PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - I’ve now been to Loreto three times! The first time, my husband and I were passing through in our Sprinter van, and we spent the night at the charming Hotel 1697. Then I brought my family back for our holiday week last year. We opted for the all-inclusive Villa Del Palmar. This last trip, I divided my time between two spots around the corner from the town square: Villas del Santo Niño and Posada Del Cortes - both fantastic!

I wanted to go diving but the waters were a little rough, so we kayaked off Isla Coronados instead.

I’m going back in a month to go diving. Stay tuned!

One thing you will do a lot of Loreto is eat!

We had breakfast at Café Olé and Orlandos Restaurante.

I had an incredible lunch at La Mision hotel. The Obamas dined when they came through Loreto a few years ago. Cheers to the chef and the incredible ahi tuna salad I had!

Dinner was at El Zopilote, which is one of our favorite spots in town. We also went to Asadero Super Burro. Three words: Cheese. Flank. Steak.

If you’re looking for an authentic experience, and I always am, try the “chocolata” clams at Hotel Oasis.

Whale watching in Baja: Get up close and personal with gray whales!

It’s a bucket-list trip for many people -- getting up close and personal with a whale. And I found the perfect place to do it.

Pure Baja Travels is a whale-watching eco-camp run by José Sanchez, and he is fantastic! From Loreto, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive northwest, past the charming small town of San Ignacio. You end up on a dirt road that looks like you’re heading to nowhere!

Finland: A bucket-list trip for sure!

I packed a lot into this three-day trip, and it was amazing! I started with a visit to Samiland, visited a traditional reindeer farm that included a magical sleigh ride, went snowshoeing, experienced a Finnish smoke sauna and ice swimming (Coldest. Water, Ever!), and even tried my hand at ice fishing. It didn’t go well.