Before I get started on my review, don’t forget that I am a preferred partner with Four Seasons! What does this mean for you? Extra perks for no extra charge!

Preferred Partner Perks when you book with That Blonde Travels:

Daily Breakfast for 2
Resort Credit
Early check-in/late check-out *based on availability
Upgrade on arrival *based on availability

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From the moment you step foot on the pristine shores of Four Seasons Resort Anguilla, it’s clear this is no ordinary vacation destination—it's an oasis of tranquility, sophistication, and natural beauty. My stay at this stunning resort was nothing short of extraordinary, and I can’t wait to share my experience.

Location & Setting: Situated on a breathtaking stretch of Anguilla’s coastline, the resort boasts two immaculate beaches, each with soft, powdery sand and crystal-clear waters. The sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea are simply mesmerizing, and the resort's design does a wonderful job of blending into the natural landscape, creating an atmosphere of relaxed luxury.

Whether you’re lounging by the infinity pools, enjoying water sports, or exploring the nearby beaches, the resort’s setting immediately transports you to paradise.

Service & Hospitality: The hallmark of Four Seasons properties is their impeccable service, and Anguilla is no exception. Every staff member I encountered was friendly, attentive, and genuinely eager to make my stay unforgettable. From the personalized welcome to the farewell, I felt like a VIP throughout my time there. Special shout-out to the concierge team and Chavez, who helped arrange everything from private boat trips to dinner reservations at the island’s exceptional restaurants. Chavez also helped me create a route on google maps for the day that we rented a Moke! Above and beyond! Also, a special shout-out to the pool servers, Yella and Del, who helped make our days perfect!

Accommodations: My one bedroom ocean-view suite was spacious and elegantly appointed, with a private terrace, featuring a plunge pool, offering stunning views of the turquoise sea. The attention to detail was evident in every corner, from the luxurious linens to the state-of-the-art amenities. I particularly appreciated the large bathroom with a deep soaking tub—perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

Dining: Food at Four Seasons Anguilla is a true highlight. The resort offers a range of dining options, from casual beachside meals to refined, fine-dining experiences. I dined at Salt, where the steak and fresh seafood was outstanding.

For breakfast, the buffet also at Salt was perfect—offering everything from fresh tropical fruits to made-to-order omelets and pastries. I also loved the beach bar, where I could sip on a refreshing cocktail while watching the sun set. Don’t skip the Mojitos!

Activities & Amenities: Beyond lounging and relaxing, Four Seasons Anguilla offers a host of activities for those looking for adventure. We particularly enjoyed renting a Moke for the day and driving around to see the island! There’s also a world-class spa that offers indulgent treatments designed to rejuvenate the body and mind, and a fitness center that’s well-equipped for those who like to stay active.

Final Thoughts: Four Seasons Resort Anguilla is the epitome of modern resort luxury. It’s a perfect destination for anyone seeking a blend of relaxation, adventure, and top-notch service in one of the Caribbean’s most stunning locations. Whether you’re looking to unwind on the beach, savor world-class dining, or explore the island, this resort delivers it all. My time at Four Seasons Anguilla was truly unforgettable, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone looking for a slice of paradise.

Preferred Partner Perks when you book with That Blonde Travels:

Daily Breakfast for 2
Resort Credit
Early check-in/late check-out *based on availability
Upgrade on arrival *based on availability

You can send me an email for a quote at Lauren@ThatBlondeTravels.com or use my VIP Booking Link (Send me a quick email to get the password).

Back in May, my husband and I went to check out the brand new Impressions Isla Mujeres! This hotel was just voted “Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World” and boy did it deliver!

It’s hard to look anywhere without having a picturesque setting or view. We loved the ambience of this property and it’s small boutique feel.

This resort is located in Isla Mujeres, about a 40 minute boat ride over from the Cancun dock. Take an easy flight into Cancun, grab your airport transfer, and then head to the resorts dock to get on the included ride over to Isla Mujeres.

An all-inclusive, adults only resort that makes you question wether it actually is all inclusive due to the quality of food and drinks.

We stayed in the Paramount Suite Ocean Front. This room was HUGE and beautiful. It had a separate living space with a full bar and a separate bathroom. We also loved that the room had a ceiling fan, a rare find at resorts in Mexico.

Another perk of this resort is the ability to make restaurant reservations prior to your stay. One of my biggest pet peeves is arriving to a resort and them only allowing reservations once on site, or not at all.

For my clients, my VIP amenities are as follows:

Upgrade on arrival (based on availability)
Early check-in/late check-out (based on availability)

I would love to book this fabulous property for you today! Send me an email at lauren@thatblondetravels.com or fill out my contact form to get started!

This resort is definitely on par with some of the other amazing 5* all inclusive resorts in the Mexican Riviera Maya!

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C/O O&O Mandarina

I just returned from our annual exchange with my host agency, Departure Lounge, where we spent 4 nights at the Conrad Punta Mita and then ended our trip with an AMAZING stay at the fairly new One&Only Mandarina right outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

What is a host agency you might ask? Think of me like a realtor. Realtors work with a broker for their clients that help with relations and licensing. This is what Departure Lounge is to me. They are one of the best know host agencies in the business and are amazing for supplier relations. What does this mean to you? It means that because we have such great relationships with our suppliers they want to make sure our guests are the happiest. I love working with Departure Lounge as well as all of our VIP partners to make sure that my guests and clients have amazing vacations that they deserve!

Anyways, back to One&Only Mandarina!

This resort opened in 2021 in a new complex called Mandarina, right outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It is a quick 45 minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport so that you are in paradise before you know it! This property felt more like Costa Rica to me than Mexico and I loved it. A beautiful mix of jungle that meets the sea!

We stayed in the Ocean View Cliff Villa during our stay. The great thing about this property are that all rooms are villa/suite type accommodations so even the entry level rooms are a great size and still perfect for a family. Kids under 12 years of age are not allowed to stay in the treehouse suites due to safety reasons. That being said, I think this is a fabulous resort for kids! The kids club is so cool with a treehouse and a butterfly garden as well as an indoor area for arts and crafts and fun play. They also have several pools around the property with the Jetty Beach Club being the best for children in my opinion. If you are wanting a more adult only vibe, there is an adult only pool that is much quieter with no kiddos in site!

There is a Rosewood that is planned to open in 2025 that will also be apart of the Mandarina complex similar to the Mayakoba complex in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area. It will connect to the Mandarina beach club and you will be able to “dine around”. I can’t wait to go back and check out this property when it opens.

For my clients, my VIP amenities are as follows:

Daily breakfast for 2
$100 resort credit
Upgrade on arrival (based on availability)
Early check-in/late check-out (based on availability)

I would love to book this fabulous property for you and your family today! Send me an email at lauren@thatblondetravels.com or fill out my contact form to get started!

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TOP LUXURY HOTELS IN GREECE

Disclaimer: This Luxury Greece Hotels List contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

ATHENS

ATHENS CAPITAL CENTER HOTEL

HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE

FOUR SEASONS ASIR PALACE

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CRETE

BLUE PALACE ELOUNDA RESORT AND SPA

SANTORINI

CANAVES OIA EPITOME

MYSTIQUE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL

PAROS

PARILIO

MYKONOS

MYKONOS GRAND HOTEL AND RESORT

MYKONIAN UTOPIA RESORT

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Contact me to plan your Greece getaway today!

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PIN FOR LATER!

Traveling with an infant requires a ton of preparation and planning. We have taken two trips with our infant now to Mexico. Here are the things that we used most while at the beach and I would say are essential to enjoying your vacation!

Disclaimer: This Beach Baby Packing List contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees but support me to keep this site running!

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ESSENTIALS TO BUY IF YOU DON’T ALREADY OWN THEM

• Guava Lotus Travel Crib

• Doona

• Mambobaby Float

• Uppababy Minu Travel Stroller

• Beach pop-up tent

ESSENTIAL PACKING LIST

• Formula/ Breast Pump + Storage Bags

• Baby food - oatmeal, purees, etc

• Bottles

• Bottle Travel Rack

• Disposable bibs and burp clothes

• Umbrella Stroller

• Car Seat - this one is only 7 lbs!

• Sound machine and charger

• Portable bottle warmer

• Sleep sack or swaddle

• Frida baby nose sucker or nose picker

• PJs

• Diapers

• Wipes

• Butt Paste

• Swim Diapers

• Sunscreen

• Swimsuits - I love these because of the snaps!

• Portable Fans

• Portable Tent

• Toys

• Baby bath stuff

• Lotion

• Nail clippers

• Medicines: Tylenol, Gas medicine, Benadryl, prescriptions

• Mosquito repellent

• Outfits - I like to have two per day

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Download your free checklist here!

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PIN FOR LATER!

We just returned from our 2 week babymoon to Croatia. What a wonderful country! From the people to the sites, to the food, it was all-around an amazing experience.

While traveling during normal times can have it’s challenges, traveling during a worldwide pandemic can especially be challenging.

Despite the extra hoops to jump through, my husband and I really wanted to travel somewhere before we welcome our new addition in January. This trip was planned and replanned probably 7 times at least. We started off originally going on safari in Kenya and then ending the trip in Oman. While Kenya reopened to tourists starting September 1, they omitted US citizens coming from Texas and California and a couple other states. Option 2 was Hawaii. I planned a full 2 week itinerary to Kauai as their quarantine was to be lifted on August 31st. Around mid-August, the governor instituted a mandatory inter-island quarantine for anyone traveling from Maui to Kauai. While we were not going to Maui and therefore did not need to quarantine, all the tour companies cancelled our excursions and restaurants began to close.

After planning several extensive itineraries, I began to get discouraged as it didn’t look as if any travel plans that I made were going to come to fruition. I told my husband ok so last ditch effort, we are going to Croatia! If that doesn’t work out, then we’re spending 2 weeks in Tulum in Mexico in a beach house haha. Putting together custom itineraries is a very time consuming process with all the research that goes into it, so as you can imagine, I was getting burnt out.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

I began to research the specifics on what we would need to get into Croatia and how we were going to get there. First off - COVID testing requirements. In order to enter Croatia, you can bypass the mandatory 14 day quarantine by getting a negative COVID PCR test within 48 hours of crossing the border OR you can enter the country with an “expired” negative result and retest on arrival. If you choose option 2, then you have to quarantine until the results are available.

This part isn’t super complicated unless you are leaving on a holiday (Labor Day) and all the labs are closed. Due to our flights, which I will talk about next, we had to take a test and have the results on the day of our flight, which was Labor Day. I had to find a place that offered COVID testing for people that are not experiencing symptoms that also had their own in house lab and that was open on a holiday. Are you overwhelmed yet? LOL. Anything is possible though when you really want to go somewhere!

FLIGHTS

With testing figured out, next up was our flights. Due to travel restrictions and lack of travelers, flights were getting cancelled left and right. There are no direct flights from Dallas to Croatia and all the ones with stops had a very long layover (I’m talking 30+ hours to get there) and were also very expensive. A travel hack that I’ve learned is to find a direct flight into a popular European hub (such as London or Paris) and then search for a flight on a local airline such as Easyjet or Ryan Air. Flights intra-Europe can be extremely cheap if you use this option. For example, our flight from Pula, Croatia to LHR was 8 euro! For a flight that was showing as more than 2k on google flights to fly from DFW to Dubrovnik, I got for 70k AA points (~700 dollars) plus an additional 80 dollars pp.

We had originally booked a British Airways flight from LHR to Dubrovnik on the same day (so arriving on September 8th) but the UK re-instituted their quarantine coming from Croatia for their citizens so BA ended up canceling all of their flights to/from Croatia. Luckily, I was able to get a flight on EasyJet that left on September 9th from Gatwick to Dubrovnik. This is why we had to get our COVID tests the day of our flight to London since we wouldn’t be arriving into Croatia until 2 days later.

Excited about our first flight since February!

With flights booked and COVID test appointments made, the next thing to figure out was if we could transfer airports in London and how to do it. As I said, we were landing into LHR and our flight to Croatia wasn’t until the next day out of Gatwick. Gatwick airport is located south of London and there are several ways to get there during normal situations. One reason that we chose to fly into London was that US citizens can actually enter the UK, whereas, places like France and Germany we cannot. This was a contingency plan in case our flights were cancelled or there was a missed connection. If there is one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it was to have a backup plan for your backup plan. In order to figure out if we could transfer airports, I did a ton of research on my own but eventually resorted to trip advisor for some locals input.

UK BORDER CROSSING

In order to enter the UK, you had to fill out a locator form that had where you would be spending your time quarantining and for how long you would be in the UK. We were just staying for 24 hours so I filled out the paperwork with all of our information and submitted electronically 48 hours prior to arrival. The UK’s quarantine rules stated that you shouldn’t use public transportation in order to get to your quarantine location. When we arrived into London, we checked out prices on taxis (150 pounds is the standard rate) and then I checked Uber which was half the price. We ended up taking an Uber from Heathrow to Gatwick once we landed.

We were very nervous about the whole landing process and going through border control and then taxi-ing to our hotel. Concerns were: how strict will they be? how will we get food? what if our flight is cancelled?. The list goes on as I’m sure you can imagine.

Being nervous about everything, I had made and looked into several options if anything did happen. When landing in LHR, the border crossing was so smooth. It was like pre-pandemic except with less people. All the border guards were super chill. They asked if we’d filled out our locator form and to see it. I showed it to them and they asked where we were headed. We told them Croatia and they got very excited and wished us well on our journey. Like I said super easy! We made it through the border, grabbed our luggage, grabbed a quick breakfast, and then hoped in our Uber to head to Gatwick airport.

Hotels, EasyJet flight, and Croatia border crossing, to be continued in Part 2!

Back in July, we took a short trip to Gulf Shores, AL. The beaches here are beautiful! We were originally planning on going to Mexico during these dates but my work instituted a 14 day quarantine for anyone returning from an international trip. I then planned a road trip to California and also thought about Florida, but these were also meet with the 14 day quarantine requirements.

We decided to spend a short 5 days/ 4 nights at the Lodge at Gulf State Park. This hotel is in between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL making it convenient to get to both places. When looking at hotels, we decided on the Lodge because it was brand new and in the state park so more isolated than the other hotels with crowded beaches.

Let me just say that this hotel was close to 500 per night and not worth it. The walls were super thin to were you could hear your neighbors having a normal conversation. The hotel was brand new and things were already broken and falling off the walls (more than likely, they were never installed correctly to begin with.) I really hate to write negative reviews, but I would not recommend this property (especially for the price!).

Although, aesthetically pleasing in photos, this was not the case in person. We didn’t let this ruin our trip, however. We really enjoyed eating at the restaurant in the state park that had tons of great food! It was called Woodside Restaurant and they had live music on the weekends with a ton of outside games. It was a really neat place. If you’re heading to Gulf Shores anytime soon, then you should definitely check it out!

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Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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2020, the gift that keeps on giving. In all honesty, if it weren’t for the trip I planned over these 2 weeks getting cancelled no less than seven times, then I wouldn’t have looked into the sheer beauty and adventure that Croatia has to offer. What 2 weeks are these you ask? Well if you caught my Oman Itinerary, then you saw the original plan for our vacation. Once we found out that Oman was still closed to tourists and Kenya is not letting in Texans, we proceeded to option 2, Hawaii. Hawaii then extended its quarantine requirements. Long story short, here we are planning a fabulous trip to Croatia, which is currently open and accepting US tourists.

In order to go to Croatia, you must have a negative COVID PCR test within 48 hours of entering the country and fill out a form with the government detailing your trip (where you are staying and travel dates). Since I feel like things are changing on a daily basis, I would check the US Embassy’s website on travel to Croatia for the most up to date requirements.

Pro tip: When you are looking for flights into Croatia right now, you will see that the travel time is extraordinarily long. In order to get around that, book a direct flight into London and then take a European airline into Croatia. There are several starting points in Croatia so the destination is up to you!

Below I have outlined a rough itinerary for Croatia. I will follow up with more in-depth posts after we return!

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ULTIMATE CROATIA ITINERARY

Here’s our itinerary :

Dubrovnik (4 nights)

Split (4 nights)

Plitvinc National Park (1 night)

Istra (3 nights)

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Total days: 12

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ULTIMATE CROATIA ITINERARY

DAY 1:ARRIVAL INTO DUBROVNIK

When arriving into Dubrovnik, we booked a private transfer with Octopus Transfers to our nearby hotel. I like to have a set transfer lined up after arriving into a new destination.

Today is super chill after arriving. Head to your hotel and then grab a quick easy dinner nearby.

We booked four nights at Hotel Excelsior. Another hotel that we considered was Kompas. These are two higher end luxury hotels but you can find a range of hotel options for Dubrovnik here or Airbnbs here.

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DAY 2: DUBROVNIK

Spend the day exploring Old Town. If you’re into Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik was the filming location for King’s Landing so there are some great GOT walking tours.

Another option would be to chill at the hotel for day and get over your jet lag 😅.

For dinner tonight, make reservations at Panorama Restaurant and Bar for sunset views of Dubrovnik.

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DAY 3:DUBROVNIK

We booked a private boat tour with Explore Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands for the full day. I am so looking forward to this and can’t wait to report back on our trip!

Dinner at Taj Mahal tonight for some traditional Bosnian cuisine. They have two locations - Old City and Hotel Lero. Their Old City location is currently closed for renovations so we will be checking out their Hotel Lero location.

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DAY 4:DUBROVNIK

Explore the Old City some more today or walk the walls of the city. Get lost on some side streets or shop for some local souvenirs. Whatever you choose, enjoy your last day in King’s Landing.

For the last night in Dubrovnik, make reservations at Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant for a special treat before heading off to Split.

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DAY 5:DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

We booked an early morning private transfer with Octopus Transfers from Dubrovnik to Split. There are several ways to get to Split from Dubrovnik. We chose to do a private transfer as there is a border crossing with Bosnia on the way and at this moment if you’re driving your own car, then you will not be able to pass through with a US passport. Other options, besides driving, your own rental car and a private transfer, include a short flight or taking a ferry that stops along the way in Hvar. If you have extra time or want to spend a night in Hvar, then this would be the night to do it!

Once arriving into Split, drop your bags at the hotel and explore the city. If you have an extra day, then I would suggest a walking tour with Ivica.

We booked Hotel Park in Split for our stay but you can find other hotels here or Airbnbs here.

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DAY 6: HVAR AND BLUE CAVE DAY TOUR

Full day tour to Hvar and Blue Cave - I hope you’re well rested!

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DAY 7: krka national park

Today is a day trip to Krka National Park where you can currently swim. The Croatian government is talking about discontinuing this next year. Here is the tour we are doing that has a stop in Sibenik on the way to the national park.

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DAY 8: SPLIT TO PLITVINC NATIONAL PARK

Today we are heading to Plitvinc National Park from Split. We are picking up a rental car for the remainder of our time in Croatia. You could also do a day trip from Split to Plitvinc but it is about 3 hours away so that would make for a long day in my opinion.

On our way there, we are making stops in Trogir and Paklenica. We decided to stay right outside the park for an early entry but you could also stay in Zadar or Sibenik as well.

There are several options for places to stay but we choice the Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo Deluxe. You can check out other options here.

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day 9: plitvinc national park

Today we are starting off bright and early. Our park entrance tickets are for 7 am. This is so we can do a hike and then head out for Istra around noon.

We are planning to do the C Program on the lake routes. This starts at the north entrance and takes about 4-5 hours to complete. You can check out all the other routes here. Also, don’t forget to purchase your entry permit for the park as well.

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day 10-12: istra

On day 11, spend your time in the Pula are touring some ancient Roman ruins and then head to Cape Kamenjak for some cliff jumping.
Day 12, spend the full day in Rovinj touring the beautiful cobblestone streets and relaxing.

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If you need any help planning your own Croatia itinerary, then send me an email at lauren@thatblondetravels.com.

Pin for later!