a lifestyle blog
I have always been fascinated by volcanoes so was thrilled to explore Volcanoes National Park during a recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. Keep reading for some tips and tricks on how to plan a first-time visit to this magical place.
Continue reading “Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: A First-Time Visitors Guide”
A while back, I kicked off a monthslong, solo trip to Europe with a quick visit to Lisbon. My good friend, Pat, was wrapping up a Portuguese cycling excursion with his family on the same day I was starting my journey abroad. For this reason alone, I made Lisbon my very first stop. Keep reading to see how I spent my time exploring The City of Seven Hills.
Continue reading “Here’s How I Spent 4 Nights In Lisbon”
A first-time trip to Lisbon is not complete without a day spent in the district of Belém. Located along an estuary of the Tagus River and directly to the west of the city center – Belém is a scenic hub teeming with monuments, museums, and the grandest of monasteries. Keep reading for a few tips and tricks on how to navigate this popular, Portuguese destination.
Continue reading “Your Guide To Exploring Belém – Lisbon’s Busiest Tourist Destination”
I’m a nerd for research and looked into a variety of hotels and vacation rentals prior to my trip to Lisbon. After learning about the city’s various neighborhoods, countless hills, metro system, and tourist hotspots – I finally settled on a hotel in the neighborhood of Saldanha. I was really pleased with my decision at the time of my stay and still feel the same after reflecting on this fun, quick trip to Portugal’s capital city.
Continue reading “Heading To Lisbon? Here’s Where You Should Stay During Your Trip!”
Are you visiting Lisbon for the first time this year and searching for a cost-effective way to tour Portugal’s capital city? If so, the Lisboa Card may be just what you’re looking for. Keep reading to find out if the perks of this popular travel card are actually worth the price.
Continue reading “The Lisboa Card – Worth It Or Not – Your Guide to Visiting Lisbon”
During a recent trip to Europe, I was able to spend three full days in Portugal’s capital city. Although my time in Lisbon was quite short, I was lucky enough to stumble upon some truly delicious eats and equally tasty beverages during this quick visit.
Continue reading “The Best Things I Ate & Drank In Lisbon”
I have always had a desire to travel abroad on my own, but for a swath of reasons – never did. Finally, at the age of 37, I made the decision to take an extended trip to Europe. My journey of over four months was full of various adventures and unforgettable experiences. Looking back now, I am incredibly grateful that I was able to turn one of my dreams into a realty.
Continue reading “Female Solo Travel – An Experience I Was Finally Able To Pursue in My Late Thirties”
Earlier this summer, I neatly packed up a few possessions into a carry-on size backpack, small purse, and clear zippered tote. These items mainly consisted of essential clothing, must-have toiletries, and practical electronics. These items were & continue to be my primary belongings on a solo, summer excursion in Europe. If you’re curious to see how I have maximized the concept of packing light all while having the necessary comforts for a long trip abroad, keep on reading.
Continue reading “Here’s What I Packed For A 3 Month Trip To Europe”
I may earn a commission for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.
Are you planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina & looking for some good restaurant recommendations? If so, I’ve created this handy guide highlighting some of the best places to dine and drink in and around the Holy City.
Continue reading “The Best Places To Eat & Drink In Charleston”
For the amount of travel I’ve done as both a child and an adult, I have shockingly never been to Chicago before – that is until last summer. I was headed to South Carolina for a girls trip, and since there were zero direct flights to Charleston – I decided to make a quick pit stop in the Windy City to finally explore this jewel of the midwest and to also visit a good friend who recently moved back to Illinois. Keep reading to discover what I did during my 2-day-trip to Chicago.
Continue reading “Here’s How I Spent 48 Hours In Chicago”
Charleston has always been high on my list of places to visit within the United States so when an opportunity to go with one of my besties came up, I jumped at the chance. Keep on reading for tips, tricks, and plenty of restaurant recommendations!
Continue reading “Your Guide to Exploring Charleston, South Carolina!”
Last Updated: Spring 2026
Park City has always been on my list of places to explore so when an opportunity to visit in the Autumn of 2021 presented itself, I jumped at the chance to finally vacation in this famed, ridge-lined oasis! Since I associated Park City with snow-packed slopes, Sundance, and of course the 2002 Winter Olympics – I was a bit unsure if I would fully enjoy northern Utah in October. However, within moments of arriving, I quickly found myself “fall”ing in love with this majestic mountain town.
Continue reading “A Million Reasons to Fall in Love with Park City”
When I wrote about my 2020 trip to Puerto Rico last year, I promised to leave a review about all of the food I ate, drinks I downed, and eateries I visited. I know it took me a while, but since I’m a girl of my word – here you all go!
Continue reading “Puerto Rico Eats from San Juan to Vieques”
Last Updated: Spring 2026
Back in April 2021, I was in desperate need to lounge by a pool and simply vege out for a few days. Usually when I’m in the mood to splash around the pool for hours on end, I head to Palm Springs. However, with incredibly hot weather forecasted for the last few days that April, I settled on a 2-day trip to Santa Barbara instead since it would be fifteen to twenty degrees cooler than the desert. So with my mind made up, I got to planning.
Continue reading “Santa Barbara – A California Staycation & Global Destination”
Exactly one year ago today, I flew back home after an amazing week in Puerto Rico. I obviously did not know the future of 2020 at that point, but looking back, I’m so grateful that I was able to have an adventure filled trip before the days of quarantine showed up at our door. If you’re champing at the bit to travel, I hope this post provides a glint of joy or even maybe some inspiration for coordinating your next great escape once the hospitality & travel industries are up and running at full speed again.
Continue reading “Puerto Rico – A Vacation Must!”
With Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, & the New Year just around the corner, families across the nation and all over the world are trying to figure out how to safely celebrate the upcoming holidays. I hope the following suggestions will help you get the ball rolling when it comes to planning out the tricky details of both traveling and gathering during this global pandemic.
Continue reading “Holiday Travel Tips During A Pandemic”
The idea of going somewhere new whether for relaxation, exploration, or both makes me incredibly excited. Travel has always been a passion of mine, and I get giddy just thinking about when and where I can go next.
Continue reading “Why Travel Has My Heart”
