I’ve always loved being on the move — family vacations, flights across the country, quick weekend getaways, even college spring breaks in Cabo. But it wasn’t until my very first trip abroad in 2019 (to Italy, of course) that I realized just how deeply travel lights me up. After that, I was hooked. Now I crave it — discovering new corners of the world, whether it’s a faraway destination or a hidden gem just a few hours from home. There’s so much world to see, and I want to see it all!

Not always — and that’s part of the magic here. I try to focus mostly on places I’ve personally visited, because nothing beats sharing real moments, real photos, and real recommendations. But I’m also a dreamer at heart. I love researching destinations, Insta-stalking beautiful hotels, and planning future itineraries (for myself and anyone who travels like me).

Some of the stays I feature are places I’ve experienced firsthand; others are the hotels and destinations I cannot wait to visit someday. I do the deep-dive research so you don’t have to — so whether you’re planning a trip or simply dreaming one up, you have a place to land, explore, and get inspired.

Every post is a little love letter to the kind of travel I adore: domestic and abroad, near and far, familiar and not-yet-experienced…but absolutely on my list.

I’ve collected stamps from a few different countries so far! I live in and love exploring the United States, my home country, but my passport adventures have taken me through: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Canada.

I’ve had fleeting layovers in the UK and France (airport coffee doesn’t count as “visiting,” right?), but I only tally up the places I’ve actually explored. The list is still short, but definitely sweet — and very much ready to grow!

Yes! I actually have two travel goals: 1. Visit all 50 U.S. states before I turn 50, and 2. Visit 10 countries before I’m 40 (the 40 countries by 40 thing seems a little stressful to me, given I haven’t even visited all of the states in my own home country)!

So far I’ve spent time in 14 of the 50 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington, and 5 countries (not counting the United States).

And, to clarify, I have to actually spend time in each state/country – day-trip at a minimum, with sight-seeing, 1-2 full meals, etc. Not just an airport stop!

Without question: Puglia. It’s where I married my best friend, but beyond that, it’s a place that wrapped itself around my heart in a way I never saw coming. I didn’t visit before choosing it for our wedding but when I finally arrived, it felt like stepping into a dream I somehow already knew: golden sunsets sinking into the Adriatic, ancient streets that climb and curve with stories, and a pace of life that hums quietly, slowly, exactly as it should. There’s a subtle magic in Puglia — a kind that sneaks up on you and stays long after you leave. It’s hard to explain how a place you’ve only been once can feel like home. All I know is that it does!

Easily our destination wedding trip and honeymoon in Italy! We spent about 3.5 weeks there — the longest we’ve ever been away from home — and it was nothing short of magical. The adventure began with 11 unforgettable days in Puglia: eight days of exploring wrapped around three wedding days straight out of a dream. From there, we slipped into honeymoon mode with three restful nights in Ostuni before heading to Positano, Florence, and Rome. Each stop felt both familiar and brand-new, experienced this time through the lens of newlyweds — slower, sweeter, and wrapped in a little bubble of our own. Truly the trip of a lifetime!

A little bit of both! I’m very type A, so the logistics (flights, hotels/Airbnbs, trains, rental cars, transfers) are always locked in ahead of time. Beyond that, I like to have about 75–80% of the trip planned — with plenty of space for the unexpected. That might mean a day with no dinner reservations, no set activities, or even a blank afternoon to wander and stumble into something magical. Honestly, that’s the beauty of travel: the best experiences are often the ones you don’t plan. And especially when you’re abroad, leaving room to go with the flow makes the inevitable hiccups feel more like part of the adventure.

I happily splurge on meals and drinks — food is such a big part of the experience. I’m not eating Michelin every night, but I’m also not grabbing fast food; I want those memorable meals that make a trip feel richer. I’ll also splurge on a hotel if it’s one I’ve been dreaming about, because where you stay is half the experience. Sure, you’re out exploring most of the day, but it’s always worth coming back to a place you love being in. Where I save? Plane tickets. As long as it gets me there, I don’t need the fanciest seat. Everyone on that flight is landing in the same place — I’d rather spend my money once I arrive. 

I use a mix because just like a believe there’s a bag for every situation, I also believe there’s a camera for every unique moment!

I have a photography background, so if space allows, I love to shoot with my Pentax DSLR though honestly, my iPhone does most of the heavy lifting these days, especially since you can shoot RAW on them now (and use Lightroom Mobile). I’ve also started revisiting an old point and shoot digital camera that I’ve had for over a decade, and dabbled in 35mm point and shoot film!