Adventurous Andrea

The Solo Female Travel Blog

The Americas

Things to do in South Carolina

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Known for its friendly hospitality and beautiful beaches, South Carolina is nestled up against the Atlantic Ocean. Within the foothills of the mountains upstate and along the coast, you will find exhilarating theme parks, fascinating historical landmarks, museum-quality venues for weddings, and gardens that are perfect for families.

You might be tempted to move to South Carolina after seeing some of the cool and interesting things to do there.  

Visit Beautiful Beaches

A list of South Carolina’s top things to do wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the perfectly sandy shores, which range from Hilton Head Island at the southern tip to Myrtle Beach near the North Carolina border. 

The South Carolina beaches are known for their gentle surf, pristine sand, and powdery soft sand that is ideal for sandcastle construction and barefoot strolling.

Visit The Olde English District

A few of America’s earliest events took place in the north central area of South Carolina’s Olde English District, which consists of seven countries. The district was named for its settlers who settled there very early, around the middle of the 1770s. 

History buffs will find a treasure trove of monuments, parks, markers, and buildings in the area that traces the Revolutionary War. Driving the scenic back roads, you will see old family farms, the ruins of former plantations, museums, parks, and outdoor attractions that provide a sense of the past while providing fun for everyone. 

Discover some of the most noteworthy spots in the old woodlands, along river banks, and through parks, including Historic Brattonsville, Historic Camden, the Catawba Cultural Center, Landsford Canal State Park, and the South Carolina Railroad Museum. 

Hang Out In The States National Park

Congaree National Park is located in central South Carolina and offers opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and kayaking in a peaceful forest setting. There is also a very unique natural phenomenon in the park – synchronous fireflies, which you can see during the Fireflies Festival.

Take A Hike

Besides the beaches and lakes in South Carolina – the Upstate has a number of scenic spots to visit in the Blue Ridge Mountains. To get a new perspective on the state, take a walk in Table Rock State Park which is especially picturesque in the fall.

Feeling inspired to move to South Carolina? The professionals at Art of Moving have got you covered. 

Take In Some War History

Discover how South Carolina was involved in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars at Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter. (Fort Sumter is located in Charleston Harbor, so the only way to reach it is by ferry – you can enjoy great views of Mount Pleasant and Charleston from the water.)

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

The USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, and USS Clamagore are on display at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. There is a museum for the Medal of Honor and 25 aircraft on the USS Yorktown, which has been the center of the museum since 1975. Two Civil War-era helicopters and a Civil War-era cannon also are on display ashore. 

Viva Las Vegas: The Ultimate Las Vegas Girls’ Trip Guide

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Source: Unsplash | Mike Boening

When it comes time to plan a raucous getaway with the girls – bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, college roommate reunions, you name it – few locations are more appealing than Las Vegas. Though once known as a desert casino town, over the course of its history, Vegas has evolved into the entertainment capital of the world. Boasting world-class dining and cuisine, a wide array of shows, state-of-the-art VR experiences, dayclubs, nightclubs, a nearly infinite supply of sunshine and, of course, more than a few opportunities to try your luck at gambling, Vegas just might be the getaway option to please everyone in your girl gang. Tripping with your ladies involves certain protocol, though – from planning your itinerary to finding accommodations the whole group can agree on. Fear not – we’ve got you covered with our ultimate Las Vegas girls’ trip guide.

Book Your Entertainment in Advance

Visiting the Las Vegas Strip, especially with a group, can be a total whirlwind – it’s complete sensory overload, and there’s so much to see and do. Since each gal in your gang might have a different idea of what constitutes a good time, it’s best to plan a good portion of your itinerary in advance to avoid conflicts. One of the easiest items to book ahead of time is any show you might want to see – and with the insane variety of shows in Las Vegas, we guarantee you’ll want to see more than one. From classic Cirque du Soleil acrobatic acts to girl-powered tribute shows like Blonde Invasion – which combine the hits of Britney, Lady Gaga, and Madonna into one dance party of an evening – and even sexy male dance revues like Magic Mike Live, there are tons of options. That’s before we even mention the celebrities slated for residencies there this summer, which include Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Lady Gaga.

Plan Your Stay

One easy way to cut costs on your Las Vegas girls’ trip is to choose non-premium accommodations. Unless you’re planning to do some serious, 24/7 gambling, staying at a hotel on the Strip is hardly necessary, as most of the big hotels’ tourist attractions are available to non-guests and the general public, and many off-Strip hotels are often way more affordable. For a chic off-Strip stay that can help your group save its hard-earned cash for a few extra rounds at the bar, take a look at the selection of rooms available at the M Resort, Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa, or the Palms.

Don’t forget the SPF

While you might think that, between Vegas’s legendary shows, the casinos, and its infamous nightclubs, you’ll be spending a lot of your time in this desert destination indoors, trust us: You’re not going to want to skip the sunscreen. Even you if you don’t have any interest in frequenting one of Sin City’s fun outdoor clubs (you totally should, by the way, since they’re basically gigantic pool parties with alcohol), you’ll still want your skin to be prepared to weather the sun that comes along with the 100-degree temperatures that Vegas commonly sees in the summer. Plus, sunburned and hungover is a combination that no one wears well. Which brings us to our next tip…

Hydrate or Cry(drate)

The sun’s rays aren’t the only feature of Vegas’s extreme heat you’ll need to worry about spoiling your trip. The heat plus the dry air can wreak serious havoc on both your skin and your general hydration levels. This can be a serious problem when you’re indulging regularly in the delicious, fruity, and not particularly hydrating cocktails that Vegas, with its lack of open container laws, specializes in. To make sure that you don’t end up dehydrated and miserable from the extreme heat, plus the drinking, bring a refillable water bottle along with you during the day. A light moisturizer, in addition to the sunscreen, is not a bad idea either.

Act Like a VIP

When it comes to the Vegas club scene, there are a few tried-and-true hacks you can use to make your experience a little more upscale. The best way to do this is to employ a few VIP tactics. If you’re planning on visiting a few clubs in the same night, check the website to see if you can get on the guest list, and be sure not to miss the window you sign up for. Be sure to bring along cash to tip club employees, who just might be able to give you some special treatment for your buck. If you want to go all-out, several nightclub tour packages – including V Card: The Vegas Nightclub Pass, as well as the VIP Club Hop By Nite Tours – include VIP entry to multiple venues.

5 Tips to Make Organizing Your New Home a Breeze

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You’ve been dreaming of your new home for decades. For years you’ve been saving and planning. For months you’ve been designing and waiting for it to be complete. That day has finally arrived; move-in day!

But, no matter how many new homes you’ve moved into before, you know there is no perfect way to accomplish the task. Inevitably, moving and organizing turns chaotic.

However, we’ve narrowed down our five favorite tips to make organizing your home easier than ever before. Let’s break it down.

  1. Color Coordinate Your Boxes

Sometimes packing is rushed because it’s almost guaranteed that you didn’t calculate enough time to accomplish everything with ease before the big move. When this happens, items haphazardly get strewn into boxes and labeled without regard. This leaves unpacking even more complicated. “Why are there books and towels and a spoon and a stapler all in one box?” you’ll wonder.

However, if you take extra care when packing, organizing will be much easier.

So, step one is to assign a color to each room. Maybe blue for the kitchen, red for the family room, orange for the master bedroom and bathroom, pink for your daughter’s room, and green for your son’s room. This method isn’t perfect or fail-proof, but especially if you have help moving in—whether from professionals or family and friends—it will help everyone ensure each box makes it to where it will be unloaded rather than just setting everything in your entryway.

And as an added benefit, when you order food after a long day’s work, you’ll already be able to narrow down where the plates might be.

  1. Label Your Boxes

Just like any task, preparation helps to ensure things run smoothly. So, don’t just stop at color coordinating boxes, label them as well.

For example, when you are packing your everyday plates, place them in a box and before sealing it (don’t walk away and forget what is in said box) label the box with a blue dot in blue market and add the word dishes.

Similarly, don’t assume that someone will handle your box with care just because it’s labeled dishes. Go the extra step and add “fragile” and “this side up” as well.

  1. Take One Room at a Time

When you move into a new house, you’ll need to decorate and organize each room of your new abode. This will seem overwhelming at times, but you’re not likely on a schedule—unless it’s one you arbitrarily created for yourself—so take a breath, and tackle one room at a time.

Yes, you may want to at least set up each person’s bed and put away a few outfits so your life can continue on as the unpacking happens when time allows, but try to stay focused.

If every room in your home is somewhat disheveled and somewhat organized, you’re going to feel like you haven’t accomplished anything. Instead, choose a room—maybe the family room if you want to start hosting soon—and unpack and decorate until you feel you’ve accomplished all you can and you’d be glad to invite people over. Then, with that one weight of your shoulders, have a little celebratory dance party, and then pick the next place to start.

  1. Continue to Discard Items as You Move Room to Room

Hopefully, you carefully considered what you were packing rather than unnecessarily lugging things you know you don’t want any more from old house to new house. If not, start now.

When unpacking, really consider if what you own adds value to your life. And value doesn’t necessarily mean monetary value. Does the item make you smile? Does it make your life easier? Is it something you use or wear on a regularly basis?

Don’t feel guilty or hoard if something doesn’t fit this list. Instead, find a new home for it, up-cycle, or recycle.

While something may have benefited your life in you old home, it may not fit quite right into your new home. But, don’t jump to conclusions either—it did make the move after all.

Instead, create an “I don’t know where to put you” pile. Then, once everything is unpacked, go back through this pile and determine the appropriate next step.

  1. Add to Your Home After Unpacking

Moving into a new home is so exciting! And this time it’s even better as it was made specifically for you. You’re probably bursting for the day when it’ll be just right. But, like the build, decorating is a process that shouldn’t be rushed.

For this reason it’s best not to add anything into your space until you’ve unpacked everything you already own.

There will be a day when you have the desire to run out to the store and pick a few things up that will complement your new space, and there will definitely be days for this. But if you’re still unpacking, try to hold off.

With a growing family and years of accumulating things into your life, it’s impossible to remember every single item you own. So, while you may be tempted to purchase throw pillows for your entryway bench, you may find that you actually want to use your former family room pillows there instead and replace those.

Similarly, you might want a mirror hanging alongside your art in the dining room to add more light and texture, but the one you had hanging in your bedroom just doesn’t quite fit that space anymore and you rehome it instead.

You’ve carefully selected the items in your life. And they’ve made it to each of your new homes, this one included. So take the time to find a spot in your home for what you already own first.

There is no right way to organize a new home, but these tips will help make your transition a smooth ride rather than a rocky new beginning.

How to Make the Most Out of Ecuador

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There are so many incredible places in the world to see, and so many amazing experiences to partake in. By not getting out of your country or even your continent, you are doing yourself a massive disfavor. There is a lot to learn about the world and the people within it, and sometimes those lessons need to be taught by countries thousands of miles away. That’s why you should make Ecuador your next trip. This amazing coastal country is small, easily accessible, and very diverse. It is the perfect introduction to South America, and full of life-changing experiences and activities to enjoy:

Tour the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are where rare and beautiful species flourish. It is also the destination that convinced Charles Darwin of his theory of evolution in 1835. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute must to see for any traveler. Do be prepared, however, because the Galapagos Islands are not a playground for humans. While you can indeed visit them, there are tight regulations you must follow. For example, you can only go with small tours, can only visit certain areas of the islands, and you must at all times follow the organized pathways so as to not disturb the wildlife. This is very important to keep the area thriving and beautiful for all to enjoy.

Climb Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is one of the most famous (and active) volcanoes in South America. Visiting these snow-covered peaks and experience the stunning beauty of it for yourself is something that should be on everyone’s to-do list. The volcano itself hasn’t erupted in over 70 years, with its last significant eruption being more than 100 years ago. This has made Cotopaxi climbing tours quite popular, and definitely not an experience that you will want to miss.

Peruse Otavalo Market

Markets are always excellent to enjoy as a tourist because it allows you not only to experience the culture first hand, but you can also buy and bring home a variety of souvenirs. Unlike when buying a souvenir from an airport gift shop, picking up items from markets helps support the local communities. Try to invest in some truly beautiful pieces that highlight Ecuadorian heritage, and you will have a souvenir of a lifetime and help keep their culture alive and thriving.

Visit the Amazon

The Amazon is world renowned, and for a reason. It holds diverse wildlife that we to this day are still uncovering. It also produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, and, as a consequence, holds a lot of carbon dioxide as well. Visit the Amazon in Ecuador, and you can enjoy this massive and incredible jungle for yourself at what is considered to be one of the cheapest destinations to do so. Remember to be very respectful, learn about the Amazon and the people who live within it, and perhaps go home with more respect for it. If you go forth and support only rainforest certified products, then you can do your part to protect this important place.

Ecuador is a small country, but this only means that you can truly do and see everything that it has to offer. Whether you want to travel on a budget or in luxury, do so here, just remember to respect the wildlife and to do all you can to support local communities.