Three Amazing Days in London

Traveling to the city of London and strapped for time? This travel itinerary will give you some great ideas on must sees, eats, and fun! I will also share with you the best time to visit this iconic city. Get ready, this itinerary is jammed pack, so feel free to pick and choose the activities that interest you the most.

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If you follow me on social media, I mentioned traveling to London for the first time 23 years ago. I’ve been multiple times since then, and I honestly can’t get enough. It’s a city I like to call my second home. When traveling to London, keep in mind London weather can be a toss up; it can be rainy, cold, snowy, etc. I lucked out when I traveled in May as the weather was beautiful and hot.

London Day 1

What to See

The day we arrived, my sister and I got right into it. We went to the Imperial War Museum (we both love museums). The IWM is a somber experience, however it’s a great museum to visit especially if you’re into history. Another great museum to visit would be the British Museum which is one of the largest museums documenting human culture. After the museum, we did some exploring on foot. I took some photos near the iconic red phone booth, and explored Piccadilly Circus (in the heart of London) a junction of 5 busy streets, Soho, and Chinatown in Westminster (Central London).

Imperial War Museum in London with canons in front — Imperial War Museum

Black woman in London posing in front of the red telephone booth — Imperial War Museum

What to Eat in London

After all of that walking, I was ready for some much needed noms. When in London, it’s a must you check out Poppies. My sister and I went specifically for their Fish and Chips, and it did not disappoint!

Fish and chips dinner in London at Poppies restaurant — Poppies Fish and Chips (Fries)

How to Explore on a Budget in London

I’m used to commuting as a New Yorker which has been a long tradition of mine, so while visiting other countries if possible, I try to utilize their transit system. While traveling around London, my sister and I took the bus and train like true Londeners thanks to Sadiq Khan who helped make London transportation more accessible. The Underground tube (train) and bus are very easy to navigate. I would suggest getting an Oyster card as it’s very easy to refill without having to worry about buying tickets.

London Day 2

What to Eat

To start the day off right, I just had to have a true English breakfast at Regency Cafe. Fun fact: My parents lived in England prior to moving to the US, and would cook this for my sisters and I sometimes for breakfast. While exploring, I went to Borough Market which is one of the oldest food markets in London. If you’re looking for open events this is a great option. Everything I had was so delicious; SERIOUSLY yummy baked goods (breads, donuts), and all kinds of different cheeses (I was in Carb heaven).

Scrambled eggs, sausage, beans, and ham breakfast in London — English Breakfast at Regency Cafe

What to Do

First stop on the list, was Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guards ceremony. This ceremony is free of charge and pretty cool to watch if you’re able to. Read more about it here. I would suggest visiting the Tower of London as well to learn more about the royal palace. After the ceremony, I took the city bus to Trafalgar Square which is a landmark, and signifies the British victory against the French and Spanish. Love shopping like me? Then you must check out Harrods which is a very famous luxury department store.

Changing of the Guards Ceremony in London with Guards dressed in red, white, and black uniforms — Changing of the Guards Ceremony

After shopping, London Bridge, and Camden Market were up next. Read more about the London Bridge here. Camden Market is awesome if you’re into rock and roll and all things unconventional. Lined with shops, fashion, graffiti, cafes, bars, and restaurants; it’s a place you should highly consider checking out. To party and chill for the night, we went to Lockside Camden which was probably my favorite nighttime spot in London.

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London Day 3

Sites to Explore on Foot

So the final full day of London was extremely busy just like the two days prior. I actually had a photo shoot with an amazing photographer, and was able to capture some great shots whilst visiting tourist attractions. I was able to see Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, River Thames, Westminster Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben, Southbank Centre, and Jubilee Gardens.

Black woman standing in front of Westminster Abbey — Standing in front of Westminster Abbey

Memorable Eats

I couldn’t help but bring out my bougie side while attending afternoon high tea at the very beautiful and classy Wallace Collection Restaurant. I’ve mentioned to you guys multiple times that I LOVE tea, so tea paired with sandwiches, cakes, and scones?! SIGN ME UP IMMEDIATELY. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and would highly recommend it.

Scones, sandwiches, cakes, and tea at the Afternoon High Tea Ceremony at the Wallace Collection Restaurant — Afternoon High Tea Goodies

More Ideas

I wanted to see more sites, but didn’t have as much time to continue exploring on foot. Luckily the red double decker hop-on, hop off bus tour exists. Why take it? It’s reasonably priced, and you can get off at any time. If you do decide to take this tour, you must sit at the top! Aim to do this on a very nice day (although you can still enjoy this tour on the lower level too). It’s a great way to see London especially if you’re strapped for time.

Two black sisters exploring London on the Red Double Decker Bus Tour — Red Double Decker Bus Tour w/my big sis in London!

Keep in mind, this list isn’t conclusive as I only scratched the surface. You can always check out the University of London, Royal Parks, or some of the London Boroughs and exhibition spaces to name a few. Well, that concludes my three day itinerary in London. I hope I helped and inspired you to travel there because I had a blast!

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Pinterest pin on three amazing days in London with a red bus and Big Ben in the background — Three Amazing Days in London Pinterest Pin

Final Thoughts

As always, thank you so much for reading. Please comment below, and subscribe here. I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and the bottom of the screen (mobile) to find me. If you’d like to share, click the icons located at the beginning of the blog post. To book some of the tours and activities discussed on this trip, or to plan your own click here. Email me here if you’d like to collaborate: Lenore@thenittygrittytravelot.com.

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How To Protect Your Blog Legally

How to Legally Set Up Your Blog

Setting up your blog legally is a very important step you should take prior to launching your blog. When I first began blogging, I knew a privacy policy was necessary, but I didn’t truly understand all of the legal jargon. After trying to figure it out on my own, I eventually stumbled across the Legal Bundle by Amira, ASelfGuru.com.

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So What Exactly is the Legal Bundle?

The Legal Bundle consists of three legal pages that must be on your website. The three legal pages are the Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, and Terms and Conditions.

What Do These Legal Pages Mean?

Here’s a brief overview, however; I highly recommend checking out Amira’s website: ASelfGuru.com to have further understanding.

The Privacy Policy page is necessary for your website because it informs the individuals utilizing your website how their personal information is collected and used. This must be properly disclosed!

The Disclaimer page is necessary to comply with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). This page properly informs your users of third-party links, affiliate relationships, any incentives, or rewards received if a purchase is made; while informing the user that your site is for informational and educational uses only, and not PROFESSIONAL advice (See the disclosure at the beginning of this blog post).

The Terms & Conditions page is necessary as it outlines the rules on your website and serves as an agreement between yourself and the individuals visiting your website.

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So Why Purchase?

Aside from the reasons mentioned above, Amira at ASelfGuru.com is actually both a LAWYER and BLOGGER so it’s safe to say, she’s an expert. Also, the legal bundle is comprehensive as it provides the necessary policies for your website, and most importantly; it’s affordable, and super easy to set up too!

If you need any help or have questions, Amira is available to guide you through. Just an FYI if you’re wondering, the policies are also updated continuously to abide by the law.

I’m extremely pleased with my purchase, and can now rest assured that my blog is legally compliant.

So what are you waiting on? Purchase your legal bundle today, I have! 🙂

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Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for reading! Please comment below, and subscribe here. I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and the bottom of the screen (mobile) to find me. If you’d like to share, click the icons located at the beginning of the blog post. New to blogging? You’ll need to start building your email list. Sign up for a free trial here to build up your email list and subscribers. Email me here if you’d like to collaborate: Lenore@thenittygrittytravelot.com.

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How to Plan Your Trip to Aruba

A Little Bit About Aruba

Aruba, also known as: “One Happy Island”, is one of the Caribbean islands located in the South Caribbean and belongs to the Netherlands. The official language spoken in Aruba are Dutch, Papiamento, English, and Spanish, however; Dutch and Papiamento are their primary languages and it’s one of the best places you can travel to. Aruba is one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), and is a relatively small island to explore. The major airport you’ll fly into is the Queen Beatrix International Airport. Now that we know a little more about Aruba, read on for my Aruba itinerary.

An interesting fact about Aruba is that the climate is great to travel to almost any time of the year because it is south of the hurricane belt so no hurricane season. This means perfectly sunny days, gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, with little to no chance of rain. I love to plan ahead so I used this site to help put together my Aruba travel guide. The flight to Aruba itself wasn’t too long clocking in at about 4 hours 45 minutes from NYC. If you’re flying in from the west coast allot for more travel time.

About Aruba Continued…

Things to keep in mind: Aruba is a VERY popular destination. If you can, the best time (and in my opinion the best way) is to try and take your vacation when it isn’t high season. I booked my trip in September which is considered a slower time on the island and the best option for my travel experience. A bonus to going in the off season is a much quieter and peaceful experience. Another bonus is scoring a great deal on both my flight and hotel due to off peak prices.

FYI, Aruba is one of the more expensive islands so prepare well for this. The official currency of the country is the Aruban Florin, but United States (US) currency is widely accepted as well as major credit cards or debit cards on the island of Aruba. In retrospect, it is probably easier to just use U.S. dollars.

Where to Stay in Aruba

There’s a plethora of hotel options to stay at while on the island suitable for anyone’s budget. I stayed at the Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino which is not only a great place, but a great option if you’re looking to be close to the beach. The customer service was impeccable as well as the amenities included and I had a good time.

The room I stayed in had spacious accommodations, a kitchen equipped with a fridge, microwave, and stove if you’d like to prepare your own meals; private balcony, pools, a swim up pool bar, and live entertainment. (Check my Pinterest story on Aruba here). Aruba has plenty of all inclusive resorts, and luxury resorts if you’d prefer to stay in one.

The resort also provides beach towels free of charge; simply sign out one with your name and room number (There is a fee if you lose the towel so be careful). The hotel is centrally located; a quick walk from the hotel would take you to the supermarket as well as within walking distance to other major hotels and restaurants nearby.

Transportation in Aruba

The bus stop to get into town was also close by so public transportation was pretty accessible. The bus system was awesome in Aruba, super clean, ran on time, and it runs late. The island has bus maps with schedules to follow which makes it easy and convenient. Plus at $2.60 one way it’s super cheap. Similar to NYC with the Metrocard, the Aruba bus system has their own version; so purchasing and adding money towards your fare is really easy.

The bus is slower though it travels all over the island. If that doesn’t convince you, local taxis are available on the island as well. Taxis can add up, so why not blend in like a local? In my opinion it makes for a more authentic experience and the easiest way you get to really take in the island.

Whichever route you decide definitely plan your time accordingly! Some days I took the bus, but most days I took a taxi out of convenience. There’s also car rentals available. Here’s one of my travel tips: I became friends with one of my taxi drivers, and he actually became my personal taxi for the remainder of the trip which was really helpful.

Public transportation in Aruba — City Bus in Aruba

Where to Eat in Aruba

Breakfast

Those of you who have followed me for awhile know food is my thing! So naturally I couldn’t wait to sample all of the seafood and yummy noms on the island. For breakfast, I mostly ate at the breakfast buffet located at my hotel called Double Down Sports Bar & Grill (they have a daily buffet breakfast for $12.50).

On days I switched things up, I went to breakfast at Diana’s Pancake Place and Dutch Pancake House; both places specialize in Dutch-style pancakes and Poffertjes (silver dollar pancakes). If you’re in the mood for something familiar, there’s a Dunkin Donuts right on the hotel property.

Lunch|Dinner

For lunch and dinner I tried quite a few different places located either on the property, in town, or included with the excursions. Uncle Tony’s Pizza (located on the property) was one as well as The West Deck (absolutely delicious and one of my favs), Red Fish (also very good for fresh seafood), Driftwood (one of the best restaurants), Arashi Beach Shack, Pelican Nest Seafood Grill (part of the excursion and very good), The Old Fisherman, Moomba Beach, and Big Mama’s Grill (San Nicolas).

Pro tip: During my visit, Aruba restaurant week was ongoing which for some places meant 3 course pre-fixe meals for affordable prices downtown Oranjestad. A good idea is to try to research beforehand to see if it’s going on the time you’ll be there.

Hack for Dinner in Aruba

As promised in my social media sneak preview, the hack for Passions on the Beach is a 3 course pre-fixe meal for 2 for $130 including a bottle of wine. Passions did not participate in restaurant week, however in my opinion this deal cannot be beat. When you factor in the ambiance of the restaurant, a beach side view, live entertainment, and a delicious meal, it’s well worth the price. Keep in mind this deal might not be offered all the time so call ahead to verify.

Honorable mention is Zeerovers. Though I didn’t get a chance to dine there, I was told by a local personally that it’s a place you should definitely check out to taste local food during your Aruba vacation. I can say with all honesty I really enjoyed pretty much every restaurant on the island, salute to the chefs!

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West Deck Restaurant in Aruba for dinner with snapper filet — West Deck Restaurant

The Dutch Pancake House in Aruba with Poffertjes breakfast — West Deck Restaurant

Exploring in Aruba

Most people think of Aruba as a honeymoon location, a cruise ships stop, a place for family vacation, or for older people. However, there is a surge of younger people traveling to the island. In fact, I’ve come across people who love Aruba so much they mentioned it was their 4^th or 5^th time going! I know I will definitely return at some point.

This first visit I went with my mom as our annual trip together and we both had a blast. Aruba offers nightlife options as well, so don’t think you can’t go with your girlfriends or guy friends and not have fun. Check out some of the neighboring hotels, casinos, clubs, or lounges and hit the dance floor! I personally enjoyed South Beach Aruba, and the Hard Rock Cafe which has live entertainment.

A great way to learn about Aruba and its history is to attend the Bon Bini Festival which takes place every Tuesday. It’s very reasonably priced and interactive. Plus you can get authentic cuisine courtesy of the locals. Funny story, I was actually pulled up to dance during the festival. My mom who thought she was recording actually wasn’t so I don’t have it on video lol. If you’re looking for a free way to explore the island catch the Aruba streetcar/trolley (you can hop on and off at any time and it’s a nice slow ride).

Things to Do in Aruba

I love all things water and warm weather, so I took the Sunset Cruise & Seaside Dinner offered through Viator. This cruise offers light refreshments, spectacular ocean views, and a bar on board if you plan to opt out of the dinner. Plus pretty much everyone dances on the ship. I also booked the Aruba Island Tour, this tour picks you up directly from the hotel as long as it’s centrally located. The tour makes stops to the Aloe Vera Factory (which has awesome lotions, soaps, and deodorants to purchase), Casibari Rock Formation, Natural Bridge at Arikok National Park, Alto Vista Chapel, the California Lighthouse, and even some of the residences in the neighborhood.

If you love nature and wildlife, try the Half-Day Animal Sanctuary Tour. This tour takes you to the Aruba Ostrich Farm, Donkey Sanctuary, and Philips Animal Garden where you’ll have the opportunity to support the sanctuaries, feed the animals, and learn about the wildlife. Shopping is also abundant in Aruba; check out Paseo Herencia, Palm Beach Plaza Mall, or Renaissance Mall.

Aruba Continued…

If you aren’t much of a shopping person, you can always go kite surfing, go to a full-service spa, horseback riding, swim in an outdoor pool or natural pool, play water sports, go scuba diving in the Caribbean sea to see the marine life, take a jeep tour, visit the butterfly farm, drive through the entire island, go to Stellaris casino at Aruba Marriott Resort (there’s other casino options too), or visit one of the beautiful beaches and just take in the sun since it’s a tropical climate.

The first time I went to Aruba I did not have enough time to visit Flamingo Beach. If you’d like to go, you can either stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort or purchase a day pass which will take you to Renaissance Island. Although I was not able to do this, I have heard it’s one of the best experiences.

Places to Go in Aruba

Last but definitely not least if you aren’t in a rush, one of the important things I would highly suggest is taking a mini day trip to San Nicolas for the culture and history alone. It’s very easy to get there, it’s about a 45 minute drive. The taxi man I befriended took me there and back.

In addition, San Nicolas also has Baby Beach which is one of the best beaches besides Eagle Beach. What makes Baby Beach special (aside from the breathtaking view), is that the water is so shallow, that you can venture far into the water and still touch the bottom. Of course always exercise caution and be safe. That being said, San Nicolas is worth taking the time out to visit.

Aruba Streetcar Trolley — Streetcar/Trolley

Philips Animal Garden — Streetcar/Trolley

Final Thoughts

Well, that concludes my trip to Aruba. I hope this blog post was helpful and piqued your interest in visiting and has given you peace of mind in planning your next trip. FYI: Aruba is a hot destination, make sure you have a water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect and block out the sun!

Thank you guys so much for reading please comment below, and subscribe here. I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and the bottom of the screen (mobile) to find me. If you’d like to share, click the icons located at the beginning of the blog post. Email me here if you’d like to collaborate: Lenore@thenittygrittytravelot.com.

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Christmas/Birthday Time!

Holidays

Hello everyone, thank you for your continued support and for staying tuned in! December is a very special month for me not only because of Christmas, but also because of my birthday.

That being said, I decided to switch things up in lieu of the holidays from my travel posts to give you a little insight into how I celebrated the holidays now vs. then. What I eat during the holidays, to some of the decorations we’ve put up, and what I’d like in my stocking stuffer. I’ll also mention cool ideas of how to spend your holiday, and some of my birthday looks over the years.

Christmas as an adult vs. Christmas as a child

To be truthful, I have to say that there hasn’t been much of a change in how I spend Christmas now vs. then. I will say that a major difference is no longer waking up to multiple gifts under the tree, and staying up all night to open presents once the day actually arrived.

A tradition that has stood the test of time is definitely Christmas dinner, and putting up the Christmas tree. I really appreciate and love time spent with family.

Noms during the holidays|Decorations

Food is a big production in my family and the holidays are no exception to the rule. Typically during Christmas, we try to switch up the menu and have things that we didn’t already eat at Thanksgiving.

For instance, if we had a whole roasted chicken for Thanksgiving, we’ll have Cornish hens for Christmas. If there were macaroni and cheese for Thanksgiving, Christmas we’ll have lasagna etc. We don’t always abide by these rules, and there are some items that are staples that we MUST have. Oxtail is one of them as well as Escovitch fish.

In regards to decorations during the holidays occasionally we’ll put up Christmas lights, but an absolute must would be the Christmas tree. The type of Christmas tree we’ve had over the years has changed. Sometimes we’ll use a faux one even having an all-white Christmas tree to switch things up. The favorite amongst everyone though, would be a real Christmas tree; It just smells and looks better.

Stocking Stuffers

I’m pretty simple with gifts I like to receive and give during Christmas and my birthday. I consider myself a practical person, so I like gifts that I can use in some way. In this day and age digital photos are all the rage, but I still like the look and feel of actual pictures. My friends know I’m big on taking pictures not because I’m vain, but because I like to have memories. I’ve been a picture junkie since forever, and like to keep photo albums. Some of the old school photos of myself and my friends would make us cringe at the fashions (or lack thereof lol), but it brings us back to a much simpler time in life. If you’re wondering what to buy someone who also likes to print their pictures, here’s an idea and here’s one more.

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What to do during the holidays

I switch my location a lot, but I primarily try to spend the holidays in NYC. NYC has a plethora of options when it comes down to things to do. You’d be living under a rock if you didn’t know about Rockefeller Center and the Christmas tree. I’ve gone to the see the tree many times as a child, and since I used to work in the city, I would pass the tree all the time.

A great thing to do besides visit the tree, is go ice skating in Bryant Park. More info here. My friends and I went together and we had a lot of fun. After skating, I just have to have a waffle from the Wafels and Dinges truck/kiosk. You do not want to miss trying one of these scrumptious morsels! My personal favorite is the regular waffle with the rich and decadent Spekuloos and powdered sugar topping.

If skating isn’t your thing and you’re into history, NYC brings out the old school trains they used back in the day. It’s called the Holiday Nostalgia ride where vintage train cars are temporarily back in service. It’s the same cost to ride a regular train, but you do have to catch it at a specific time. All the deets here.

Birthday Looks|Fun!

My birthday falls right in the middle of the holiday season immediately after Christmas, with the official start of Kwanzaa first, and then New Year’s Eve and Day following right after. Did you figure out what day it is? ☺ let me know in the comments.

I tend to make my birthday celebration a big deal, I mean why not? It’s a day where you can splurge and pamper yourself (although you can honestly do this whenever).

That being said, some of the things I like and have done in the past was to see a Broadway show, take a helicopter plane ride, have dinner with friends and family, or even something low-key like hit up a spa. The possibilities and ideas are endless, and I’m always looking to do things that I’ve never done before. Check out some of my birthday looks below, comment, and let me know which one was your favorite.

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Final Thoughts

Thank you guys so much for reading. Please comment below, and subscribe here. I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and the bottom of the blog post (mobile) to find me. Please share, and click the icons located at the beginning of the blog post. Email me here if you’d like to collaborate: Lenore@thenittygrittytravelot.com.

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Choosing a Travel Location

Blog 1.1. Choosing a Travel Location

Traveling Within the U.S.

Choosing a travel location can be difficult. So you’re probably wondering, how do I go about choosing the locations I travel to? Well for me, that is probably the most fun aspect about traveling. In regards to how I chose the locations I decided to work in, it was rather simple; could I see myself possibly living and settling down in this location? If the answer was yes, then I applied for licensure, if it was no, well, you get it.

Just an FYI, another perk about traveling, is the possibility that I may be able to travel to a country close by. An example of this is when I was still a student in Buffalo, NY. Canada is within driving distance to Buffalo, so I decided to take a weekend trip with friends and family to explore Toronto. For pictures from some of my travels, click the link here.

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Traveling Abroad

Now choosing a location to travel to abroad is often a harder decision. Why? Because there are so many places I’d love to see! So to help narrow the endless list of countries/continents I’d like to explore; I look at cost (e.g.; are there any good deals, is it cheaper to travel a certain time of year etc.), is the country safe, which activities do I want to try while I’m there (e.g.; shopping, guided tours, visit family), what climate am I seeking, what am I hoping to learn while visiting vs. what I already know?

Most importantly, I think about how to maximize my experience in that particular country doing things that I personally enjoy and trying to experience things that I cannot do in the US. Where do you think I should head next for work and fun? Feel free to leave a comment below, and subscribe here.

Thank you all so much for your continued support, please share using the icons at the top of the blog post. I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and bottom of the blog post (mobile), to find me. Email me here if you’d like to collaborate: Lenore@thenittygrittytravelot.com.