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
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: How to Decide Between 2 Sides of 1 Island
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: What to Do & See in 24 Hours
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....
Eagle Beach or Palm Beach Aruba: Top 7 Things to Consider
Who wouldn’t want to experience a place whose motto is “One Happy Island?” Aruba has a lot going for it. It has world-class beaches, friendly locals, a safe environment, plenty of family outdoor activities, and is hurricane-free. If...
5 Best Palm Beach Aruba Restaurants: From Beach Shacks to Upscale Dining
Most can agree that Aruba lives up to its motto as “One Happy Island.” You can easily see why. Plenty of sunshine, cooling breezes, world-class beaches, truly friendly locals … and surprisingly good food if you know where to look....
9 Best Things To Do in Saba: Not Just Another Generic List!
Saba, known as the “Unspoiled Queen,” is truly a yet-to-be-fully-discovered gem of the Caribbean. Imagine dramatic cliffs jutting out of the water. It's lush, green, hilly, and rugged. Just pure pristine absolutely breathtaking...
Saba Spice: The Incredibly Addictive Drink I Continue to Crave
If you have been to the tiny little Caribbean Island called Saba, you may have heard of the mysterious rum Saba Spice. What is it? How do you drink it? Where can you sample it? I had so many questions. I love trying out the food and...
Queens Garden Resort Saba: Honest Review on What to Really Expect
I consider Saba as the Caribbean’s little gem. This tiny volcanic island juts out of the water with dramatic cliffs and breathtaking beauty. Where is the best place to stay to embrace all this natural beauty? Here is an account of...
How to Get to Saba: 2 Options But One is Way More Exciting!
Not many people have heard of Saba, the tiny little volcanic island in the Caribbean. I’m surprised because it offers a wealth of outdoor activities including amazing diving and hiking. The journey to get there is half the fun! So,...
Saba Hiking Trails: Which to choose if you only have time for one?
Saba offers incredible pristine natural beauty everywhere you look. No wonder it’s known as the “Unspoiled Queen.” It has everything a nature lover could want including some spectacular hiking. My husband and I were there for only a...
Best Saba Island Snorkeling: It’s Not All About the Divers
The tiny Caribbean island of Saba is well-known among divers to have world-class diving at its unspoiled reefs. But, it’s not all about the divers. Snorkelers can also enjoy this pristine underwater beauty. To enjoy some of the best...
Top 4 Aruba Snorkeling Sites Reviewed by an Avid Snorkeler
Alright, I have to be completely honest. I did not have high expectations for snorkeling in Aruba. My husband and I have been to many incredible snorkeling locations such as Australia, Bonaire, Maldives, St John USVI, and Belize....
Maldives Seaplane vs. Speedboat: Which transfer to choose?
International flights booked. Check. Resort booked. Check. There is one more important detail you need to consider. Your international flight will plop you down into Male, the capital of the Maldives. But Male is not your final...
Reethi Faru House Reef in Maldives: Our Full Snorkeling Trip Report
We can all agree the Maldives is absolutely gorgeous. Exotic. Pristine beaches. Water so clear you can see straight down to your toes wiggling in the sand. There’s more to the Maldives though than world-class beaches, and that is the...
Reethi Faru Resort: Honest Review on What to Really Expect
We have all felt that travel envy. You’re scrolling through your Instagram feed and suddenly stop. Overwater bungalow suspended over mesmerizing ultra-clear turquoise waters. White powdery sand. Gorgeous sunset as the backdrop. Where...
Ultimate Belize Itinerary: All the Highlights of Ambergris Caye in 6 Days
Ah, Belize. I truly fell in love with its laid-back vibe and DIY adventure attitude. I am specifically referring to Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island. Just a short flight from Belize City, this island is home to world-class...
Top 10 Things to Do in San Pedro Belize: Not Another Generic List!
World-class snorkeling. Authentic local food. Island time. English-speaking. Decent flight from the United States + fun baby flight to an island. Driving around in a golf cart. Welcome to Ambergris Caye! I judge a destination on...
Secret Beach Belize: 5 Things You Must Know Before You Go
Alright, so this beach is not-so-secret anymore, and it can get incredibly busy. Despite its increasing popularity, Secret Beach Belize is still a lot of fun to visit and is one of the top things to do in Belize! Most will visit as a...
Best Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling Tour Reviewed by an Avid Snorkeler
If you go to Belize and miss snorkeling at the world’s second-largest coral reef system, that is like going to Peru and skipping Machu Picchu. That’s craziness. You CANNOT miss this amazing snorkeling experience at Shark Ray Alley in...
3-Day Abingdon Itinerary: Discover one of Virginia’s Best Small Towns
Abingdon is one of Virginia’s most underrated small towns. It oozes Southern charm and warm hospitality. What brought us here? The foodie gems and the great outdoors! It boasts all mom & pop establishments. No chain restaurants...
10 Best Things To Do in Abingdon Va in 72 Hours
Abingdon, Virginia oozes Southern charm. It’s quaint, historic, and has an artsy vibe. The other thing I love about this adorable town is it has NO chain restaurants. All are mom & pop establishments. It was even voted as the...
Great Channels of Virginia Hike: Virginia’s Best Kept Secret?
My husband and I love to travel. We enjoy planning exotic, far-away trips. I forget though that you sometimes do not have to travel far to have some incredibly unique experiences. Your own backyard may surprise you. The Great...
Mount Rogers Hike: Complete Guide to Planning Virginia’s Ultimate Day Hike
Move over Old Rag. For those non-Virginians, Old Rag is considered by some to be the best hike in Virginia. But that is probably because they have not discovered the Mount Rogers hike. I have done both, and I have to say Mount Rogers...
Virginia Creeper Bike Trail: How to Plan Virginia’s Best Biking Experience
I grew up in Virginia. Until very recently I had never heard of the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail. This famous trail begins in a little quaint foodie town called Abingdon and is one of the premier rail-trails in the United States. So...
White Oak Canyon Trail: Ultimate Hiking Guide to Virginia’s Best Waterfall Hikes
As a Virginia native, my husband and I have hiked a lot of fantastic trails in the DMV area. One of our favorites is the White Oak Canyon Trail. With 6 waterfalls to explore and plenty of swimming hole opportunities, it is easy to...
The Inn at Little Washington Restaurant: 14 Things to Know Before You Go
There are only thirteen 3-star Michelin restaurants in the United States, and one of them is located in a rural town in Virginia. After watching The Inn at Little Washington: A Delicious Documentary, we were excited and started...
What to Pack for Iceland In July: Don’t Forget These 25 Items
My husband and I went to Iceland in July. The summer months (late May/early June - August) are an incredible time of the year to come to Iceland due to the Midnight Sun. The sky never really gets completely dark, so you can pack a...
Mount Eagle St Croix Hike: Little Effort. Big Reward.
It was Christmas Day. My husband and I had just eaten an amazing homemade breakfast of an egg biscuit, hash browns, a cinnamon bun, and some sparkling wine. I wanted to get in a little exercise before relaxing poolside for the rest...