Vanessa Rivers ✈

What’s the We Are Travel Girls story? ✈️ Send this post to someone who loves travel and might be looking for inspiration! ✔️ The We Are Travel Girls Community was founded by two friends in 2016, with the mission to inspire, connect, educate, and empower female travelers. ✨ Recognizing the lack of a dedicated platform to promote female travel writers, we set out to create a community that celebrates and elevates the voices of female travelers. 📢 Since launch, WeAreTravelGirls.com has grown to become more than just a trusted resource read by over 9 million travelers! 🤯🥹 We curate, publish and promote guides written by female travelers from around the world, host events and meet ups in cities around the globe, curate bespoke luxury women’s trips through @TravelGirlsGetaways , give back through Travel Girls Giving and inspire female travel daily here on our popular instagram account @WeAreTravelGirls ✈️ Our community was built on the belief that travel is not just about seeing new places, but about discovering oneself and breaking out of comfort zones. 🫶 In life, there will be many times that you’ll be unsure and scared and have to take a leap of faith. This is what We Are Travel Girls is all about – believing that anything is possible, and most importantly, believing in yourself. 💫 As Helen Keller famously said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.” Join the adventure! ⛵️ How do I get involved with We Are Travel Girls? ✨ * Write For Us ✍️ * Invite us to Collab on IG 📸 * Join our FB Group 👍 * Attend an Event 🥳 * Join a Getaway! 🌍 * Become an Ambassador 💃🏻 Find out more on WeAreTravelGirls.com ✈️ Thank you so much for being part of We Are Travel Girls! Without YOU this community would not be possible. 🌎🫶 X, @VanessaRivers #WeAreTravelGirls #TravelCommunity #Community

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” 🌊 I teach private surf lessons year-round now in Santa Barbara and Malibu - a job that I love SO much! ☀️🏄‍♀️🥰 If you want to book a lesson with me you can find more info at SurfLessonsWithVanessa.com 🔗 I have 20 years of experience teaching adults and children of all ages. I love helping people catch their first wave and fall in love with surfing and the ocean!🏄‍♂️ If you know somone who wants to learn how to surf, or wants to learn a new sport, send them this post! 🌊✔️ #WeAreTravelGirls #SurfLessons #SantaBarbara #Malibu

“One drive down the PCH brings me right to my knees… Got an open road, but where do you go? But where do you go when there’s no going home?” 🖤 Four months later, this is what the aftermath of the #PalisadesFire looks like on PCH 🔥 If people are still sharing their stories about losing their homes, all their possessions, and their entire community please try to be supportive and compassionate. 🙏🏼 We all deal with pain in different ways. For some of us, sharing our sorrow is a way to get it out and heal. ❤️‍🩹 It’s also our way of helping others feel less alone in their own pain and suffering. 🕊️ #NoGoingHome #Malibu #PCH

Small waves, BIG FUN 🌊🏄‍♀️🌮🍹🇲🇽 San José del Cabo is a resort town on the southern tip of Baja (45 min north of Cabo), known for its sandy beaches and cute colonial buildings. 🌈 Last weekend I went on a surf trip to San José del Cabo - my favorite place in Mexico! 🇲🇽 Waves were small, but as always, I had the best time here - authentic, amazing restaurants, uncrowded, beautiful beaches and a downtown area that has managed to hold onto its character and charm. Next time you’re considering a trip to Mex, I highly suggest skipping Cabo and staying on the beach in San José. I’ve been visiting this spot for 25+ years. I learned to surf at “The Rock” when I was 15 🏄‍♀️ and ever since it’s been one of my favorite places in the world! 🌏 🙌🏼 SAVE for your San José trip ✔️ ⭐️SAN JOSE DEL CABO MINI GUIDE⭐️ 🏨 STAY: •One&Only Palmilla @oneandonlypalmilla •Viceroy Los Cabos @viceroyloscabos •Condos on Costa Azul Beach via @airbnb 🌮🍹EAT & DRINK: •Acre @acrerestaurant.cabo - Fave restaurant and bar in the area - Tulum vibes in a sexy jungle setting 🌱 Tasting at their Mezcal bar is a must! •Herradero @herraderoloscabos - Located in downtown San José, delicious, authentic dishes (try their molcajete) and great margaritas, in a fun, laid back setting. 🌮 •Zippers @zipperbarandgrill - Best spot for lunch on Costa Azul Beach! Enjoy delicious Mexican dishes and margaritas while watching surfers catch waves right in front! 🏄‍♂️ 🌊 DO: •Surf - Costa Azul Beach offers excellent surfing with several surf breaks for all levels - Old Mans, The Rock and Zippers! There are surfboard rentals on the beach (next to Zippers Grill) where you can also book lessons🏄 •Whale Watching - Dec - April here is ideal for watching migratory humpback and gray whales 🐋 •Explore Old Town - Walking around old town San José feels like stepping back in time - you’ll find an array of cute boutiques, authentic restaurants, and less touristy bars. 🛍️ Have you been to San José del Cabo? 🇲🇽 Please share your experience👇🥰 Planning a trip to Mex? ✈️ Explore all our Mexico guides on WeAreTravelGirls.com (link in profile) 🔗 #WeAreTravelGirls #Mexico #SanJosedelCabo #Baja

Hong Kong Bucketlist! 🇭🇰👌 SAVE for your trip to HK ✔️ ⭐️10 MUST DOS IN HONG KONG⭐️ 1) Temple Street Night Market 🍜 2) Star Ferry ⛴️ 3) Victoria Peak 🌆 4) Hike Dragon’s Back 🥾 5) Repulse Bay Beach Day 🏖️ 6) Lamma Island Day Trip 🏝️ 7) Drinks at The Ritz-Carlton 🍹 8) Macau Day Trip 🇲🇴 9) Night Out In Central 🎉 10) Stay at Upper House 🏨 @upperhouse_hkg Have you been to Hong Kong? 🇭🇰🥰 Comment below to receive a link to our full HK guide with all the best restaurants, bars, activities and hotels! 🔗 #WeAreTravelGirls #HongKong #China #Bucketlsit

Luxury is in each detail 👌🇭🇰 @UpperHouse_HKG During my recent trip to Hong Kong, I stayed at @UpperHouse_HKG and fell in love with every aspect of this magical, “home away from home.” Upper House Hong Kong is far more than just a place to sleep; it’s a deeply considered experience that feels like staying in a beautiful, thoughtfully designed home rather than a typical hotel. ❤️ The location in Admiralty, perched above Pacific Place and connected directly to one of Hong Kong’s premier shopping and dining complexes, couldn’t be more convenient. When you stay at @UpperHouse_HKG you’re within easy reach of Central, the Star Ferry, the Peak Tram, and numerous cultural attractions. Yet high above the bustle, here you’ll find an elevated sense of calm and quiet that’s rare in the city. 🌇 One of Upper House’s biggest draws is its breathtaking views. Every room and suite offers panoramic vistas of Victoria Harbour, the skyline, or the verdant peaks surrounding the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtful design make the cityscape part of the experience — whether you’re watching ferries glide across the water at sunset or seeing skyscrapers twinkle at night. 🌃 The suites and rooms themselves are a highlight: spacious, elegantly appointed, and furnished with quality materials and comforts that make them feel like your own urban sanctuary. Dining at Upper House Hong Kong is equally exceptional, with venues like @Salisterra_HKG , the Sky Lounge, The Continental, The Lawn, and The Green Room offering everything from refined Mediterranean cuisine to intimate cocktails with a view. 🍷🌊 Their wellness offerings are also unique and expansive, from yoga and meditation sessions to curated wellness residencies and in-room treatments. 👌 Staying at @UpperHouse_HKG means enjoying luxury that feels personal, experiences that feel intentional, and a sense of place that feels like a beautiful home perched above one of the most dynamic cities in the world. ✨ Have you been to #HongKong? 🇭🇰🥰 Comment below to receive a link to our full HK guide! 🔗 #WeAreTravelGirls #UpperHouseHongKong #MediaStay

Hello Hong Kong 🇭🇰👋 @upperhouse_hkg Hong Kong is a vibrant metropolis where East meets West, blending centuries-old Chinese traditions with a distinctly modern, international edge. 🌆 Made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and more than 200 outlying islands, the city is famous for its dramatic skyline, bustling harbors, and surprising pockets of nature just minutes from the urban core. Home to around 7.5 million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world, yet it remains remarkably efficient, clean, and easy to navigate. 🌏 What truly sets Hong Kong apart is its unmatched energy and diversity. It’s a global financial hub, a shopping destination, and a food lovers paradise. 🥟 Beyond the city streets, visitors can hike lush mountain trails, relax on sandy beaches, and explore fishing villages that feel worlds away from modern city life. 🏝️ SAVE this post for your trip to HK! ✔️✈️ ⭐️HONG KONG MINI GUIDE⭐️ 🏨 STAY: Upper House @UpperHouse_HKG 🍽️ EAT: •Yardbird @YardbirdYakitori •Peng Leng Jeng @PengLengJengHK •One Harbor Road at @GrandHyattHongKong •Sip Song on Repulse Bay @SipSongHK •Salisterra @Salisterra_HKG 🍸DRINK: •Bar Leone @BarLeoneHK - recently named No. 1 Bar in the world! •The Lounge & Bar at @RitzCarltonHongKong - for amazing views and excellent cocktails ⛵️DO: •Temple Street Night Market •Hike Dragon’s Back •Beach day at Repulse Bay •Victoria Peak •Star Ferry •Day trip to Lamma Island •Day trip to Macau 🇲🇴 •Night out in Central 🎉 Comment below to receive a link to our full guide! 🔗 Have you been to HK? 🇭🇰 What did you think? 🥰 #WeAreTravelGirls #HongKong #China #MediaStay

Favorite place in my favorite town 🌊☀️🥰 @rosewoodmiramarbeach It’s my birthday weekend 🥳 so I want to share some things I’m grateful for: • My beautiful, very clever daughter, Sadie 🥹 • I get to live in SB again, my favorite place 🙏 • A job I love that I love so much @wearetravelgirls ✈️ • My amazing friends (that’s YOU!) 💛 • Health - I jog on the beach every day and I love it 🌊 • Sports - Surfing 🏄‍♀️ and snowboarding 🏂 bring me so much JOY and have taken me around the world on so many great adventures! 🌍 • My entire family - some of them are a pain in the A$$ but I love them all dearly 😅🤣 • My “delusionally optimistic” outlook on life - it’s gotten me through the craziest, unbelievable stuff with a smile on my face 😊 Before my mother died, one of the last things she said to me was, “I want you to live a life filled with joy, love and adventure!” 💫 I was 25. I had only been to four countries. I liked to travel, but I didn’t have a penny to my name, and no clue how I would ever live up to this dying wish. But I knew that it was my destiny and that somehow, someday I would find a way to see the world and be wildly happy. ✈️ Along the way, 70+ countries later, I realized it wasn’t about seeing all these places, it was about that one moment in every new place where I felt fully present - fully alive, so happy just to be there, so grateful to be having that experience - filled with overflowing joy on every level just to be alive. 🥹 My mother wanted me to travel the world, not to discover it, but to discover myself. 🌍 It’s human nature to take things for granted, to take life itself for granted, but when we visit new places we see the world like a child - we are filled with a childlike wonderment that opens our hearts and minds to how beautiful and magical life is. ✨ The beauty and magic is always there, but through TRAGEDY, TRIUMPH and TRAVEL we’re elevated to a state where we can open our hearts to not only see it, but feel it. 🙏 What are some things you’re grateful for? 🥰 Please share in the comments below. For my birthday, I want to hear what makes you happy! 🥳💛 #WeAreTravelGirls #RosewoodMiramarBeach #SantaBarbara

Happy Holidays from Whistler! 🇨🇦👋🏼🥰 Snow-dusted peaks, world-class skiing, fun après, and a village that feels straight out of a winter postcard.🌲 From fresh powder days to cozy nights by the fire, Whistler in the winter is pure mountain magic! ✨ Whistler and Blackcomb are two separate, massive mountains that form one combined ski resort, connected by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. They were rival mountains that merged in 1997, offering vast, diverse terrain across both peaks with a single pass, creating one large ski area with over 200 runs! 🏔️ There are also two separate villages, Whistler Village (bustling main village) and Blackcomb Village (quieter, charming upper village), which are just a short walk from each other, creating one big winter wonderland. ❄️ What I love most about Whistler is that it’s upscale while still being laid back. Here you’ll find an array of excellent restaurants, bars, boutiques and accommodations without the pretentiousness.👌🏼 ⭐️WINTER IN WHISTLER MINI GUIDE⭐️ SAVE for your Canada trip! ✔️🇨🇦 ❄️ Activities: Ski & Board @whistlerblackcomb 🏂⛷️ Shop in Whistler Village 🛍️ Sledding 🛷 Snowshoeing Snowmobile Tours ☃️ 🏨 Stay: @fswhistler in Blackcomb Village @fairmontwhistlr in Blackcomb @Westin_Whistler in Whistler Village The Marquise via @airbnb in Blackcomb 🍽️ Eat: Lunch at Christine’s at the top of Blackcomb Mountain 🏔️ @ilcaminettowhis in Whistler Village 🍝 Milestone’s in Blackcomb Village @sushivillagewhistler in Whistler Village Grill Room at @fairmontwhistlr @thebrickworks.whistler in Whistler Village 🥂 Apres Ski: Milestone’s in Blackcomb Village Merlin’s in Blackcomb Village Christine’s on Blackcomb The Longhorn Saloon in Whistler Village Black’s Pub in Whistler Village ✈️ Getting There: Whistler is easily accessible from the West Coast. 🇺🇸 From LAX you take a quick 2.5hr flight to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) 🇨🇦 and then it’s an easy 2 hour Uber ride to Whistler. Once you arrive in Whistler, you can walk everywhere! Have you been to Whistler? ❄️🥰 Please share your recs👇 Happy Holidays! ❤️ XO, @VanessaRivers #WeAreTravelGirls #Whistler #Blackcomb #Canada

Cocktails & Shipwrecks 🍹⛴️ 📍Road Bay, Anguilla 🇦🇮 The tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla offers something magical around every turn! 🏝️✨ Grab a cocktail at @waves.anguilla and walk along Road Bay and you’ll find this incredible shipwreck just waiting to be explored! ⛴️😱 Believed to have been thrown ashore by rough seas during Hurricane Lenny in 1999, 🌀 this grounded cargo vessel (often called the Pamead Shipwreck), is easily reached by a short walk, offering a unique, slightly eerie contrast to the beautiful Caribbean scenery. 🌊 SAVE this post for your trip to Anguilla! ✔️🏝️ #WeAreTravelGirls #Anguilla #Caribbean #IslandLife

Hello Anguilla 🇦🇮🏝️👋🏼 Salt in the air, time standing still, beaches that feel like a secret 💙🌴 Anguilla has a way of slowing everything down—barefoot mornings, turquoise afternoons, and sunsets that make you want to stay forever…. This is island life done right.👌🏼 SAVE this post for your trip to Anguilla 🏝️✔️ ⭐️ANGUILLA MINI GUIDE⭐️ 🏨 Stay: Belmond Cap Juluca @belmondcapjuluca 🍽️ Eat: @blanchardsrestaurant on Meads Bay @belmondcapjuluca @FSAnguilla @SaviBeachAnguilla Lunch at Karaya on Shoal Bay @karayaaxa 🍹Drink: Leon’s at Meads Bay @LeonsAtMeadsBay Waves on Road Bay @waves.anguilla Olas on Shoal Bay Sunset drinks @FSAnguilla 🌊 Do: Beach Day at Meads Bay Barre Class @RetreatAXA Make friends with the locals 🐢 Golf at @auroraanguilla ⛳️ Beach Day at @belmondcapjuluca Explore the shipwreck at Road Bay 🛳️ Have you been to Anguilla? 🌴☀️🌊🥰 #WeAreTravelGirls #Anguilla #belmondcapjuluca #caribbean

But is there a view? 🇬🇷😍 @DreaminAthens Every unforgettable trip starts with amazing accommodations. For my trip to Athens, I stayed at the Elite Skyline Penthouse (link to book in profile) 🔗 This incredible 1 bedroom penthouse is managed by the amazing @DreaminAthens team and boasts a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, two expansive terraces, a rooftop plunge pool, and sweeping 360 degree skyline views from the ocean to the Acropolis. 👌🏼 The magical city of Athens offers an unmatched blend of ancient history and modern vibrancy and is a must visit on your trip to Greece. 🇬🇷 Nowhere else can you walk from bustling cafés and contemporary art spaces to landmarks like the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus—all within minutes. ✨ Have you been to #Athens? Comment below to receive a link to our Athens City Guide, where I share my review of this amazing penthouse, along with a list of all the best hotels in the city! 🏨🔗 #WeAreTravelGirls #Greece #DreaminAthens #MediaStay