If you find yourself in Tirana in the heat of summer, you know how hot those Balkan summers can get! As much fun as it is exploring this capital city, it's nice to cool off by the ocean. A visit to Durres, Albania is the perfect solution! Only a 40 minute drive from Tirana, Durres (Beach) is situated on the Adriatic coast. When I traveled there with my husband, it felt like a hidden gem.…
If you're heading to the land of "pura vida", odds are you are going to spend at least a day or two in the capital city of San Jose. While not at the top of my list for a vacation to Costa Rica, it has enough to merit a short visit! While getting my Master's degree, I did a "study abroad" program in a suburb of San José called Heredia. We went into the city…
You're heading on an adventurous getaway to Ecuador, and I can help you out. Where to stay in Quito? Try out the old town neighborhood of La Ronda, and its boutique hotel- Casona de la Ronda. Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!). I was also hosted by this hotel in…
This post is dedicated to the details of my “welcome to the world” travel themed baby shower! I'd always envisioned this theme, and loved seeing it come to life. The original goal was to host this at a neighborhood clubhouse, but we had to have it in an outdoor venue (this was 2020). I think it still turned out beautifully! See my travel-themed wedding here! Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if…
For anyone who makes the great decision to visit this city though- it certainly won't disappoint! Check my curated list for the best Valencia things to do! Valencia is a gorgeous Mediterranean city on the east coast of Spain. It's not typically a common stop in the country however, with most travelers opting to visit nearby Barcelona instead. I'll admit- I'm a little bit obsessed. After studying abroad there, spending a year living there, (and…
So, you want to visit the land of Pura Vida. What all can you comfortably fit into a 7-10 day Costa Rica itinerary? Here is the Costa Rica itinerary I suggest after having visited 3 times and spending over 12 weeks here. With just 7-10 days, this shows the variety this country offers! I did this route when my brother visited me while I was studying abroad. It's aggressive, but manageable! Here is my itinerary:…
Last year, my husband and I took a ten day road trip through Scotland. We became hooked. Through all my travels, the city of Edinburgh in particular is one that stands out to me, and might even be my favorite city in all of Europe! I'm in love with it. I knew we had to return. Happily, we found a way to get ourselves back to Scotland this summer! We added some time in London…
The Emerald Isle. A lush, green country that most travelers aim to visit at some point in time. Ireland's local culture, traditions, history, and nature certainly draw you in… or is it the pubs? Reminiscent of our Scotland road trip, this journey is filled with scenic stops as you go. After some trial and error, here is my 10 day Ireland itinerary- perfect for a self guided and independent road trip! Some links in this…
During our recent family road trip through the UK (starting in London, heading to Wales, and ending in Scotland), we spent some time in the stunning Scottish highlands of Glencoe. When it came to finding lodging, we stayed at the beautiful Isles of Glencoe Hotel. Just a short drive away to all of the main natural sights and nearby hikes, it is the perfect base for highland adventure, or even a relaxing retreat! [caption id="attachment_5777"…
When I lived in Valencia, one of my favorite places to go on the weekend is the medieval town and playa of Peñíscola, Spain. It has great beaches, but why go here when you could go anywhere else? The reason is… the views! Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!). The…
