Arizona, Travel, Adventure Monica Ortega Arizona, Travel, Adventure Monica Ortega

The Best Way To See Monument Valley

Monument Valley is one of those places that many people know about but not many experience. At least, not experience well. Located on the border of Arizona and Utah, Monument Valley is seemingly in the middle of nowhere but also in between iconic locations like Moab, The Grand-Staircase Escalante, and The Grand Canyon. It’s a sacred valley in the heart of Navajo Nation and became a tourist destination for its towering red rock beauty and its infamous filming locations.

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Colorado Monica Ortega Colorado Monica Ortega

Traveling to Denver for Fan Expo? Here’s Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Fan Expo 2023 is rolling into Denver June 30th-July 2nd and if you’re into movies, sci-fi, celebrities, collectibles, video games or anything comics, this is the place to be! Think of it as Rocky Mountain Comic-Con. And if you’re traveling to Colorado for this event, you’ll want to make the most of your vacation here. In this blog, I’ll list where to go, where to stay, and things to do all around Denver.

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Monica Ortega Monica Ortega

New Year, New Grace

Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but for me 2022 was a wild, blurry, ride. I began the year with a broken foot, a miscarriage, and loss of work. I had to humble myself and take a “real job” after doing Monica Goes full-time for 2 years. I then started the spring pregnant again and spent the rest of the year as a baby-making machine. I was forced to step back from adventures and learn to slow down.

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Monica Ortega Monica Ortega

Staycation Babymoon at the Gaylord Rockies Resort

Whether your babymoon includes flying around the world or exploring your own backyard, make sure to take this time to breathe in the moments (as best you can with limited lung capacity these days) and indulge as much as possible. With your partner or spending a few days of self-care and solo time to yourself is there perfect way to relax before baby comes. And if you’re in Denver, definitely check out the Gaylord Rockies Resort!

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Monica Ortega Monica Ortega

The Ultimate Cheyenne Weekend Itinerary

When I first moved to Denver, Colorado I did not realize how close the city of Cheyenne is! The border of Wyoming and its capital city of Cheyenne are only a quick 2-hour drive from Denver and the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Cheyenne is known for being the heart of the old west and the rodeo and railroad Capitol of the U.S. But its surprising combination of modern restaurants and fun things to do combined with western museums and culture is what drew me in the most. Here is the ultimate weekend itinerary of things to do in Cheyenne Wyoming.

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Colorado Monica Ortega Colorado Monica Ortega

Traveling Pregnant to Durango Colorado

Being pregnant doesn’t mean you need to sit in the hotel and do nothing. There are lots of easy adventures around Durango for any level of pregnancy. With so many incredible places to eat and views to take in, Durango might just be the perfect place to travel for a relaxing pregnant vacation!

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Lifestyle Monica Ortega Lifestyle Monica Ortega

“I Don’t Want to Get Pregnant After my Miscarriage”

About the time I was coming around to the idea of starting a family, it was all gone. Suddenly I had to accept a new reality once again; that I wasn’t going to become a mom this time. I’ve spent the past two months riding the emotional rollercoaster of losing one reality and having another back. I was finally healing from my broken foot and could adventure again, I could enjoy that glass of wine, and plan that next trip. The idea of waking up tomorrow and suddenly switching the mindset and reality AGAIN is scary.

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Travel, Idaho, Food and Drink Monica Ortega Travel, Idaho, Food and Drink Monica Ortega

7 Places to Eat in Priest Lake Idaho

Priest Lake is considered Idaho’s Crown Jewel and once you visit, you’ll see why. The 19-mile long lake is surrounded by the incredible Selkirk Mountains and everywhere you look appears to be out of a postcard. There are year-round adventures in Priest Lake and always something going on. But more than the stunning vistas and outdoor recreations, is the food! From fine dining with a view, to a restaurant sitting on top of a waterfall, to a bar with a seedy past, this region has some incredible and unique restaurants! Here are 7 places to eat in Priest Lake Idaho.

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Travel, Adventure, Idaho Monica Ortega Travel, Adventure, Idaho Monica Ortega

Winter Adventures in Priest Lake Idaho

North Idaho is the ultimate nature-lovers paradise. There is year-round outdoor adventure here and they always have something going on. Winter is no exception. From snowmobile races, to endless trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there is no shortage of winter activities in Priest Lake. Ready for a snow-filled vacation? Here’s what you need to know about visiting Priest Lake in the wintertime.

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Travel, Lifestyle Monica Ortega Travel, Lifestyle Monica Ortega

2021 Travel Recap

2021 was the year of getting back to travel. For me, I spent the majority of the year exploring my new home state of Colorado. From the Rocky Mountains, to Red Rocks, to the western slope, this state has SO much to offer. But the year was so much more than travel. From publishing my first book, to becoming an official business with Pivoting Productions LLC. the travel show has expanded to so much more than I ever could have imagined! Let’s take a look at this year’s biggest moments.

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Travel, Adventure, Arizona, National Parks Monica Ortega Travel, Adventure, Arizona, National Parks Monica Ortega

Two Incredible Ways to Experience the Grand Canyon

I’d been to Grand Canyon National Park a few times on various road trips and made the stop along the way. I’ve gotten out of the car and snapped the obligatory Instagram-worthy pics and then hopped right back in the car. But that’s not truly experiencing this magnificent park and seeing it in all of its glory. That’s why when I had the opportunity to take an REI adventure tour flying over the canyon and then hiking into it, I jumped at the chance.

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Travel, Adventure, Arizona Monica Ortega Travel, Adventure, Arizona Monica Ortega

Arizona Biking, Kayaking, and the Superstition Mountains with REI Adventures

REI offers adventures that range from 1 day to 10 days and they have something for everyone. They offer women’s-only trips, beginning adventures, under 30, and more. If you’ve been wanting to get out and explore but are nervous to go alone or overwhelmed by the planning of an adventure excursion, I highly recommend these trips!

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Travel, International Monica Ortega Travel, International Monica Ortega

Best Beaches in Crete

On the top of the itinerary for any Cretan holiday is a visit to a beautiful beach. Maybe you want to relax on the sand with a good book, or perhaps you want to explore the underwater scenery by snorkeling. Whatever option you choose, Crete has everything you need for a beach holiday, with plenty of options to ensure that you never get bored. Here, we take a look at some of the top spots – make sure to pack some snacks and sunscreen because you’ll never want to leave. 

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Travel Monica Ortega Travel Monica Ortega

Introducing the Celebrity Apex! An Innovative Luxury Cruise Experience

Celebrity Cruise Lines newest ship the Apex was set to sail in March of 2020 and then the world came to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic and everything was put on hold. This past month, I had the amazing opportunity to be one of the first people on board to experience this beautiful ship. The Celebrity Apex is the second in the brand new Celebrity Edge series and is the epitome of luxury cruising.

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Travel, Florida, Lifestyle Monica Ortega Travel, Florida, Lifestyle Monica Ortega

Why Now is the Safest Time to go on a Cruise on the Brand New Celebrity Apex

As someone who’s immunocompromised, I (like many of you) was terrified at the idea of going on a cruise ship after these past 18 months. And then I began to learn about the MANY protocols Celebrity Cruises has put in place to ensure passenger health and safety. So if you too are hesitant about hopping back onto a cruise ship, ease you mind and read on.

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Travel, International, Guest Blogs Monica Ortega Travel, International, Guest Blogs Monica Ortega

Cool Things To Do Near San Juan Airport

Do you have time to pass while you wait for your flight? Perhaps you did not get to see all that you wanted to while on this lovely island. Take some time to see a bit more of Puerto Rico before taking off. Look for a luggage storage locker near the airport, stow away your bags and other belongings and check out our list of cool things to do near San Juan Airport.

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