New Dawn Vacations - Kelsey's Travel Blog #Travel Inspiration

Must See: The Beautiful Country of Belize

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:03:22 -0500

Here's how I spent 11 days in Belize as a solo, female traveler

I visited 5 different areas of the country, so I'm going to break it up by each town!

Belize, Stop #1: Belize City

Well if you're coming to Belize, the city will be your first stop as it's the only international airport in the country. You have to remember Belize is pretty small, more like a state in the US. It's about a 2 hour drive from the coast to the inland border.

I chose to stay a night in the city because I didn't want to do all of my traveling in one day (and I also wanted to check it out). Not going to lie, there's not much going on in the city. This is where cruise lines will stop if Belize is one of the ports. There's a "tourism alley" where all the cruisers go to buy souvenirs and such. There's also a Belize museum that has 3 stars on Google, lol. Nothing really worth checking out.

The south side of the city is known for having more crime. The US has a different level travel advisory for the area south of Haulover Creek. I didn't have a ton of time to explore, as I only stayed one night, but I asked a taxi driver to take me around the city before I left for the islands. And honestly, there's really no reason tourists would go to the south side anyway, it's mostly residential. The crime is opportunistic as it's a poor area.

The hotel I stayed at was close to the port- Harbour View Cottages. Super cute place to stay! It's run by a mother and daughter team, and it doesn't feel like you're in a city when you stay there. There are one and two bedroom cottages, two pools, a spa, and a cafe all on the grounds. They also do yoga and there's a meditation area. Overall, it's just really peaceful. I enjoyed taking a dip in the pool and reading my book in my hammock. The food at the cafe was also good, and they had vegetarian and gluten free options. I always like to take note of this as this can be a huge issue for some travelers. It's nice to find places that are accommodating. I had the stewed chicken which is a traditional dish in the area.

Belize City Travel Tip: If you want to visit tourist alley, and you're not coming by cruise ship, you need to apply for entrance at least 24 hours prior.

Belize, Stop #2 : San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

From Belize city, most people travel up to the islands Ambergris Caye (pronounced key) or Caye Caulker. Both areas are very popular with tourists. There are two options to get there- ferry or flight. I took the ferry there and a flight back because I wanted to experience what both were like. The ferry is pretty bare bones, there are no amenities, it's basically a water bus. It takes about an hour to get to Caye Caulker, and another 30 minutes to Amgergris Caye. The flight is a 15 minute ride, but it's in a "puddle jumper," which I wasn't so thrilled about. But I survived, lol. Price wise, the ferry is around $35 vs the flight which is around $100. There are two ferry companies and two flight companies to choose from.

I stayed in San Pedo on Ambergris Caye which is much larger than Caye Caulker. I didn't make it to the smaller island, but I've heard the vibe is chill. It just doesn't have as many options as the larger island.

Everyone drives golf carts on the islands. I knew this ahead of time, but I didn't know there was going to be so many. Like everyone has a golf cart, so I decided to rent one last minute. They're not crazy expensive, I paid around $90 for the three days I was there. It was worth it in my opinion.

The island is split between north and south, cut by a waterway that connects the bay to the ocean. The south part of the island is much more developed and where "downtown" is. If you want to be around the hustle and bustle, you'll want to stay in this area. If you want to stay in a more quiet spot, you'll want to go more north.

I stayed at Pur Boutique Cabanas- it's an small adults only property with a taco bar. It seems like the vibe depends on the guests. The first night I arrived, it was much more of a party atmosphere, but when that group of guests left, it was much more relaxed. They have a pool as well.

I was surprised that there's really no beaches on the island except for Secret Beach (which isn't so secret anymore). I did check it out, but it was a bit too party vibe for me. Think of Secrets in Ocean City vibes. They have the tables in the water, and there's always music going. The ride there can be bumpy, as it's not paved all the way out. Definitely proceed with caution, especially if you're going with a rented golf cart. Many companies won't cover any damages occurred on this road. To get to secret beach you have to travel north, and then you cut over to the west coast.

The northern side of the island is being heavily developed. The road isn't paved all the way up there, but there are a ton of new resorts in the area. I'm sure it will be paved eventually, but something you'll want to consider when deciding where to stay on the island.

The big attractions in the area are snorkeling and diving. South of the island is Hol Chan Marine Reserve (translates into tiny channel). The reef that hugs Belize's coast is the second largest in the world (great barrier reef is #1) and runs north into Mexico and south into Honduras. The area is very protected, and you must go there with a guide. They charge you a $15 entrance fee (which you need to pay in cash for).

I signed up for two snorkels- one in zone a on the reef, and one in zone d with the nurse sharks. The reef was lovely and truly the best reef I've seen since Australia. I saw some animals I haven't seen before like an octopus (finally) and a reef shark. I also saw a manta ray and sea turtle which I'll never get enough of! They're so graceful in the water.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the nurse sharks. I guess they don't have front teeth, so they're "safe" to swim with lol. You have a choice of jumping in the water with them, or you can stay in the boat to watch them. My group of 8 went half and half on this choice. They feed them chum to get them to come over. I did get a little nervous when soooo many were coming for the food. They're the size of me which was a bit intimidating, especially when you see 10-15 swimming towards you. But I just gave myself some space, and I was okay. I wasn't in the swarm of them like the one guy lol. Overall, I was glad I did it as it's the largest animals I've swam with, YOLO!

San Pedro Travel Tip: You can rent reserve a golf cart ahead of time, and they will meet you at the ferry or airport (depending how you arrive). This way you don't have to worry about grabbing a cab.

Belize, Stop #3: Placencia

Once I arrived back in Belize City, I grabbed my rental car and drove down the coast to Placencia. It was around a three hour drive.

Placencia is a peninsula. Some of it is very thin, but it widens out at the bottom. At one point, the air strip and ocean are just across the road from each other.

There are a lot of ex-pats living in this area. You can tell a lot of rich Americans decided to build mansions on the water to retire in. There are still open waterfront lots, but you can tell it's being developed.

The main part of town is really just a strip along the water. There's a main driving road, and there's a walking path that runs parallel. At the very end of the walking trail, there is a pier. Towards this end is where it's more "hoppin." It was definitely giving me Florida vibes. There were restaurants, bars, shops, all along the path- including the big titty rum bar.

I stayed probably a five minute walk from there at Caribbean Beach Cabanas. It's an adults only property, and it's been my favorite on the trip. It's small- they said 20 guests max at a time. It's right on the beach, and the staff is lovely. They have a pool and bar that serves food during the day. They also have complimentary breakfast that they deliver to your room each morning, lovely!

I mostly just relaxed during the time I spent here. The sea was super calm, and the water was so clear. The resort had kayaks, sup boards, and tubes you could borrow. I floated around in the tube for a while- it was so relaxing. Highly recommend this spot if you need some quiet R&R!

Placencia Travel Tip: Fishing and diving is popular in this area, and the boat will pick you up right on the beach of your hotel. If you're not into those activities or just sitting on the beach, I felt that there was a not much else to do in this area.

Belize, Stop #4: Hopkins

On my way to Hopkins, I stopped at Mayan World Destinations to see the waterfall. I rode a horse out there, but you can also drive or take an ATV. The area you can access has three waterfalls with pools to swim in. And they've somehow managed to get a bar/grill up there too.

The water was soooo clear. There's moments in Belize where it doesn't feel like real life. Like it's too pretty to be real. Definitely recommend stopping here if staying in Placencia or Hopkins. They also have ziplining and waterfall repelling on site.

Now Hopkins is a little beach town- smaller than Placencia. It's technically a Garifuna fishing village. The Garifuna people originated from St Vincent and their culture is known for their drumming and dancing.

I honestly didn't do much in the area besides relax. My room was right on the beach, and it was just lovely. I stayed at Coconut Row, which I would also recommend. They have a pool and restaurant/bar on site. They also do snorkeling/fishing charters right from the shore. A great spot to rest.

Hopkins Travel Tip: Bring coconut oil to wear when you're on the beach, especially at dusk and dawn. Those no-see-ums are no joke!

Belize, Stop #5: Teakettle

My last stop was to head inland to check out the jungle and the ATM cave. The greenery and water is beautiful out this way.

I stayed in Teakettle but took day trips to San Ignacio and Belmopan. Many people stay in San Ignacio to visit the Mayan ruins out that way (near the Guatemalan border). Belmopan is the capital, and I really liked this area. Cute neighborhoods, restaurants, and overall vibe. I would consider staying here next time. Where I stayed was nice (Dream Valley), but it was a 3 mile drive on dirt roads to get there. It got annoying to have to drive that every time I wanted to go in/out.

Belize has made a ton of progress in paving their roads the last few years, but it's mainly just the highways. Anything off the highway is going to be a dirt road. I definitely recommend getting a 4wd if you're exploring this area.

Now, the ATM was AMAZING, even though I was super nervous about doing it! And not going to lie, it was pretty challenging physically, but wow, what an experience. If you go to Belize, this is a MUST DO. I don't have any pictures to share because they don't allow cameras after tourists kept dropping their phones and breaking the artifacts.

Teakettle Travel Tip: Do the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave! Bring water sandals with closed toe and nice thick socks for the journey, trust me!

If you're interested in traveling to Belize, I would love to help you plan your trip! You can schedule a consultation below.

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My Top 5 Travel Destinations for 2026

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:04:39 -0500

Where are you traveling in 2026?

Here are the top destinations for 2026 based on travel trends I'm seeing with my clients:

Fiji
New Zealand
Costa Rica
Mexico (Riviera Maya)
Aruba

Fiji is perfect for the "let me unplug for real" traveler. The island is full of warm hospitality, culture, endless blue waters, and unreal sunsets. Although, the flight time can be a bit much, especially for us folks on the East Coast. It's about 5-6 hours to the West Coast, and then another 10 hours to Fiji. And don't forget about that time change. So it takes most "3 days" to get there.

New Zealand's got it all. But it might be a bit ambitious to think you can do both islands on one trip (yes, NZ is two islands). The North Island is smaller, and I'm seeing most folks want to explore the South Island. I would suggest a minimum of two weeks to get around one of the islands, but of course you could spend weeks there and not get bored. Renting a car or campervan is a must.

Costa Rica has been growing in popularity. You have some options when traveling here as well as it touches both oceans. It's a bit ambitious to think you can do both sides in one trip. Most people fly inland and then venture out to one of the coasts. Most popular has been La Fortuna, which has the Arenal Volcano, and then the Tamarindo area where you can chill at the beach, or surf if that's your thing. I'll be watching the surfers from shore lol.

The Riviera Maya in Mexico is still a client favorite for all-inclusive ease, romantic resorts, and cenotes. This area is south of Cancun and north of Tulum, so you can fly into either airport. Mexico in general is one of the most cost effective vacations you can take. So if you're trying to ball on a budget, this might be your spot! The one thing you need to consider is timing. Mexico has been facing large amounts of sargassum (seaweed) during the summer months. Stick to this area in the winter.

Aruba has always been one of my favorites since traveling there years ago for a destination wedding. The location is great as it's not in the hurricane belt, so you don't have to worry about your trip or wedding being interrupted. The beaches are calm and beautiful, and I felt very safe on the island. A great spot for families and couples alike.

If any of these destinations are speaking your name, I'd love to help you plan your next trip!

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My 3 Day Itinerary in Barcelona

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:04:12 -0400

Thinking of Barcelona? Here's what I did!

Barcelona Day 1

Before we headed on our cruise, we spent a few days in Barcelona exploring the city. We flew a red eye and were so blessed when our hotel let us check in at 9AM. We stayed at Casa Camper- truly a hidden gem in the El Ravel neighborhood. This area is south of the main tourist strip La Rambla (more on that area later). The service was truly great here, and our room was lovely with a full size tub/separate shower and three balconies. The hotel also has a rooftop terrace with an “honest bar.” You have to love how different the drinking culture is here compared to the US. You can just pour what you like and write it down for them to charge it to your room. The views up here were lovely and a great social area to chat with others if you like.

Checking in early allowed us to drop our luggage and take a much needed shower. We took a five minute walk to Mercat (market) de la Boquieria. There were lots of fresh fruits and juices, nuts, meats, cheeses, olives, empanadas, and fresh seafood. I ended up grabbing some fresh juice and an empanada. The empanadas were different than you would expect here, but they were still good. It tasted almost like a wonton. The area is famous for its Jamon Iberico (Iberian Ham). It’s a cured leg of pork made from pigs that live in the Iberian Peninsula. It’s usually served sliced with cheese like a charcuterie or as a tapa.

After heading back to the hotel, we went out for dinner (eating is a recurring theme here…) to Bodega Oliva. The word bodega has a different meaning here than it does in the states. It refers to a wine shop or tavern that typically serves tapas. I liked this place because they let you order a random sampler which was great for our first day. It came with an appetizer (meats and cheeses), 6 tapas, and 2 after dinner shots (made in house) which tasted like Baileys but better.

Other than eating, we mostly just walked around and explored the first day. The time change is rough (6 hours ahead), and it definitely took a few days to adjust.

Today’s pro tip: Just take a taxi from the airport. There are rideshare apps in the area, but it’s more popular, and easier, to just grab a taxi from the queue. Just FYI that certain taxi rides will have a base rate surcharge. Any taxi from the airport has a 4.50 euro surcharge, and it will cost you about 30-40 euros to get to the city center. Also, if you reserve a taxi, like we did on our way to the cruise port, there's a 7 euro surcharge. They’ll have a meter on their rearview mirror, and we just paid with our phone wallet.

Barcelona Day 2

We started the morning early as we had a 9AM ticket to Sagrada Familia. In my opinion, this is a must do tourist attraction in Barcelona. We took the metro there from the hotel. It’s extremely easy to navigate, especially if you’ve been on any sort of metro before. You can buy single or multi pass tickets at the kiosks.

A little bit of background on Segrada- the church started construction in 1882 with the guidance of Antoni Gaudi (a famous architect in the area). It’s become the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world as they are still working on it to this day. Gaudi is buried there in the crypt and worked on the project until he passed. The project is funded by ticket sales.

Segrada was way more grand than I imagined. I’ve seen some beautiful churches while traveling, but I got off the Metro stop, looked up, and was like damn. What a site! I purchased the audio tour ticket which explained how every element was done with purpose. Everything was symbolic. My favorite part was the stained glass windows. On the side where the sun rose, the stained glass was done in cool colors which illuminated the church in hues of blues in the morning. The other side, where the sun sets, was done in warm colors which illuminated the church in oranges.

We purchased the optional add on to go up one of the towers. I chose the Passion Tower because it’s a bit taller than the Nativity Tower. They take you up in an elevator, but you have to walk down. It was very narrow, but overall not too bad (coming from someone who’s super clumsy and out of shape). The only part that made me a little out of breath was the last set of stairs which was a spiral staircase. Accessibility wise, the church was wheelchair friendly, but there is no way to go up the towers.

Next we walked over to the Corgi Cafe- there’s four of them around the city. I’m a dog mom to a Corgi, so of course this was on my list to visit! It was so cute, and the food and drinks were actually delicious. I ordered the corgi pancakes which were pink with berries on top. Seriously, the raspberries on top were the best I ever tasted. There was a sleepy corgi there who I got to pet.

After that, we took the Metro down to the beach area Barceloneta because I wanted to check out the area. We walked from the station down the promenade to the beach. I wasn’t super impressed with the neighborhood- it’s definitely a tourist hot spot. The beach area looked decent but wasn’t huge. I could see this area as a good half or full day trip from the city if you’re looking to get in the water, but I wouldn’t want to stay there.

We took the bus back to the hotel. The buses weren’t as easy as the metro to navigate, but we figured it out. We used Google Maps and the Citymapper app all throughout the trip which were super helpful. You can use your card or phone to pay for the trip, but you have to go in the front door. The card readers in the back of the bus only work for Travel Cards. You can buy these ahead of time on the TMB website if you’d like. They offer single tickets, multi day passes, and multiple journey passes.

At the hotel, we got cleaned up and ready for a flamenco show in the Eixample neighborhood. Side note- this is the most popular gay neighborhood in the area. I really enjoyed this neighborhood overall and would consider staying there if I travel to Barcelona in the future.

The flamenco show was at Casa Sors. I bought my tickets off of Viator, but it looks like you can get them direct for a few euros cheaper. There are ticket options that include drinks and food, but I recommend just paying a la carte the night of the show. I can’t speak for the food, but the drinks were great. The show was really fantastic. The flamenco is such a powerful dance, and this venue is intimate with about 20 seats. The cast are extremely talented dancers and musicians. Highly recommend checking this show out if you’re in the area.

Casa Sors is also a guitar museum and hosts space for education. I wasn’t really sure what to expect for this part, but I really enjoyed this as well. The guide discussed the history of the guitar with different examples and would play samples for us. After the educational portion, he put on a mini performance for our group. He played songs on three different historic guitars. It truly felt like a private performance- I really enjoyed it. Also, the museum has a guitar made by Francisco Sanguino in 1769. There are only five of them in the world. The design was beautiful and intricate with inlaid shells. Although not a music player myself, this was a gorgeous piece to see.

Today’s pro tip: You have to buy Sagrada Familia tickets ahead of time. If you wait to when you’re traveling, they will be sold out. I highly recommend going at 9AM when it first opens as it’s the least crowded at this time. You can buy your tickets directly from their website. You’ll have a choice of a guided or audio tour with an optional add on to go up one of the towers. We did the audio tour and went up the Passion Tower (this one's a bit higher than the Nativity Tower). I prefer the audio because I like to go at my own pace.

Barcelona Day 3

Today we took a trip up to Tibidabo to see the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When we were on the rooftop of our hotel, we could see this beautiful church in the distant mountains. We knew we had to check it out. Randomly, there is also an amusement park next door if you’re traveling with kids.

To get up the mountain, we took the commuter train to a funicular. I’ve never heard of a funicular before, but it’s basically a train car on a cable lift that takes you up the mountain. From there, we grabbed the bus (it was a mini bus), the rest of the way to the top. The whole trip took around 45 minutes, but the views were worth it! You could also take a taxi, but I wanted to experience public transportation as much as possible.

The temple was pretty and had amazing views of Barcelona. You can pay a few euros to take the elevator up to the top. To get to the tippy top, you have to take some stairs further up. We wanted to grab lunch after this. There was one restaurant in the area, but it had terrible reviews and was super touristy. So we decided to take the bus back down to Placa de Vallvidrera to get lunch at Restaurant Casa Trampa. During the week, they only serve “menu of the day,” and you may or may not come in contact with someone that speaks English. The menu of the day is popular in Spain and consists of a starter, main dish and dessert. For all of this, we spent about 30 euros which is crazy (it would have been like $100 in the states). The food was great, and they have a full menu if you catch them on the weekend.

From there, we took the train back down into the city and headed to the Banksy museum. Overall, I liked it because I am a fan of his work, but none of the work there was original. Also, there’s no AC, so keep that in mind if you’re traveling in the summer. We were sweating our asses off. Not having AC is common in Europe.

So we took some time back at the hotel to clean up for dinner. We checked out La Condesa which is a Mexican restaurant/bar in the L’Eixample neighborhood. The food was great and the vibe was chill. They do close from like 4pm-6:30PM just FYI.

Today’s pro tip: Closing midday/afternoon is not uncommon in the area. Also, everything is later in Spain. Most people don’t eat dinner until after 9PM. It stays lighter later, so it felt natural to follow this pattern.

Barcelona is one of those places that is so lovely that I definitely would love to visit again. If you're interested in using an advisor to plan your next trip, please set up a consultation!

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Miches: A New Destination in the Dominican Republic

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:46:10 -0400

I'm sure you've heard of Punta Cana, but have you heard about Miches?

Nothing compares to seeing a place in person. Last week I was in the Dominican for E3 Training hosted by Classic Vacations. E3 stands for Elite, Education, and Experience. Classic Vacations is a supplier I work with to book vacations. As your advisor, I want to continue educating myself on everything travel. Miches is a new destination in the Dominican about 90 minutes from the Punta Cana airport.

On the drive out, you'll pass areas you probably know- Punta Cana, Bavaro, and Cap Cana. After that, you're in the beautiful countryside surrounded by lush greenery, mountains, and animals. I'm a visual learner, so here's a map:

Since it's a new destination, there's only a handful of resorts open in the area, and I was able to see three of them: Zemi Miches, Secrets/Dreams Playa Esmeralda, and Marriot Miches Beach.

First, I'll start with Zemi Miches as that's where I stayed. At this point, the resort is 80% completed. They're still working on the spa, kids area, and the private bungalows. I was surprised to hear that this hotel is part of the Hilton All Inclusive Collection as it's unique and boasts elements of the surrounding Taino culture. It has 10 restaurants/bars, four pools, water slides, and event space. There's also a preferred club area that has a rooftop pool and additional dining options.

Standard rooms have a variety of views- tropical, ocean, and beach. There's also a plunge pool option on the first floor. They have connecting rooms available and a suite category perfect for families with a King bed and 2 Queen beds. The beachfront bungalows come in a suite, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom option.

The pools were lovely. The main pool has a swim up bar and a food truck poolside. I believe there were also two hot tubs in that area. The beach is natural- the sand is more brown than white. But the water was lovely, it was even warmer than the pool. I would suggest water shoes as there's some rocks in the area. The resort also offers complimentary water sports like paddle boards and kayaks.

My overall thoughts on this resort is that it's perfect for multigenerational trips and also couples looking for a relaxing getaway. The kids will stay entertained with the kids club, teen club, and water slides. I could see honeymooners really enjoying the beachfront bungalows, spa, and great dining. The overall vibe is more relaxed than what you might find at Punta Cana.

The next resort I saw was Marriott Miches Beach. This resort isn't actually open yet but will be soon. It's a bit more budget friendly than the other two resorts I saw, but it still has all the amenities you'd need. Their beachfront area was the biggest as well.

Marriott Miches Beach- This resort is a bit more budget friendly, but it still has all the amenities you'd need. I loved their two story room option for entertaining and could see groups really enjoying this property. Their standard rooms come with a tropical or pool view. Upgraded rooms have jacuzzi options and swim up pools. There's even a two story room that would be perfect for entertaining a small party. I could really envision groups enjoying this space, especially corporate groups.

The last property was the largest of the three- Dreams (family) and Secrets (adult only) Playa Esmeralda. These neighboring resorts offer a ton of amenities. This resort just opened this summer so still very new. Guests from the Secrets side are able to use Dream's amenities, and adults from the Dreams side are able to access Secret's amenities. Kids are not allowed on the adults only side at all.

The middle area is where the two resorts connect, and that is where many of the dining options and activities are. Honestly, it was so extensive I felt that I was in a small town. The Secrets side has 11 restaurant/bars and Dreams has ten. The standard room at Dreams and Secrets have either a tropical, pool, or ocean view with the additional option of a swim up. Both sides have a preferred club level with preferred amenities and exclusive areas. Overall, I love this property for destination weddings as it really offers something for every generation.

If you have any questions about any of these resorts, I'd be happy to answer!

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10 Honeymoon Resorts with Private Pools and Unmatched Views

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 07:43:39 -0400

Looking for a honeymoon resort that screams ‘just married and living our best lives’? We’re talking private pools made for skinny dipping, views that’ll have you pinching each other (in a good way), and service so over-the-top you’ll wonder if they know you’re not actual celebrities.

My Top 10 Recommendations:

Jade Mountain
St Lucia

Open-air sanctuaries with private infinity pools overlooking the Pitons.

Laucala Island Resort
Fiji

A private island paradise offering spacious villas with private pools, personal chefs, and ultra-luxury service surrounded by rainforest and reef.

Four Seasons Resort
Bora Bora

Overwater bungalows with plunge pools and crystal-clear lagoons.

The Brando Tetiaroa
French Polynesia

Ultra-luxury villas with private beach access and personal plunge pools.

Viceroy Los Cabos
Mexico

Sleek, modern suites with ocean views and private pools.

Cabo Tagoo
Santorini, Greece

Iconic cliffside suites with sunset-facing pools.

Pikaia Lodge
Galapagos

For adventurous couples, this eco-lodge offers luxurious pools with volcanic island views.

Como Maalifushi
Maldives

Remote, serene, and perfect for unplugging in style.

Hanging Gardens
Bali

Famous for their two-tiered jungle infinity pools.

Constance Prince Maurice
Mauritius

Secluded overwater villas and serene lagoon views, perfect for romance.

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