Shaina’s Top 5 Favorite Vacation Destinations
Summertime is meant for vacationing, am I right? Unfortunately, right now we’re living in some kind of apocalyptic world where traveling feels a little weird — although I’ve heard from those who have traveled that the airports are freakishly empty and it’s pretty amazing.
Nevertheless, most of our summer travels have been put on hold because of quarantine regulations. Who wants to get on a plane and go somewhere, only to have to hole up in your hotel room for 14 days before actually being able to enjoy yourself? Not me, that’s for sure. Instead, I’m going to reminisce about my top five favorite vacation destinations trips I’ve visited over the past few years — and I’m bringing you along for the ride down memory lane.
Shaina’s Top 5 Favorite Vacation Destinations
Hopefully we can all start traveling again soon, and hopefully this list inspires your future travel plans!
Nantucket
It feels appropriate to start off with Nantucket. It’s where I met Holly and learned about Dune Jewelry, after all! I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks on this beautiful New England island, exploring its beaches and learning about its history. I attended various Wine & Food Festival events, and then stayed through Memorial Day Weekend, which is when the famous sailboat race, Figawi, takes place. That Nantucket trip was filled with incredible memories that I now wear around my finger, thanks to two Vermeil by Camille Kostek CC Stacking Rings. It was sad not to be able to make it back there this past May, but I am keeping my Dune Jewelry-wearing fingers crossed that I’ll be there in 2021!
Abaco, Bahamas
I was lucky to have had the chance to travel to the Abaco Islands before the devastating Hurricane Dorian tore them apart. It was the most beautiful place. Thankfully, I have all my Abaco memories tucked away tightly inside my Tide Pool Bracelet and my boyfriend Roger’s Wood Bead Bracelet. Every time I wear my bracelet or see him wear his, I think of our vacation there together. We stayed at The Abaco Beach Resort on Marsh Harbour, which was beautiful. While we spent lots of time drinking frozen mango daiquiris at the resort pool. We also rented a golf cart and cruised around in Hope Town, Elbow Cay, and took a ferry over to Guana Cay for a day of fun. I hope to be able to visit this gorgeous part of the Bahamas again soon!
Colorado
I’ve been to Colorado four times now, all in the winter, and was hoping to get out there this summer to finally experience its warmer season. Sadly, COVID-19 messed up that plan, so here’s hoping for next summer! Regardless, I still love this state. It is absolutely breathtaking. Despite how much I hate the cold, I don’t mind it as much in Colorado. It’s different then the Northeast (I grew up in NJ), and much more bearable. Being a born-and-raised Jersey girl and now a South Florida resident, all I know is flat land. So, experiencing the mountains in Colorado was exhilarating (and ok, I’ll admit it — I did get sick during one trip. Lots of red wine + super high altitude doesn’t always mix well!). I’ve been to Boulder and Denver, and have been to ski resorts in Breckenridge and Winter Park. The food scene out there is awesome, and there is still so much I need to do and see!
Turks & Caicos
This was the last trip I took before COVID-19 took hold of our lives. Roger and I went there Christmas week and had SO much fun. We spent an afternoon on the Island Vibes Tour, snorkeling, exploring Iguana Island, and eating fresh conch ceviche made right there on the island. There was plenty of beach time, tropical drinks, and delicious meals too. The coolest part was that we had no idea we’d be there for their big annual Maskanoo Festival, which happens every year on December 26th (Boxing Day). The street outside of our hotel was flooded with traditional music, crafts, and food vendors, and there was a big parade at the end of the night. Every time I slip on my Delicate Destinations Sunburst Anklet filled with sand from Turks & Caicos, I’m reminded of that holiday getaway.
Maine
I saved the best for last. Roger took me to Maine last summer and I fell in love. I was able to experience four vastly different areas, and each one of them absolutely stole my heart. We flew into Boston and rented a car. On our drive to Maine, we stopped in York Harbor and took a walk along the beach — well, along the cliffs overlooking the beach. Maine beaches are nothing like the beaches in South Jersey or Florida. From there, we spent time in Portland and pretty much ate and drank our way through the city. Then it was off to Roger’s family’s lakehouse in Vassalboro — a true Maine lifestyle I’d never experienced before with campfires, canoe rides, and cookouts. The final days of our trip were spent in waterfront Camden. Where we stayed at the most quaint bed and breakfast, went on a schooner sunset cruise, and hiked up Mount Battie.
Clearly, I’ve grown to love New England. For that reason, I also filled a Vermeil by Camille Kostek CC Stacking Ring with sand from Maine, and wear it with the ones with Nantucket sand. While we may not be traveling much this summer, at least we can look back on our favorite vacation memories with Dune Jewelry.
Did you guys know you can save 10% on your Dune Jewelry purchases with my special code, TAKEABITE? Yep! So, think about the places you love most, the places you wish you were visiting this summer, and go treat yourself! Make sure to post pictures of your jewelry on social media and tag me @takeabiteoutofboca. I can’t wait to see what you get!
– Shaina Wizov, Food, Wine, Wellness, Fashion, Fitness and Beauty… in South Florida & Beyond
