Brittany Heyward

Aruba is one of my favorite Caribbean islands. Easily accessible by plane, plenty to explore, and what seems to be an island-wide BOGO happy hour special – it’s easy to see why Aruba is known as “One Happy Island.” This guide highlights some of the best resorts in Aruba for trips with family, friends or your significant other.

I remember my first time traveling to Mexico from the United States. for a girls trip. I actually flew solo and with it being my first time traveling internationally, I just imagined myself getting lost in the airport due to language barriers. Luckily, Mexico’s airports are very tourist/English-friendly, and that should be the least of your worries when traveling to Mexico from the U.S. And since then, I’ve been to Mexico a number of times on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Mexico’s a great option when traveling with a group of friends. There are several all-inclusive resorts, plenty to do, and easily accessible with nonstop flights from major US cities.

I hosted my first group trip, Adult Spring Break, on Virgin Voyages. All of my travelers loved the experience and had an amazing time. If you're planning a group trip, I'd highly recommend considering a cruise vacation!

I've sailed twice on Virgin Voyages in a Sea Terrace room. For my third and most recent trip with a group, I wanted to experience a RockStar cabin. With my Sweet Aft Suite, I enjoyed additional perks before stepping onto the ship! If you're looking to sail on Virgin Voyages and want all the VIP hookups, a RockStar cabin is for you.

I am a huge fan of Thompson Hotels, a Hyatt brand. The properties are new, sleek, and have a sophisticated vibe. This is the second Thompson property I’ve stayed at and still blown away by the incredible service and attention to detail.

As a travel advisor, it probably comes as no surprise that one of my bucket list dreams was to have a destination wedding. After my first trip to Puerto Rico in 2020, I told my boyfriend (now husband!) that this was the destination and the rest is history. We got married earlier this year in San Juan with 60 of our closest family and friends. With multiple trips to Puerto Rico for wedding planning, I’ve got the perfect four-day itinerary to introduce you to la Isla del Encanto (“The Island of Enchantment”).

I love getting out of town with my husband! In the early days of our relationship, we took a lot of road trips and this guide highlights some of the cities that are approximately four hours or less from Charleston. Skip the busy airports and expensive flights and take a romantic weekend getaway. And don’t forget to plan out your road trip playlist!