CHIC Punta Cana

CHIC Punta Cana

All Inclusive Resorts, Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Resort Reviews
This post contains some links affiliate links.  I may receive compensation when you click on the links. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and I believe the reference may be helpful to you.  I am an independent blogger and the reviews are done based on my own opinions. One of my favorite resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is CHIC Punta Cana. It is an adult only, all-inclusive resort that lives up to the name of CHIC.  Located on Uvero Alto beach, it is just a short ride from Punta Cana International Airport – approximately 15-minutes. CHIC is not a huge resort nor is it small.  I find it to be the perfect size where everything is a short walking distance…
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How to Choose the Right Hotel for a Staycation

How to Choose the Right Hotel for a Staycation

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
Have you ever felt like you just need to get away, for vacation, or just need a break from your everyday life, but flying somewhere is just not in the plan?  Because I travel so much, sometimes I feel like I am having withdrawals when I start feeling this way.  Sometimes, I feel like I just hit a brick wall and need a mini getaway.  That's when I think, Staycation! I normally do a staycation, every year, during Labor Day Weekend and I always select my favorite spot, Drury Inn in Franklin, TN.  I recently decided to do another staycation, but decided to mix it up and see how other hotels compare to my favorite spot.  This staycation, I decided to select Hotel Indigo located in Downtown Nashville.  The two…
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7 Things New Travelers Should Do

7 Things New Travelers Should Do

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
Are you new to the travel world? About to set off on your first international experience? Maybe you’re just looking for a nice checklist for your upcoming trip overseas? Whatever the case may be, I want to share my list of the seven most valuable things to do as a new (or returning) traveler. If you complete all of these items, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of amazing travel experiences! Apply for a passport: US passports are valid for ten years which ends up costing approximately $16-18 per year. With a passport, you can see the world and are not limiting yourself to travel only within the states. If someone calls you and says, “Hey, I won a free trip to Spain, let’s go!” you can hop…
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Things You Should Not Do on A Plane

Things You Should Not Do on A Plane

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
As we are living in a civilized world, there is proper etiquette that should be maintained to be a part of society. Don’t you think? What are your thoughts on airplane etiquette? I know most people are traveling for vacation, and everyone is excited, letting loose, having a good time without a care in the world. I get it. I feel the same way when I travel. However, we can’t let everything go out of the airplane window because, after all, we are still among many other people. Here are six behaviors I believe no one should do on a plane, ever. Using the speaker on your phone is not okay! If you forgot your headphones and the airline could not provide you with any, then you are out of…
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7 Must-Do Activities in Dubai

7 Must-Do Activities in Dubai

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Tours and Activities
Recently I took a long-haul flight (click for my advice on this!) to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is best known for its lavish architecture, expensive cars, and out of the ordinary entertainment. As a city that quite literally popped up out of the desert in the last 25 years, this place is very unique and definitely worth a visit at some point in your life. With its oven-like temperatures in the summer, I highly recommend going between November and March when the “winter” weather is wonderful with average temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees. With so many things to do and see in Dubai, here is my list of seven must-do activities: Dubai City Half-Day Sightseeing Tour—I think a tour of Dubai on your first day is…
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How to survive long-haul flights

How to survive long-haul flights

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
My very first long-haul flight was to Germany, and I was completely unprepared.  I looked at this flight as being no different from a domestic flight from Nashville to California--of which I have done so many times.  However this time, I didn't sleep well, watched everything on the provided entertainment more than once, and was completely uncomfortable.  I couldn't wait to get off that plane! After my flight to Germany, I vowed that I would never make the same mistakes again.  After all, I am a Virgo, and we are usually prepared--if not, we will at least never make the same mistake twice.  So, on my next long-haul flight to Paris, I was more than prepared and felt that I hit preparation meter out of the park. Even more recently,…
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5 Things You Should Never Put in Your Checked Bag

5 Things You Should Never Put in Your Checked Bag

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
Being a travel agent, I have learned, through speaking with numerous clients, about their travels, that I take for granted that many people know.  For examples travel terms and rules.  I thought everyone knew the difference between carry-on and checked luggage.  However, I have come to realize that there are people, that don't travel often and are not familiar with those terms---knowledge some of us take for granted. Now there are rules to what you can put in your carry-on bag versus your checked bag.  The most common rule is the rule of 3, when it comes to liquids.  If you have 3 oz or less, it can go in your carry-on bag but if it is over 3 oz, it needs to go in your checked bag.  However, there…
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Solo Cruising vs Group Cruising

Solo Cruising vs Group Cruising

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Solo Travel
I recently returned from a 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Glory with friends and family.  It was a great cruise in some amazing ports like Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Grand Turk, and Dominican Republic. EJT 10 Reunion Group Cruise As I was on the cruise, with friends and family, I found myself constantly comparing the cruise experience with my previous cruise when I sailed alone.  I enjoy traveling with others, it is big fun with traveling in groups and I also prefer traveling solo, at times.  Some of the advantages of traveling by yourself are: You can go to bed at any time.  One of the most beneficial things of cruising alone is having the ability to go to bed when you please without guilt.  When traveling with others,…
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15 Things To Do Before You Travel

15 Things To Do Before You Travel

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
When you are planning to travel for vacation, there are so many things to do and remember to do before you depart. I like to start a checklist about two weeks ahead of time so that every time I think of something, I write it down and once I complete the task, I mark it off, making sure that I don’t miss anything from my checklist. I have a lot of things going on in my life, as many of us do, so a checklist helps to get things from your mind onto to paper and you can come back and visit it at a later date. Amongst the million things that I normally added to my checklist, here are a few things that will always be on my checklist…
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African Americans Need Sunscreen Too

African Americans Need Sunscreen Too

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
When I first started traveling, I didn't know the first thing about sunscreen nor did I think I needed it. I didn't grow up in an environment where we vacationed in the sun or where my parents were applying sunscreen on me every couple of hours. Therefore, when I became an adult, with my own money and developed my passion for traveling, sunscreen was not on my packing list. After a couple of beach vacations, I started to realize that I was getting sunburned. I found that my chest was extremely red and when I showered, it was very painful. It then dawned on me, one day, that I was sunburned. I was amazed because, I am sure, like many African-Americans, we don't believe we can be sunburned. Well you…
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