Havana is easily a city I still think about. I frequently catch my thoughts drifting towards it at random points, mulling over the anachronistic elements of the city combined with the friendly locals and vibrant culture. Here’s a travel guide to Havana that’ll make planning your trip that much easier! If you are planning a trip to Cuba, first check out my guide here. Where to Stay in Havana In order to support the Cuban people, I recommend that you stay in a Casa Particular. You have a variety of options such as a private room in a local’s house, a shared room such as a hostel, or the entire apartment to yourself. We booked ours on Airbnb and had a seamless experience with our incredibly gracious hosts. New to Airbnb? Click here for $40 off your first stay! I highly recommend you stay in Habana Vieja (Old Havana) so…
I finally got to cross Cuba off my bucket list and it did not disappoint. Bursting with vibrant color and streets alive with music, Havana in particular is a city you will fall for. Follow this ultimate first timer’s guide to Cuba and it’ll make your trip planning process that much easier. Guide to Cuba Is Cuba safe to travel to as a solo female traveler? Cuba is a relatively safe country with a fairly low crime rate. I traveled with a group of friends and we all felt very safe. As a solo female traveler, you can expect cat calling and piropos (still a form of cat calling in my opinion but these are supposed to be witty compliments). I know that street harassment can be a huge drain on your trip but unfortunately, it’s still the reality in many places. Try your best to ignore it and do…
If you read these 7 reasons why you should visit Slovenia then you know that this country has so many things to offer and the best way to experience it is by car. Here’s your one stop shop guide to the ultimate Slovenia road trip. What to Know Before Visiting Slovenia When to visit Slovenia: I’d recommend visiting Slovenia on the shoulder months. We visited in May and this was the perfect time to visit since it was right before peak season and it was nowhere near as crowded as it gets during the summer. Plus, there was plenty of availability for all the activities we wanted to do, allowing us to do some last minute booking. How much time to spend in Slovenia: At a minimum, 6-7 days though I wish we had two weeks there. Hell, I wish I lived there. #obsessed The Euro is the currency here…
I left a piece of my heart in Slovenia. Okay, before you say anything, you’re right I tend to say that about most places I go to but this time I really truly mean it. Slovenia is now in my top 5 favorite countries. There you go. Now you believe me. And if you don’t, you will shortly because here are the top 7 reasons why you NEED to visit Slovenia right now. Tiny adorable capital city Ljubljana I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of a lot of European capital cities. They can be large, overwhelming, and frankly a little drab (controversial opinion??). Ljubljana is nothing like that. First of all, it’s easy to walk around as the city center is compact and has the cutest pedestrian streets. Colorful buildings, gorgeous architecture, a river running through the center, an enchanting castle, beautiful bridges….need I continue? Slovenia has fairytale like…
While Argentina is an incredible country that offers so much, it isn’t known for its coffee. As someone who is borderline obsessed with coffee (okay okay, COMPLETELY obsessed with coffee), I wasn’t sure how spending five weeks this summer there was going to go. I needlessly worried because Buenos Aires is undergoing a coffee revolution and not only did I found some delicious coffee, I spent a majority of my time in these cafes and they each felt like home. On your trip, be sure to check out some of the best coffee in Buenos Aires: LAB Location: Belgrano & Palermo LAB is easily one of the best Buenos Aires Cafes.The first thing about LAB is that you HAVE to get their chocolate chip cookies! I know I know, this post is about coffee but dear god those cookies made me weak at the knees and what better accompaniment to…
The restaurant scene in Charlotte is booming. You’ll find locally sourced concepts with fresh ingredients, eclectic and creative menus, and even reimagined Southern comfort food. If you’re looking to eat your way through this city (and I totally recommend that you do), here are 10 of the best restaurants in Charlotte to start with. Stoke Best For: Locally Sourced Cuisine Stoke is a restaurant that I jut can’t get enough of. It’s easily one of the best restaurants in Uptown Charlotte. Each time I go back, I learn something new about this restaurant that makes me fall more in love with it. Chef Chris Coleman has truly assembled an exceptional team and the menu is a product of their creativity. Everything is made from scratch in their open kitchen using local ingredients. Even their sodas are made in house and are so refreshing that you will find yourself wanting to…
Virginia is one of my absolute favorite states. From colorful fall foliage to an abundance of wine to rich history, there’s something here for everyone. The Shenandoah Valley is a particularly special part of Virginia and is absolutely beautiful year round. If you only have a short time to explore the area, here’s 5 things to in the Shenandoah Valley Stay at a Getaway House Located just 30 minutes from the Shenandoah National Park, Getaway is the perfect escape. Cozy and intimate, these cabins are perfect for a solo trip or with a loved one. You’ll find yourself refreshed and recharged after your Getaway. Read all about my stay in one of these tiny houses here. Visit the Luray Caverns I truly have never experienced anything quite like these caverns. Walking through these caverns is an absolutely surreal experience. Your entrance ticket includes a guided tour and you’ll learn all…
The moment I stumbled upon Getaway House’s website, I knew I had to stay here. The site promised a chance to escape to a tiny cabin in the middle of nature. A way to unplug, recharge, and relax. Balancing our hectic schedules can be exhausting. Often times, I’m up at night with thoughts racing in my head or checking my work calendar to see what meetings I have in the morning. In this day and age, multi-tasking is no longer a skill, it’s a requirement. Enter Getaway. An opportunity to remind yourself to slow down, enjoy time with yourself or a loved one, and just enjoy your surroundings. [Thank you to Getaway for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are own.] Getaway takes care of all the details for you, including sending you helpful things like recommendations of things to do in the area, a packing list, and an…
How many times have you dreaded the actual travel part of your trip? Like getting to the airport hours before your flight or forgetting that you have fuzzy pink socks on until you take off your shoes at security? Over time, I have perfected my airport routine so I can spend less time at the airport, get to my gate in the fastest and most comfortable way possible, and not arrive at my final destination a frazzled mess. Follow these 7 airport tips and I promise you that travel will be so much easier. Check in online There’s really no excuse for this. Don’t waste any of your precious time on the day of your trip to go to a kiosk or even worse, the counter to check in. Check in opens 24 hours before boarding. Take two minutes and add your boarding pass to your phone. Don’t check in…
I’ve tried to deny my love for California. National parks? Big deal. Scenic drives with breathtaking views? Eh. Delicious wineries a stone throw away? Okay okay fine. Truth is, I’m just jealous that I don’t live there. There I said it. California has it all, including fairytale towns straight out of a storybook. I’m talking about Carmel. Just two hours south of San Francisco, Carmel is an enchanting town you will fall head over heels for, Disney princess style. And the best part? It’s totally doable to get a great taste of Carmel and the surrounding area in a weekend. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Carmel. Before You Go Carmel is gorgeous year round. To beat the crowd, consider going in the winter. If you are just exploring the town of Carmel, a car isn’t necessary as the city is compact and easily walkable. However, if you want to…