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Cycle Party in Fort Lauderdale: Just Do It

April 26, 2019 by Andrea S. Filed Under: Amanda

We recently had a staycation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and found ourselves entertaining a large group of friends who have traveled from all over just to come see us. We were excited to the usual with them – eating, drinking, and just being lazy on the beach…but what if we could do more? That’s where CP Tours’ Cycle Party Las Olas came in!

First things first – what is a cycle party?

A cycle party is the best way to mix friends, exercise, and alcohol. Better known as the triple B’s. Bikes, Buddies and Booze! (As quoted from the CP Tours site…we couldn’t have said it better!). Imagine wearing your favorite shorts, casually making your way through one of the most happening neighborhoods…without a thing to worry about. After all, there wasn’t that much to think about. You’re not only outside enjoying fresh air but you’re also exercising! Look at that. Mom would be so proud. Plus, if you’re the organizer in your group, bonus points to you…you might actually be introducing to your friends the most fun afternoon ever. No wonder you always have the best ideas.

And we can say this because we dared go on the crazy 12-people bikes ourselves last weekend…and loved every single minute of it.

Photo Courtesy CP Tours.

So, where do you actually start?

Right here. This link will take you to the Fort Lauderdale Cycle Party page, where you get to choose from seven different tours.

We only tried the Pub Craw Tour (for now!) and we each got three drink tickets. It’s up to you if you want to use them all on the first stop or save them for later, but trust us, you will get thirsty very quickly and even more towards the end, especially towards the summer months. You’ll also receive a souvenir cup and a low-res photo package.

Here are other tours you can check out:

Our best tips for your next Cycle Party

Great for friend groups. This totally beats a standard night bar hopping. For once, you’re going places and, yes, you’re exercising. Plus, it gives everyone a thing or two to talk and write home about. When was the last time you rode a 12-people bike? The thing looks ridiculous and that’s secretly when our love affair and curiosity for CP Tours began.
It will get hot. We’re in South Florida. Let’s not forget that. Summer or winter, the chances are that you will be sweating it up after the first twenty minutes. Our advice? Don’t pick the hottest time of the day. Bring plenty of water, SPF and wear appropriate clothing.
DJ it. Plan ahead and bring a music playlist ready on your phone. It not only makes it seem like a true workout (and hence, something you can feel good for the rest of the day, or, what the heck… the whole week!), but it also amps the fun.

Don’t miss out on the other locations!

CP Tours also offers cycle party tours in West Palm Beach and Wynwood Miami. You can check them out here.

Finally, stay in touch

If you’re planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Miami or West Palm Beach soon, we recommend that you stay in touch with them. Cycle Tours has tons of great info on their Facebook page, or on their Instagram feed. You can also visit their website anytime to book online or contact them directly at (954) 633-4665 or info@cp-tours.com.

Weekend Sports Adventure in South Florida

April 11, 2017 by Amanda T. Filed Under: Miami, Places

Weekend Sports Adventure in South Florida

Living in Florida for about 5 years now, we have been able to explore all that this state has to offer! We are lucky that South Florida, especially, has unlimited fun options for weekend trips, especially for the sports lovers! With that in mind, we decided to pack in some action and take a road trip to enjoy some of our favorite sports venues in the sunshine state.

The journey is as important as the destination for us; so riding in style during a road trip is a must! For this particular adventure we had a very reliable and fun teammate, the Mazda 3. The MAZDA 3 is a very well rounded player, on offense: its SKYACTIV®-G1 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder with VVT and the SKYACTIV®-DRIVE1 6-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift and Sport mode gives you enough power to dominate the road but the fuel efficiency to last the whole game. On defense the i-ACTIVSENSE® Safety Package brings all the security your team needs for the road. The Mazda 3 comes equipped with lane-keep assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake support and a lot other features that will help you keep your head in the game even if you have to go into overtime.

We took to the road with our squad ready for our first destination, Roger Dean Stadium, home of the Miami Marlins and St Louis Cardinals spring training games in Jupiter, Florida. We are loyal Cards fans, but since we live in Miami there are very few opportunities to cheer on our team in person. Built in 1998, The Roger Dean Stadium is a beautiful 6,871-seat stadium with luxury skybox seating, 2 levels of permanent seating and delicious food and drink in their concessions. We highly recommend the St. Louis bacon wrapped hotdog, but make sure you are hungry before you order it. Unfortunately it wasn’t the best day for the cards, but the season is long and we trust our team. The truth is that we had a lot of fun and we want to thank Roger Dean stadium and its entire amazing staff for having us! It was time to regroup, and after a quick huddle we were on the road again.

Our next destination was the Daytona International Speedway, one of the most important circuits in the U.S. and the home of the most prestigious race in America. The 181.4 mi trip was delightful thanks to the Mazda 3 and all its “Swag.” Our companion was nothing but fun with its 7 inch full color touch screen display, 9 speaker surround sound Bose® system and the MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System with Pandora and Stitcher radio integration and of course Bluetooth®6 hands-free phone and audio streaming capability so you can sit back, relax and enjoy.

We had a quick pit stop in Cocoa Beach for the night and got ready for the Daytona 500. The Great American Race is like no other sporting event in the country. Those lucky enough to have a “hot pass” as they call it, really get to be close to their idols, the cars and the track. The Daytona 500 could be described as a 12-hour massive race party. The adrenaline rush of 40+ massive speed machines flying through the track at almost 200 mph will engage even those who claim to be not too keen on racing. Being able to live such an important event up close is really amazing, but it is even better when you can you can enjoy it with your team!

Tell us what you think, and let us know what are some of your favorite sports adventure in Florida!

Taking a Dog-Friendly Road Trip

January 6, 2017 by Amanda T. Filed Under: Amanda

Have a furry friend that you don’t want to leave behind on your next adventure? Why should you? There are so many dog-friendly options now that bringing your pup along for the ride is totally do-able and enjoyable!

During the holidays, I always take my 2-year old dog, Peach, on the road to visit my family so I’ve become quite the expert in organizing the most puppy-positive trip possible. So here are my tips for how to take a dog-friendly road trip!

5 Tips to Take a Dog-friendly Road Trip

Health first: Make sure your dog has all the proper vaccinations and proof of these shots for the state/country for which you are traveling. Through my research, I discovered that Tennessee recommended a different shot than what was required in Florida, so make sure you ask your vet!
A spacious and safe car: During my latest road trip, I was lucky enough to drive the 2017 Mazda6 Grand Touring. This was the perfect fit as it combined luxury with fuel efficiency and some stellar safety features. So, while cruising up I-95 with the EPA-estimated 35 mpg, I was feeling good about getting great mileage while also feeling safer with the Mazda’s i-Activsense batch of active-safety assists. Thanks to a new camera, this setup can detect pedestrians, cars and large objects moving into the Mazda’s path at city speeds and, as with the system’s existing collision-warning function, it can automatically hit the brakes.
Keeping your pup in their place: If your furry friend is going to be a good road trip buddy, you need to make sure they are happy and comfy, but also secure. The last thing you need to happen is that your pup jumps into your lap while you are cruising along the interstate. Depending on your dogs size and personality, there are endless options for crates, booster seats, harnesses, and carrying cases. I recommend you check out all the options on Amazon and let the reviews be your guide as to which would ideal for your pet.
Take your time: The key to a happy road trip with your pet is keeping them happy. Each time that I travel with my pup is a different experience, based on her mood and physical state. So, instead of rushing and focusing on getting to my destination at a specific time – I let my dog’s attitude be the gauge for our trip. When she gets restless, we stop for a break. I know she needs exercise, so I always opt for the roadside rest areas with ample space to run versus only stopping for gas in urban areas where it wouldn’t be safe for her. I especially love the service areas on Florida’s Turnpike which almost all offer dog run areas.
Hotels that love pets: Instead of trying to force road trips in one day, I try and break them up across a few days. This lowers stress and gives me more time to do the idea mentioned above. However, doing that means I have to book a hotel. But no fear, there are now so many great options for pet-friendly hotels these days! I personally love to stay at the Best Western properties and during my recent road trip, we found a Best Western Plus in Valdosta, Georgia which was perfect! Between the spacious suite, pet-friendly floors, and free breakfast – it was the ideal rest place for us. My pup felt right at home and it helped us both rest and relax before getting back on the road the next day.

Doesn’t Peachy look cozy? If you have any other tips for how to make the best of a road trip when you have your four-legged friend to think about , please let us know in the comment section below!

Best Weekend Florida Road Trip: Palm Beaches

August 28, 2016 by Amanda T. Filed Under: Amanda, English, Places, Travel

Best Weekend Florida Road Trip: The Palm Beaches

One of the many great things about living in Florida is the endless supply of amazing beaches and getaways that are available to us locals year-round. Funny enough, the “struggle” is simply trying to determine where you want to enjoy your next weekend from all the amazing choices. Saying that, I’ve been on a mission to discover the Best Weekend Florida Road Trips and I found a winner with the Palm Beaches!

So to test my theory that our neighbor to the North (I’m coming from Miami) has ample adventures to keep me busy for a weekend, I set off with my buddy @JoseResendez to discover just what the Palm Beaches have to offer!

To make our ride from Miami as smooth as possible, we packed up our things in a Mitsubishi Mirage that was the perfect size for our weekend road trip! While we had plenty of space on the inside, I also really appreciated the compact size and mileage efficiency (its the most fuel-efficient gas powered, non-hybrid car in America!) – which made zipping up the I-95 a breeze!

For those looking to plan a Florida Road Trip, I’ve recapped the best of our experiences in the Palm Beaches so you can see just why this is a great option for your next getaway! With all the good information we’ve gathered below, I feel confident that you can use this as a guide to ensure you have a fabulous time in the Palm Beaches!

Eat to Explore

To kick off our weekend in the Palm Beaches, we signed up for the West Palm Beach Food Tour – which served two purposes: filling our bellies with tasty treats and also giving us a great intro to the area. Our tour guide, Kristi, was a pleasant story-teller and very knowledgeable about the area…while letting you enjoy the tour at your own pace! Even though we took the tour on a scorcher of a Saturday (typical for Florida in August), the tour was still doable in the heat. Kristi combined short walks with long sits in the AC to keep us all from getting fussy!

Its hard to pick out just what was our favorite dish of the day, since each stop worked you through what was essentially a full meal (plus some!). But below is a collage of some of our favorite tastings. There really is something for everyone: savory, sweet, tart, salty, etc. On their website, Kristi gives you a specific breakdown of each dish you will enjoy at the different locations so you can check out the ones we don’t have pictured below!

This photo features: Ahi Tuna Tostada from the Blind Monk, variety of savory and sweet treats from the Jardin, fresh Key Lime tart, and the tastiest Pan Con Tomate I’ve ever had from the Blink Monk.

Pamper Time

So after a full day of walking and exploring West Palm, I decided to take a little time for myself and visited our friends at Cosmo & Company Salon and Spa. They had me booked for a hand full of treatments to really help me relax and absorb all that I had seen and done during the day.

There is really just too much to explain in this recap post about my experience at Cosmo & Company, so for those looking for more details about the treatments, then check it out here.

But the pampering doesn’t stop there! As with any trip, its important to book a hotel that will serve as your refugee of relaxation – but especially when you are trying to escape for a weekend getaway in between a work week. We found just that with the Hilton Garden Inn at Palm Beach Gardens we were able to enjoy a centralized location while also feeling like we secluded enough to relax.

The interior, as well as the exterior, are decorated to highlight the natural beauty of the area. It was so lovely that we decided to enjoy a walk around the calming lake right after our tasty breakfast! For more details about our experience with the Hilton Garden Inn, click here.

Shopping Sprees

On top of all the exploring to be done, the Palm Beaches have some amazing shopping! We selected a few from a long list that were in different areas so that we could get a feel for the diversity of this county. While we were still in Palm Beach area, we hopped over to The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens for some light shopping and lunch. This mall just screams luxury and I was really impressed by the beautiful greenery inside – they aren’t kidding when they call themselves the Gardens Mall, certain areas really felt like a garden! Their tagline is “Luxury Retail with No Equal” which is not an exaggeration! After spending some time shopping at a few of their store (there are more than 150 in total!) and grabbing some lunch at Brio Tuscan Grille we called it a day!

Perfectly located near the interstate on our drive back from West Palm Beach to Miami, we ventured over to the Town Center at Boca Raton for another round of retail therapy. Since it had been a long day at this point, I was particularly impressed by all the extra services that the mall had to offer like free wi-fi and a package check so we didn’t have to drag around our bags all afternoon. I had some fun with the signage around the mall that talked about these services!

So with our Mitsubishi Mirage packed to the brim with shopping bags and fun memories from the weekend, we headed south to Miami. Can I mention really quick that I made it all the way back home on the same tank of gas?! How amazing is that!

With the Palm Beaches so nearby and accessible with the interstate and turnpike, you really can pack so much into 2 days! I’m definitely adding this to my rotation for weekend getaways and can’t wait to continue exploring all that the Palm Beaches has to offer!

Cosmo & Company: Must-Visit Salon

August 28, 2016 by Amanda T. Filed Under: Amanda

Cosmo & Company: Must-Visit Salon in West Palm Beach

For over 38 years, Cosmo DiSchino of Cosmo & Company has been the man behind the chair. He is the mastermind, the owner, the motivator, and the mentor at this fabulous salon, which has earned the status of “institution” in West Palm Beach. During my recent trip to the area, I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to check it out in person and try out just a few of the wide range of services.

You can check out their website for the complete list of services (get ready to be impressed!), but below I’ve highlighted the specific services I was able to enjoy:

I started out in the spa area with Shannon Gouleven who applied a relaxing mud wrap to improve circulation, firm and tone. This was a great way to take moment to myself to mentally prepare for the rest of the services and push all the stress from traveling out of my head. I also really enjoyed the information explications of the benefits of the wrap and scrub as they were being applied – it really helped me appreciate fully the experience.

From there, I passed to another room with Lily Dorsa, Medical Aesthetician to focus on my face! I started out with the Fire & Ice Facial. This ultra anti-aging iS Clinical Innovative Skincare® facial combines botanical antioxidants to resurface skin, reduce fine lines, and encourage cellular renewal. A warm Resurfacing Masque of powerful botanical acids, retinol, niacin, and antioxidants leave skin polished and glowing. Then, a Revitalizing Masque using natures most nourishing hydrator hyaluronic acid and cooling aloe vera reveals luminous, fresh, and hydrated skin.

To make me look extra fresh for the rest of the day, I also enjoyed the Eye Bright Treatment to wake up my tired eyes- and to treat fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness.

From there, it was time to make my way to the salon to get dolled up for my evening in West Palm Beach. Cosmo entrusted my hair to his 2nd in command, Peter, who did an amazing flow up that definitely put an extra pep in my step!

To finish it off and send me on my way, I enjoyed some glam time with Alyson who pampered me with a lovely makeover.

I can easily say that when traveling to this part of Florida, a day at Cosmo & Company is an absolute necessity! With an eye for diversity and depth of talent, and a heart for building a family style working atmosphere, Cosmo really has gathered a group of highly trained professionals to bring you the latest trends and technologies, keeping them honed through constant continuing education and in-house training. All of this builds into a fully enjoyable experience, from the moment you drop off your car at the valet until you are walking out after your pampering.

Visit their website for more information and to book an appointment!

Hilton Garden Inn Palm Beach Gardens: Review

August 28, 2016 by Amanda T. Filed Under: Amanda, English, Travel

Hilton Garden Inn Palm Beach Gardens: Review

Looking for the perfect spot to call home during your trip to the Palm Beach area? We found one at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Beach Gardens! During our recent road trip to the area, we were looking for a centrally located hotel that would keep us right in the middle of all of the action for our weekend filled with adventures, but also secluded enough that we could take some time to relax and enjoy the quiet. So you can get a feel for our experience at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Beach Gardens, we’ve broken it down for you in a few sections:

The Hilton Garden Inn was perfectly located near the interstate, but since its actually found in Palm Beach Gardens – its not in the center of the downtown area = which means less traffic and a chiller vibe!

I also loved the lake-side location with a quiet walking path which was perfect way to ease ourselves into the day after breakfast.

The service at the Hilton Garden Inn was awesome! From the front desk to the in-room service, everyone went above and beyond to make sure our stay was enjoyable. You definitely feel like you are staying in a smaller boutique with the personal details!

I always love a good hotel breakfast, so I was happy to find out they offered an ample AM buffet with all the essentials, plus an omelette station! Food is the fastest way to my heart when I’m traveling, that’s for sure.

I would place this Hilton Garden Inn somewhere in the middle here. While the location makes this the perfect hotel for the family, it didn’t seem too over-the-top focused on families. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel too uncomfortable if we are the odd-ones-out without kids, but the hotel really had a solid mix of all types of travelers. We enjoyed a few drinks at the bar before heading out for the night, but also noticed a family playing in the pool – so its fun for everyone!

Since our stay, I’ve been keeping up with the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Beach Gardens via their Facebook page which features hotel offers and special event information. Great way to keep connected so you are prepared for your next trip to the Palm Beach area!