Travel

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Guishan Island

<h1>Guishan Island (龜山島)</h1>
Guishan Island / Gueishan Island or Steep Island or Turtle Island, also known as Kweishan Island or Kweishan Tao, is an island in the Pacific Ocean, part of Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan and located 9.1 km east of port of Kengfang Fishery Harbor.
Before going to the island, visitor numbers have to be reviewed to see which day is available for registration.
The application must be completed and shipping agreed with local <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferry">ferry</a> owners at least one week prior to the visiting date, there is also another application form for going to the highest point of the island, which is often restricted.

Guishan Island, Taiwan | 宜蘭龜山島。海底湧泉。牛奶海

Featuring content creators and photographers | Guishan Island (龜山島) — @Travelpix's mag on Magma

Santa Catalina Island

<h1>How to Get to Catalina Island! </h1>

Getting to Catalina Island is quite easy! The best and least expensive way to get there is by the <a href="https://bit.ly/30PFFns">Catalina Express Ferry</a> located in Long Beach! There are also ports located in Dana Point and San Pedro, but the Long Beach port has more departure and arrival times to choose from. It’ll take you roughly an hour to get straight from the Long Beach Port to Avalon Harbor.
Cost of the Catalina Express Ferry:
The <a href="https://bit.ly/30PFFns">Catalina Express Ferry</a> costs $37.25 per way, so roughly $75 round trip. If you’d like to upgrade to the Commodore Lounge on the boat it’s a bit more, but I definitely don’t think it’s necessary. The general seating is great and it’s a short ride.
Parking: There’s a big parking lot at the port that charges $19 per day. This is definitely the best option.

Where to Stay in Avalon, Catalina
There are multiple cute little hotels right in town and a few on the cliffs overlooking the beach. I prefer the <a href="https://bit.ly/3jILlqt">Hotel St. Lauren</a>. It’s a cute, pink Victorian mansion that has a nice big communal sun deck that overlooks the ocean. You can get a balcony room as well with a beautiful view! It’s also the best deal we could find for a room with a balcony. A couple of other hotels that look quite cute as well are the <a href="https://bit.ly/3nzad6r">Hotel Atwater</a> and the <a href="https://bit.ly/33HuQ8N">Bellanca Hotel</a>.

Best Beach to Lounge and Swim in Avalon, Catalina Island

Once you arrive, drop your bags at your hotel and head to the beach! <a href="https://bit.ly/3iK1FWI">Descanso Beach Club</a> is an awesome little beach club with lounge chairs and cabana rentals as well as a restaurant and bar! You can rent the lounge chairs or cabanas from 11 am-5 pm. The lounge chair prices differ per row, but the price includes two chairs with an umbrella in the middle, two towels, two bottles of water, and two welcome smoothies! It’s actually super affordable. The chairs I rented were on the 3rd row in from the beach and I paid $45 for the entire day. You can also buy floats here and swim and float all day in the gorgeous turquoise clear water! I highly suggest checking out <a href="https://bit.ly/3iK1FWI">Descanso Beach Club</a>!

Happy Hour

<a href="https://bit.ly/3iK1FWI">Descanso Beach Club</a> also has a great deal for happy hour! Two tacos of your choice and a drink for $10. I got the fish tacos and a margarita!

Day 2 – Catalina Island Adventure!

The next day, grab a coffee and breakfast at the <a href="https://www.catcookieco.com/">Catalina Coffee and Cookie Co</a>, which is right by the <a href="https://bit.ly/3jILlqt">Hotel St. Lauren</a>, and head down to <a href="https://bit.ly/30PGRHs">Joes Rent-A-Boat</a> on Green Pleasure Pier! Here you can rent a motorboat! They have a 15 mph or 20 mph option. We got the 20 mph and had a blast! It holds up to 6 people and is an incredible deal!

Other Rental Options on Green Pleasure Pier

<a href="https://bit.ly/30PGRHs">Joe’s</a> also rents out paddleboards, kayaks, pedal boats, fishing equipment, etc. So, if motorboats aren’t your thing, they still have something for you! Green Pleasure Pier also has multiple other stands such as the <a href="https://bit.ly/33JoLsp">Catalina Adventure Tours</a>, where you can buy tickets for the semi-submarine tours which look awesome, glass-bottom boats, the inside interior of the island tours, and a safari island adventure! There’s also the <a href="https://bit.ly/2IbRLkh">Catalina Diver’s Supply and Snorkel</a> stand to get snorkeling and scuba diving equipment as well as guided snorkel and scuba tours. Green Pleasure Pier is pretty much a one-stop-shop for adventure!

Day on the Water!

If you choose the boat rental option, once you rent your boat, you can take it to the right of Avalon Harbor until you see the rock quarry, and to the left of Avalon Harbor to Long Point Light, which you can’t miss.

It is absolutely beautiful! There are lots of little beaches and coves to check out. The water is a gorgeous turquoise clear right near the shore. If it’s calm you can anchor and swim with the dolphins! We saw so many sea lions and dolphins. They were putting on a show for us and swimming under our boat. It really is a perfect way to spend the day!

<a href="https://bit.ly/2SG0uxc">NDMK Fish House</a> is a great place to end the day! Make sure you make a reservation as they do book up early. They have great seafood and drinks and you can eat right on the beach overlooking the water while you watch the sunset! It’s the perfect ending to an incredible getaway!

Catalina Express Return Ferry

I suggest taking one of the later ferries out on the last day of your adventure, so you can maximize your time in Catalina. The 9 pm ferry is an ideal choice!

Bucketlist Activities for the Next Catalina Island Getaway!

If you end up having extra time to spend, here are a few ideas that I’d love to check out next time! Parasailing around Catalina looks absolutely gorgeous and so much fun! You can book your adventure at <a href="https://bit.ly/2FjuQm4">California Parasail</a> and <a href="https://bit.ly/2GDGTLy">Island Water Charters</a>. Last but definitely not least, I’d highly suggest taking the <a href="https://bit.ly/3lkBUhA">Cyclone Boat</a> to Two Harbors to discover some of the less developed parts of Catalina Island!

To Sum it Up!

Catalina Island is the perfect California getaway! It truly transports you to feel like you’re on a European Island. It’s so close, yet feels so far away! These are my picks for a perfect two day Catalina Getaway! If I’ve missed anything let me know in the comments below, and as always, have a blast when you go! For more California beach getaways be sure to check out my picks for where to stay and what to do in <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-la-jolla-edition/">La Jolla</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria</a>, and <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/hearst-castle-and-elephant-seal-vista-point/">San Simeon</a>!

Catalina Island - The Perfect 2 Day Getaway! — @JenaFit2Fly's mag on Magma

Tel Aviv-Yafo

<h1>Park HaYarkon is Famous but Did You Know...</h1>
<h2>If you venture deep inside there are hidden gems!</h2>

<h1>The Rock Garden</h1>
The Rock Garden is like Tel Aviv’s very own Stonehenge! Open from 9am-2pm it’s a fantastic place for Instagram photos or just to relax and take in the beautiful scenery of the park!

<h1>The Cactus Garden</h1>
The Cactus Garden, conveniently located right next to the Rock Garden is a truly magical place. It’s full of all types of cactuses, big and small. You are free to walk around all the paths and check out all the cacti!

HaKaktusim Garden

There is a bus stop on Rokach Avenue called the University Train Station bus stop (transliterated from Hebrew: Ra-kevet Universita, Sderot Ro-kach). In Hebrew, you will see the text: ת. רכבת אוניברסיטה/שד׳ רוקח.
From the bus stop, you will have a nice walk through the park to reach the Cactus and Rock Gardens.

Enjoy!

Hidden Gems of Park HaYarkon, Tel Aviv Israel — @Sammie's mag on Magma

Arizona

<h1>Zion National Park</h1>
We landed in the evening to LAS (Nevada) since it’s the closest to Zion. We rented a car and drove straight to our hotel which we would stay there for 3 nights. We stayed at the Driftwood Lodge and loved it there! 
We had 2 full days in Zion. Since it was the beginning of October it gets cold in the morning, but during the day very hot. 
We woke up every morning at 6:30, and took the 8-9 am shuttle. 
The shuttle is tricky, it costs $1 but gets sold out in a second. You need to buy tickets either a week prior, or a day before the moment they open the selling which is at 11 am EST. 
The first day we did Angels Landing which has incredible views and is very steep. The first half there are plenty of switchbacks, and the second half there are chains you hold on to make your way up. Don’t do this is you are afraid of heights. 
If you can get a stick that folds, since the second half you need to climb, it would be useful for the switchbacks and going down in the end. We didn’t use one, and my feet were achy. 
There are plenty of restaurants in town, but they didn’t take reservations, so got there at around 5 pm to make sure we got a table. There are great restaurants in town, we loved the one in our hotel, super recommended! 
The second day we did The Narrows which is a trail in water and is so much fun! For this you should and need to rent special boots and a stick. We rented them a day before (right after finishing Angels Landing). There are plenty of stores to rent the equipment, we rented from Zion Outfiter. The hike was not hard at all, and since it’s between boulders, it stays pretty cool the whole time. We wore each of us a light jacket. 
Regarding food during the day, we bought sandwiches at Cafe Soleil- delicious and they pack it well for the hike. Bring snacks too! We each had a camelpak which we filled up with water before, but there are also water points to do that in the park. 
Don’t forget you need a pass for National Parks- buy one Annual (cheaper than a one time pass), it’s good for 4 people.

The third morning, we woke up early and made our way to Bryce National Park.

<h1>Bryce National Park</h1>
We drove from Zion National Park to Bryce in the morning, and parked in the Canyon itself (no shuttles needed of you have a car). We did the Queens Garden &amp; Navajo Loop trails which were beautiful, not hard just the way up has switchbacks which are tiring. We wanted to do the Peekaboo trail but we were still tired from Angels Landing, and it was very hot outside, so we kept it easy. In this trail we saw a bunch of hoodoos which is the main thing to see in Bryce with great views. 
We stayed at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon just for one night. Super recommended since it’s literally inside the canyon. There is an option in the lodge to stay in a cabin or at the lodge itself. We had a cabin to ourselves with a fire place which was really nice. We had a late check in at 4 pm so after finishing the hike, we drove to Rainbow Point from the lodge. There are some nice view points on the way back to the lodge on the right hand side, so you can stop and take pictures. 
The sunset was insane, and the best place to see it is in Bryce Point. It got really cold because Bryce as oppose to Zion is about 4K ft of elevation higher. 
We woke up super early for the sunrise which was beautiful and so worth it. It was so cold though.... if you stay in the cabin, it’s located 2 minutes from the rim, so you can walk outside with your pjs and a blanket and see the sunrise.

Most people pair this trip with Canyons and Moab (Arches etc...) but we visited family in Scotstale Arizona, so made our way South instead of East. We left Bryce Canyon the next morning to Page (~2.5 hour drive) which is a great midway point if you want to eventually get to the Grand Canyon.

<h1>Antelope Canyon </h1>
We drove from Bryce to Page, where we stayed the night at Lake Powell Resorts &amp; Marinas. Since Covid, Antelope Canyon is closed, but there is a way to get to the lower part of Antelope Canyon by kayak/jet-ski/motorboat. 
You do not want to rent kayaks from Lake Powell Resorts &amp; Marinas since it’s too far away from Antelope Canyon. We bought sandwiches before hand from Slackers and next door was a place where we rented a kayak. The place also loaded the kayak on the car and we drove to a certain access point to start the kayak- they will tell you what that place is called. 
Make sure to reserve a kayak in advance since it was totally sold out when we got there. We were lucky to find a place with their last kayak. 
It was about an hour each way by kayak to get to Antelope Canyon. This was one of the most amazing experiences. You can hike in Antelope Canyon for about 30-40 minutes, and eventually you willl reach a fork which you can continue but you will see pretty much the same views. Also while kayaking you can take breaks and swim in the lake.

After returning the kayaks, we drove to Horseshoe Bend for the sunset.

<h1>Horseshoe Bend</h1>
The best place to see the sunset. We drove her after Antelope Canyon. Most people pair these together. There is like a 20 min walk (accessible by wheelchair so it’s an easy walk) until you reach the view point. The view is incredible and definitely worth it.

We went out for dinner in the area, and the next morning made our way to the Grand Canyon.

<h1>Grand Canyon </h1>
We drove to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, that’s where most of the tourists go. We had to drive through Flagstaff because the main road to the National Park was closed due to Covid. It usually should take ~2.5 hours, but it took us ~3.5 hours because of the detour. We stayed at the El Tovar hotel which is on the mountains in the Grand Canyon Village (inside the National Park). 
We booked a 30 minute helicopter tour with Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours which pretty much covered the whole Grand Canyon which was great! 
The hotel has a restaurant which was pretty good, considering that there aren’t many options in the village itself. 
Parking was annoying, not many options so we parked outside the hotel but it was fine, since you can walk on the rim and enjoy the walk (~10 minute walk).

From the Grand Canyon, we made our way to our final destination- Scottsdale Arizona, to visit family.

@nogah's mag on Magma

Ecuador

Pachamama, also known as The Earth/Time Mother is the goddess revered by the indigenous peoples of the Andes. “ in Inca mythology, Pachamama is a fertility goddess who presided over planting and harvesting and embodies the mountains and causes earthquakes. 
This Community of Angla Parish San Pablo, Canton Otavalo province Imbabura (yes quite the mouthful) is the home to such a community of incredible women, the Pachamama. 
Going against tradition these women took a stand and formed an alliance allowing them to practise the ways of their past. Using the herbs and plants, all of which they grow themselves on this land inherited from their ancestors, they perform healing rituals, blend medicinal salves and educate the next generation on the traditions of their Quichuan ancestors.

This is not a place that is on the “tourist grid” and it is by invitation only that one is allowed to enter into this tight knit community. And so I feel honoured to have been invited and able to spend time here and witness the women at work. We were welcomed into the home of the Pacha Mamas living in this beautiful remote village more than 2 hours outside of Quito. When we arrived we were greeted with smiles and warm hands of welcome for us, two Canadian strangers (my husband and I).

These Quichua indigenous women took time to explain to us their history and told how it was through their mothers and grandmothers before them that they learned the ways of the Earth and its power to heal both body and mind. &nbsp;Although they did not speak any English and their Spanish was a mixture of old Spanish and&nbsp;Quichua, our guide Vivian was able to interpret as they told us of the history of the Pacha Mama, which means Mother Earth, and in particular their small group of women. &nbsp;They live modestly but are proud of their&nbsp;Quichua&nbsp;&nbsp;roots and blend those beliefs smoothly with their deep Catholic faith. &nbsp;It was not without its challenges that the Pacha Mamas were able to establish their organization. &nbsp;Even women from their own community believed that such a plight went against the moral code of the their ways and to this day make it difficult on those who dare to join. &nbsp;It is therefore surprising to know that the husbands of these Pacha Mamas not only gave their blessings but helped them to construct the buildings that sit on the farm giving them shelter and a place to call their own. &nbsp;

Although small in numbers, the Pacha Mamas are a determined group of Although small in numbers, the Pacha Mamas are a determined group of women who have created a beautiful inclusive community giving back to the land and people they so cherish!women who have created a beautiful inclusive community giving back to the land and people they so cherish!

Two sisters who follow their mother and grandmother as Shaman’s honoured us with a healing ritual. &nbsp; As they were preparing for the ceremony the women explained how they identify plants as being either male or female and that each of those have &nbsp;hot and cold varieties. &nbsp;It is by blending together the right combination of plants that they are able to perform specific rites. &nbsp;In our case it was one to &nbsp;heal the soul and bring inner peace.

We took our place in the centre of a carved cement circle &nbsp;showing the directional letters representing North, South, East and West. &nbsp;We watched as the Pacha Mamas prepared the plants and lit a small fire inside a bowl. &nbsp;As &nbsp;the scent of the blended herbs floated into the air, &nbsp;a bouquet of plants was dipped into essence water and splashed upon us from head to toe. &nbsp;It was hard not to feel overwhelmed and honoured by this rare opportunity. &nbsp;Once the ritual was complete and we stood in silent reflection, we could both feel a &nbsp;light tingling creeping its way up our skin. This, as we were told, was normal and would not be long-lasting. &nbsp;To allow the rite to fully complete its circle, we were instructed to touch no one for at least an hour. &nbsp;This would ensure that no other person’s bad karma could enter into our space and the power of the herbs could do their job. &nbsp;It was truly an inspiring and spiritual experience.

Spending time with these incredible women left me with a mo desire to share their story with others. Working together with the Pacha Mamas and our local Expert Guide, who is also our personal link to the not yet tech savvy Pacha Mamas, we have created one of a kindexperiences for those wanting to take their travels to the next level. Every trip we take allows us to write a new chapter in our book of life and for those wishing to experience a truly inspirational and unique travel immersion this one is for you!
Imagine living and working side by side with the&nbsp;Pacha Mamas and their families. &nbsp;Learn how they use the knowledge they have gained from their ancestors to continue to preserve their land and culture. &nbsp;You will share this unique experience with a small&nbsp;group of like minded individuals as you embark on this socially satisfying and spiritually fulfilling journey!&nbsp;As a small part of a bigger&nbsp;adventure you will travel &nbsp;“Off The Beaten Tourist Path” throughout various villages in the&nbsp;Andes regions of Ecuador with &nbsp;your personal guide&nbsp;experiencing the flavours, culture and handicrafts of the “Real” Ecuador.

Join us and “Travel with a Cause” ! &nbsp;We will work&nbsp;together to help you create new life chapters that are meaningful and purposeful leaving both you, the traveller, and those you meet along the way feeling more enriched for the experience!!

Pachamama Community, Andes Ecuador — @P2PLuxeLife's mag on Magma

La Jolla Shores

LA JOLLA – A PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY

La Jolla is the perfect weekend getaway from LA!It’s about a 3-hour drive, depending on when you head that way.
Where to Stay!
We always stay at the <a href="https://bit.ly/3i5EVRS">La Jolla Shores Hotel</a>and LOVE it! It’s the ideal location, right on La Jolla Shores Beach. This beach is peaceful and beautiful and the hotel provides complimentary beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. They’ll set them up for you wherever you’d like!Also, the <a href="https://bit.ly/3i5EVRS">La Jolla Shores</a> sunsets are stunning!

Amenities
The hotel provides a free shuttle that takes you around La Jolla, to the Cove, and wherever you may want to go.We took it to dinner and back, it’s so easy and super nice not to have to worry about driving or having to pay for an Uber or Lyft.
We’ve gone in the winter every time, so the hotel pool is heated, which is awesome! They also have a nice hot tub, a bar and two restaurants right on the beach.
Another awesome amenity is the <a href="https://www.ljbtc.com/?NCK=8443152845&gclid=Cj0KCQjws536BRDTARIsANeUZ5_QWmmIzOpUjww1ej7Yo184n5VxyyMH9-mgFBYMQw5K2ElvV03WIuMaAnQZEALw_wcB">La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club</a> at their sister property! You simply reserve a time slot with the front desk, and you can play for an hour or two, depending on availability.

Where to eat in La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove

My favorite area is the little street right behind our hotel called Avenida de la Playa, an adorable part of La Jolla Shores! It’s a small street lined with outdoor restaurants, beach bars, and cafes. They’re all dog friendly, and there’s a cute little grocery store and fro-yo place as well! This street has a very European vibe, that I absolutely love! Our favorite little beach bar for brunch is called the <a href="http://www.shoreridersd.com/">Shore Rider</a>. Don’t forget to order the bucket of mimosas here!
In La Jolla Cove, I recommend <a href="https://hakkasangroup.com/herringbone/la-jolla/">Herringbone La Jolla</a>. The ahi tuna is delicious and the atmosphere and décor are awesome as well!

La Jolla Cove

I love watching all the sea lions swim and play near La Jolla Cove.They’re everywhere, it’s incredible! You can also snorkel, kayak, surf, or swim here!There are multiple caves and coves to kayak through, where you’ll see sea lions swimming next to you along the way! You can actually rent kayaks right on Avenida de la Playa, behind the hotel, or take an inflatable one with you!
The water is gorgeous here! It’s much more clear and blue than in Los Angeles.If you’re in the cove in the evening, find a good spot on the cliff to chill, have a glass of wine, and watch the sunset. It’s a beautiful end to an awesome weekend!

Skydive San Diego

If you’re interested in an extra heightened experience in this area, <a href="http://www.skydivesandiego.com/">Skydive San Diego</a> is the place to go! We had a blast here! They made me feel super comfortable for my first skydive adventure, and I can’t wait to do it again!
To Sum it Up!
La Jolla is a perfect, quick weekend getaway from LA. With so many beautiful places to explore and water activities to indulge in. Use these tips and suggestions for a stress-free La Jolla and <a href="https://bit.ly/3i5EVRS">La Jolla Shores</a> adventure! For more awesome California weekend getaways, be sure to check out my recommendations for <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-lake-tahoe-editon/">Lake Tahoe</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/mammoth-lakes-in-the-summer/">Mammoth Lakes</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-sycamore-mineral-springs-edition/">Sycamore Springs</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-los-alamos-edition/">Los Alamos</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/hearst-castle-and-elephant-seal-vista-point/">Hearst Castle</a>, <a href="https://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria and Morro Bay</a>!
If you have any further questions about La Jolla, or if I left anything out, please feel free to put them in the comments below, and as always, have a blast when you go!

La Jolla- A Perfect Weekend Getaway! — @JenaFit2Fly's mag on Magma

Los Alamos

The Santa Ynez Valley 
The Santa Ynez Valley is absolutely beautiful at any time of year. This hidden gem in Los Alamos has to be one of the coolest, most unique places I’ve ever stayed! 
Before heading out on all of our California weekend adventures, I research hot springs along the way. I found an interesting one for this weekend’s getaway. So, on our way up to Los Alamos, we stopped at the Gaviota Hot Springs in Gaviota State Park in Goleta, California. This is near the Santa Barbara area.You can also visit these hot springs on your way to <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-avila-beach-avila-la-fonda-edition/">Avila Beach</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Morro Bay</a>, <a href="http://jenafit2fly.com/weekend-wanderlust-california-escape-from-la-central-coast-morro-bay-cambria-hearst-castle/">Cambria</a>, and any other towns in the SLO or Central Coast region.
We took a short hike up the mountain to find them. They’re super cute little springs made of three small pools. One of them has a pile of wood on the side that’s made into a small fireplace. So, you can have a little fire, soak in the springs, and sip some wine! I recommend this quick stop along the way if you have some time.

Los Alamos
Los Alamos is located in the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. This unique, tiny town is quaint, adorable, has awesome food and wines, and an amazing little western saloon, called Saloon 1880. The most spectacular thing about it is this hidden gem of a bed and breakfast, which is one of the coolest, if not the coolest, and most unique B&amp;Bs I’ve ever been to. You’ll see why!
The Victorian Mansion
<a href="https://bit.ly/2Nq9e80">The Victorian Mansion</a> in Los Alamos is a Bed and Breakfast that’s a real Victorian mansion from the 1800s. It was uprooted and transported to Los Alamos, where it was transformed into the B&amp;B like no other. It consists of 6 uniquely themed rooms that are nothing short of intricate, detailed, and incredible!
There’s a 50’s, Egyptian, Gypsy, Roman, Pirate, and French suite. They all have murals painted on the walls, furnishings, and music that transport you into whatever theme yours may be. Therefore, this is the perfect weekend getaway! You’ll get lost in how magical each suite is! I definitely did!

The 50’s Suite
We chose the 50’s suite and got to take a tour of a few others before we left.The 50’s suite is insanely awesome!!! It has an actual 50’s Cadillac that’s been turned into a bed and placed in front of a giant projector screen. This setup transports you into the coolest drive-in movie setting you could dream of!On top of that, there’s a Japanese soaking tub, detailed with black and white 50’s tile, and a big pink bottle of old school Mr. Bubbles bubble bath!
Japanese Soaking Tubs
There are Japanese soaking tubs in the middle of every suite!They are incredible; it’s a super deep hot tub that’s so deep you can stand up in. These tubs were imported from Japan, and in each room, they match the appropriate décor of the suite.
For example,in the Roman room, you have giant Roman steps leading up to the tub. In the Gypsy suite, the tub looks like it’s outdoors, surrounded by wilderness. There’s a path of stepping stones leading into the tub from the incredible gypsy carriage that you sleep in.The attention to detail in this mansion is unreal!

Perfectly Themed Rooms
Everything is perfect to theme in each room. The music upon entrance, the hidden bathrooms and closets, the mood, everything is spot on.In the morning, they serve breakfast through a dumbwaiter.You simply schedule your breakfast time the night before and it will just appear there for you in the morning.Honestly, words cannot describe this place, and I simply don’t do it justice. You’ll just have to go and discover for yourself how phenomenal this B&amp;B truly is!
Additions to the Mansion!
The mansion is currently expanding and adding on a real ship from a shipwreck as well as a treehouse! Both are being renovated and turned into rooms you can stay in! I can’t wait to get back up to Los Alamos and check them out!
To Sum It Up!
You must check out <a href="https://bit.ly/2Nq9e80">The Victorian Mansion</a> in Los Alamos! It’s so unique and the perfect weekend getaway from LA or any place in California. It’s centrally located, so it’s easy to get to, and I promise you’ll absolutely love it!
If you have any questions about Los Alamos and <a href="https://bit.ly/2Nq9e80">The Victorian Mansion</a>, let me know, and as always, have a blast when you go!

@JenaFit2Fly's mag on Magma

Playa del Carmen

<h1>PARADISUS PLAYA DEL CARMEN LA PERLA</h1>
Posted by <a href="https://luxebeatmag.com/author/camille-jocsak/">Camille Jocsak</a> | <a href="https://luxebeatmag.com/category/columns/">Columns</a>, <a href="https://luxebeatmag.com/category/featured/">Featured</a>, <a href="https://luxebeatmag.com/category/columns/planned-2-perfection/">Planned 2 Perfection</a>

Editor’s Note: We would like to welcome our newest columnist,Camille Jocsak to the Luxe Beat Magazine family! As a destination wedding planner, Camille has some incredible stories (and wedding planning tips) to share. We hope you enjoy this first article about a destination wedding set in Playa Del Carmenand come back for more of her ongoing series, Paradise 2 Perfection.
As a wedding planner it is my job to create weddings that are magical, romantic and seemingly flawless. Bridal couples put their faith in me to give them the wedding day of their dreams and this is no small feat believe me. In the following series, I will take you on a journey of love and romance featuring real weddings and highlighting some of the most romantic wedding locations around the globe.

Weddings are very personal and every bridal couple has a “wedding day dream.” A vision of what they would like their wedding day to look like. I have to take that vision and turn it into reality whether it is in their home town or thousands of miles away in a foreign country. Some want large and extravagant affairs while others are looking for a smaller more intimate day and even other looking just to plan their secret elopements! Regardless of the size, country or venue, weddings are and always will remain one of the most important days in a couple’s lives.
Both nursing students, Jenny and Tyrone found themselves in the same study group in college. After a year of friendship they both knew they were meant to be together. Five years after meeting Tyrone officially proposed to Jenny at the beautiful Piazza San Marco in Venice Italy. With their mutual love for travel both the couple knew that they wanted a destination wedding surrounded by their closest family and friends choosing Mexico has their country of choice.

For Jenny and Tyrone, Mexico was their country of choice for their destination wedding. Like most destination weddings there are many variables to consider before the actual “wedding planning process” can even begin. It was important to Jenny and Tyrone to find an all inclusive resort that would cater to both their friends with young children and those who were looking for an adults-only alternative. With this in mind it was also imperative for them to be able to move easily between the resorts so that they could spend quality time with everyone who travelled from afar to share to their wedding.
As a wedding planner it is my job to listen, create and execute not only the perfect wedding day but in the case a destination wedding, to ensure that the entire stay for the bridal couple and their guests exceeds expectations. After hearing that many of Jenny and Tyrone’s guests had not only never been to Mexico but had in fact, never been to an all-inclusive, it was important to pick a resort that would provide a well-rounded array of activities as well as quality food. We wanted this, their first foray in to the world of all-inclusive vacations to leave them wanting to return.

All these factors led us to Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Perla &amp; La Esmeralda as the ideal location. Both resorts are on the ocean and located in a private bay surrounded by protected mangroves, just yards away from the world’s second largest coral reef and stunning views of Cozumel Island. Guests seeking an adults-only resort were booked into La Perla and treated to a calm and serene environment with international cuisine served in 14 world class restaurants. Unlimited premium liquor served in 16 bars, nightly entertainment and a free form pool rounded out the many services this resort offers.
Alternatively guests with young children enjoyed the same quality service, restaurants and bars while staying at its family-friendly sister property La Esmeralda. Both resorts offer the options to VIP one’s stay, La Perla with “Royal Service” offering upgraded accommodations, a personal butler, separate check-in area, private lounge and dedicated pool and beach areas. La Esmeralda offers similar services with their “Family Concierge” upgrade with the addition of extra amenities for the “mini VIPs” including child size robes, slippers, milk and cookie turn down and beach kits among other things.

Since these resorts share a property and are essentially mirror images of each other, it was the perfect solution for Jenny and Tyrone, allowing them the opportunity to be with everyone. Adults from both properties have open access to each allowing guests to further socialize with ease, and for some parents a little “adults only” quality time.
Jenny and her bridal party were able to utilize the elegant bridal suites equipped with showers and lounge areas where they spent the day relaxing and socializing while getting ready for the big day. Always a must at this resort is a day at the incredible Yhi Spa. This 19,627 square foot oasis offers everything from facials and body treatments to a full thermal circuit with wet and dry saunas, plunge pool and hydro massage. It is the perfect place to unwind, rejuvenate and be pampered! Trial hair and makeup sessions are also offered ensuring that the bride is wedding day ready!
Jenny and Tyrone could not have chosen a more appropriate resort for their wedding and their vision of elegance was carried throughout the decor. Their dream to be married under the beautiful gazebo at La Perla was made possible by the resort allowing us to bring the children from La Esmeralda to the ceremony site just prior to the nuptials starting. By having the reception on La Esmeralda side we were able to ensure a fun filled evening for both adults and children alike.

As with any tropical wedding Mother Nature has a way of sometimes rearing her ugly head and although the forecast predicted otherwise, our beautiful outdoor reception and dinner setup was suddenly floating due to an unexpected storm front. Eighteen months of planning and organizing washed away within minutes. Thankful that the weather held for the ceremony, Jenny and Tyrone took it all in stride and once again put their faith in me and left me to do what they hired me to do, “make it happen.” With the help of the incredible resort staff we began to work our magic in the ballroom. And work we did! Since much of what we had was now unusable either due to the fact that is was ruined in the storm or it was for outdoor use only, we found ourselves running to borrow linens and decor from restaurants, lobbies and even long forgotten storage rooms. What took us an entire day to setup outside had to be done within an hour.
Lights were strung, bars erected, tables set, new centerpieces created and to the surprise and pleasure of our bridal couple and their guests the outcome was truly magical. Jenny and Tyrone’s faces as they entered into the ballroom as Mr. &amp; Mrs. filled me with such pride. Their smiles as they looked around the ballroom told me that we had accomplished what we set out to do, give them their dream wedding.
Regardless of the type of wedding one envisions, large or small, elaborate or simple, legal or symbolic, beach, pool or ballroom the most important thing is to have someone working for you and worrying about the things you should not have to on your wedding day. Things happen, situations arise, not all of them as drastic as was the case with Jenny and Tyrone but even the little things can seem insurmountable when all you want to do is enjoy your day, your guests, your moment.
Would things have worked out the same had they not had a wedding planner? I can confidently say “No.” It is because of the relationship I had built with Jenny and Tyrone during the year and half of planning with them that I was able to make decisions on their behalf. I knew what their vision was and what key elements were a must for them. With the help of resort management and staff we gave made sure those key elements were incorporated into the new setup. Last minute changes, spur of the moment decisions, creativity, resourcefulness and above all else advocating for the bride and groom! That is what a good wedding planner brings to the table!
Jenny, Tyrone and all their guests walked away from an incredible week-long wedding vacation with fond memories and a wedding day they will definitely never forget!
After every rain there is a rainbow!

A perfect wedding in Playa Del Carmen. — @P2PLuxeLife's mag on Magma

<h1>Zion National Park</h1>
Zion National Park is a southwest Utah nature preserve distinguished by Zion Canyon’s steep red cliffs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through its main section, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. The river flows to the Emerald Pools, which have waterfalls and a hanging garden. Also along the river, partly through deep chasms, is Zion Narrows wading hike.

Featuring content creators and photographers | Zion National Park  — @Travelpix's mag on Magma

Mammoth Mountain

<h1>THIS VIEW</h1>
I often ask myself what truly brings me solitude. 
In my mind, happiness and solitude sometimes do not go together. Happiness is a feeling while solitude is a location. A place you can hang out at for a bit without pondering your next move or some list you need to tackle.
Looking out the window of a car and seeing nothing synthetic or structural, only mountains in the background and nature in the foreground. 
That to me is pure solitude. You’re going somewhere yet your destination is a blank canvas. Very few things can easily provide that feeling quite like the mountains.
After 6 months of the Covid Circus with no definitive end in sight, I decided to go search for some solitude in the place I know it exists.

<h1>Getting away doesn’t always have to be Far.</h1>
Escaping to the mountains doesn’t always entail a cumbersome travel itinerary. Sometimes it’s as easy as a 4 hour drive.
Mammoth Mountain is roughly 300 miles outside of Los Angeles. It’s a world renowned ski resort due to its heavy snowfall measurements and proximity to the city, but during the summer is really when it showcases it’s talents.

Mammoth Lakes

If you feel the need to experience some fresh air, ignore your emails and get in touch with nature just hop in your car and go.

<h1>The reason we came up here besides the getaway was to Mountain Bike.</h1>
Mammoth is home to some of the best and most challenging man-made bike trails in the country. The same team that builds and maintains their ski runs and terrain parks in the winter, puts in equal effort to make some amazing and sometimes insane bike park obstacles in the summer.

<h1>The Mountains are a safe place to expand your horizons.</h1>

Regardless of your stance on guns, there’s nothing more fun than going to the shooting range. It’s a great way to hone your strength and challenge your focus. 
If you’ve never shot before, mammoth is a great place to try it for the first time. There’s endless open area and ranges to safely do it and many places to find an expert to take you if you don’t have your own equipment.
We chose to go at sunset and close out a great day of riding.

Always remember to shoot in a safe place, using your own or properly registered equipment and doing so with experts present. My friends are enthusiasts who take great pride in ensuring their equipment is perfect and the safety at the range is flawless.

<h1>Can’t go to the outdoors without a little off-roading.</h1>
My fiends and I love having fun. Almost to a fault. Of all the things we do nothing brings more of a smile to our faces than taking the trucks to places normal vehicles won’t survive.
In the area around Mammoth there are 100’s of miles of open trails and land that you can safely explore with a 4 wheel drive truck of any size.
Our vehicle of choice, Ford Raptors.

When traveling out to these harsh areas, always remember to take it easy and have safe communication devices in case you get stuck.

<h1>Until Next Time.</h1>

All good things must come to an end. Even solitude. 
Beautiful thing about solitude is once you find it and learn how to use it, it will always be where you left it last. 
The power that specific solitude contains is pretty rad. Whether you need something to look forward to or a personal reward to motivate you, solitude is the greatest discovery one can make.
My solitude is up there amongst the trees, the lakes, the trails and the rocks. And I always know.

 <h2>When the mountains call, I answer.</h2>

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