Paper Planes And Passports

02/10/2025

If you’ve never been to one of these….you are missing the true NYC culture. Let’s talk about it…

NYC Bodegas: The Heart of New York Neighborhoods

A bodega is more than just a convenience store—it’s a community hub, a late-night lifesaver, and an iconic part of New York City culture.

📍 What is a Bodega?

The word “bodega” comes from Spanish, meaning “warehouse” or “grocery store.” In NYC, a bodega is a small, independently owned corner store that sells food, drinks, household essentials, and hot deli items.

🏙️ Where to Find Bodegas?

There are over 13,000 bodegas across NYC, especially in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. You’ll find them on almost every block, usually run by Latino, Middle Eastern, or South Asian families.

🛒 What You Can Buy at a Bodega

Bodegas carry everything you need in a pinch—from snacks to phone chargers.

🍔 Food & Drinks:

✅ Chopped Cheese (NYC’s signature deli sandwich)
✅ Bacon, Egg & Cheese (aka “BEC on a roll”)
✅ Hot coffee (often just $1!)
✅ Snacks (chips, candy, nuts)
✅ Cold drinks (Arizona Iced Tea, sodas, beer)

🧴 Essentials:

✅ Toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, soap)
✅ Phone accessories (chargers, headphones)
✅ Household items (cleaning supplies, paper towels)

🎟️ Extra Services:

✅ Lottery tickets
✅ Bill payments & money transfers
✅ Newspapers & magazines

Honestly can’t believe I’ve been to New York almost 10 times, but I’ve never really experienced a Bodega to its maximum capacity…I’ve always just purchased items I need, but all along I’ve been missing these Chopped Cheese sandwiches 😩.So I’m putting you on so you can add a late night run to the Bodega when you visit NY.

Have you been to a Bodega and had a chopped cheese?

Save this post for future travels.

02/08/2025

Postcards from NYC—where every street tells a story, every skyline view feels like a movie, and every bodega stop is a must🗽✨

This visit, we stayed in The Bowery, one of NYC’s most historic and evolving neighborhoods, stretching from Chinatown to the East Village and Lower East Side. Once known for its gritty past (homeless shelters, dive bars, and punk rock), it has transformed into an area filled with trendy hotels, rooftop bars, art galleries, and live music venues.

Hotel 🏨 - Hyatt Property

🎨 Art & Culture
📍 New Museum – NYC’s top contemporary art museum
📍 The Hole – Cool gallery for cutting-edge street & pop art
📍 Basquiat’s Old Studio – Former workspace of the legendary artist

Have you been to New York yet?

01/16/2025

Paper Planes and Passports Long Sleeve Shirts Now Available!
https://www.paperplanesandpassports.com/product-page/premium-heavyweight-long-sleeve-shirt

01/16/2025

Planning your next trip? Want hotel, activity, and restaurant recommendations or great travel tips for a specific county. Check out the PPP library of self-booking itineraries with clickable links, phone app access, and our top recommendations.
PPP Digital itineraries: https://www.paperplanesandpassports.com/shop?Category=Digital%2520Itineraries

01/11/2025

Postcards from Dubai 🇦🇪

Our journey into the heart of the Rub’ al Khali, the vast Empty Quarter, was unforgettable.

In vintage 1950s Land Rovers, we traversed golden dunes on a 60-minute guided safari, spotting gazelles, foxes, and desert flora.

We learned about the tradition of camel racing, a beloved Emirati sport where camels can sprint up to 40 mph, now featuring robotic jockeys. The desert’s ecosystem amazed us, with resilient species like the Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, and fennec foxes thriving in harsh conditions.

As the sun set, stargazing revealed constellations like Orion’s Belt and the Milky Way, guiding travelers just as they did for Bedouins centuries ago. The experience was a perfect blend of adventure, heritage, and nature.
Would you like tips for a desert safari?

01/01/2025

May the new year bring you peace, new adventures, fill your heart with love, and surround your life with prosperity.



Happy New Year!

12/25/2024

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous holiday season🎄

12/19/2024

Having personally traveled across six continents, 60+ countries, and 47 of the United States and its territories, we know that travel starts long before you board a plane. It all starts with planning. At Paper Planes And Passports, we know what it takes to make your travel experience seamless, stress-free, and enjoyable without having to worry about the details.
We plan and you pack!!

Why Choose Paper Planes And Passports?
1. Save Time, Stress Less: Let us handle the logistics, from finding the best destinations to organizing group travel. We simplify the complex details so you can focus on the joy of your journey.

2. Trusted Expertise You Can Rely On: With years of firsthand travel experience and a dedication to personalized service, we guide you to destinations that fit your dreams, ensuring every recommendation is one you can trust.

3.Tailored Just for You: Your journey is as unique as you are. We prioritize your preferences and provide meticulous attention to detail, creating itineraries that perfectly balance relaxation, adventure, culture, and self-care.

Schedule a call to start planning your next getaway, vacation, girl’s trip, baecation, family trip, or whatever your travel needs may be, now!

https://www.paperplanesandpassports.com/contactus

Book a call to start planning your next trip https://www.paperplanesandpassports.com/booking-calendar/travel-discovery-call?referral=service_list_widgetWhy C...

12/15/2024

Forge unforgettable memories, build lasting bonds, and conquer fears through the magic of group travel. Whether it’s stepping out of your comfort zone, trying something new, or exploring unfamiliar destinations, group experiences provide the perfect support system to face challenges together.

We did ALL of that in Mauritius. From walking with lions, close cheetah encounters, crossing the longest suspension bridge in the Indian Ocean in a light tropical cyclone. The question after all of that was…. “but did you die…⁉️NOPE‼️ We are here to share another wild experience from another exotic country! That’s what travel is all about.

From fun adventures and laughter-filled moments to the connections formed while overcoming fears and embracing new opportunities, group travel creates a journey that is richer, bolder, and unforgettable.

Share your favorite group travel experiences in the comments below!

Join our next adventures:
Thailand March 10-18, 2025
Bali June 18-27, 2025
Zanzibar July 14-20, 2025
Morocco October 2-9, 2025
Colombia November 7-13, 2025

Paper Planes and Passports is an IATAN-accredited full-service travel agency offering a selection of unique global experiences. Built on three core values; Explore (your destination), Immerse (in the culture), and Embrace (new experiences). Having personally traveled across five continents, 60+ coun...

12/11/2024

Helping dreams take flight, one passport stamp at a time! 🛩️

This phrase couldn’t be truer for our journey to Mauritius. Every day, we were asked the same question: “Where are you from?” When we said, “The United States,”their surprise was written all over their faces. They couldn’t believe we’d come so far and even heard of ‘their tiny little island,’ as they often called it.

When they asked how we discovered Mauritius, I proudly shared, ‘I looked on the map, zoomed in, did some research, and said—we’re going there!’

That’s what it’s all about: finding the hidden gems, daring to explore, and turning daydreams into reality. Mauritius was everything I’d imagined and more—a paradise that left me in awe.

Travel isn’t just about seeing the world; it’s about connecting with it, discovering places that spark joy and wonder. This is why I love helping others take flight and experience the magic for themselves.

I can’t wait to return to Mauritius. Are you coming back with us? 🌍

12/01/2024

Come on one of the most unique safaris in the world. It’s one of the few places where you can walk with lions.
We had cheetah encounters and got up close and personal with zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and other wildlife on our eco-rider safari.
It’s a fun-filled day with many other things to do at the nature park.
You almost need two days to fully experience everything!

We’ve listed EVERYTHING you need to know about the booking process and the best ways to plan out your day from our experience

1. Book your activities well in advance. During peek season, I recommend about 2-3 months to get the date, and specific times to maximize your day.
2. Depending on what you want to do, plan to arrive early, opens at 9 am.
3. The park is huge and you will be transported by trolly, so you need to account for this when booking activites. I recommend 45 mins between each to account for transportation delays.
4. You must purchase an admission ticket and your activities individually. Included with entry: Tulawaka Coaster And the African Safari Truck
5. We had enough time to do:
🛵Eco- Rider Safari
🚶🏾‍♀️🦁Walk with Lions
🐆Cheetah encounter
🎢Tulawaka Coaster
Nepalese Bridge is also onsite, but you can also do it at Charamel and will share more from there next.

6. Remember to print your tickets before travel for quick entry!

ALL the staff were super helpful throughout the booking process via email and the the day of. Truly an experience we will always remember.

11/18/2024

Today, we’re celebrating 8 amazing years in business 🎉🎊!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible clients, friends, and family who have supported every step of the way. Your trust and encouragement push me to create exotic destinations, craft unique itineraries, and continuously grow both personally and professionally.

We remain committed to excellence and making every journey unforgettable.

I’m honored to have been featured in ! Check out the article for insights on:
🅿️ Who we are: How we started and sustained success over the past 8 years.
🅿️ Our pivot game: Thriving through COVID with resilience and creativity.
🅿️ Overcoming challenges: Staying strong when time and resources were limited.

Click the link in our bio for the full story!

11/18/2024

DAY ONE MAURITIUS 🇲🇺 : Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, North Mauritius offers a little bit of everything.

Top Things to See & Do in North Mauritius.
1. Grand Baie – Beaches, nightlife, shopping, and watersports.
2. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden – Giant water lilies and exotic plants. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Features giant water lilies, exotic plants, and trees from around the world. A peaceful spot for nature lovers and photographers.
3. Cap Malheureux – Iconic red-roof chapel and serene fishing village.
4. Mont Choisy Beach – Perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
5. Island Hopping – Snorkel and relax on Île aux Gabriel and Flat Island.
6. L’Aventure du Sucre – Explore sugar history with rum tastings.
7. Goodlands & Port Louis Markets – Shop for crafts, spices, and textiles.
8. Sunset Cruises – Catamaran tours with stunning ocean views.

Adventure, culture, and relaxation await!

Are you ready for our Mauritius Itinerary?

🇲🇺

11/14/2024

Touched down and ran to the beach to get a start on Tempest in Tulum for tonight’s virtual event 😆📚🌊 will be going live with a few friends and fans, and I want to make sure YOU are there with Cher In Wonderland.

Not only are you getting…
TONIGHT✨ A behind-the-scenes look at Cher’s newest book Tempest in Tulum (you’ll hear secrets she’s never shared before!)

✨ Exclusive Q&A

But you’ll also be able to win tons of exciting giveaways including:
A $250 Hilton Honors Gift Card
A $100 Gift Card
And much more!

Click the link in “cher in wonderland # to register now- See you there!!!