Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Why Negril, Jamaica Is Exactly What Your Heart Needs Right Now

I want to talk to you today about a place that feels like exhaling — Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril. If you’ve been carrying stress, or you’re craving sunshine, peace, laughter, and luxury without having to think too hard… Negril is calling your name.

And yes, after the 2025 hurricane, people have been asking, “How are the resorts doing?”
Here’s the truth: they’re doing beautifully.

Sunset at Beach Resort Negril, Jamaica

Sandals and Beaches Negril experienced mostly cosmetic damage — downed trees, landscaping loss, some outdoor cleanup — but the buildings, rooms, restaurants, pools, and core amenities remained solid. Their teams worked day and night, and the properties have fully reopened, refreshed, strong, and ready for guests. Jamaica is resilient, and these resorts came back with even more warmth, heart, and purpose.

Now let’s talk about why YOU might need to be there.


Unlimited Water Sports That Meet You Where You Are

One thing I love about Negril is that you can be as calm or as adventurous as you want.

For the adventure side of you:
My first time paddleboarding at Beaches Negril

  • Scuba diving (included!)

  • Snorkeling over the reefs

  • Wakeboarding, tubing, kneeboarding

  • Paddleboarding and kayaking

  • Windsurfing

  • Sailing and Hobie Cats

  • Glass-bottom boat rides

  • And yes… those big colorful aquatrikes

All included. No surprise charges. No “add-ons.” Just pure Caribbean fun. 

For the peaceful side of you:

    Star fish and waterskiing
  • Floating in that calm turquoise water

  • Early morning paddleboarding while the sea is still

  • Quiet swims at sunrise

  • Gentle waves setting your whole nervous system at ease


It’s a reset button for your body and your mind.



Food That Feels Like a Vacation All By Itself

Both Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril have amazing dining, but Sandals really shines with its mix of cozy, elegant, and toes-in-the-sand restaurants.

Some favorites you’ll love:

Dinner, breakfast or lunch with a view

  • Fresh seafood right on the beach

  • Caribbean jerk dishes with that irresistible smoky flavor

  • Brick-oven pizza under the palm trees

  • Italian favorites with ocean views

  • Teppanyaki dinners full of laughter and connection

Plus the bars — swim-up bars, beach bars, lounges, and your own in-room minibar. It feels like ease. It feels like luxury without being stuffy. It feels like someone finally said, “Relax, we’ve got you.”


Luxury Relaxation for Any Season of Life

If it’s you and your girls:

Sandals Negril is effortless. Beach hammocks, quiet nooks to nap, butler suites if you want them, and that laid-back Negril vibe that whispers, “You’re safe here. Rest.”

Can you say lazy river? Yes please.
Spa days, sun-soaked mornings, late-night laughter… it’s the kind of trip that refills your soul.

If you’re taking the family:


Beaches Negril is the place.
Waterslides, lazy river, splash park, endless activities for kids and teens — and still that classic Negril beauty for you. The whole family feels seen and cared for.



Travel That Helps Jamaica Heal

Choosing to visit Negril this season isn’t just about treating yourself — though you absolutely deserve that. It also supports resort staff, local families, and the Jamaican tourism economy as they continue rebuilding after the storm. Your presence helps. Your visit matters.


My Personal Invitation to You

Picture this…
You step off the plane and the warm air wraps around you. You’re driven along the coastline, past palm trees and pastel buildings, until you reach a place where the ocean is a color so blue it looks unreal.

You drop your bags in your room, walk straight to the beach, and let the water roll over your feet. And for the first time in a long time… you breathe. 

Whether it’s with your girlfriends, your family, or just you needing space to recharge — Negril is the kind of place that meets you right where you are and reminds you you’re still held, still called to joy, still allowed to live wildly and beautifully.

If you want help planning a girls’ getaway or a family vacation to either Sandals Negril or Beaches Negril, I’m here — and this is the kind of travel planning I love. Just tell me what you’re thinking, and we’ll build something beautiful together.


If you want, I can also create a perfect 3-night or 5-night sample itinerary for either resort — just say the word. mspanostravels@gmail.com

-Michelle Spanos

Travel Agent and lover of ...a comfy bathrobe

Friday, February 20, 2015

Muir Woods, California

If you find yourself in the San Francisco Area then Muir Woods National Monument needs to make your "to see list".

Just 11 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge I think it's a great place to start 
or end 
your day in San Francisco.



The height!
it's the height with the redwoods.

When you stand at the base of one of these trees it's as if they reach up and touch heaven and somehow you get a little taste, a fresh breath of heaven here on earth.

As if God loved designing and growing these trees so much He allowed us to see a small glimmer of His Majestic Greatness in them!

Photos do the Muir Woods no justice, so you see, you must visit.

The main area of the Woods has a nice, flat boardwalk that circles through this beautiful grove.
There are 3 options for seeing the main grove 
a 1/2 mile (30 minute), 1 mile (1 hour) and 2 mile (1.5 hour) accessible loop makes viewing these beauties easy.

Steve and I visited in 2012 right before heading to the airport for a red-eye back east.
I told him we would just take a "little side trail through some baby groves", 4 miles, nothing big. 

Except the elevation gain. While it's minimal it was more height than we thought!

By the time we realized we were crazy in the cutting it short until our flight, time area, we were too far in and I gotta say even with a small (1/2 mile) "detour" we were glad we took the time to explore beyond the grove floor.
grove of baby redwoods

So, if your headed to the San Francisco/Oakland area, I say take time to visit.

I also think it's a doable day trip from the Sacramento area, Muir Woods in just under 2 hours from Sacramento, I say you're crazy if you don't take the time to visit.


I think John Muir himself said it best when he said this about the Muir Woods National Monument, "This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forest of the world"

happy trails
~m


Getting there:
1 Muir Woods Road
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Highway 101 North or South
Stinson Beach/Highway 1/Mill Valley exit
Follow signs to Highway 1
Follow signs to Muir Woods

Cost $7pp

Hike: the Fern Creek Trail to Lost Trail and then take a right down the mountain to Ocean View Trail. 4 miles, easy/moderate

NO CELL PHONE SERVICE
you read that correct, there is no cell service in Muir Woods
Turn off your cell phone or put it on airplane mode to conserve battery.

Combine Muir Woods with a trip to Stinson Beach for some time of relaxing, link coming soon!