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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

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We traveled to Providenciales in July, 2016 for a quick 4-night vacation. We flew Delta from Atlanta in both directions and stayed at The Palms. Overall, I would highly recommend making the trip to Turks and Caicos as the beaches are some of the best in the world. Any trip there will be expensive given that almost everything must be imported but it can be worth it as a nice splurge. Quick summary of the trip:

Flights: Delta economy from ATL-PLS-ATL

Hotel: The Palms (~$550 per night for Junior Suite) – Room / facilities were clean and well-cared for. I thought the room was slightly on the small side for the price paid. Breakfast buffet was substantial and fresh. Would stay here again but open to exploring other options on the island as well.

Other: I would definitely recommend getting a rental car while on the island as there are plenty of places away from the resorts that are worth visiting. Sapodilla Beach was a favorite of ours. Do keep in mind they drive on the wrong side of the road so if you aren’t comfortable with that taxi’s might be a better option. We rented through Avis.

Meals:

  • Mango Reef Restaurant – Definitely a more local place, food was OK but the setting on a rather industrial marina left something to be desired
  • Magnolia Wine Bar – Amazing setting up on a hill overlooking Grace Bay. Food was good but atmosphere is what sold this restaurant (see sunset pic below)
  • Somewhere Cafe – Beachfront tiki bar that served basic bar food, beautiful setting
  • Las Brisas – Located on Chalk Sound (see pic below), setting and food were great for a long lunch. Very close to Sapodilla Beach (see pic below)
  • Infinity Bar – Beachfront restaurant at Grace Bay Club. Great location and atmosphere, food was OK. Expensive for what you get
  • Coco Bistro – Best meal we had on the island. Off the beach location and reservations are difficult. Highly recommend
  • Fresh Catch – This place came highly recommended but we came away disappointed. Located in a shopping center the location left a lot to be desired and the food was just OK

Trip summary in pictures below. Enjoy!

PLS

Landing into PLS

the palms courtyard

Courtyard at The Palms

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The Palms, Junior Suite View

magnolia wine bar sunset

Magnolia Wine Bar Sunset

sweet pink rental

Awesome pink rental car

tiki bar view

Somewhere Beach Bar

the palms beach

The Palms beach view

chalk sound

Chalk Sound – Next to Las Brisas

sapodilla beach

Sapodilla Beach

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Turk’s Head Beer

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Crab on Beach

leaving pls

Leaving PLS

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Christmas Trip to Chicago

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Another quick hitter post to get closer to catching up to current day. Wife and I took a quick (2-night) trip to Chicago during Christmas, 2015. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on points and got cheap roundtrip flights on Southwest. Flew from New Orleans (MSY) to Chicago (MDW), with a connection on the return in Nashville (BNA). Highlight of our trip was dinner at Girl and the Goat on the West Loop. Fantastic food and great atmosphere, can’t recommend enough.

Chicago

Looking down the Chicago River

Chicago

Cityscape

Chicago

Daytime view from Ritz-Carlton Chicago

Chicago

Christmas Market in Chicago

Chicago

Enjoying our Glühwein

Chicago

Nighttime view from Ritz-Carlton Chicago

Chicago

Random picture of Trump Tower. Little did I realize what was to come.

Quick Washington D.C. Trip

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A couple of years ago (prior to baby #1), my wife and I took a weekend trip to Washington D.C. Spent 2 nights in the city (1 at a generic Marriott and 1 night at the Park Hyatt). We managed to secure an upgrade to a suite for $45 same-day at the Park Hyatt, more than worth it!

We flew Southwest non-stop from ATL both directions as we managed to secure a really cheap flight. Nothing special to report from the flights.

Some pictures from our trip:

George Washington University

GW Campus

White House

Scene from behind the White House

Washington D.C.

Street scene from Georgetown

Washington D.C.

My wife and I in front of the U.S. Capital

Park Hyatt Washington D.C.

Bedroom of our suite at the Park Hyatt D.C.

Park Hyatt Washington D.C.

Living room of our suite at the Park Hyatt D.C.

Park Hyatt Washington D.C.

Bathroom of our suite at the Park Hyatt D.C. Deep tub to the left and stone surround shower on the right.

Overview of ATL

View of Atlanta on descent into ATL

Really fun weekend with some great food and 1 really nice hotel (Park Hyatt D.C.) + 1 mediocre hotel (Marriott Washington – Georgetown). Some of the restaurants we enjoyed:

-Mintwood Place (Dinner – Really solid)

-Le Diplomate (Brunch – Highly recommend)

This was our last trip before baby #1 was born, little did we know how our life would change (for the better!).