Curated Travel Experiences for the discerning traveler
Enriching Pursuits
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Super Excited You Found Me!
Nichole, A Discerning Traveler Who’s Constantly Researching until Google Page 20 to Discover Unique Travel Experiences for Our Next Vacation
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. 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 interesting 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
36 Hours in Paris: 9 Foodie Stops, 2 Classes, & 4 Iconic Sights!
My husband and I had 36 hours in Paris before heading over to the Champagne region to enjoy multiple days of wine tasting. Our goal was to see a few top sights, eat all the cheese we could find, learn how to make croissants, hit all...
Best Car Rental in St. John: Our Experience with Amalie Car Rental
Unless you are just staying in Cruz Bay and taking the occasional taxi to one of the North Shore Beaches, you are going to need a car! St. John is gorgeous and all of its nooks and crannies are begging to be explored. It’s the...
How to Get to St John: By Ferry, Barge, Boat, or Helicopter
I have found the best places take a little effort to get to. The beautiful island of St. John U.S. Virgin Islands is one of them! There is no airport, so let’s chat about the best four options on how to get to St. John.* Links in...
Best Places to Stay in St. John: From a Discerning Traveler
The answer to Where are the best places to stay in St John? will depend on what you are looking for in a vacation. With over 400+ vacation rentals scattered over the island, how do you even begin to sift through all the choices? I do...
9 Day Activity-Packed St. Martin + Saba Itinerary
Each Caribbean island has its own unique offerings. Saba is a small island with less than 2,000 residents and is an outdoor paradise for hikers and divers. St. Martin has a European flare, amazing food, and is home to some incredible...
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: Who to Book & What Cheeses You May 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: My Day with 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 Hike: Map + Complete 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: Best Bike Rental + How to Do It Yourself
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....
Best Slovenia Wine Tour: My Day with Winestronaut
My husband and I love discovering the wine regions of the countries we visit. We have visited quite a few including Napa Valley, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia, France, Greece, South Africa, Italy, and Portugal. When we heard about...
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...
Best Douro Valley Wine Tour: My Day with Douro Exclusive
We love wine. We love to travel. Our trips now seem to gravitate toward 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 Hike: Best Way to Do It in 8 Steps
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....
8 Tips on How to Kayak to Benagil Cave in Algarve, Portugal
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: How to Hike to Slovenia’s Hidden Waterfall
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 Things to Do in St Martin: Not Just Another Generic List!
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...
Top St Martin/St Maarten Snorkeling Sites Reviewed By an Avid Snorkeler
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...