Our 2020 Best of Travel Awards

Little Sister – Skinny dipping in a roof top infinity pool during an impending hurricaine.  It’s the funniest, not brightest, but it was damn fun.

Read about our trip to Playa del Carmen

Big Sister – This was during the first lockdown. Patti had recovered from COVID and was at my house with her husband, as well as our mother.

Sometimes you just have to sneak away for a minute…

Little Sister – My favorite view on the planet will always be sunset over the Indian ocean at Tanah Lot in Bali. However, to pick a specific best view of this year will be watching the light show at Garden by the Bay in Singapore.  We were there for a long layover, so we caught a taxi (Grab) and got there in time to see the last light show of the night. It was incredible, truly one of those moments when you are just stunned with a “Is this really MY life” feeling.  We laid right there on the ground under the Supertree Grove as they lit up to music, it was amazing.

Big Sister – My choice is practically any beach view in Tulum. Whether from Tulum Beach, our beautiful Mezzanine or the Ruins. Breathtaking!!

Read about our Tulum trip

Little Sister – I really want to tell you all about Toro Bravo, and how incredible it was; however, as they are now permanently closed, I don’t believe that is fair to you. So the best BITE would have to be the ceviche at El Camello Junior in Tulum. It was so amazing, fresh and balanced shrimp, octopus, and white fish.

Big Sister – I’m still dreaming about this one!! Not just the best bite from 2020 but the best taco EVER. Arrachera tacos from Xolo Tacos de la Lena in Isla Holbox!

Little Sister – Fish head curry in Kuala Lumpur, at the House of Fish Head Curry (naturally).  It was delicious, but full on fish heads staring at me is not usually my go-to meal

Big Sister – It ended alright, but Grasshopper salt was a little scary for me. Actual grasshoppers!! But they sure do go well with mezcal.

Little Sister – Pulque in Playa Del Carmen, a Mayan drink of fermented tree sap.  It’s “viscous” but at La Perla Pixan they have multiple flavors, from sweet like chocolate, mango, or pineapple, to nut flavors, and coffee flavor

Big Sister – Such a competitive category!! So many drinks, so little time! I will probably go with this lovely Split Decision at Urban Stillhouse in St. Pete, FL Super creative combination of Horse Soldier Bourbon, peach liqueur, greek yogurt (huh??) and nutmeg.

Little Sister – The Screen Door in Portland, OR.  I love seafood and fish, and southern food, but also, the best meal of the day is brunch!  Roll it all up into the perfect package and there we have The Screen Door.  We shared Fish Camp Eggs and added on a side of fried Oysters.  This breakfast was incredible, deep fried deliciousness.

Read about our Portland trip

Big Sister – Brunch is the my personal favorite meal of the week!! Best brunch this year goes to Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul, MN. These Pork Belly pancakes were possibly the best pancakes EVER! Plus Hope Breakfast Bar was everything you’d want in a brunch spot – lively, stylish, creative cocktails, friendly staff, and community support!

Read our St. Paul Post

Little Sister – I have several favorites; it really is a tough choice.  I loved RosaNegra for my 50^th birthday dinner.  They were so attentive and kind, and the food was incredible.  Sparklers on my birthday cake, cheese popovers instead of breadsticks, and the absolute best Cesar salad I have ever had. The entire night was fantastic.

Big Sister – Another difficult choice but RosaNegra in Tulum for the overall experience and combination of food, service and ambiance!!

Little Sister – Mezzanine in Tulum, MX.  I have never experienced that incredible level of customer service.  The room was gorgeous, and you just can’t beat the view of sunrise.

Big Sister – No brainer, Casa Las Tortugas in Isla Holbox. The service was impeccable; the room, the view and the design were perfect. It’s no wonder their hashtag is #stayforever

Little Sister – The ATV tour with Jungle Buggy tours in Playa Del Carmen.  A fantastically fun tour in ATVs you drive yourself, swim in a Cenote, visit and eat in a Mayan village.  Maybe I should list the hurricane that came after that as part of the adventure. I laughed out loud, LOUDLY, driving that ATV, splooshing through puddles.

Big Sister – Sailing around the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior plus spending the night aboard the boat (with an unexpectedly fun night at the marina with new friends and Regatta teams). Relaxing, beautiful, uninterrupted and a totally unique experience. Plus, it checked off a new state and a travel-list item.

Read about our Sailing adventure in Bayfield

Little Sister – The facial and hair bath at Cantika Zest, www.cantikazestbali.com in Ubud.  In this beautiful outdoor garden, their facial includes a fantastic hand and foot massage, then they wash your hair, and take you into their little hair salon area and apply aloe and coconut milk to help your hair and scalp, a shoulder massage, and then a spray with their hair tonic (made onsite and available for purchase in their gift shop). Cantika makes their own products from all natural, locally grown ingredients.

Big Sister – I think the only real spa treatment I had was the Mayan Clay Massage in Tulum. A first for me and I loved the experience.

Little Sister – The Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur.  They were incredible, all 272 colorful steps to the top, and the cave temple was gorgeous.  So amazing, and one of my favorite memories of the year.  The cave at the top was gorgeous, bright and colorful.  I am amazed at the details put into Hindu temples.

Big Sister – While I would not call it “cultural”, it is a a UNESCO World Heritage site so, I’ll go with Redwoods National & State Park. The visit was just incredible…breathtaking beauty, peaceful trails and a palpable connection with nature.

Little Sister – Swimming with the Manatees in Crystal River Florida.  Although it was not the high season, the crew went out of their way to help us find one momma and her baby.  There are many restrictions in place to protect these beautiful creatures, you have to watch a video prior to the boat that explains your role in not interfering with them or their stress level and safety. They are in their natural habitat, and they were viewed at a distance and with respect. It was so incredible.

Big Sister – Not a sisbehaving trip but one I’ve been attempting for a long time and COVID allowed me to take time to actually do it! Thor’s Well on the Oregon Coast. It’s mid-coast near Yachats and for the best experience you need to be there near high tide and obviously in daylight. So timing a trip from Portland has always been difficult. PHENOMENAL and worth all the wait!!

Little Sister – Absolutely, Isla Holbox.  Loved this quiet little island town.  I cannot wait to go back. Bali gets an honorable mention, because it is always my favorite, but I will also mention Malaysia.  I cannot wait to go back to Malaysia, I was WOW’d.  I got kicked out of the country due to Covid, after only 36 hours, but it was so insanely beautiful and the people were so kind and helpful.  I will definitely be going back to experience more of this fantastic country and see Penang and Langkowi.

Big Sister – Isla Holbox – such an idyllic island with beaches, amazing food, beachy cocktails, bioluminescence, and flamingos!!