Featured Reviews Archives - Bucket List Publications

The 3 Best Dishes at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Oahu

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Lesley | 0 Comments

Diverse, fresh and succulent, the tastes of Hilton Hawaiian Village are unforgettable. With 20 on-site restaurants from gourmet cuisine to casual, beach-side dining, we had a trove of flavors to choose from but Darren and I chose our 3 favorite dishes to share with you. Sometimes more choices make it difficult to decide where to go. After tasting more than a…

The Best Alternative to Caribbean Resorts – Kinderhotel‏ Oberjoch

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Lesley | 2 Comments

Most American families opt for all-inclusive, Caribbean resorts for their family vacation. It’s easy and provides tons of options for all family members. Naively, I assumed it was the only legitimate option as well, but I recently discovered Kinderhotel Oberjoch in Germany. It’s the most toddler-friendly, all-inclusive property that I’ve visited and the best alternative to all-inclusive, Caribbean resorts. If you…

Five Essential Items to Pack for Namibia

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Lesley | 1 Comments

I pack light. It’s rare that something finds its way into my carry-on suitcase that I don’t use during a trip, but there are some things that I couldn’t live without especially in a country like Namibia where buying options are few and far between. A quality camera with a zoom lens, proper footwear, versatility clothing, memory cards, and the…

The Best Overall Resort in Bonaire – Buddy Dive

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Lesley | 0 Comments

Bonaire is blessed with an unsurpassed natural beauty. From the pristine waters to Brandaris’s peak, Bonaire’s magic washed over me from the moment I arrived. Even while participating in extreme adventures, a peaceful ambiance filled my time on Bonaire. The island continues to reign supreme as the dive destination in the Caribbean, but that’s only the beginning; Bonaire offers culture,…

Turned On by a Woman at the ESPA, Riga

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Lesley | 0 Comments

I’m no stranger to massages. I’ve had more than a handful in the last two years. Normally, I lay on the table wondering if I should have established a safe word. The answer is usually “yes.” No need this time; she knew exactly the way I like it… maybe even a little too much. Admittedly, I was turned on by…

Better than Christmas Morning – Arriving at Newport Coast Villas

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Lesley | 2 Comments

Imagine getting in a vehicle, an airplane, falling asleep, and waking up in an entirely different place, a whole new world. That’s what it must feel like for Athena when we travel to new countries or cities. This morning, she woke up at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, our home for the next six days. Although it might have been confusing…

Did You Ever Think You’d Hear “Unlimited Lobster Night”?

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Lesley | 1 Comments

As an eastern Canadian, I would put my family to shame if I didn’t attend an unlimited lobster night. To be honest, I didn’t ever think I’d hear of unlimited lobster night; some things are just too good to be true. Yet every Wednesday night, Solana Restaurant at Marriott Grand Cayman offers an All You Can Eat Lobster Night! Their menu…

The Best Views of Banff and Lake Louise

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Lesley | 8 Comments

Featured writer: The Roaming Lama I was fortunate enough to take three trips to Banff National Park during 2013 and as a result I have been able to find a number of fantastic viewpoints to take in the amazing landscapes. Banff is located near Calgary in Alberta, Canada and if you haven’t made the trip I’d highly recommend adding it to…

Viewpoints – The Spa Experience

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Lesley | 5 Comments

What makes a great massage experience varies from person to person and gender to gender. There are the general expectations such as timeliness, cleanliness, and friendly personality but what really makes you leave saying, “I feel great. That was well worth the price…”? This morning, Darren and I both had massages at The Sanctuary Spa, Kiawah Island Golf Resort. We spent…

Taking Our Hawaii Experience to the Next Level

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Lesley | 1 Comments

We flew into Hawaii in the dark. The view from the airplane window was black; I couldn’t even tell when we were about to touch down. We drove to our resort in the dark, again with zero visibility of The Big Island. I couldn’t tell if we were surrounded by a luscious tropical forest or an endless mound of dirt….