Hey guys!

If you've been following along on Instagram, you now that we just finished up a beautiful 12 days across the French Riviera! We from Paris we traveled to St. Tropez, and from St. Tropez we went east to the city of Cannes. Famously known for they annual film festival, Cannes is a bustling city on France's southern coast and a must-see for any Côte d'Azur itinerary. Since St. Tropez has no train station, we rented a car and drove along the ocean to get to Cannes- a journey that should take you about an hour and a half. We, however chose to take the coastal scenic route and subsequently (but without regrets) took about three hours to get there!

Cannes is quite a bit bigger than St. Tropez and offers an impressive array of tastes and styles, from high-end luxury shopping districts and posh beachfront hotels to a charming old town district full of sidewalk cafes and smiley locals. Unlike some of the smaller towns along the coast, Cannes' size means that walking from one end of the city to the other will take some substantial time. That's the best way to do it though, and each area you pass through is unique and different. We loved the city for this- one moment you were browsing the stunning racks of clothes fit for fashion week runways, and the next you were climbing an ancient hill to admire the view of the city below, and both activities work so harmoniously together that you hardly feel the transition from one to the next!

We stayed at the beachfront JW Marriott Hotel Cannes and this amazing property was our base for our adventures around Cannes. JW Marriott's location is perfect for anyone wanting an ocean view, close proximity to the iconic beaches of Cannes and easy access to the luxury shops filling the surrounding areas! Something unique about the JW Marriott is their direct beach views, unobstructed by the palm trees lining most of the main road- and our balcony was the perfect place to take in the view, feel the salty Mediterranean breeze and contemplate how beautiful and rare a place like Cannes really is. From the moment you walk into the grand atrium-style lobby you feel the splendor and prestige of the names that come to Cannes each year for the festival. They have an outdoor restaurant, a massive rooftop, and the location can't be beat.

Check out "A Day in Cannes with JW Marriott" below, and you can book your own stay at the JW Marriott bay clicking here!

A Day in Cannes with JW Marriott

6:30 AM

Coffee + Sunrise from the rooftop FTW

8:00 AM

Breakfast is always better on a beautiful patio with sea views! The breakfast buffet at JW Marriott is the perfect way to fuel up before a long day of adventures!

10:00 AM

Beach time! While Cannes has amazing beaches right in the city, we wanted to explore the smaller towns surrounding the area, and the drive (or the train) are quick and easy with stunning views at every turn.

1:00 PM

We were starving after a full morning of beach-hopping and sun-soaking, so a picnic on our balcony was in order.

3:00 PM

Shop till you drop! Cannes is not only an amazing beach destination, but also has an impressive array of shopping to offer from high-end designers and local boutiques alike- and all in the middle of these charming, picturesque streets!

LEAGUE TRAVELS x PAULINA KATARINA-159.jpg

5:00 PM

We wrapped up an afternoon of shopping and made our way over to the old town to wander the ancient streets and watch the sun set. The winding cobblestone streets offer endless dining options in the coolest sidewalk cafes and restaurants, and the place comes alive with dining and drinking when the sun starts to set!

9:00 PM

Back at the JW Marriott and a nice glass of wine on our balcony to reflect on the day and plan tomorrow's adventures!

Thanks for joining us for "A Day in Cannes with JW Marriott"!

You can book your stay at the JW Marriott by clicking here.

Adventures away!

Zach and Tara

Hey guys!

We're back in NYC after yet another trip to Florida (we've visited the sunshine state 4 times already this year)!

Two weeks ago we took a trip to Miami to celebrate our friend Blair's birthday, and we had such a blast. We've been to Miami quite a few times over the past few years, and each time we fall in love with it a little more. Miami has something for everyone- whether you're a beach bum, a foodie, an art connoisseur or you like an urban vibe, Miami is a perfect vacation spot. It's a quick 3 hour flight from NYC, and we find deals all the time- so it's easy to make a quick weekend or a full week out of it. Miami Beach is home to a vibrant nightlife scene, and stunning resorts are a dime a dozen- so no matter your price range or taste, you can find something there!

Every time we visit a new city (or return somewhere we've been before), we scour the internet for recommendations of what to do, where to eat, and what to see. It makes a trip so much less stressful when you can use someone else's experience to guide your own planning. So, we couldn't wait to share our ultimate city guide with you! We've put together a list of our favorite places to stay, eat, drink, and our favorite things to do in Miami to get you started- so book those flights, pack your bathing suit and sunscreen, and get your Miami vacation started!

WHERE TO STAY

W SOUTH BEACH

We always love the W Hotel brand, and our post a few weeks ago about the W Retreat in Vieques is a hard one to top- but the W South Beach is our favorite hotel in Miami by a landslide. We'd even venture to say it among our favorite hotels in the world! It's not the cheapest option, but the grounds, the service, the rooms, the beachfront location and the amenities prove the saying "you get what you pay for". This place is perfection! You can explore and book the W SoBe Here!

AC MIAMI BEACH

If you're looking for a more economical option on South Beach, and you want to be close to it all but out of the crazy, AC Miami Beach by Marriott is a great option. It's minimal and to the point, but the property is new and very nice. There's a Starbucks connected to the hotel, a good restaurant/bar called Gin + Collins that serves great late-night food and a nice European style Breakfast. The resort fee covers beach chairs and umbrellas, daily fitness fitness classes (yoga on the beach anyone?!), bicycles and more- but by far the best part of this hotel is the rooftop pool! You can explore and book the AC Miami Beach Here!

CATALINA BEACH CLUB

This fun hotel is a good middle-ground price option if you're coming to Miami for all the action! It's in the heart of South Beach, so it's a party all the time, and the daily free happy hour is always a good time. We stayed here a few years ago and had a great time (but it can be loud late, so if you're a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the bar!) There are several pools and bars with food, great amenities, it's a great price and a great choice! You can Explore and book the Catalina Beach Club Here!

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

COFFEE AT PANTHER COFFEE IN WYNWOOD

Stop for a coffee and a pastry on your way through Wynwood at this awesome local shop. You can watch them cupping and roasting their own beans while you wait, and the large patio out front makes for the perfect chill coffee shop vibes!

BACKYARD DRINKS AND FOOD AT THE BROKEN SHAKER

This bar/restaurant behind the Freehand Hotel was one of our favorite stops this trip. It's a chill, relaxed spot with a nice tropical feel, and the drinks (and food) are fantastic. It's not fussy and it's a great escape from the wild South Beach crowd to catch up with friend over your favorite recipe- or try on of their daily cocktails and punch concoctions!

WET WILLY'S

Ok, let's be honest- this is our least classy option. It's a total dive, but you've got to admit that a bar dedicated to alcoholic slushies is the perfect spot to hit up after a long day in the sun (or in between club-hopping)! Our favorite slushie is the Bob Marley!

ACAI BOWLS FROM ATHEN'S JUICE BAR ON NORTH BEACH

If you find yourself in North Beach, you've got to grab an Acai Bowl or a tropical smoothie from Athen's Juice Bar! It's a long-running favorite on North Beach, so you'll meet lots of nice locals who are always happy to give their recommendations for the best local spots!

ROMANTIC ITALIAN DINNER AT CASA TUA

Date night is solved with Casa Tua! This romantic Italian spot is the perfect restaurant for a classy (and delicious!) dinner. The tables outside are private and gorgeous, surrounded by luscious greenery and candles, and the interior is a charming and intimate. The mushroom whatever is to die for, and you cannot leave without trying the tiramisu.

BRUNCH AT MORGAN'S RESTAURANT IN WYNWOOD

This Wynwood joint offers moderately priced tasty food with lots of healthy + organic options. There's a lot to choose from on the menu- so it's a great spot for a group with varying tastes and health-consciousness levels. Try the mascarpone and raspberry stuffed french toast for one end of that spectrum, or the Kale salad on the opposite end!

SEAFOOD AND SUNSET AT MONTY'S SOUTH BEACH

This spot is perfect for a relaxed sunset seafood dinner! Great happy hour with cheap oysters and seafood, a non-pretentious crowd, fun staff and a great west-facing marina view make this a wonderful experience all around!

WHAT TO DO

TAKE A DOORS-OFF HELICOPTER TOUR WITH FLY NYON

This is the most EPIC way to see Miami! Fly Nyon Miami offers a doors-off tour that is worth the trip to Miami alone. Check out our video all about it below, and book your flight here!

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT MANGOS

This place is a classic South Beach nightclub. Don't expect fancy or who's-who... but if you're looking for a fun night of dancing and partying, Mangos is good clean fun!

TAKE IN THE AMAZING STREET ART SCENE IN WYNWOOD

This neighborhood is SO cool, and quickly becoming one of the hippest spots in Miami. We got serious Williamsburg Brooklyn vibes, and the murals on virtually every wall make this place as charming and inspiring as it is cool. Spend a morning walking through Wynwood Walls, grab a juice at Jugofresh Wynwood Walls or sit and enjoy brunch at one of the many cafes- you could make a trip out of Wynwood all by itself!

SHOP UP AND DOWN THE LINCOLN STREET MALL

If you like shopping, spend an afternoon strolling through this outdoor mall. It's lined with shops and restaurants open late into the night, so you can always come back (or shop through) 'till dinner!

CATCH AN INDIE FLICK AT O CINEMA

This cool theater in North Beach plays great indie and film-festival flicks. We were lucky enough to catch Chris Burkard's "Under an Arctic sky" and meet him when we were in town!

RIDE BIKES ALONG THE BEACH

Many of South Beach's hotels offer bike rentals, and it's the perfect way to get around and explore! Cruise up and down the beach or the boardwalk with the salty breeze on your face and the sun on your skin!

Ok... this is by no means an exhaustive list, but it's enough to get you started! Anyone have any of their own Miami favorites? Share them with us in the comment section below!