a visit to the impressive engineering marvel, the Arouca Bridge in Portugal! It is the second longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the WORLD....
Benagil Cave in Algarve, Portugal: 8 Things to Know Before You Go
Going to the Algarve? It won’t take you long to see everyone recommends a visit to one of Portugal’s most stunning natural wonders, Benagil Cave. Its massive limestone walls will envelop you as you stand on the golden sands looking...
Kozjak Waterfall: Your Guide to Planning One of Slovenia’s Best Day Hikes
Kobarid? If you are like me, you probably have never heard of this town. It is situated in the Soca River Valley in Slovenia next to the towering Julian Alps and lush forests. The location is absolutely breathtaking! Kobarid is home...
18 Best Things to Do in St Martin You Do Not Want to Miss
I rarely go to the same destination twice until I discovered St Martin. This amazing Caribbean Island is a short flight from the U.S. It is part Dutch and part French and offers enough foodie and outdoor activities to keep you busy...
La Villa Hibiscus in St Martin: Review of the Caribbean’s Ultimate Gourmet Experience
You go to the Caribbean for the gorgeous beach and warmer weather but not really for the food. Or so I thought. That was until I discovered the French side of St. Martin. Exotic cheeses, charcuterie, incredible high-quality wines at...
The Best St Martin and St Maarten Snorkeling Sites
Alright, we can all admit it. Saint Martin is an incredible island for many reasons. However, the St Martin/ St Maarten snorkeling sites are not all that great when you compare them to other amazing snorkeling destinations in the...
Karibuni Boutique Hotel: Honest Review on What to Really Expect
If you landed on this page, you have likely decided to stay on the French side of St. Martin. Great choice! Now, where are you going to stay? Orient Beach? Grand Case? Cul de Sac? There are quite a few choices, but ultimately my...
Sint Maarten vs Saint Martin: One Island. 2 Sides. How to Decide Where to Stay.
Sint Maarten vs Saint Martin … one beautiful Caribbean island with two completely different vibes. Sint Maarten is located on the Dutch side, and Saint Maarten is on the French side. There’s no border control, and both sides are...
Pinel Island in St. Martin: Complete Guide for a Full Day Trip
Kayak, hike, snorkel, swim, eat lobster, and sip on cocktails. Umm, who would not love this glorious combo of ultimate fun? Pinel Island is a foodie & outdoor lover’s dream! Located just off the French side of the Caribbean...
Aruba Ariba: A Taste of Vacation in a Glass
Nothing says vacation like a cocktail in hand. My husband and I have traveled all around the Caribbean and have found each island is known for its own boozy concoction. We downed the Painkiller in the U.S. Virgin Islands, sipped on...
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba: Honest Review on What to Really Expect
There are so many hotel choices in Aruba. Scrolling through all of the options in TripAdvisor can be overwhelming. What’s the best area to stay in? Which hotel? Most will narrow their hotel choices down to Palm Beach or Eagle Beach....