30Mar 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva
RIU Palace Costa Rica

RIU Palace Costa Rica

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Resort Reviews
In November 2021, I decided to take a vacation to the rainforest country known as Costa Rica, which is in Central America. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. During my 3-week stay, of working and vacationing, I spent 2 weeks a Planet Hollywood Costa Rica and 1 Week at Hotel RIU Palace Costa Rica. Built in 2012 and renovated in 2019, RIU Palace Costa Rica is an all-inclusive hotel found on the beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica which is about 20 minutes from the Libera Airport. The resort is huge and sits next to neighboring Riu Guanacaste where you have access to that property, during the day, as well as the Splash Water World Water Park. This resort had your typical RIU feel to it. Everything in white with a…
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23Feb 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

Tips to Avoid Spending Extra Money on Vacation

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
I am one person that loves a good budget. I plan and budget for almost everything because I like to be prepared, I do not like surprises, and I hate the feeling of not having enough money to do the things I enjoy doing, after I arrive at a destination because I didn’t properly prepare. Sometimes, it is just enough to pull together all your travel points and money just to take a vacation and then there are extra travel fees that sometimes you do not prepare for, but you can avoid.  Here are a few costs that can sting during your travels if you are not properly prepared: Checked Bag Fees If you are not flying Southwest Airlines, then paying luggage fees is inevitable unless you learn to pack light. If…
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12Jan 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica Review

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica Review

Blog, Destination Reviews, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Resort Reviews
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica has a motto of vacation like a star. This motto comes into play as soon as you step out of your vehicle and into the lobby.  Once you are dropped off, you enter the lobby down a red carpet with lights flashing, the sounds of cameras clicking and the staff clapping your arrival like the VIP Star that you are. The welcoming to the resort is such an amazing way to start the introduction to the resort and as well as your vacation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Erica James || Travel Expert (@ejthetraveldiva) The location from Liberia airport to Planet Hollywood Costa Rica is about a 35 – 40-minute drive to this all-inclusive resort that is found on black sand beach,…
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20Oct 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva
Chicken and Waffles in Nashville, TN

Chicken and Waffles in Nashville, TN

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
What is so great about chicken and waffles? If you think about it, it’s like having a great fried chicken sandwich on some sweet bread.  Chicken and waffles are a great combination of crispy fried chicken, a fluffy sweet waffle with an even sweeter drizzle of syrup and butter to top everything off, and pull all the flavors together for a morning brunch party in your mouth. Who came up with Chicken and Waffles? Rumor has it that the famous dish, Chicken and Waffles, started in Harlem in the 1930s. However, I am sure that Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles restaurant made it famous.  I am sure it is not a coincidence that the creator of Roscoe’s, Herb Hudson, is also from Harlem. Go figure! The truth about how and where Chicken and…
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13Oct 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva
Nashville to Atlanta, GA: Birthday Weekend Celebration

Nashville to Atlanta, GA: Birthday Weekend Celebration

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
Many of you know me for traveling and partying internationally but I am not above having a good time stateside. As a matter of fact, my travel journey started out as taking a trip from Nashville to Atlanta, GA every year for either Freaknik or the Atlanta Football Classic, a black college football game that was the highlight of many people in Nashville, TN.  It was nostalgic to revisit the “scene of my crimes” for my birthday weekend in 2021. Atlanta is 4-hour drive from Nashville, TN.  If you are not in the mood to drive, you can also catch a Southwest Flight from Nashville to Atlanta for as low as $49 sometimes.   Atlanta is often referred to as the “Black Hollywood”.  And truly it is because it is the home of the Real Housewives of…
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25Aug 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva

How to Comfort Someone Who is Grieving

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
In 2007, when my Aunt Barbara passed away, it was one of the most painful losses that I had experienced at the time. During the loss and my time of grieving, I noticed some not-so-flattering actions from people in my life that I considered friends, associates, and close co-workers. Over the past 15 years, I’ve lost several family members along the way, and I said to myself that if someone I know experiences loss, I will not treat them the way that I was treated during my loss. Here is what I’ve learned along the way: Words of Comfort and Support When my aunt passed away, I finally reached out to a few people and expressed my hurt that they did not acknowledge my loss and their response was, “I just…
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18Aug 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva

Planet Hollywood Cancun Mexico Review: Vacation like the STAR

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
Planet Hollywood Cancun Mexico is the ultimate vacation resort if you are looking for a resort that has an active day and nightlife.   Made up of 2 resorts, Planet Hollywood Beach Resort and Planet Hollywood Adult Scene, that can accommodate guests of all ages with entertainment and accommodations that will not leave you bored for a moment. As the name suggests, Planet Hollywood Adult Scene is open to adults 18 and older only and Planet Hollywood Beach Resort is open to guests of all ages. With both resorts sitting side by side, they are located directly on a beautiful stretch of beach and approximately 21 miles from the Cancun International Airport and 15 miles from downtown Cancun, Planet Hollywood Cancun is in the perfect position to offer you nonstop entertainment on and off the…
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11Aug 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva
6 Things I Like About Royalton Negril

6 Things I Like About Royalton Negril

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
Located about an hour and a half away from the Montego Bay airport, you will find Royalton Negril, sitting on the Bloody Bay Beach.  This resort is an all-inclusive resort that is open to travelers of all ages.  In less than I year, I stayed at Royalton Negril and Hideaway at Royalton Negril twice.  In October 2020, I enjoyed a 2-week stay at Royalton Negril and in July 2021, I relaxed for a weeklong vacation on the adult-only side Hideaway at Royalton Negril and the stay was amazing! After a total of a 3 week stay on both sides of the resort, I am qualified to provide you with 5 things I like about Royalton Negril:  It’s all-inclusive.  The most attractive quality of a vacation, for me, is if it is an all-inclusive…
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04Aug 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva
Blue Hole Mineral Springs – Jamaica

Blue Hole Mineral Springs – Jamaica

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
During my recent visit to Jamaica, I left the resort for a more off-the-beaten path experience and visited Blue Hole Mineral Spring. This spot is not your normal tourist destination.  It is very laid back and chill.  A very hidden gem. From the Royalton Negril, it was about a 30 - 40-minute drive. I am guessing because I was enjoying looking out the window and taking in the destination that I lost track of time, but it was a good little drive. THE WEED FARM I signed up for the full experience, therefore when I arrived on the property, my first experience was a tour and lesson about the weed farm.  Yasssss, I said weed farm. I was able to get schooled how weed is grown from start to finish and the different…
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28Jul 2021 by EJtheTravelDiva
Club MoBay Airport Lounge (Jamaica)

Club MoBay Airport Lounge (Jamaica)

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog
As an avid traveler and travel agent, I travel a lot and one of my favorite destinations to travel to is Jamaica. I travel to Jamaica often---sometimes 2-3 times per year. One perk that I enjoy when traveling to and from Jamaica is Club MoBay. Being from Nashville, Tennessee, it is not custom to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to departure to ensure that you catch your flight. In Nashville, we can arrive 1 hour early, check in, get through security, and still have time to sit and wait to board our plane.  The longest line in the Nashville International Airport is the Starbucks Line. Now that is the line that you need to arrive early to the airport for. When you are departing Jamaica, expect the transportation company to notify…
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