Jet Set Jess

Last month my mom and I finally got a chance to cross a Middle East trip off our bucket list. We had an absolutely life changing experience exploring both Egypt and Jordan, home to endless beauty and countless historic treasures dating back millenia. It's not easy to pick a highlight but the Pyramids, a private visit to a working archaeological dig, and a sunrise hot air balloon ride are not to be missed! With such busy days, the Nile River Cruise is the perfect way to travel and the Oberoi Philae staff is truly top notch. Plus, as usual the service at the Four Seasons was exceptional! EGYPT In Egypt we explored Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, the Pyramids of Giza, took a hot air balloon ride at dawn, and a luxury river cruise on the Oberoi Philae ! We had a jam packed itinerary but had plenty of plush accommodations to help us recharge. In Egypt we stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza , the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, and of course aboard the Oberoi Philae Luxury Nile

  Last month I finally jetted off to Mexico for my first international trip in over 18 months!  Mexico is a big, beautiful country filled with so much history, culture, art, museums, architecture and of course...food, that it can feel almost overwhelming. So be sure to give yourself enough time to see it all.  It's also is an easy destination to travel to at the moment, because it does not require testing or vaccination to enter, just a negative test three days prior to returning to the United States. So let's jump right in! Here's a quick recap of my unforgettable trip through Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende! CITY: Mexico City, Mexico (CDMX) The week long trip kicked off in incredible, historic Mexico City, with a stay at Las Alcobas , which is a Marriott Property & Virtuoso Travel hotel.  There's so much culture and cuisine to take in I wish I had more time there! But I was so happy to be able to fit in a food tour and visits to so many historic buildings an

  Last month the European Union announced that it would be open to vaccinated travelers this summer. Naturally, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to start highlighting a few of my favorite European destinations whether you're booking this summer, for 2022, or beyond! CITY: Lisbon, Portugal The stunning capital of Portugal, Lisbon is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe! It effortlessly blends its heritage with striking modernism and progressivism. Combining a rich history with a buzzing culinary and nightlife scene and a pleasing year-round climate, Lisbon is a gem, but as it continues to gain popularity with tourists, it's beginning to re-write the narrative as a "hidden gem"! 🛌 MUST STAY The  AlmaLusa Hotels Baixa & Chiado  is a 28-room boutique hotel and winner of "Boutique Hotel - Lisbon." Located in the heart of one of the city's most exciting neighborhoods, it provides easy access to all of Lisbon.  Added amenities when booking th

  Are you ready to travel the world with peace of mind again? I know I am.  Vaccine passports. Domestic travel protocols. International travel restrictions. Which countries are open to Americans? Which are still closed? Is it safe to book a trip this summer? This winter? If anything, right now may be the safest time to travel in recent memory. Airports and airlines are taking extra caution to sanitize spaces and keep passengers safe, and many resorts and hotels are offering risk free booking, with cancellations and reschedulings easier than ever. But, with so many protocols and questions surrounding vaccinations and travel during the pandemic, it can be tough to keep it all straight. That's why I'm here. To help get you exploring again and do it safely. VACCINE PASSPORTS If you haven't heard of a "vaccine passport" yet, you're not alone. But it's already in development, with some countries like Greece, Israel, Denmark, and Slovenia planning early adoption

Quickly becoming one of Africa's safest and most sought after tourism destinations, Rwanda has been on my radar for quite some time. Though COVID forced me to push the trip back a bit, I'm ready to officially book my adventure and experience this beautiful country in Summer 2022 for my mom's birthday! Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest, and sweeping plains. Volcanoes National Park is home to about half the world’s mountain gorilla population, making Rwanda a top choice for a gorilla trekking safari. As for the setting, the country is extremely beautiful with its steep slopes covered in dense tropical rainforest. And though travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, there is so much

Newark Liberty International Airport Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all my travel in 2020 was both domestic and within a 4-5 hour drive. As someone with perpetual wanderlust, this isn't a statement I thought I would ever make in my lifetime, but due to global COVID travel restrictions, international travel was either impossible or very difficult. Though, I am grateful that  this allowed me to both get to know some resorts in my own backyard and plan some getaways I may not normally have experienced. In early January 2021 I boarded an airplane for the first time since March 2020. No flights in nearly a year? Unthinkable. And even though it was just for a short United Airlines flight from New Jersey to Florida, it was refreshing. So, in order to ease concerns and any confusion, I wanted to share my experience with COVID safety protocols and changes to security, check-in, and boarding (some of which were long overdue!). I should note that your experience may vary by airport,