I spent a good deal of time in Costa Rica during my study abroad experience, and have since been back multiple times. Over the years, these are the places that stood out to me most. These are my suggestions for the best beach towns in Costa Rica: In no particular order... Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small…
I’ve been to many places around the world, and in all sincerity, Cuzco is one of my favorites. It combines the ancient with new in a way you don't see elsewhere. The indigenous cultures blend together in the city’s art and history, dotted with evidence of the Spanish conquest. The native art, food, and traditions combine with European architecture to create a truly matchless place. After a visit here during my month long backpacking trip,…
Looking for things to do and fun attractions in Lexington, Kentucky ? You're in the right place! Lexington is one of my favorite cities- I’ve traveled all over the world, and it always feels like home. When I was a student at the University of Kentucky, I had the privilege of living in this great town for five years. Even though I now live closer to Cincinnati, I still make it back to Lex frequently.…
Charleston has that pure “southern charm”. It’s one of the most picturesque cities in the American south, and its palm-lined streets have memorable appeal🌴 I came here with my family to visit Folly Beach, and we spent a few days in the city too. It instantly reminded me of Savannah, although each city has its own unique vibe! If you are short on time, here are the top things to do and see with just…
Rome, the eternal city, has so much to offer- Insanely delicious food, fascinating history, and monuments older than we can comprehend. I hate billing a historic city as merely a backdrop for photo opportunities. However, I know visitors to Rome still want to capture their memories, and have quality photos to look back on. Keeping this in mind, here are my tips for photography in Rome, perfect for creating a personalized photo calendar or capturing…
With just 3-4 days in the city, this is my efficient Beijing itinerary! See as much as you can, and on limited time- plus a visit to the Great Wall of China. As the 8th most populated city on the planet, Beijing can be hectic, busy, and smoggy. Despite this, there are truly beautiful sights and unique experiences to be had. It is perhaps the one city that is most quintessentially “China”. What visitors picture…
The area around La Fortuna, Costa Rica is a "must see" for any visitor. Home to lush jungle, active volcanoes, waterfalls, and hundreds of sloths, it is a tropical (humid) paradise! Plus, it's named "fortune", but sits at the base of an active volcano- you have to love that optimism! Whether you want to go hiking, rafting, and kayaking- or just relax in natural volcanic hot springs, you will definitely find something you love. Read…
I've traveled a lot, but nothing has sparked more interest than my trip to Cuba. Here I'll detail where we went and what you should do to have the perfect Cuba itinerary! Read my other post on how you can independently travel to Cuba as a U.S. citizen My detailed 10 Day Cuba Itinerary: Day 1: Havana - Cuba’s capital city, Havana is the largest and most popular on the island. Founded by the Spaniards in…
The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited U.S. National Park, and for good reason. In addition to the park itself, there are loads of kid-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge and nearby Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Being from the Cincinnati area, it’s only a 4.5 hour drive, so I’ve traveled here many times. Traveling with a toddler, our goal was to find kid friendly activities, and we did! We usually stay in Gatlinburg, so Pigeon Forge…
Every year, thousands of American college students make their way down to Central America to study abroad in the beautiful country of Costa Rica. After my own great experience, I've listed my top reasons to study abroad in Costa Rica. While there are many options as to where to base yourself, I was living in Heredia. There are a HUGE variety of University programs here and in San Jose, click here to see a few!…
