Savoring Moments of Adventure | Faith-Filled Home Life, Family Travel & Food

Rhythms for a life well lived

Tag: romantic getaway

  • Grand Cayman Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & See

    Grand Cayman Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & See

    If you’re dreaming of turquoise, crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, look no further than Grand Cayman Island! This Caribbean paradise is only a short, direct flight from Houston — less than 3 hours away! Whether you’re planning a romantic escape or a family vacation, Grand Cayman has something for everyone.

    Grand Cayman is part of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands, so you’ll notice subtle touches of British charm — from driving on the left side of the road to being greeted at the airport by a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

    My hubby and I visited grand Cayman for our 10th wedding anniversary. To find out more about our annual retreats, read my blog post “Why Every Couple Needs a Yearly Romantic Getaway” HERE.

    Where to Stay on Grand Cayman

    Seven Mile Beach is world-famous for a reason. Stretching along the island’s west coast, this stunning beach is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the world for its calm, crystal-clear waters and soft white sand.

    We stayed at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The beach is pristine and calm — ideal for young children or blissful relaxation. It also offers fantastic snorkeling right from shore. We had so much fun searching for “buried treasure” and pretty shells. We even spotted a barracuda gliding past Us!

    The resort itself is beautiful, with excellent amenities, beachfront dining, and plenty of lounge chairs shaded by palms and umbrellas. It’s the perfect home base for your Grand Cayman adventure.

    Top Things to Do in Grand Cayman

    1. Visit Stingray City (Absolute Must!)

    No trip to Grand Cayman is complete without visiting Stingray City — a series of shallow sandbars in the North Sound where friendly southern stingrays swim freely.

    We booked our tour Captain Marvins Watersports , and we can’t recommend them enough. Their small group tours make for a more personalized experience, and our guides were fantastic — sharing island history, snorkeling tips, and making our stingray encounter unforgettable.

    We chose Tour #5: Stingray City, Starfish Point & Snorkel , and it was hands-down the highlight of our trip. We’ll definitely be booking with Captain Marvin again when we return — next time with our kids!

    2. Experience the Bioluminescent Bay

    Another can’t-miss experience is the Bioluminescent Bay Tour, one of the few places in the world where you can see glowing organisms light up the water around you. It’s a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience — best enjoyed on a moonless night.

    3. Take a Sunset Sail

    If you love sunsets (and who doesn’t?), book a Sunset Sail through Red Sail Sports. The crew was friendly, accommodating, and even helped capture some amazing photos for us. Watching the sun dip below the horizon from the water is absolutely breathtaking.

    Best Restaurants in Grand Cayman

    The Westin Restaurants – Convenient and delicious options, from breakfast to poolside lunches. Their on-site coffee and breakfast bar was a daily favorite. We also enjoyed the Fish Tacos and the Paella Night.

    Peppers Bar & Grill – A lively local spot with authentic Caribbean food and island vibes.

    Luca Restaurant – Upscale Italian cuisine with a beautiful ocean view and an excellent wine list.

    Yoshi Sushi – Located across from The Westin, this restaurant serves fresh, beautifully presented sushi in a unique ground-level seating setting. (Pro tip: make a reservation; it’s popular with both locals and tourists!)

    Explore George Town

    When you’re ready for a break from the beach, head to George Town, the capital of Grand Cayman.
    This charming port city is filled with duty-free shopping, local art galleries, and colorful colonial-style buildings.

    Fun fact: George Town is one of the Caribbean’s leading financial hubs, yet it still maintains its relaxed island charm with friendly locals and seaside cafés.

    Must-Do Next Time (Already Planning Our Return!)

    Cayman Turtle Centre (West Bay)

    One of the oldest sea turtle conservation centers in the world, the Cayman Turtle Centre offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can swim with green sea turtles, explore the marine lagoon, and learn about conservation efforts to protect these incredible creatures.

    Perfect for families — educational, fun, and unforgettable.

    Cayman Crystal Caves (Northside)

    The Cayman Crystal Caves are a breathtaking natural wonder. You’ll explore three magnificent caves filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and sparkling crystal formations. The guided tour lasts about two hours and offers an adventurous change of pace from the beach.

    Grand Cayman Travel Tips

    Mind Hurricane Season: The best time to visit Grand Cayman is December through April, when the weather is dry, sunny, and mild. We visited in August (hurricane season) and lucked out with perfect weather.

    Protect Yourself from the Sun: The Caribbean sun is strong! Bring UPF shirts, wide-brim hats, and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen — or you might end up buying a $50 sun shirt like we did.

    Currency Tips: The island uses the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Most restaurants and taxis accept credit cards; carry a bit of cash for tips or smaller purchases.

    Fun Facts About Grand Cayman

    • Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands in the western Caribbean.
    • Seven Mile Beach is actually about 6.3 miles long — but who’s counting when it’s this gorgeous?
    • The island’s flat terrain gives it exceptionally clear turquoise waters — a snorkeler’s dream.
    • Grand Cayman was once a pirate hideout during the Golden Age of Piracy.
    • The island is known for being one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean, with friendly locals and a relaxed atmosphere.

    Final Thoughts

    Grand Cayman truly lives up to its reputation as a tropical paradise. Between the soft sand, turquoise water, incredible food, and unforgettable excursions, it’s a destination you’ll want to return to again and again.

    Next time, we’ll be exploring the Turtle Centre, Crystal Caves, and Bioluminescent Bay — but honestly, even another sunset on Seven Mile Beach would be worth the trip alone.

    Have you been to Grand Cayman? Share your experience in the comments below, I love to hear from you!

    Was this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
    Have you visited Rocky Mountain National Park?
    What were your favorite hikes, views, or hidden gems?
    Drop your recommendations in the comments—I can’t wait to hear what made your trip unforgettable!

  • Why Every Couple Needs a Yearly Romantic Getaway

    Why Every Couple Needs a Yearly Romantic Getaway

    Rest, Reconnect, Reflect. How 7 days away makes us stronger all year long!

    Since having kids, my husband and I have made it a priority to get away—just the two of us—at least once a year. My love language is quality time, so uninterrupted moments with my husband really fill my love tank. The focus of this time is simple yet powerful: to rest, reconnect, and reflect.

    To be clear, this getaway doesn’t need to be extravagant, expensive, or even very long. The purpose is to silence the noise of the daily grind and take a break from the weight of life’s responsibilities. Whether it’s a staycation close to home or a splurge on a dream destination, this annual retreat fills my soul. We plan and budget for it in advance, and it’s one of the things I most look forward to each year.

    If you’re a parent, you know that arranging childcare can be one of the biggest hurdles. We’re incredibly grateful to have both sets of grandparents who generously step in to watch our kids. If family isn’t an option for you, consider partnering with a close, trusted friend—ideally someone whose kids are similar in age to yours—so you can take turns supporting each other. Start small—maybe with just an overnight stay—and work your way up to longer trips as your kids get older and more comfortable being away.

    Our getaways usually include time in nature, delicious food, a new adventure, and some much-needed relaxation.

    Here are a few ideas to help you plan your own couples’ retreat:

    1. Take Care of Business Early

    We always seem to have some “business” to discuss—whether it’s finances, parenting, logistics, or future plans. And yes, these conversations can lead to tension. That’s okay! It’s part of being two different people with different ideas doing life together.

    I’m not a proponent of avoiding hard conversations, but I do advocate for getting them out of the way early. Sometimes we have the tough talks en route to the airport or while sitting on the plane. I find it helpful to lay all the cards on the table, work through it, and move forward with clarity.

    I’m grateful that my husband and I are both natural problem-solvers. Over the years, we’ve learned how to compromise and understand each other’s perspectives. But that skill takes time—and lots of practice.

    2. Rest

    There is so much to take care of on a daily basis. My husband is in a demanding leadership role in corporate America, and I’m a stay-at-home mom, focused on raising kind, hardworking, responsible humans while keeping our household running smoothly. Between work, kids, activities, health, meals, home maintenance, and community service—it’s a lot.

    That’s why rest is crucial.

    Rest looks different for each of us. Nate loves spending an extra hour at the gym, enjoying an unrushed workout. For me, rest means embracing the Italian concept of dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing. Having time when I’m not a mom, maid, chef, teacher, or therapist is essential.

    Thankfully, Nate and I share similar vacation interests: a healthy mix of relaxation and adventure. No matter what rest looks like for you, carve out time to step away from responsibility. Silence the noise, pause the mental checklist, and be still. Easier said than done, right? It takes me a few days to truly unwind—which is why we usually plan for 5–7 days. But I promise you, the benefits are so worth it.

    3. Reconnect

    Life gets busy. Without intentionality, it’s easy to slip into a “roommate” dynamic in marriage. This trip is our time to rekindle the love, friendship, and passion we shared in the early years.

    While we try to do weekly date nights, extended time away deepens our connection on a whole new level. After 11 years of marriage and many seasons of change, this trip always reminds us how much we enjoy each other’s company. Emotional intimacy often leads to greater physical intimacy, so—everyone wins! 😉

    Investing in our marriage makes us stronger as a couple and better as parents. After each trip, we return with a shared vision and a renewed sense of unity.

    4. Reflect

    Once we’ve rested and reconnected, I like to take time to reflect—on how I’m doing personally, how we’re doing as a couple, and how our kids are growing.

    I think about our mistakes, what we’ve learned, and how we can grow from those lessons. Reflection helps me recognize patterns—both good and bad—and course-correct when needed. We also take time to celebrate what we’ve done well and acknowledge the progress we’ve made.

    This is when we re-align our goals and make sure we’re still moving in the same direction. Stepping back gives me clarity on blind spots that might be holding us back, and helps me move forward with intention.

    On our way home, we always feel refreshed, grateful, and more in love than when we left. There’s a deep sense of rejuvenation—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Dare I say… we even feel younger?

    With well-rested bodies, new memories, and full tummies, we return ready to embrace whatever the next season holds.

    I hope this inspires you to plan your next trip with your spouse!!!

    Destination Ideas from previous trips:

    • Maui, Hawaii
    • Cancun, Mexico
    • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
    • Grand Cayman Island
    • Sarasota, Florida
    • Estes Park, Colorado
    • Austin Hill Country
    • San Antonio, Texas
    • Santa Barbara, California
    • San Diego, Califoria
    • Sedona, Arizona
    • Belize

    What do you love to do on vacation with your loved one? Share in the comments below!

    Was this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
    Have you visited Rocky Mountain National Park?
    What were your favorite hikes, views, or hidden gems?
    Drop your recommendations in the comments—I can’t wait to hear what made your trip unforgettable!