couples who travel – Vacation Vagabonds

Tips for Planning Your Visit to Hillwood Estate: A Garden Retreat in DC

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020vacationvagabonds

With so many museums and attractions to visit in Washington, DC, we didn’t realize a hidden gem in the middle of the city like Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens existed until we finally discovered it this year, playing tourist in our city! Hillwood Estate is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, especially during COVID-19 since there’s tons of beautiful outdoor spaces, and they’re taking excellent safety precautions and limiting the number of visitors.

Hillwood Estate is a decorative arts museum housed in the former residence of businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist and collector Majorie Merriweather Post (yes, of the Post cereal family). Hillwood is known for its large decorative arts collection that focuses heavily on the House of Romanov, including Faberge eggs, as well as 18th and 19th century French art and one of the US’s most impressive orchid collections.

COVID-19 Precautions

Hillwood Estate is taking great precautions to keep visitors and staff safe. We were very impressed and comfortable thanks to all the guidelines they have in place. Face masks must be worn, and all visitors must maintain 6 feet “social distancing” at all times. Sanitation stations are located throughout the grounds

Book tickets in advance

Reservations are required and can be booked online or on the phone. Suggested admission is $18. Visitors are required to select an estate visit entry time to access the estate, and can also select an optional mansion and/or exhibit entry time. Note: Closed Mondays.

Plan Accordingly

Most visitors spend about 3 hours at the Estate, so plan to arrive early to have enough time to relax and enjoy everything the Estate has to offer, and try to plan your visit during the week (open Tues-Fri) since it tends to be less busy than weekends. Also, dress for comfort and bring along comfortable walking shoes, as there are some hills and gravel paths.

Sips + Bites

Pick up sandwiches, salads, snacks, and refreshments (looking at you, froze) from the Merriweather Cafe or bring your own picnic. For safe, contactless pick up and payment, the cafe is offering optional advance ordering. You can sit on the patio at a socially distanced table or grab a spot for a safety distanced picnic elsewhere on the grounds. Note: Cafe hours are from 11 am to 3 pm Tuesday through Friday and from 11 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Explore the gardens.

There is plenty explore outside! You’ll come across a variety of gardens following paths around the estate with plenty of chairs scattered around to sit and enjoy the view. Perhaps the most well-known garden at Hillwood is the French Parterre. There’s also a Russian-style Dacha, Japanese garden with multiple water features, rose garden, cutting garden (hello stunning dahlias, pictured below), and a tucked away little putting green, plus an incredible green house with a vast collection of orchids.

We’ll plan another trip to explore the Museum inside the mansion next time!

Undiscovered Paris: A Self-Guided Tour of Paris’ Hidden Gems

April 15, 2018April 15, 2018vacationvagabonds

We truly believe that Paris is best explored by wandering. Or as the French call it, flâner. And while we could spent a lifetime strolling around Paris, we thought we would save you some time and compiled a list of the top hidden spots in Paris!

Le Palais Royal

Despite its proximity to the Louvre, this spot gets passed up by many tourists. This garden oasis is a reprieve from the bustle just outside its walls in the heart of Paris. And its black and white columns make for a fun Instagram shot! People watch in the gardens or from atop a column and soak in some sunshine.

Courtyard of the National Archives

While the National Archives are a tourist destination, the gardens are worth exploring in themselves. For the quietest time, visit on a Tuesday when the archives are closed, but the grounds are still open. Walk through the main gates and to the right for more gardens and impressive building exterior views.

Passages of Paris

We came across several of these covered arcades, which are easy to walk right by without noticing. These arcades often have shops and restaurants housed on the interior. The Galerie Vero-Dodat is one of 25 remaining passageways built in the 19th century. The passage’s black and white diamond-shaped marble paving give it a beautiful effect, and the parts of the ceiling that are not glass are decorated with beautiful engravings. We found this arcade to be especially enchanting in the evening. And the Christian Louboutin store housed here is perfect for window shopping. After stopping by Galerie Vero-Dodat, catch happy hour in one of the small bars nearby.

Les Arènes de Lutèce

Did you know that Paris has a Roman Colosseum of its very own? Long forgotten, this remnant from the Gallo-Roman era resurfaced in the 1800s during construction in the area. Situated in the Latin Quarter, this amphitheater could once seat 15,000 spectators for gladiator fights. The Arènes de Lutèce is a fun stop for history buffs, and a walk around the perimeter past beautiful gardens is enjoyable for all.

Neighborhood courtyard parks

Paris has some incredible parks tucked into its neighborhoods that only locals know about. Square Georges Cain is a little park situated in the trendy Marais district, and provides an oasis of greenery to people who have been lucky enough to stumble upon it. This park is also popular among neighborhood regulars who would like to keep it a secret. Square Georges Cain has two pieces of artwork: ‘L’Aurore’, a bronze statue of a nude woman in the middle of a rose bed by the 17th-century sculptor Laurent Magnier, and ‘Le Rossignol Electrique’ by Eric Samakh (1990), a small electronic bird that starts singing whenever the wind blows.

Église St. Gervais & Rue des Barres

Rue des Barres is a stone’s throw from Île de la Cité but will transport you to a quaint village setting. Chairs line the cobblestone street in the warmer months and are ideal for people watching. Tucked into this street is Église St. Gervais. This church is overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Notre Dame de Paris, but is equally beautiful. The church was built between 1494 and 1657 and its facade was the first example of French baroque style in Paris.

Have a constant case of wanderlust? Join our community of like-minded travelers and check out our other posts.

How to Spend 3 Days in New Orleans

April 24, 2017April 25, 2017vacationvagabonds

New Orleans: where history and culture come together to create a vibrant, dynamic city. Follow your NOLA, and let adventure find you! We promise fun discoveries are waiting around practically every corner.

Day 1

French Quarter & Bourbon Street

Roam the French Quarter by day, and you’ll be rewarded with exciting sights. Talented street musicians serenade passersby, and historic European-styled buildings lining the avenues will transport you to a faraway time. History is available for purchase at dozens of antique shops. Don’t forget to make a pit stop to fuel up on beignets at the charming Cafe Beignet or world-famous Café du Monde (open 24 hours, so you can stop in no matter when the craving hits). Near the waterfront, St. Louis Cathedral dominates the view of Jackson Square by day, and fortune tellers line the Square by night.

Those looking for a raucous night will enjoy bar hopping along the infamous Bourbon Street. Bars line the street and offer to-go drinks in plastic cups, which is totally fine in NOLA since open container is legal here. Go just one or two streets over on Royal St or Chartres St, and you’ll find yourself in a more tranquil, laid back atmosphere with jazz bars and unique dining options away from the more gaudy tourist traps.

Day 2

Garden District

Elegance is the definition of NOLA’s Garden District. Wander Charles Ave by foot, bike, or trolly past antebellum mansions and pristine gardens that line the boulevard. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is a popular attraction of the area with raised tombs in family crypts dating back to 1833. Saint Charles Ave and Magazine Street run parallel to each other on the outer edges of the Garden District and offer good dining and shopping options. Also, if you’re fortunate to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, this is a great, low-key area to catch city-wide and local parades! Plus residents go all out and dress up their homes in full theme: yellow, green, and purple.

Day 3

Uptown, Carrollton & Magazine Street

Beautiful 19th century homes and small scale shops and cafes reinforce small town vibes in Uptown and Carrollton. The neighborhood has many stylish and eclectic stores and countless dining options. We got a good caffeine buzz after stopping in a few quaint coffee shops including Rue de la Course, which is set in a historic bank building.

Audubon Park

Audubon has a small city park meets Central Park feel. The paved trail loops around the central golf course for 1.8 miles beneath a shady canopy of moss-covered live oaks. Audubon Park is perfect spot to picnic and soak up some sun.

Foodie Must Eats

Sylvain – Set in a renovated carriage house originally built in 1776, Sylvain offers fresh American fare. Sylvain is an ode to impeccable Southern cooking at its finest. We loved the gulf shrimp crudo and champagne & fries pairing. Try to hit the restaurant at an off hour since they seat on a first come, first served basis. If you do have to wait, Sylvain’s excellent bar makes the time pass quickly.

PHOTO ¬©SARA ESSEX BRADLEY — Sylvain (sylvainnola.com)

Cavan – Starving and tired after a long day of exploring, we were thrilled to discover a mansion from 1880s converted into a dining room on the entry level and a bar on the second floor. Walking into the beautifully deteriorating mansion was like jumping back in time. We closed the place down sipping on cocktails after dinner upstairs and listening to the bartenders’ ghost stories. P.S. Do NOT skip dessert here–its 100% worth those extra calories!

Cavan-9201-LOW — Cavan dining room (cavannola.com)

Maple Street Patisserie – We found this pastry shop by chance wandering around Uptown. Apparently it was voted Best Bakery in New Orleans, and we’re not second guessing. Their king cake was amazing, not to mention creamy eclairs, delectable petit fours, and a guava turnover that sent our taste buds for a spin.

Maple Street Patisserie’s guava turnover

Looking for weekend getaway inspiration? Check out our guide to doing New York City in 48 hours.

Are you a self-proclaimed foodie? We’ve got you covered with all the best spots in Jackson Hole.

Vacation Vagabonds Guide: NYC in 48 Hours

October 21, 2016vacationvagabonds

New York City – A dazzling skyline, compact boroughs, streets packed with interesting shops, and unique people. In all its multifaceted angles, there are a thousand ways to “do” a trip to NYC. We decided to tackle the City in 48 hours and experience as much of it as we could in one short weekend. And boy did we pack in a lot! We took an urban wandering approach to experiencing NYC in the fall and let the structure of the city guide our daily journeys à pied.

Evening: Nightlife. We arrived into the city in the evening and headed directly to dinner in the Upper East Side at Candle 79 for an unbelievable fine-dining experience and vegan, organic plates. Stephanie was especially excited to dine here because loves the chef’s cookbook! Afterwards, our good friend currently living in New York joined up to show us a night out on the town. We were ambitious and traversed half of the city from East Village to Chinatown to Brooklyn.

Morning: Weekend brunching is part of the NYC lifestyle. We highly recommend a casual brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda in West Village. This charming yet understated American-Mediterranean bistro is super popular with locals and tourists alike. We ordered their Eggs Benny, Madame Freda, and cappuccinos with cute “coffee art” to go with.

Afternoon: Wander West Village past local outdoor markets, small neighborhood parks, and high end boutiques. Charming brick winding streets lined with old brick buildings give the area a lovely laid back feel. Seasonal veggies and homemade goodies were displayed in stalls at an outdoor neighborhood market. We also hopped into a few shops to browse their fall/winter collections, including Intermix, Maje, and Sandro (some of Stephanie’s favorites).

Afternoon: Explore Chelsea Market. This indoor urban space includes a diverse food market and local arts scene. It’s also one of New York’s hot spots for unique antiques, collectibles, and vintage clothing. Chelsea Market was a fun pit stop and great entry point to access the High Line.

Afternoon: Walk the High Line. The High Line is an elevated freight line turned walkway that runs from Ganesvoort St. up the West Side. The walkway offers pedestrians an urban oasis and a different perspective of the city. Expect crowds in the afternoon, especially on a sunny day, and great people watching. You can hop on/off the High Line at several access points, but we walked the path in its entirety.

Afternoon: Times Square and shopping. If you didn’t take a picture in Times Square, did you even really go to New York? This tourist packed mecca is one for the books, and while we don’t love most overcrowded tourist attractions, we felt like this was still a NYC bucket list must. The Square is full of New York’s famed hustle and bustle energy, and the massive flashing billboards are also dazzling by night.

Afternoon: In NYC, you’ll walk. A lot. What was meant to be a rather short cab ride from Times Square back to our place turned into an adventure in itself. As hard as we tried one late afternoon, we couldn’t hail a taxi (they were all full!) and decided to take the city blocks by foot. We walked all the way back from Times Square to the Upper East Side and on the way passed interesting architecture and notable New York landmarks including the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, and designer shops on Park Ave.

Evening: Sip a cocktail at an upscale rooftop bar. The Press Lounge came highly acclaimed by local friends. To get there, take the elevator up to the 16th floor at the Ink48 Hotel. You’ll be rewarded by panoramic views of the city and the Hudson River. We sipped on cocktails poolside and caught the sun setting over the city and stayed for a beautiful full moon rise.

Evening: Dine in Hell’s Kitchen. With a lot of restaurant variety in the area, it can be hard to choose where to stop. We popped into a Thai restaurant called Obao, which had amazing and affordable plates plus a hip club-like ambiance. Take a stroll around Hell’s Kitchen past late night restaurants and bars up to Times Square to experience the neon-lit block by night. On the way out of of the tourist-packed Square, we discovered a reverse happy hour at Bar Catalina (675 9th Ave A) and stayed for bubbly rose and impromptu dancing with the bar staff. Go for great happy hour/reverse happy hour options and a fun cozy vibe!

Morning: Local coffee spot. Strolled around Upper East Side to Birch Coffee, a local coffee chain, to get our morning dose of caffeine. Not only is Birch Coffee delicious, but the company also purchases coffee beans from sustainable farms around the world with the aim of “making the coffee industry a fair and sustainable one.” Oh, and the pastries! You know we had to try the gourmet Texas-sized donuts. We split a dulce de leche donut and our taste buds got sent to heaven.

Afternoon: Pop into the Plaza Hotel & stroll Central Park. The Plaza Hotel dominates the square at the lower end of Central Park. Inside the revolving glass doors, you’ll be rewarded with giant chandeliers and the definition of New York luxury. From there, walk into the park past ponds, bridges, and benches. You may also discover some tucke treasures like the Alice in Wonderland statue and the Belvedere Castle. On your way out of the Park, walk down the grand avenues on the West and East peripheries with adorned facades that will definitely inspire major home design envy.

Evening: On the road again. Hail a taxi or ride sharing service directly from your phone to catch a ride back to airport. While Uber and Lyft are good ride sharing options, many New Yorkers use Gett and Via. Vacation Vagabond tip: First time Gett users will get $20 off their first ride by entering the code GTTEGOT. First time Via users will get $10 off their first ride with referral code stephanie6j7b. Until next time, New York!

Tag: couples who travel