A California Girl with an Italy-Shaped Heart

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!

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!

Mostly — and I’m always upfront about the difference. The posts grounded in firsthand experience are exactly that: places I’ve been, restaurants I’ve actually sat down in, hotels I’ve stayed at or researched so thoroughly I’d book without hesitation. If I’ve been somewhere, you’ll know. If I haven’t yet but would stake my reputation on it, you’ll know that too. 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.

A few filters, all working at once. Has it earned a place on this site — meaning I’ve been there, or I’ve done enough research to genuinely stand behind it? Does it serve the reader who’s actively planning a trip, not just browsing for inspiration? And does it fit the kind of travel this site is built around: boutique or luxury, intentional, experience-first?

I’m not trying to cover everywhere. I cover my places (the ones I’ve visited or personally would if I haven’t already) deeply, beautifully, and only when I have something real to say. 

Meals and hotels, always. Food is half the experience of a place, and I’d rather have one unforgettable dinner than three forgettable ones. Where you stay matters more than most people give it credit for: you return to it after long days, you wake up there, and the right room in the right place can make an entire trip feel different.

Where I save: flights. I’m always excited if I can score an upgrade or find a points-focused deal, but I’m not usually booking a first-class ticket outside of that.  Everyone on that plane is landing in the same city. I’d rather spend the money once I arrive.

I work with hotels, tourism boards, and brands I genuinely love — creating blog features, destination photography, and social content that tells a story. Every collaboration is treated as editorial, which is exactly why it resonates. If that sounds like something worth exploring, I’d love to hear from you at lauren@laurenbelz.com.

Visit my Partnerships page for more information.