Cyd Travel and Florida Lifestyle

Cyd  Travel and Florida Lifestyle I am an avid traveler, foodie, home decor ju**ie, animal lover who loves showing off life in Florida.

If you have been following me for a little bit, you probably know that St. Petersburg is my absolute favorite Florida ci...
08/12/2024

If you have been following me for a little bit, you probably know that St. Petersburg is my absolute favorite Florida city. Beautiful beaches, laid-back west coast vibes, amazing food scene, murals and street art everywhere and more breweries than you can count!

I'm sharing our go-to hotel for when we visit. Sirata Beach Resort is located right on St. Pete Beach (see second photo 😍) and IMO is the perfect location. You get to reside on the beach, enjoy all the cute dives and beach bars, but are also are only a quick 10 minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg.

The hotel itself is clean and comfortable and most importantly, dog friendly! (Little Coco is no longer with us but she LOVED all of our holidays here). There are two restaurants/beach bars and two pools (the food is nothing to write home about but they have happy hour and live music, and I'd go into the city anyways to enjoy the amazing restaurant scene!). They also have on-site beach access, fire pits (I know, it's Florida - but I DO love a good fire) and literal front row seats to the sunset.

Super affordable for a beach front and we have always had a great stay. See link below but also adding link to my bio.

🔗 Sirata Beach Resort:

https://expedia.tp.st/fYNCYrtZ

Fall down the rabbit hole at Atlanta Botanical Garden.  Alice's Wonderland returns, now through September 15!I've been t...
08/06/2024

Fall down the rabbit hole at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Alice's Wonderland returns, now through September 15!

I've been to many gardens in many cities, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens does not disappoint. It covers approximately 30 acres of outdoor gardens to explore, as well as numerous exhibits and seasonal events, such as this Alice in Wonderland exhibit.

We were visiting a couple years ago and got to see this exhibit, so I was excited to see it has returned! It's the perfect way to roll into fall and spooky season - take a journey into the twisted world of Alice's imagination. A must see if you are visiting Atlanta!

You all know I love my animal encounters!  This was such a special experience in Thailand.🐘 Some important info:Riding e...
06/21/2024

You all know I love my animal encounters! This was such a special experience in Thailand.🐘

Some important info:

Riding elephants is inhumane and can cause physical and emotional damage. Elephants are extremely intelligent and sensitive creatures who deserve our respect and protection.

Riding elephants often involves a brutal process called "phajaan" where they are subjected to physical and psychological torment in order to break their spirit. Separated from their mothers at a young age, they endure beatings, starvation, and confinement in order to make them submissive for human entertainment.

Elephants are not built to carry the weight of humans on their backs. The sheer pressure exerted by riders and heavy saddles can cause long-term damage to their spines and overall health. Additionally, these conditions and repetitive work can lead to chronic stress, depression, and premature death.

There are several humane elephant rescues located on Koh Samui. We visited Samui Elephant Sanctuary, where we got to meet and feed Grandma and Kaew Ta, both rescues from the logging industry. Kaew Ta is blind in one eye, the result of a hook to the eye for failing to follow a command. Grandma had her baby taken from her and cried for two years. Both elephants are so gentle and sweet, and their scars and trauma broke my heart. Elephants are known for their excellent memories; therefore, it is requested you only touch them on their trunks, because if you touch their scars, it brings back the trauma of the abuse they suffered in the past.💔

Samui Elephant Sanctuary offers a safe and caring environment where adult elephants can retire peacefully and lovingly. You can feed them, pet them and observe their natural behaviors, all while learning from the knowledgeable and caring staff. This was truly a touching and magical experience, getting to interact with these special gentle giants.

It is our responsibility to be conscientious travelers and support ethical tourism. Please always do your research and choose to visit responsible sanctuaries.

Ethical sanctuaries in Koh Samui:



You all know I love my animal encounters!  This was such a special experience in Thailand.🐘 Some important info:Riding e...
06/21/2024

You all know I love my animal encounters! This was such a special experience in Thailand.🐘

Some important info:

Riding elephants is inhumane and can cause physical and emotional damage. Elephants are extremely intelligent and sensitive creatures who deserve our respect and protection.

Riding elephants often involves a brutal process called "phajaan" where they are subjected to physical and psychological torment in order to break their spirit. Separated from their mothers at a young age, they endure beatings, starvation, and confinement in order to  make them submissive for human entertainment.

Elephants are not built to carry the weight of humans on their backs. The sheer pressure exerted by riders and heavy saddles can cause long-term damage to their spines and overall health. Additionally, these conditions and repetitive work can lead to chronic stress, depression, and premature death.

There are several humane elephant rescues located on Koh Samui.  We visited Samui Elephant Sanctuary, where we got to meet and feed Grandma and Kaew Ta, both rescues from the logging industry.  Kaew Ta is blind in one eye, the result of a hook to the eye for failing to follow a command.  Grandma had her baby taken from her and cried for two years.  Both elephants are so gentle and sweet, and their scars and trauma broke my heart.  Elephants are known for their excellent memories; therefore, it is requested you only touch them on their trunks, because if you touch their scars, it brings back the trauma of the abuse they suffered in the past.💔

Samui Elephant Sanctuary offers a safe and caring environment where adult elephants can retire peacefully and lovingly.  You can feed them, pet them and observe their natural behaviors, all while learning from the knowledgeable and caring staff.  This was truly a touching and magical experience, getting to interact with these special gentle giants.  

It is our responsibility to be conscientious travelers and support ethical tourism. Please always do your research and choose to visit responsible sanctuaries.

Ethical sanctuaries in Koh Samui:

If you are looking to escape the cold during the winter months, Hawaii is the perfect destination!  I have visited Hawai...
03/13/2024

If you are looking to escape the cold during the winter months, Hawaii is the perfect destination! I have visited Hawaii several times, and although I have not yet been to the Big Island, Maui is currently my favorite.

Here is my can't miss itinerary! Save for your visit to the island!

🐋 Take a sunrise whale watching boat tour. The winter months are peak humpback whale season in Maui, and there is nothing so magical as witnessing a whale breach directly in front of your boat, the sun rising behind her.

🌋 Haleakala Sunrise bike tour. You will be driven to the top of the majestic Haleakala volcano summit to watch the sun rise over the island, and then ride a bike down the winding roads to the bottom. This was one of my fav activities!

🚗 Drive the road to Hana. The drive itself is amazing with views of the rainforests and roadside waterfalls. You can stop to explore the black sand beaches and take a short hike to see the Seven Sacred Pools. **Make sure to stop at Coconut Glen's , a roadside food truck where you can get homemade coconut ice cream or fresh coconuts.

🐢 Stop at turtle beach to to take photos with the many sunbathing sea turtles. Remember it is illegal to touch or disturb the turtles, so please admire them quietly.

💦 Visit the Nakalele Blowhole. It's so cool to see up close, the coastline is gorgeous, and there is a rock with a heart carved into it for a great photo op.

🌺If it's your first time in Hawaii, be sure to book a luau to learn about the culture and experience the local cuisine.

🤿 Snorkel! Hawaii is known for its amazing snorkeling, and pretty much anywhere you stop will have something to see. Carry a snorkel around with you on your journey to be prepared.

🍧 Try the shave ice! It is so much more than a snow cone, trust me.

Maui has a beautiful coastline, and I would completely recommend just driving to see where you end up and what you see. Don't forget to enjoy some relaxing beach days and all the sunsets!

What's first on your list?

Did you know that you can day trip to the Bahamas from Florida? 🌴You can take ferry boats from Miami or Fort Lauderdale ...
02/16/2024

Did you know that you can day trip to the Bahamas from Florida? 🌴

You can take ferry boats from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to spend the afternoon on the islands. The ferries take about 3-4 hours each way, and you can purchase excursions or day passes to all-inclusive resorts for when you reach the island.

We took the Balearia Caribbean, and spent a few peaceful hours sunning ourselves by the oceanfront infinity pool at the Grand Lucayan resort on Grand Bahama. The day passes are all inclusive, food and cocktails, and access to the private beach and pools.

Catch the sunset on the boat back to Florida to end a lovely day. (Passports required).

Would you take a ferry to the Bahamas for just a day?

Even in Florida, you can find pumpkin patches that pop up all over in fall.  Visit one to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy t...
10/22/2023

Even in Florida, you can find pumpkin patches that pop up all over in fall. Visit one to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

My top three picks:

If you have kids -

1) Bedner's Farm Fresh Market in Boynton Beach. There is an admission fee but it does come with a ton of activities. Tractor rides, petting zoo, corn maze and butterfly park. There are all kinds of cute photo ops (such as the sunflower field!). Festive food, face painting, henna etc. all make for a fun and interactive afternoon.

2) Mr. Jack O'Lanterns Pumpkin Patch in West Palm Beach. Free to enter and also feature lots of kid friendly activities - petting zoo, "spooky" maze, bounce house, pumpkin decorating etc. Fun for the kiddos, but not a lot of cute fall photo spots (my photo here is really the only one).

If you don't have kids:

3) Cason Pumpkin Patch in Boynton Beach. If you're like me and just want to grab your pumpkin and go, this small and easy patch is for you. Cute fall photo spot, perfect Halloween feel with the church behind the pumpkins and Spanish moss covered trees. Also a few cute small props ( a pumpkin arch and pumpkin carriage).

Do you carve pumpkins this time of year?

Florida content creator, things to do for fall in Florida, pumpkin love

Transportation in Thailand - **Save for your next vacation!So how do you actually get around while visiting Thailand?  T...
09/05/2023

Transportation in Thailand - **Save for your next vacation!

So how do you actually get around while visiting Thailand? There are SO many transportation options available to travelers to suit your needs and budget.

Skytrain (BTS) and Subway (MRT) are convenient for getting around the cities. I am NOT typically a fan of the metro (dirty, crowded, sketchy), but I was SO impressed with how clean, efficient and safe these are in Bangkok!

Tuk Tuks: These three-wheeled, motorized rickshaws are popular for short trips within cities. They are a fun way to experience local transportation, although they can be more expensive than other options for tourists so be sure to negotiate the price before hopping in. **Be sure to try this at least once just for the experience.

Grab: Download the Grap app before your trip; this will be super handy in the cities and some of the islands. Grab is like Uber, so you call a car to your location. It's typically cheaper than taxis but I'd recommend price comparison first.

Taxis: Of course, are everywhere. Make sure to ask the price to your destination, or make sure to ask them to set the meter before you leave.

Ferries: Although you can take flights to most of the islands, I personally prefer taking the ferry in between islands. They are air conditioned and much more scenic.

Rent a motorbike: A popular way for the locals to get around, and VERY inexpensive for the tourist (It cost about $7/day and we shared a bike, so $3.50 pp). However, I don't recommend using in the bigger cities as their traffic laws are very different and the streets can get very busy. Also keep in mind on some of the islands, the roads can be winding and not well paved, so it can be dangerous if you are not experienced. We had so much fun exploring a couple of the islands on our motorbike, but also took a couple of topples and got some scrapes and bruises along the way.

Songtaews: You can find these open air buses waiting at ferry ports, or you can flag one down from the side of the road. They will take you directly to your hotel or desired location. This is a very affordable option on the islands, but not a good option if you are in a hurry - they don't take off until the bus is full, and you'll have to be patient as it makes a lot of stops along the way.

Longtail Boats: You can hire these famous boats to take you all over the islands. Definitely touristy, but it wouldn't be a trip to Thailand without trying one out. You can rent them through the shops, but the locals suggest just walking up to them on less-touristy beaches and negotiating a good price.

Domestic Flights: For longer distances, this is a great option and obviously the quickest. This will be the most expensive option, but if you're coming from America like us, you really can't complain.

So many affordable transportation options readily available make it so easy and convenient to holiday in Thailand and get to experience all of the vibrant culture and sights.

Have you been to Thailand?

Where to stay in Koh Tao, Thailand ⤵️Ban's Diving Resort is amazing if you are a diver, but don't let the name fool you ...
08/30/2023

Where to stay in Koh Tao, Thailand ⤵️

Ban's Diving Resort is amazing if you are a diver, but don't let the name fool you - it has something for everyone and I cannot wait to go back.

The property is massive and has a luxury resort feel, but is super budget friendly. Not only does it offer beach access right outside of their restaurant, there are four beautiful pools throughout the entire property.

There are numerous restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and even convenience stores and a salon right on-site. The breakfast included with the stay is at a rooftop open air restaurant overlooking the ocean. Fishbowl Beach Bar offers live music nightly, daily happy hour, and bean bag chairs on the sand. It's also the last stop on the famous Koh Tao Pun crawl.

The property itself is super aesthetic, with sculptures, statues, waterfalls and ponds, a ton of foliage and local flowers. The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. It's the perfect spot for a relaxing and luxurious stay on the island.

🔗Hotel link
https://expedia.com/affiliates/Koh-Tao-Hotels-Bans-Diving-Resort.xob9kbB

❤️Double tap if you would stay here!


Best food in Thailand ⤵️A.C. Two Resorts Restaurant on Koh Tao.If you are on Koh Tao, be sure to stop for a meal at this...
08/24/2023

Best food in Thailand ⤵️

A.C. Two Resorts Restaurant on Koh Tao.

If you are on Koh Tao, be sure to stop for a meal at this beachfront restaurant. It has it all - incredible food, wonderful staff and amazing views.

One thing you always hear about Thailand is how spicy the local food is. Hubby and I LOVE spicy food, but noticed that most dishes we ordered were very mild. Even when we requested spicy, the restaurant staff would always look at us like we were crazy, and then bump up the spice only slightly. We finally realized they were toning it down for the Americans. 😂😂 So just a tip we learned from experience - if you like it spicy, be sure to ask for it spicy! 🌶️

A few dishes to be sure to try while visiting Thailand:

- Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad)
- Mango Sticky Rice (tip: add coconut ice cream)
- Tom Kha G*i (chicken coconut soup)
- Can't go wrong with ANY of the curries

Enjoy!

Koh Phangan Itinerary ⤵️**Save for your trip to Thailand!🍹Koh Phangan island is most well known for it's Full Moon Party...
08/21/2023

Koh Phangan Itinerary ⤵️

**Save for your trip to Thailand!

🍹Koh Phangan island is most well known for it's Full Moon Party held each month during the full moon on Haad Rin beach, where people come from all over to dance on the beach, watch the fire shows, and enjoy the numerous beach bars.
Some things to note:
- Hotels fill up quickly during this event so book early. Most hotels in Haad Rin require a 3 night minimum stay during this time.
- The party is typically crowded so be sure to keep an eye on your drinks.
- If you are not staying on Haad Rin, be sure you have transportation sorted in advance.

🏖️ Koh Phangan is know for it's amazing beaches. Take an iconic long tail boat to explore the different beaches, such as Haad Yao and Bottle Beach.

🌅 Watch the sunset from Amsterdam Bar or Highlife Bungalow.

🌝 Explore Thong Sala, the main town on the island. There are numerous bars, restaurants and shops, and food stands. They also have a night market.

💆🏼‍♀️Get a Thai massage! Many of the resorts have spas. You can also find massages being offered on most of the beaches- super inexpensive with views of the water.

Remember to always respect the local culture and leave the beaches with no trace when you leave.

Follow me on Instagram for more Thailand tips and itineraries, travel content and Florida travel spots. ↪️

Where to stay in Koh Phangan Thailand ⤵️One of the coolest things about Thailand is it is a very budget vacation spot.  ...
08/17/2023

Where to stay in Koh Phangan Thailand ⤵️

One of the coolest things about Thailand is it is a very budget vacation spot. You can stay in massive hotel rooms with private balconies and views like this (swipe to see our room view) for very inexpensive.

We had the BEST stay at High Life Bungalows. Set atop a hill on Haad Yao beach, the resort offered amazing views, an excellent restaurant, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and the friendliest and kindest staff you will ever meet.

They offer shuttles to and from the ports; you can rent motorbikes right at the check in office; if you need anything from them they will be at your door within minutes.

This beautiful property has a staircase leading down to the beautiful and quiet Haad Yao beach, where there are many restaurant and drink options, as well as calm, pristine ocean to swim in.

We would definitely stay here again and 💯 recommend.

🔗 Hotel link: https://expedia.com/affiliate/BsosdTD

Hotel, recommendations, travel, beach, vacation

Mornings like this. 💕We would wake up early every morning and enjoy the ocean before anyone else was on the beach.  The ...
08/11/2023

Mornings like this. 💕

We would wake up early every morning and enjoy the ocean before anyone else was on the beach. The ocean is crystal clear and warm, completely peaceful.

Where is your happy place?

Sunrise, golden hour, Koh Phanang, Thailand, morning swim, beach, tropical, vacation, travel, content creator, inspiration, visit, best destination, itinerary, swimwear

I just joined TikTok! 😬
03/22/2023

I just joined TikTok! 😬

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

03/10/2023

30 Likes, 2 Comments - Cyd | Travel and Florida Lifestyle () on Instagram: "How I recharge my soul... . . . . . . . . . . ..."

Did you know you can hop on the train from Lucerne and be in the Alps in about 45 minutes?  Mount Titlus is an easy and ...
02/16/2023

Did you know you can hop on the train from Lucerne and be in the Alps in about 45 minutes? Mount Titlus is an easy and scenic day trip you can take from the city, and it feels like you are in a completely different world.

Take a cable car up the mountain, and then there are many fun winter activities for you to enjoy. You can take a scenic ride on a ski lift, go tubing, walk across a suspension bridge for unending views of the snow covered mountain, walk through a (man-made) ice cave, or my favourite - play in the snow!

Address

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cyd Travel and Florida Lifestyle posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

Share


Other Digital creator in Fort Lauderdale

Show All