Jewels in traditional Moroccan dress

What to Wear in Morocco

ByJewels Rhode

Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, where modesty in all aspects of life is key. I was in Morocco, during Ramadan (a holy month of fasting), which was even more reason to be mindful of my attire. While exploring the medina in Marrakech there were several tourists who wore shorts and crop tops. Our guide told us it was extremely disrespectful towards the culture, especially given it was the holy month. In general, it is advised to cover your shoulders, knees, mid-drift, and avoid low-cut tops particularly while in the medina and rural areas.

Sahara Desert landscape

Essential Things to Know Before Your Sahara Desert Tour

ByJewels Rhode

After months of sitting on my Pinterest board, in June my dream of going on a camel trek in the Sahara Desert finally came true! The entire experience was blissful and surreal. The days leading up to our trek were incredibly busy, making riding a camel through the Sahara the meditative retreat I needed. In that moment, everything slowed down. I soaked up the beauty of the orange sand dunes that surrounded us, sung Lion King songs with my friend, and took time to express gratitude and be in the moment. If you are looking for items to add to your bucket list, this is it! It’s the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility.

Working on the computer

Lessons Learned From My First Year Of Blogging (That Apply to Everyday Life)

ByJewels Rhode

It’s my one year blogiversary! Every year, during special occasions like my birthday and the new year, I take time to reflect on my growth and lessons learned over the past year. travelJewels was born from my frustration of graduating from a top public health graduate school program, going through 9 months of applying to over 50 jobs, having numerous informational interviews and a lot of close calls, and still not getting an offer! 

Beaches kayak in Jamaica

3 Ways to Maximize a Short Stay in a Resort

ByJewels Rhode

When my sister first told me she was having a destination wedding, beyond the initial excitement my mind went directly to how expensive it would be. I am a budget traveler and really like to make the most out of my money and time. When I saw the total price (flight & accommodation) of 3 days in Jamaica in April was close to the equivalent of my 2 week trips to Africa & Europe, my penny-pinching heart cringed. I know there are definitely ways to go to Jamaica for cheaper, but when there is a specific date and venue already chosen it limits your options. So naturally, given the amount of money I was spending, I made plans to do as much as possible during my stay!