Sweet Divergence

Fairmont Fairytale

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 18:54:00 +0000

While we were in Canada we were fortunate enough to be able to experience three different Fairmont Hotels. The Fairmont at Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and the Fairmont Palliser Calgary. The Fairmont has quickly become one of my favorite hotel groups, and here's why!

The Fairmont at Banff Springs

If you've ever seen pictures of The Fairmont at Banff Springs then you know it looks like a fairytale dream, and I can tell you that it lives up to the hype!

Not only are the views from the hotel spectacular, but over Christmas there were fun, festive activities every day at the castle. From ice-skating, making s'mores around an open fire, to gingerbread house workshops. They also pay a lot of attention to small details, which I think really makes the whole experience magical. In our room was a small decorated Christmas tree, we often found little treats and champagne in our room upon returning after spending the day exploring, and on Christmas morning there were stockings full of gingerbread men, chocolates and other treats waiting for us at the door!

If you feel like being pampered, I'd recommend a dip in the outdoor pool, where you can swim, enveloped by warmth, as snow falls all around you. There is also the renowned Willow Stream Spa on site with a fantastic gym, another pool indoors, a sauna, massage, facials, and just about any pampering service you can dream up.

If food is more your thing, you need never leave the hotel. The Fairmont at Banff Springs has more restaurants, lounges, cheese and wine bars, and sushi than you could poke a stick at. My favorites were the Bow Valley Grill, Waldhouse Pub, Grapes Wine Bar, and the Rundle Lounge (they have great live music in the evenings).

One of my favorite meal experiences though was just having breakfast in our room each morning. We got to sit and look out at the amazing view, while enjoying fresh croissants, fruit, eggs, and of course, Canadian bacon. Plus, I have to mention that their chai is the best I've tasted....anywhere, world wide.

The view from our room!

The Waldhouse Pub is just down some stairs at the back of the Fairmont, and has a more formal upstairs dining room, or sports-bar style area downstairs.

On Christmas day we booked ourselves into both the brunch buffet and one of the Christmas dinners, complete with Sinatra-style live music. I've never eaten so much, the food was just fantastic, and incredibly diverse. If you can swing it, I recommend breakfasting in the Conservatory. Check out those views!

The brunch buffet had everything you could imagine, including a s'mores chef who would whip you up a gooey, chocolatey treat. Did I have one with my breakfast? Of course!

If you do start to get cabin fever, there is no shortage of fun activities within a short drive of the hotel. Check out some of my favorites:

- Dog Sledding through Banff National Park
- The Banff Hot Springs
- Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain
- Helicopter Flight over Banff National Park
- Strolling along the streets of Banff Town itself

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Nestled on the shore of Lake Louse, the Fairmont Chateau feels much more European than North American, and you'll expect to hear a wider variety of accents among the guests than at the Fairmont Banff Springs (which appears to be frequented by Australians more than any other group).

Like it's Banff Springs neighbor, the Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise has more than enough activities to keep you busy. They have a rental shop inside the hotel, where you can get ice-skates, snow shoes, skiis, and sleds and take yourself on your own adventure, or go on one of their guided mountain adventure programs.

Lake Louise has been voted one of the world's most picturesque places to ice-skate, and I have to admit that it's hard to pay attention to your feet, when there are spectacular mountains rising up all around you. Not to mention that the hotel builds an ice-castle on the rink, and also has an ice-bar where you can rest in between skating sessions!

Fairmont Palliser Calgary

We only stayed in the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary for one night, and while it is more of a typical city hotels than the castle-style hotels at Banff Springs or Lake Louise, the quality and service was on par.

The Palliser is also located directly next door to the Calgary Tower, which is great for first time visitors to Calgary to get their bearings and check out the city from above.

We certainly had some fun with the glass floor!

Calgary certainly isn't my favorite Canadian city, but we had to stop there on your way to Banff National Park. While I'll admit we were only there for a short time, it felt dirty and industrial, with half-finished construction everywhere, closed off footpaths, potholed streets etc. The downtown area didn't seem like it had that much going on either. We saw plenty of drug deals and pan-handling, but not much in the way of culture, museums, good food etc.

I'm happy to be corrected though, if you know of some great Calgary gems, in case we ever find ourselves back there.

Travel Bucket List

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 05:30:00 +0000

Well, it's officially the 'new year', and I (like a billion other people) am squarely in reflective mode. 2014 was such an incredible year. I married my best friend, was fortunate enough to travel to some breathtaking, incredible places, and moved to Colorado (which I'm completely in love with).

Here's a six-second Vine snapshot of our year! You can see more pics and adventures at www.instagram.com/SweetDivergence

So it's going to be pretty tough to top last year, and make 2015 even better, but I'm sure going to try!

Have you ever made a bucket list...just for travel? My husband and I are making one now. Actually I think it is more likely to turn into two bucket lists, one that can be achieved in 2015, and one that might take us a little longer to complete.

So far we've added:

- River cruise through Europe
- Patagonia, Chile
- Vancouver, Canada
- Iceland
- Road Trip from Seattle to Big Sur (south of San Francisco)
- Overnight train anywhere
- Japan
- Explore more of France (specifically Saint-Emilion, Riquewihr, and Colmar)
- Czec Republic
- Poland
- Croatia
- Austria
- Grand Canyon
- See more of Switzerland (specifically Gruyeres, Montreux, Jungfrau Region, and Interlaken)
- Galapagos Islands
- Bruges, Belgium
- See more of Spain (specifically Ronda, and Seville).
- More of Germany (specifically Berlin, Cochem, and Konstanz)
- I'd like to take my husband to Italy because he's never been (Lake Como, Venice, Rome, Cinque Terra)

- Then there are the national parks here in the United States!

- Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
- Redwood National Park, California
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
- Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Yellowstone National Park, Wymoming

Now we just have to work out what we can fit into this year, and what will have to wait until next year.

Do you have anywhere else you think we should add to our list? I always love hearing other people's travel stories and about places they loved, hated, and were surprised by! Leave me a comment below!

And if you're interested in winning prizes for topping your 2014, check out the contest that LifeProof is running at the moment. Super easy to enter, and there are some cool prizes up for grabs! Details here.

Keep in touch, sign up to get SweetDivergence tips and adventures straight to your inbox!

Helicopter Flight over Banff National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 02:56:00 +0000

As a Christmas gift to ourselves we took a helicopter flight over the Canadian Rockies, in Banff National Park, Alberta Canada.

I can't begin to describe how breathtakingly beautiful it was, the photos and videos really don't do it justice....but take a look anyway. ;)

Watch the video in particular. There were times when we were heading straight for a mountain or glacier, only to squeeze between two peaks at the last minute. It was incredible!

If you're in the Banff / Canmore area I would definitely recommend Alpine Helicopter Tours. Our pilot even told us they have a private tour which includes a stop at a remote ski-lodge for hot-chocolate before flying back to base.

Prices start at $119 per person for the shorter flights and run through to $800+ for bigger tours. The tour we were taken on was the Assiniboine Glacier Tour, which didn't disappoint, and is usually priced at $279 per person for a 30-minute flight. They can also put together private packages on request, and will even fly you into some beautiful and remote areas for your wedding (wish I'd known about that a few months ago)!

Ice-Skating on Lake Louise

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 05:13:00 +0000

One of the items on my LifeProof Winter Bucket List was to go ice-skating on a frozen lake. I've only ever ice-skated on indoor rinks, and being from Australia where winter sports barely exist, I've only skated a handful of times in my life!

So on Christmas Day we went on a mini road trip from Banff to Lake Louise, in Alberta Canada. We were staying in the Fairmont at Banff Springs (also known as 'The Castle') so we were keen to check out their sister hotel the Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise.

Not only did the lake have an incredible backdrop of mountains, snow, and fog for us to admire while we skated, but the hotel had built a little ice castle on the rink!

And what would a castle be without a throne? Made of ice, of course!

The Fairmont had also set up a cocktail bar, with walls made from snow and ice, and a 'Maple Bar' near the rink and were serving all sorts of maple and Christmas-inspired treats!

Check out the video, and try not to laugh at me as I attempt to stay upright!

We rounded out our Christmas Day with a special dinner at the Fairmont back in Banff Springs, and it couldn't have been more perfect. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend time with friends and family!

Thank you to LifeProof, not only for keeping my phone protected against snow, water, and drops, but for encouraging me to brave the winter weather and get out there and try some new things!

Tips

- Get there early if you need to rent skates. The most popular sizes run out quickly.
- The rental store, inside the Fairmont, also has skis, sleds, and snow shoes available so make a day of it!
- Wear thermals and don't forget your hat/gloves/scarf! It can get windy out on Lake Louise!
When we went it was -9 degrees (Celsius) in the middle of the day, not including wind chill!

Stay tuned for my review of the Fairmont at Banff Springs!

Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 06:49:00 +0000

On a whim we decided to take the gondola up to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. It is only a five minute drive from our hotel so we thought we would squeeze in a quick visit between other activities.

As we arrived at the base of the mountain, we looked up....and up...and up. The tops of the mountains disappeared into the clouds, but the sun shone through, making the snow twinkle all around us. It's hard not to feel humbled in the midst of such beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery!

The base of the Banff Gondola has a cute souvenir shop, and the highest altitude Starbucks in Canada. Each gondola car seats four, and only takes eight minutes to reach the top.

Not having done any research ahead of time we really didn't know what to expect, so our surprise was magnified when we reached the top of the mountain, and walked outside to discover views like this!

You can walk from the gondola station along a wooden walkway to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station on the next peak. It has a fascinating history, which you can read more about on the Parks Canada website.

Visiting on Christmas Day was pretty magical, with the snow-covered trees and glittering mountain tops. I can't remember ever seeing a more beautiful view!

From one side of the mountain we could even see our hotel, the Fairmont at Banff Springs (which I'll be writing a blog post about soon)!

There is something really special about standing above the clouds looking down. Really takes your breath away (and not just because of the high altitude)!

And just because I still can't get over the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, here are a few more pics...in hopes they will inspire you to visit one day!

We veered off the wooden walkway near the Cosmic Ray Station to do a little exploring down the side of the mountain. The views were worth the few slippery and scary moments we had along the edge further down.

Our 'quick visit' turned into several hours, as we explored the view from every possible angle. Check out the video below to get a better idea of just how incredible the view was!

Tips
It's very, very cold up there this time of year, and extremely windy. So wear a decent scarf, jacket, hat, gloves, and glasses. We saw so many miserable people who were completely under-dressed!

Go in the morning. As we were leaving, mid afternoon all the tour buses started arriving. There were no lines when we arrived before lunch and at times we had the mountain top to ourselves, but it got increasingly busier as the day progressed.

Let me know if you have any questions about my Banff adventures, and I'll do my best to answer them! And of course, you can see more photos over on Instagram: @SweetDivergnece

Dog Sledding in Banff Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 06:18:00 +0000

For Christmas this year we decided to go somewhere we'd never been before, Banff in Canada!

For years I had seen photos of the Fairmont at Banff Springs, and dreamed of spending 'Christmas at the Castle', so it was time to make that dream a reality!

If you've been following along on Instagram you'll know that I'm participating in the LifeProof Winter Bucket List Contest. My list is made up entirely of things I've never done before:

- Go snow shoeing
- Dog Sledding
- Ice-skate on a frozen pond
- Stay in an isolated cabin in the woods
- Spend Christmas at Banff Springs in Canada
- Go snow hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

I'm excited to tell you that today I got to check Dog Sledding off my list! It was such an amazing experience, and they took us through such a beautiful area (Banff National Park). Our puppies were adorable, and so well behaved.

Check out the short video of our dog sledding adventure. And don't worry about all the barking, they were really anxious to get going, and they had so much fun along the way!

If you're in the area and you'd like to try dog sledding for yourself, I would recommend Snowy Owl Tours, they are the only ones allowed to sled through Banff National Park.

They picked us up from the hotel and drove us through Canmore to the starting point in Banff National Park. They taught us about the dogs, and how to drive the sleds ourselves (that's right, we mushed ourselves!), and at the end there was hot apple cider and brownies around the campfire, overlooking mountains and frozen lakes. Perfect.

What to take with you:

- Thermals (it's all about layering up)
- Good, waterproof snow boots
(if you're mushing, you will be running alongside in the snow when you go up hills - so be prepared)
- Warm winter coat
- Heavy-duty waterproof, windproof gloves
(our North Face gloves didn't cut it for those temperatures and the wind, so our hands went
completely numb and are only just thawing out as I type this)
- Scarf or neck cowl you can pull up over your mouth and nose (Mine is from the Minty Antler on Etsy)
- Warm hat
- LifeProof (water and snow proof) case for your phone
(I saw two separate people drop their phones and get snow inside their headphone and charg port holes!)

I'd love to hear about your winter adventures. What are you planning for Christmas and the New Year?

Rocky Mountain National Park in the Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 05:14:00 +0000

We moved to Colorado a few months ago, but haven't really done very much exploring yet. To be fair, we've been working long hours, getting settled after the move, and planning a wedding. But now it's time to explore this beautiful state!

Last weekend we drove up to Estes Park, and then on to the Rocky Mountain National Park for an instameet at Bear Lake, as part of the 10th World Wide Instameet.

If you've never been to the Rocky Mountain National Park it's time to add it to your bucket list! Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but the air smells fresher than anywhere I've ever been, and it's full of amazing wildlife. I've seen black bears, elk, squirrels, deer, and some very friendly chipmunks.

The Park also has 60 mountain peaks that are over 12,000 feet high, over 350 miles of fantastic hiking trails, glaciers, stunning lakes, and waterfalls!

Just after sunrise, I drove along the first part of Trail Ridge Road, which gets as high as 12,000 feet in places (the highest continuous paved road in America) and crosses the Continental Divide. The road has some pretty amazing lookout spots, here are just a few of the photos I took up there (using my iPhone in a LifeProof case of course).

It's particularly beautiful this time of year because the leaves are changing colors, and the air is crisp. Be sure to rug up though, it can get really windy up on some of the higher peaks!

Mid morning I started the drive to Bear Lake for the instameet. It can be a challenge to keep your eyes on the road when spectacular mountains greet you around every corner. But make sure you're on the lookout for Elk at this time of year. They come down to the areas surrounding Estes Park in early fall, and can often be seen wandering right through town!

Bear Lake is a very easy walk all the way around, and is certainly picturesque. But my new favorite is Nymph Lake, a half mile further up the trail. The hike is fairly steep the whole way, but the path is clear and easy to navigate.

Nymph Lake is a lot smaller than Bear Lake, but has beautiful clear water, and is full of lily pads. You can also see Hallet Peak and Longs Peak from the north shore.

We stopped here for a quick picnic lunch, and to play with some friendly chipmunks before walking further, to reach the rocky overlook above the lake.

For someone who is not used to high altitudes (and has moderate asthma) the uphill climb left me a little short of breath...or maybe that was just the view?

Check out my short video wrap up of our mini adventure, and stay tuned for more posts as we explore further into the Park!

Equipment I took with me:

- Map of the park (cell phone reception is spotty and Siri doesn't actually know where Bear Lake is)
- Comfortable backpack
- Water bottle
- Picnic lunch
- Sturdy hiking boots (Lowa are my favorite brand)
- Long pants and comfortable long-sleeved shirt (to avoid sunburn and bug bites)
- Waterproof jacket (it's common for storms to roll in later in the day)
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen
- Small first aid kit (I added Band-Aid friction block to prevent blisters - best invention ever)
- Bear mace (because you just never know)
- Swiss army knife
- Phone and LifeProof case (protection for drops or falling into the lake while trying to get the perfect shot)

My favorite resource for finding hiking trails is AllTrails.com, which comes in desktop or app form. It even lets you search by difficulty or feature. So if you want to find trails with waterfalls, caves, or hot springs you're in luck!

If you'd like to support our beautiful National Parks with a one-time, or regular donation click here. Membership makes a nice gift for the holidays too! And considering it costs $20 per visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park you may as well buy the yearly membership for $40.

I'd love to know if you have a favorite national park, and if so which one!

California Roadtrip

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 04:39:00 +0000

Last week I flew into Los Angeles and drove down the coast to San Diego. Along the way I stopped at a few different places, including Santa Monica Pier, Huntington Beach, and Rancho Santa Fe.

I stayed at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe for a few nights before flying out. It's a beautiful spot, the food is great, and it's perfect for a relaxing long weekend! They have a gorgeous little pool with cabanas, a croquet lawn, cottages, and outside fire pits perfect for sipping cocktails next to.

Here's a quick wrap up of my road-trip highlights.

It was so much fun that I think I'll start up at San Francisco next time! So if you have any suggestions for things to see and do along the way, let me know!

Estes Park

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 03:33:00 +0000

Last weekend my fiancé and I went on a mini adventure to Estes Park in Colorado. It's hard to describe just how beautiful this place is. It's lush and green with all the spring rains we've been having here, but there are parts that are still covered in snow and ice. And those mountains!

Our first stop was The Stanley Hotel, where Stephen King dreamt up The Shining. We had morning tea and looked around. It's a beautiful historic hotel, I definitely recommend a visit. And if you're really lucky you might even see Jack wandering around with his axe! (Seriously).

Next stop on our mini adventure was Bear Lake. I'd only seen it in photos and was dying to check it out for myself.

On the way we saw some elk by a river along the side of the road, so we crept up to take a few photos. (Check out the little video below). You'll certainly see plenty of wildlife in Estes Park, elk, deer, chipmunks, etc.

When we finally got to Bear Lake we were surprised to find it still mostly frozen over! It's a stunningly beautiful place, with the mountains rising in the background. My photos don't do it justice.

You can walk the whole way around the lake, although be warned that there is a lot of banked up snow and ice at this time of year still, and you'll want sturdy hiking boots!

All the snow on the ground didn't bode well for me, I got smacked by several icy snowballs when I was least suspecting. ;)

The chipmunks in Estes Park are a friendly bunch, they kept popping out from between tress and rocks to pose for our photos, and eat peanuts out of our hands!

After Bear Lake we stopped and had a picnic lunch by a gorgeous stream, just as the sun came out from behind the clouds.

Then we drove back to town and rode the Aerial Tram up to the top of Prospect Mountain, which has some of the most spectacular views in the Park. There are more friendly chipmunks up the top, and you can buy peanuts for a dollar to give them a little treat.

Can you spot the chipmunks? They're in almost every photo. ;)

It was one of the most fun days we've had in a long time. Estes Park is a truly beautiful place, and I can't wait to get back up there as soon as possible!

Do you have a favorite mountain getaway?

Ninth Worldwide Instameet

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 18 May 2014 18:58:00 +0000

On Saturday May 17, 2014 we participated in the ninth Worldwide Instameet. It's where Instagrammers from all over the world get together, meet new people, take photos, and share their love of Instagram.

I organized a little meet-up in Fort Collins, Colorado. There was a threat of rain and thunderstorms, but the group still turned up to climb around on the rocks and appreciate the sunset of Horsetooth Reservoir.

Here's a stream of photos from the crew:

SXSW 2014 and the Hope Outdoor Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 04:09:00 +0000

This year was the first time I've actually made it out to SXSW. If you haven't heard of it before it is a huge interactive, film, and music festival held in Austin, Texas.

My main reason for going was to attend the interactive and digital media sessions, but I stayed on afterwards to help launch a new product (more about that later) and to soak up the general awesomeness that is Austin.

Hands down, the best thing I discovered was the Hope Outdoor Gallery, a huge graffiti / street art project run by SpraTX. Words can't describe how incredibly cool this place is, so check out the video and photos below. It is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Austin!

While I was in town, a friend who lives in Houston flew his helicopter in for a visit. We went on a rainy-day adventure along the Colorado River and out to Lake Travis, where we landed on a tiny island in the middle of the lake (yep, having a helicopter is pretty awesome). Here are a couple pics from our excursion.

If you'd like to check out more of my friend's flying antics, check out his Instagram feed: www.instagram.com/theodorerobertwrightiii

And last, but not least, here are a couple of pics from my time in Austin and at SXSW itself. It's a pretty cool city, with a lot of live music, great food, and art. Austin is also making a name for itself as being a hub for start-ups and entrepreneurs, which makes for a very cool vibe.

How to film a time lapse on your phone

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 23:45:00 +0000

I get a lot of questions about how I create all of my time lapse videos. It's really very easy and I do it all on my phone! So today I posted a guest tutorial on the LifeProof blog. Go check it out, or read some of the post here:

---------------------------------

Last weekend I went along to a local Instameet down at Imperial Beach in San Diego and thought I’d test out my new iPhone 5s fre case and get some time lapse video in the wet, sandy conditions.

Here are a few highlights from the video I captured:

And here's another I recently made at the Denver International Airport:

If you’d like to create a time lapse of your own, here’s what you’ll need:

LifeProof Case

Your LifeProof case will protect your device from drops, bumps, splinters, bruises, or skinned knees if it is knocked over while you are filming. It will also keep out any dirt, sand, mud, water, ice-cream or other mucky stuff, which means you can get creative with your location!

Time lapse Apps

What’s time lapse? It is a series of photos, taken at regular intervals, and then strung together to give you a video that speeds up a period of time when played back. Using time lapse you could fit an entire day into just a few minutes! There are lots of great time lapse apps available for both iOS and Android. My personal favorites are TimeLapse for iOS and Lapse It, which is available for iOS and Android. Each of them lets you play around with the settings to get the effect you want. You can choose the number of photos, the intervals they are taken at, make the video faster or slower, and add your favorite tunes!

Tripod

A good steady surface is essential or the time lapse effect won’t be as effective. I really like the iStabilizer mini tripod which has a mount specifically designed to hold a smartphone. The mount can even be unscrewed and used with a full-size camera tripod. The legs on the iStabilizer tripod are also flexible and grippy, so you can use it just about anywhere!

Location, location, location!

The final thing you need is a location for your time lapse. For the best result try to find a place with some stationary items, such as buildings, trees, mountains etc. and with some movement over time (think clouds, cars, crowds of people, the sun or moon etc).

If you have any questions about making your own LifeProof time lapse leave a comment below! And I'd love to see your time lapse adventures on social media! Tag them #LifeProofTimeLapse on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or Google+!

A Paris Proposal

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 00:48:00 +0000

Last month, my boyfriend whisked me away to Paris on a surprise trip, and proposed! Here's how it went down...

I was on a work trip right before Thanksgiving last year, when the boy surprised me by showing up at my hotel with two plane tickets to Paris. The only problem was that I didn't have my passport! So while I was at work the next day, he drove back to Denver, got the first flight to San Diego, searched through the house for my passport, and made it back to the airport in time to get the last flight back to Denver, then driving for an hour through the snow to get to where I was!

The next day (Thanksgiving) we headed back to Denver to fly to Paris for five days. Let me tell you, no-one actually flys on Thanksgiving Day so we had the plane almost to ourselves! We did have to eat McDonalds in the airport for Thanksgiving dinner, but we more than made up for that meal with all the amazing food we ate in Paris.

We arrived, and were taken to our hotel, which was only a block away from Trocodero Square, with our room looking straight through to the Eiffel Tower!

We spent the next two days exploring Paris, the museums, walking along the Seine, shopping, eating, and eating some more.

Then on the evening of December first we went all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I was too busy taking photos and looking at everything, to notice whether he was nervous or acting strangely.

It was freezing up there, so he pulled me close to keep me warm, and proposed. I could only tell you about half of what he said, I think excitement took over and made things a bit fuzzy. But I said yes.

So, now we are embarking on the journey of planning our internatinoal wedding. You see, we have family and friends all over Australia, all over the USA, and we are also completely in love with France. So just picking the destination is proving to be difficult!

If you'd like to follow along as we plan our big day, check out Our International Wedding Blog or find us on Instagram or Twitter!

Farewell 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 23:23:00 +0000

It's been a big year, full of adventure and far-away lands. I've travelled to places I've never been before, like Martha's Vineyard and Spain, and back to old favorites...Paris, New York, Chicago and many more.

I've lived abroad in the USA, changed jobs, got engaged, and so many other things along the way!

So here's a 15-second glance back at 2013 before we look forward to the New Year and all the possibility it holds. I hope that your 2014 is truly amazing!

Changing Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 05:59:00 +0000

I've been traveling to Fort Collins in Colorado a lot this year, and I always stay at the same place (often in the same room) at the Hilton.

Unlike Southern California, where I live right now, Colorado really shows off the changing seasons in all their glory. Without intentionally doing so, I've captured the seasons in the view from my hotel room and thought I would put them all together for you to see the progression.

I've visited in 100 degree heat, when half of Colorado was underwater with floods, in fog, rain, and I'll be sure to add more pictures of the snow once it settles in properly for the winter.

I hope you enjoy them!

Brooklyn Adventures

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 21:15:00 +0000

If you've been to New York City, but never left Manhattan then you are really missing out. Exploring New York's boroughs is the best way to see the non-touristy side of the city and uncover hidden gems which will make you never want to leave!

So jump on the F Train and let's go!

My uncle, aunt and cousin had a four-storey brownstone in Brooklyn for my entire childhood, and we spent a lot of time there when we visited America, from Australia. They had a garden, that's right a garden in New York! Sure it was about the size of my current bedroom, but it was a green space filled with plants, bugs for my cousin and I to collect, and a swing set! I remember running outside to try and catch the first snowflakes on my tongue at Christmas time, and trips down to Terrace Bagels for the best bagels you'll find...and I do mean anywhere in the world. Had my family not moved to upstate New York I'm sure I would have moved in with them the second I finished school in Australia (whether they asked me to or not)!

So needless to say I have a real soft spot for Brooklyn. I'm a little torn about it's relatively new hipsterfication because it means prices have increased and I'm not sure I'm cool enough to blend in there now. But on the plus side, there is even more fantastic food, more art galleries and cool museums than you could poke a stick at, and some pretty fantastic boutique shopping.

One of my favorite places to visit is the Brooklyn Art Library. Each year they do a project called the Sketchbook Project where artists from around the world fill a sketchbook and send it to live in the Brooklyn Art Library. You can check out people's sketchbooks like any regular library and browse through all the wonderful artwork. And if you'd like to peek inside some of the sketchbooks I have submitted over the years, head over to: blog.brownpaperbunny.com

Around the Art Library you'll find loads of cute shops and great restaurants too, so spend some time wandering around.

Then, if you're in the mood for some grungy, old-world amusement make your way down to Coney Island. It received some damage during Hurricane Sandy but seems to be back up and running now. So walk along the boardwalk, try your hand at some games, or stop to see the mermaid in freak alley.

Recently I decided to visit Coney island for the first time, and jumped on the train only to meet a young Puerto Rican couple who were taking their very large boa-constrictor and diamond python down to make some money selling photos to tourists. We got talking about all the poisonous snakes in Australia and I ended up spending the day with them, carrying one of their snakes as we walked up and down the boardwalk. I find that I often have more adventures when I travel by myself because I am forced out of my comfort zone and don't have a friendly side-kick or travel partner to rely on. If you've never traveled by yourself I definitely recommend it, even if you just play tourist in your own town. You might learn some things about yourself.

Before heading back to Manhattan, make sure you stop to eat some ice-cream at the Brooklyn Ice-Cream Factory and walk through the parks along the river and take in the beautiful views of the city.

Then, ditch the subway and walk back to Manhattan over my favorite bridge in the world, the Brooklyn Bridge. It has such a rich history (read more here) and offers beautiful views of the city.

In this photo you can just make out the Statue of Liberty on the left-hand side.

View of the Manhattan bridge and the Empire State Building from the Brooklyn Bridge.

So, if you're heading to New York before the weather starts to cool down why not do some exploring through Brooklyn, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Check out Instagram for more photos: www.instagram.com/sweetdivergence

America's best kept secret - Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 04:38:00 +0000

Yep, that's right, I believe that Chicago is actually one of America's best kept secrets. Everyone goes on and on about New York, Vegas, or Hollywood, but I've never heard anyone gush about Chicago. So unless you've been there, you have no idea what you are missing.

I've been to Chi town three times now, twice in summer and once in the winter, and let me tell you, I love that place no matter the weather! I was recently in town for a conference, and my short stay was enough to renew my love.

The first time I visited was actually against the advice of my Australian travel agent, who told me "oh there isn't much to do there, if you do go you really won't need more than a day or two". I don't know if she visited Chicago with her eyes shut, but frankly she was a moron and I'm glad I didn't heed her warning. So off I went to Chicago, knowing very little about the place.

From the moment I set foot on the Magnificent Mile I was in love. I have always been an avid admirer of architecture, and until that point the New York skyline had a firm grip on my heart. So don't tell The Big Apple, but she's now number two. Chicago is visually stunning, and I mean really, really gorgeous.

On my first trip I made sure to do a few tours and try to learn as much as I could about this new found treasure. An architectural boat cruise is an absolute must. You see things from the water that you just can't appreciate from the street. I'd also recommend a Second City walking tour.

Millenium Park is also a must-see. There is always so much going on, especially in summer. From food and people dancing, to public art, and even free concerts!

I also visited as many of Chicago's outstanding museums as I could fit in, and I recommend them all! The Art Institute of Chicago has one of the most beautiful collections I've seen in my travels, and the Museum of Science and Industry is interactive and fun for the young and young at heart, if you know what I mean.

If you visit in the summer, treat yourself to dinner and fireworks out on Navy Pier on either Wednesday or Saturday, and definitely take in the lights of the city from the ferris wheel.

Chicago also has some of the best food I've had in America, and I'm not just talking about the famous deep-dish pizza. It seems to me that unlike a lot of other places in the US Chicago is filled to bursting with independent, affordable, and simply incredible restaurants, rather than nation-wide chains.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay, I can recommend the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, make sure to ask for a river view!

I really can't express how great I think Chicago is, so you're just going to have to see if for yourself. The art, culture, events, architecture, food, and copious activities all make it my new favorite city in the USA. If you'd like to see more photos, check out my Instagram account: @SweetDivergence

I'd love to hear from you in the comment section. Have you been to Chicago, do you share my opinion that it is amazing beyond description...or do you think I should shut my mouth and stop telling so many people to visit? ;)

Beat the heat in New York City

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 07:25:00 +0000

New York City is one of my favorite places on the planet. It is busy, there are a lot of tourists, but it is such an incredible place, full of art, food, music, stories, and opportunity.

And New York in the summertime? It is hot, steamy, and well worth a visit!

I couldn't possibly fit even 1/1000th of the incredible stuff there is to do into just one blog post, so I'm going to break it up and do a series of posts, highlighting a few of my favorite moments in The Big Apple.

So, first up, when it's really hot I like to seek shade in New York's beautiful parks. Central Park, being the biggest and most well known, has so much going on in summer. There are games, live music, sunbathers, dance classes, theatre performances and so much more!

This is the view from Belvedere Castle (built in 1869), I recommend climbing to the very top!

Rent a boat and take a romantic paddle around the Central Park lake, or have afternoon tea at the famous Loeb Boat House. Stroll the cool, tree-lined avenues, stopping in at the MET or Museum of Natural History (which is fun for kids big or small) along the way.

Or, grab a hotdog from a street vendor, and take in a baseball game. Or simply sit and people watch, you won't be bored, I promise.

One of my other favorite green spaces in New York City is Bryant Park behind the New York Public Library, apparently it's also one of Elmo's favorites as well. ;)

Bryant Park is such an oasis of calm amongst the skyscrapers. You can enjoy lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants, grab a snack from a street vendor and sit in the sun, ride the carrousel play a round of petanque, and afterwards wander through the beautiful library.

They also have the Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, so pack yourself a picnic dinner and get there early for a good seat!

If you find yourself in the Village, Washington Square Park is a must. In the summer time it is full of live music, street performances, sunbathers, and is surrounded by some great places to eat.

Here's a little video view of the park:

And here's a taste of Colin Huggins 'The Crazy Piano Guy' playing piano in the park:

Just a short walk from Washington Square Park is a french patisserie called Mille-Feuille. They have the most amazing macaroons, croissants fresh from the oven, and pastries this side of France, I highly recommend a visit....or seven!

Another small, but not to be overlooked, park space is the New York High Line. The High Line was transformed into a mile-long park from the old, elevated, West Side rail line.

The High Line offers interesting views of the Meatpacking District, both looking up and down, as you walk along the old tracks.

And last, but certainly not least, head down to the Financial District and spend some time relaxing along the New York Harbor in Battery Park. There are lovely views of the Statue of Liberty, you can watch the yachts sailing, or visit the Skyscraper Museum.

And this is going to sound strange, but be on the lookout for Zelda the wild turkey that lives down there in the park, I see her every time I visit.

While you are down that way, you could always jump on the Staten Island Ferry and take a trip across the harbor, past the Lady of Liberty. It's free too!

Next post I'll share a few more of my favorite New York moments with you, but for now, here's a quick time-lapse video including Grand Central Station and Bryant Park.

Celebrating the start of summer in Martha's Vineyard

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 06:30:00 +0000

We kicked off the official start of summer and the longest day of the year in Martha's Vineyard, a little island south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, accessible by plane or boat. We only spent a couple of days there, but I completely fell in love with the place.

While we were there they were having the summer Strawberry Festival, we went to the Farmer's Markets, visited the Gay Head Cliffs and Light House, and spent time strolling through the shops and wonderful restaurants of Edgartown.

Martha's Vineyard has such an interesting and rich history, from the relationships between Native American tribes on the island, the development of a unique sign language due to a high percentage of hereditary deafness, to the tragic connection with the Kennedys. Year-round residency on the island is pretty low at 16,535 but in the summer Martha's Vineyard is swamped with an additional 75,000 tourists and affluent summer vacationers.

Steven Spielberg filmed Jaws in the fishing village of Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard n 1974, do you recognize anything?

Just after the Civil War, a large Methodist campground, with open air revivals, was established in the Oaks Bluff area. Colorful 'gingerbread cottages' were built to resemble the tents, all facing inwards towards the central church tabernacle. The area is now a National Historic Landmark, and it is definitely worth wandering through the shady streets and stopping to admire the ornate houses.

If relaxing on the beach with a good book is more your thing, Martha's Vineyard certainly accommodates. The beaches here are pristine, and the water is beautiful (if a little on the cool side). Just watch out for Jaws' cousin!

For a relatively small island there are a lot of fine dining establishments and delicious eats. My recommendations are Among the Flowers Cafe for a causal breakfast or brunch, Richardson's for ice-cream or delicious coffee and bagels, and l'etoile restaurant for dinner. The food and service are both wonderful, and make sure you sit outside in the garden, it's magical.

If you're wondering where to stay in Martha's Vineyard, there are lots of holiday rentals, but don't expect to find anything last minute during the summer months!

We stayed at the Oaks Bluff Inn, which from the outside looked....well, very pink. But was completely lovely on the inside. The owner was more than hospitable and put out beach chairs and towels for us, cookies in the afternoons and fresh breakfast items in the mornings.

We stayed in the private top-floor suite which boasts two rooms, well appointed kitchen (complete with espresso machine), living, and dining areas, two balconies, and best of all, private access to the turret lookout on the roof!

Check out my video from Martha's Vineyard, I'll show you the view from the top of the Oak's Bluff Inn.

Something else I highly recommend is watching the sunset from the Gay Head Cliffs and Lighthouse. It was truly spectacular, the photos don't do it justice.

So that wraps up our quick trip to Martha's Vineyard. I can't wait to go back and explore the island some more! Maybe I'll see you there...

Private Jets: My New Favorite Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:34:00 +0000

Ok, I'm not sure how to write this post without it sounding completely pretentious and snobby, but here goes anyway. I was recently lucky enough to be flown out to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts for the first weekend of summer, in a private jet. And what it comes down to is that I'm now completely spoiled and don't ever want to fly commercial again.

A pilot friend met up with us in New York City and we all flew out to Martha's Vineyard in his Eclipse 500. I was excited to be flying privately, but I didn't realize just how good it would be. No long lines at the airport, no stripping at security checkpoints, actually being treated like a human being by airport crew, not getting squished between a fat, sweaty man and a woman who won't stop coughing (which always seems to happen to me), no luggage limits, you can BYO alcohol, no having to turn off your electronic devices (that's a myth apparently), and best of all you set your own timetable.

There are other benefits to flying privately too, which include being able to go to locations that simply aren't frequented by the major airlines. You'd be amazed at how many smaller airports are dotted around the country, just waiting for your visit!

And if you're worried about flying in a small plane, don't be. I'm terrible with heights, don't do roller coasters, and blanch at the first sign of turbulence, but I can tell you that our flights were smoother than any commercial flight I've ever taken.

Check out this little video to get a taste of private flying.

Apart from being a real life 'Most Interesting Man in the World' who seems to be licenced to drive, sail, and fly anything you put in front of him, he also runs a charity for children with life-altering illness called Around the World for Life.

It's a wonderful charity that provides the joy of flying to children who wouldn't otherwise get to experience it. I was lucky enough to participate in a fundraising event they held in Texas last year, and seeing those children's smiles really warmed my heart. Check out this video and visit www.aroundtheworldforlife.org if you'd like to learn more.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I'll show you why I'm completely in love with Martha's Vineyard!

Fun at the Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:39:00 +0000

I'm in Southern California at the moment and the annual San Diego County Fair is on. How could I possibly resist all those rides, games, and deliciously heart-stopping fried foods!

My advice is to go on all the rides BEFORE you have lunch, because after all those funnel cakes, battered potatoes, and BBQ ribs you will not want to be flipping upside down or being catapulted into the air! Well, not unless you have a much stronger stomach than I do.

I recommend arriving about half an hour before the gates open. You'll find parking a lot easier, a short ticket line, and you'll get in before the crowds become too ridiculous.

Check out the video to see more food, rides, games and fun. And a word of warning, don't go on the Wild River unless you plan to get completely drenched (as you'll see in the video), seriously you don't just get splashed, you'll look like you jumped in a swimming pool with your clothes on.

If you're in the area, definitely check out the Fair, it runs until July 4, 2013 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and is loads of fun!

Road Trip to Carcassonne

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:10:00 +0000

The walled city of Carcassonne has been on my bucket list for a long time, and on this most recent visit to France we decided to go on a road trip from Montpellier and finally see it. It didn't disappoint either, in fact, it was more amazing that I could have imagined.

The city was founded around 100 BC by the Romans, and has had an interesting history, which you can read more about here. People still live inside the medieval, walled city, along with businesses, restaurants, and museums which completely blows my mind.

Check out the little video montage from our visit:

There really isn't anything about Carcassonne that isn't spectacular, and the view from every angle is like something out of a fairytale.

If you're planning a visit I recommend putting aside several hours to wander the streets, have some lunch, and visit the paid museum areas as well.

I love the little glimpses you get into what it would have been like to live in Carcassonne, the vegetable gardens inside the city walls, the tapestries that might have hung over the windows to keep the wind out (and it is mighty windy all the way up in some of those turrets).

The surrounding French countryside is so lush, green and beautiful it is also worth renting a car and just getting lost for an afternoon. You never know what treasures you might find!

One last glimpse of the city across a field as we continue on our road trip. Goodbye Carcassonne, I hope to visit you again some day!

Strolling through Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 20:26:00 +0000

One of the best things about Paris is just strolling through the streets. You never know what amazing things you'll find!

We walked from Montmartre, down past the Palais Garnier Opéra House to the Centre Georges Pompidou, stopping for a falafel lunch and delicious sweet things in le Marais. If you're up for a walk, our trip was 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) and you can see our route on Google Maps here.

Along the way we saw amazing street art, old men playing trumpet as they walked through the streets, a flea market tucked away in some covered alleyways, and some of the most amazing food you can imagine!

We stopped to explore the Centre Georges Pompidou, feed the pigeons and people watch. The Pompidou Center itself is worth seeing just for the architecture and design, but it also houses a huge public library, and the Musée National d'Art Moderne, the largest modern art museum in Europe!

Next we moved onto le Marais for some shopping and to eat as much delicious food as we could manage. The Marais is a historic area, known as the 'aristocratic district' of Paris. It has a large Jewish community and is home to some pretty famous falafel.

I'd also recommend a visit to Maison Georges Larnicol for more chocolates and delicious macaroons than you'll know what to do with.

And if you do nothing else in Paris you MUST make a visit to L'Éclair de génie! I recommend either the caramel beurre salé or champagne violet eclair.

Here's a little video of our discoveries:

Sacre Coeur to the Eiffel Tower

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:52:00 +0000

It's no secret that Paris is one of my favorite spots in the world, and this trip we stayed up in Montmartre, the 'artist's district' where the likes of Dalí, Monet, Picasso and van Gogh had studios. I'm glad I let my sister talk me into it, instead of staying down near the Seine like I originally wanted. Montmartre's beautiful cobblestone streets, and abundance of bakeries and cheese shops made me never want to leave!

Luckily the hill of Montmartre is pretty steep, giving you the chance to burn off all that delicious cheese. And if you're ready for a bit of a hike I highly recommend making your own pilgrimage up the hill to the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. Sure, you could take the little funicular trolley from one of the Metro stations, but then you wouldn't get to walk through the little parks and see all the little side streets on your way up. And, you want to make room for even more cheese!

The Basilica of the Sacré Cœur is pretty spectacular, although it certainly struck me how new it is compared to the Notre Dame we visited the day before. Groundbreaking on the Sacré Cœur began in 1875 and the structure was completed in 1914, compared with the Notre Dame which began construction in 1163 and was completed in 1345!

After you've climbed all the way to the top of the hill you might not be too interested in climbing the 300 very claustrophobic and dark spiral stone stairs to the top, but it is well worth it. The view is amazing from up there, and possibly more beautiful and interesting than from the Eiffel Tower. It is certainly more intimate because they only let a handful of people up at a time. You'll find the ticket office out of the way, around to the left hand side and down some stairs.

Take notice of all the different gargoyles they have around the top, some of them are pretty amazing.

And here is the view from the rotunda at the top. Gorgeous no? As you walk around Paris you get glimpses of the Eiffel Tower, but because of the buildings in the foreground it never really looks that big. It's only when you get some distance that you can really appreciate it's height.

Ah the Tour Eiffel, hated by so many Parisians and loved by the rest of the world. Proposed as a centerpiece for the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world, so expect to line up to climb to the first or second viewing platform, and even longer lines for the elevator to the top!

View of the Seine from the second viewing platform. I recommend going up about an hour before sunset, so you get to see the city in daylight and as it begins to light up for the evening.

Having only ever climbed the stairs to the second level on previous visits we decided to head straight to the top, and the view certainly didn't disappoint. I made sure to use a wrist-strap on my LifeProof case...can't imagine anything worse than dropping my phone all that way onto an unsuspecting tourist below!

It's only when you look down that you realize just how high up you actually are. When cars look like ants and people are just dots.

We took the stairs down from the second viewing platform, about 600 to get to the bottom from there.

Here's a little video from my time at both the Sacré Cœur and the Eiffel Tower. I'd love to hear your questions or about your own experiences in Paris, so why not leave me a comment!

Musée du Louvre and Musée d'Orsay

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 May 2013 08:13:00 +0000

We braved the rainy weather to explore around the Musée du Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris. It is one of my favorite spots, with the beautiful Louvre on one side of the Seine and the Musée d'Orsay on the other.

The Musée du Louvre is housed in the Palais du Louvre which Philip II began building as a fortress in the 12th century. It officially opened its doors as a museum in 1793, exhibiting 537 paintings. The Louvre is now home to over 35,000 incredible objects of art and history, which means you need to allow plenty of time to look through the collections! If you're interested, you can read more about the

history of the Louvre here.

The Jardin des Tuileries in front of the Louvre is perfect for a picnic lunch and people watching. I like to sit in the gardens and imagine King Louis XIV and his court taking tea in the gardens surrounding the palace, perhaps playing boules, having their portraits painted (King Louis was a big patron of the arts), or perhaps partaking in some archery or other royal pursuits.

If you walk right to the end of the gardens you will get to the 3,300 year old, and 23m (75ft) high Obelisk, gifted to Paris in 1829 by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the self-proclaimed Khedive of Egypt. You'll also get a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

On the other side of the Seine is the Musée d'Orsay, which houses the biggest collection of impressionist paintings in the world including most of my favorites from Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gough.

I recommend heading straight for the impressionists on the fifth floor and working your way down, making sure you stop to admire the view from one of the giant clocks. Musée d'Orsay is housed in an old railway station and is an incredible piece of architecture by itself.

Here's a little video wrap-up, and if you'd like to see more photos head over to @SweetDivergence on Instagram.