Amy West on the Cover of The Golden Isles Visitors Guide

The Golden Isles of Georgia are a Southern jewel full of low country romance. Consisting of St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Jekyll Island the Golden Isles are located just minutes from Brunswick and capture the epitome of Antebellum charm. If you are looking to avoid over populated tourist destinations and instead take in nature at it's purest, unique shopping, traditional Southern fare, and an excuse to let it all go, then you will adore the Golden Isles as much as I do. It was for this reason I was more than excited when I was called in to work as a model for the Golden Isles Visitors Bureau along with my daughter. Imagine my surprise when they announced I had made the cover of the visitors guide.

Photographer Ryan Hayslip absolutely nailed capturing the romance and purity of the Isles. I had an incredible time working with the entire crew and the other talented models on set for two days. I can't wait to see more of the images to come. 

Photography by Ryan Hayslip

You can't see much of it here but I loved the upscale, yet relaxed styling they had the models in. Here is some inspiration from the looks the stylist pulled. (If you can't see in email go to the blog to view style board.) 

I'll be posting more images as they emerge. Make sure to get your own Golden Isles Visitors Guide and discover the magic of one of my favorite getaways by visiting their website here.


Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Watch the episode of Like Love Want Need where I visit The Golden Isles and fall in love all over again.


Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Raising a Citizen of the World | Amy on The Chat

It's easy to feel like your kids live in a bubble when all they may experience at a young age is school, home, and local spots. How do you inspire a child to be a citizen of the world and to catch the travel bug to explore beyond their comfort zone as they get older? I recently wrote about this very question for Little Passports, here are a few easy tips in a quick recap of my discussion on The Chat talk show this week. 

Chatting it up with the ladies of The Chat

Creating a Larger World View

1. Lead by Example 

 If you embrace travel with and without your children they will learn to see it as normal and not fear the unknown as much. I use stories of my travel in my youth (which my daughter can relate to more) to encourage her that you are never too young to explore. Also, it's easy to feel held back from traveling when you have small children, but breaking away from time to time for vacations or work trips are very healthy. It shows them that it's ok to pursue your passion and see the world at any age. My daughter has gotten used to the fact that mommy and daddy both travel for work. Of course we all miss each other, but that makes reuniting all the sweeter. We do make an effort to bring her with us as well, because for us it's important training for her future, to learn travel etiquette and to become comfortable with getting outside of her comfort zone. 

On a trip to Malta

2. Surround them with the World 

One of my favorite ways of inspiring her curiosity for other cultures is with a subscription to Little Passports. She loves the monthly letters she gets from her fictional pen pals Sam and Sofia, and the learning toys included help stimulate her mind and senses. We can't wait every month to put another pin on the map and find out what country they are featuring. 

Another way to help create a global culture in your home is to decorate with travel themed objects. For example globes, wall maps, art from different cultures, things that inspire a child to want to explore. 

Create a global culture in your home by inspiring discovery and exploration

To open our child's eyes to other cultures another thing we do is sponsor a child overseas. We use Compassion International and support two children monthly. We write letters, send photos, and learn about our sponsored child's culture and lifestyle. This is a great way to foster a sense of connection with someone from another country and learn about the different ways people live. For us it also helps teach our daughter to be grateful for the extra blessings she has. 

3. Make every moment count

If you are headed to the zoo, use that opportunity to play safari and discuss different parts of the world. Another easy idea is to try a different ethnic foods when you go out to eat or make it at home.

When visiting the library, check out some non fiction kids books about other countries, even it they can only sit through looking at the pictures. 

Encourage your child to try food from different regions of the world

4. Shop with purpose

When you are shopping, point out to your children how different stores may feature patterns or styles of clothing that originated in a different culture. For instance World Market is a great spot to shop and do this. 

Play dress up and dress your child like they are from another country, learn about the historical significance of their traditional garb and compare that to our country's history.

5. Help them discover outlets

For older kids encourage study abroad programs, youth ambassador programs, exchange student programs, and mission trips. They generally require fundraising but it teaches them valuable character lessons on being responsible and aiming for a goal. Personally I caught the travel bug when I first began going on youth group mission trips with my church at 14. These trips molded me in a way I would never imagine and taught me a lot about the world, including how grateful I am for the blessings we have in America. 

15 year old awkward Amy heads to Costa Rica with her youth group on her second trip out of the country without the rents

What are some ways you encourage your child to embrace discovery and diversity? I'd love to hear more in the comment section below.

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Watch me discuss fostering a travel culture in your home with the ladies of The Chat here. 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

3 Ways to Wear The Savannah Tunic by Lisa Kaminski | Outfit Post

During my recent trip the Caribbean I was more than excited to have my wardrobe supplied by Lisa Kaminski Swim and Resort wear. Out of all the pieces I wore the Savannah Tunic stood out due to it's versatility and my ability to dress it up or down. This year I'll be introducing outfit posts to showcase what I'm wearing. Whether I'm jet setting to the islands or getting the kiddo off to school, you'll have a chance to get an insiders look into what I'm wearing. In addition I've officially launched the Amy West Travel boutique with the Savannah Tunic as my first featured item for sale. Take a look at today's post on 3 Ways to wear the Savannah Tunic, then collect one for yourself! 

1. Mini dress/ Swimsuit Cover Up

Wear it poolside as an easy throw on cover up, or grab some heels and some accessories and wear it out for the night. The Savannah Tunic has a flattering design for almost any shape, and trust me when I say it's really comfy. The poly blend fabric is great for travel as it resists wrinkling and it's really lightweight so it dries quick and takes up little space in your luggage. 

2. Leaving on a Jet Plane 

When it was time to head to Miami from St. Lucia and connect to my flight in San Juan I chose to pair the Savannah Tunic with a textured scarf and classic jean jacket. I threw in my fedora and some calf length sandals, a. because they looked cool, but b. because they were the hardest to pack so I needed to wear them. I loved how the look came together and I stayed warm while remaining fashionable while hopping airports.  

 3. Leopard Print is the New Black

I liked mixing it up and adding a little edge to the tunic. This military jacket, and edgy boots paired with some chic aviators gave the Savannah a whole new look and feel. Skip the little black dress next time and try adding some animal print for a walk on the wild side and a different texture. 

Whether you are going on vacation, or just looking for a new staple piece the Savannah Tunic is a great addition to any wardrobe. To purchase click here. I'm looking forward to showcasing more great looks this year so keep checking back! 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com 

Shop the extras below!


Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Is Skiplagging Worth It? | Amy West on The Chat

Lately a hot topic has arisen in the world of travel. It's known as Skiplagging or "Hidden City" ticketing. This week I'm discussing the money saving practice with the ladies of The Chat and discussing all the pros and cons. Do you Skiplag? Make sure to tell me your thoughts. Don't know what Skiplagging is? Read below to find out more.

chatting it up with the ladies

1. What is Skiplagging?

The Practice of Skiplagging is a money saving trick of looking for airline tickets that travel to your destination but as a connecting flight rather than a final destinations. For instance say you want to go to Dallas. You may find a cheaper flight that goes from your city to LA but connects through Dallas. In that scenario you would depart in Dallas instead of traveling the last leg of the journey to LA. 

The website getting all the recent press is Skiplagged.com by Aktarer Zaman. This site supposedly helps you identify flights that are ideal for Skiplagging helping you save money.

2. What's the big deal?

United Airlines and Orbitz have come together in a joint law suit against Zaman and Skiplagged.com claiming it is unethical and causing them loss of income. 

3. Why Skiplag?

The practice of Skiplagging or purchasing "hidden city tickets" has been around for a long time. Most folks who do it have learned to be sly about it. The obvious reason to do it is to save money, potentially hundreds of dollars. 

4. Cons?

There are several hold backs to participating in Skiplagging. 

a. For many airlines, the practice is strictly prohibited. To depart before your final destination could cause the airline to flag you and you could lose your frequent flyer miles and your entire ticket which is pretty inconvenient if you have a round trip ticket.

b. With Skiplagging you are required to carry on your bag since you don't want it to go on without you. If for some reason the cabin is full and the crew require you to check your bag due to high traffic, you may be leaving without your baggage and no way to get it.

c. Because of the increase of participation in this practice airlines have threatened to increase prices, meaning in the end it may have caused more harm than help.

5. Dangerous precedent? Ethical?

Airlines are pretty clear on their vehement dislike of skiplagging. They claim it is unethical and in essence defrauding their system. To the average Joe, it may just seem like you are buying a whole ticket and just choosing not to take advantage. I mean, you bought the seat you can do with it as you will right? Not necessarily. Flights are routinely delayed while they wait for passengers from connecting flights, this causes a lot of travelers grief as well as fees for the airliner. In addition, when you purchase your ticket you are signing off to the terms of use and in most providers that includes agreeing that you won't depart until your final destination. When it comes down to honor, is it worth a few dollars? Sound off in the comments below and give me your thoughts. 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Read Bloomberg's report on Skiplagging here.

Read USA Today's Report on Skiplagging here.

Watch my segment on The Chat here.


Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

2014 in Review | Amy West Travel Best Moments

2014 was an amazing year full of adventure and new experiences. It was rich in life with plenty of ups and downs and I'm so proud to say that the Amy West Travel brand grew tremendously thanks to you my faithful followers. Thank you for being a part of the journey and for always staying in touch through social media and in person. I am excited for some great new discoveries this year, and more predicted growth. Hang on, 2015 is going to be fun! Even though it's already halfway through January I wanted to relive some highlights from this year as a reminder of how far we've come. 

The Best of 2014

January

In January I began my regular travel and lifestyle segments on News 4 Jax. I'm excited to say I've been on air monthly with the station since last December with the travel and lifestyle segments beginning in January. It is on the station I launched my first big series "Date Night Destinations" featuring great reviews, photos, and video of some of Jacksonville's most exclusive date night spots. I loved tasting the best Jacksonville has to offer and have been proud to sing the praises of these restaurants many times since. 

February

February is always full of fun because it's my birthday month as well as my daughter's and of course Valentine's Day. This month I began my rounds for my "Fitness Trends" series where I would eventually go on to review everything from stroller strength to pole fitness. I really loved this series because it helped me get out of the box of my usual fitness comfort zone and try some things I never knew I would love. 

March

With March came the spring and the perfect time to getaway. Getaway we did for a lovely night in Amelia Island at the Ritz-Carlton. A must do for any couple. 

April

April is One Spark month and this year will be even bigger. I had a great time exploring the festival for the first time and compiling my Dos and Don'ts for Surviving One Spark.

On the heels of my success with Date Night Destinations I began my "Best in Brunch Series" where I dished on the best places for  brunching. 

May

In May the entire family headed to Orlando for a retreat to Reunion Resort. We experienced Medieval Times together and made a splash at Reunion's waterpark making lots of memories. We also enjoyed Classic Italian Fare at Forte Grille. Then I headed to NYC for my annual visit with my bestie Lauren. I also gave you an in depth look at her stunning artwork in this revealing interview. I also tried my first juice cleanse and loved the results which has now turned me into an avid juicer!

June 

In June things heated up at the Yelp Moonbeam Bash at MOSH. Then we cooled off on the family cruise that went... mostly good. 

July

After the big holiday festivities I took off in July to the Golden Isles and visited The Jekyll Island Club Hotel with three of my closest gal pals for a weekend to remember. 

August

In August I became the Jacksonville local expert for 10best.com. This was a great honor to achieve and I've been grateful to shed more light on some of Jax's best destinations. We paid a visit to one of our favorite destinations, The Horsestamp Inn for a relaxing night away. Then we took a fun three night getaway to The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa and had a foodie feast to remember. 

September

September brought cooler temps and school back in session. I also began my "Lady Who Lunches" series to round out my restaurant reviews for the year. 

October

In October we headed off to Tennessee for a fall wedding like no other. Munchkin was a flower girl, and the man a groomsman. Then Jax celebrated the opening of Nordstrom at the St. John's Town Center which I was happy to report on. 

November 

November was probably my favorite month of the year as this lead me on a nine day Caribbean adventure first to St. Lucia where I hosted in room videos for Coconut Bay Resort. Then I met my other half in the British Virgin Island for a romantic escape to Scrub Island Resort, Spa, and Marina. Upon my return the munchkin and I journeyed up to the Golden Isles of GA to model for their tourism print campaign, keep your eyes peeled! 

December 

In December I began my weekly travel and lifestyle contributions to The Chat talk show and reported on Travel Secrets, The Best Light Displays, and the Best Restaurants in Jax. We had a family overnight at the Horse Stamp Inn and then headed to Kentucky for the holidays to visit with family wrapping up the year with lots of warm fuzzies.  

Thank you for being a part of this terrific year. There is a lot in store for 2015 and I hope you will join me as we continue this journey and discover what adventure awaits. 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amwyesttravel.com

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Bucket List Jax 2015 | 5 Things You Must Do | Amy on News 4 Jax

In the last twenty plus years that I've lived in Jax, I've seen some pretty cool things. However over the years it's typical to kind of stick to the usual and stay in your neighborhood or avoid large events due to traffic. As I've begun to cover more of what makes the River City so special these last few years, I have fallen more in love with our great city. There is so much to do here and every year new great attractions and events make North FL their home. Here are some stand out things I think you need to put on your bucket list for 2015 if you live in or are visiting Jacksonville. 

Chatting with Tarik on News 4 Jax Morning Show

One Spark

https://onespark.com/festival/2015

One Spark Named Top 300 Festival in the World by Fest300 Magazine
One Spark continues to be a FREE and family-friendly event taking up over 20 sq blocks of downtown Jax and including 80 venues
One Spark 2015 has DOUBLED the size of our Food Village
New this year - contributors can receive rewards for their contributions, just like on kickstarter.com and indiegogo.com
Sweet Pete's will be a new venue for creators
New Categories Education, and Social Good

Go Sailing - Now and Zen Sailing

http://nowandzensailingcharters.com

42 Foot Manta Catamaran Cruising the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean
Starting at $400 for 4 hours and up to 4 people. 

Great for parties of up to 12 people
Bring your own food and beverages or order from Now and Zen
Cruise to St. Augustine, Fernandina, Amelia Island, Cumberland Island
2 and 3 day trips available as well

Hot Air Balloon Ride  

http://www.ahotairballoonride.com

Award winning Pilot David Fuller takes you on the adventure of a lifetime

A three to four hour adventure aloft with a special balloonists’ prayer, toasting the occasion with champagne mimosas or other special drink.

Flights take off an hour before sunset and launch sites as well as flight pattern are dependent on the weather. 

$350 for individuals

$650 for pairs

Experience the New Sweet Pete's 

http://www.sweetpetescandy.com 

The "Sweetest Destination on Earth"
Tour the 3 Story "larger than life" location
Eat at the Dessert Bar
Take the Tour and learn more about Sweet Pete's, See the factory
Take a Class

Jax Ale Trail 

 www.JaxAleTrail.com

A self guided tour of the seven craft breweries across Jax including 

Aardwolf Brewing Company, Bold City Brewery, Engine 15 Brewing Co., Green Room Brewing, Intuition Ale Works, Pinglehead Brewing Company, and Veterans United Craft Brewery

Visitors Receive a passport which they will have stamped at each location, free gifts await for completing the passport including cozies' and t-shirts

Passports can be picked up at the breweries or the Visit Jax Visitor Center

Full tours are available through  Jax Brew Bus and Play Harder Tours

A great way to explore Jax and her attractions

Get out there and see the city, Jacksonville is full of surprises and great memories are to be had! 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Watch Amy discuss the bucket list on News 4 Jax here. 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@amywesttravel.com.

Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.