I can’t wait to go back to Gion in the daytime hours and see it in all its glory, but even at night the entire neighborhood was a vibe. This area of Kyoto is famous for being the Geisha district, even if there aren’t as many as in the past. But it still maintains that historic atmosphere that’s authentically Japanese ..read more

This beautiful coastal city in Israel is a hotbed for technology, beach life, and Middle Eastern culture. I was pleasantly surprised by Tel Aviv and had a lovely few days there. It’s a perfect place to go as a starting off point for a journey through the region ..read more

Positano is one of those places that actually looks as magical in real life as it does in the photos. There’s a reason tons of tourists flock here every year to see its beauty. Enjoy these photographs of this amazing Italian village ..read more

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to visit the Cotswolds. It’s an area of England where the villages are so perfectly picturesque and quintessentially English. I finally found a day trip that could take us from London out to the countryside, and I was not disappointed. We visited a few different towns and really took in the essence of this part of the UK ..read more

I never could’ve imagined myself jumping onto a 4x4 truck and cruising through the Wadi Rum Desert, but that’s only because Jordan seemed so out of my reach in terms of places to travel. Thankfully, I finally got to visit this beautiful country during a press trip, and that included heading out to the Wadi Rum Desert for an afternoon tour through the alien landscape. I can’t wait to go back and stay even longer, perhaps even have an evening under the heavens where I can shoot some astrophotography of the stars ..read more

There’s few better things for a traveler to experience than walking through the temples of Egypt in person. Once you’ve done that, going to a museum will never be the same. How could it be? To step into a space that has been around for thousands of years vs going to a museum where everything has been curated for you, it can’t compare. Kom Ombo is a beautifully preserved temple in Aswan, Egypt. Situated right near the River Nile, it’s a temple you shouldn’t miss while venturing around this ancient country. It’s hard to miss if you take a tour or self-guided trip up and down the length of Egypt ..read more

I am so lucky I got to grow up in the Pacific Northwest. This beautiful piece of land on the west coast has everything you could ever want for a getaway. If you need some beach time, you can head to the water. For a nature-inspired trip, drive out to the many forests and parks. You can also enjoy the sleepy cities of Seattle and Portland if you need a change of pace. Even though I grew up in the area, I’ve moved around a lot and now cherish my time back in this part of the world. When I come home I usually stay at my parent’s house, but occasionally, I do like a getaway with my partner to som ..read more

There's that moment when something you're dreading turns out to actually be amazing and you sigh a wave of relief and try to enjoy yourself and live your joy. When I booked my Egypt tour, the cheapest option included a felucca journey. I had no idea what this was, but it was less expensive than taking the Nile cruise, so I chose it. It was only later that I realized it was an uncovered boat with a camping-style overnighter. I was shook. I HATE camping. And by hate, I mean, I would do it if it weren't for bugs eating me alive any time I'm outdoors. I was dreading this part of the tour. It was ..read more

When it comes to world wonders, it's easy to see why the Great Wall of China is one of the most epic creations ever to grace this earth. Obviously, it was a must-see on my bucket list, but I wasn't sure when that reality would happen. Thankfully, due to a carefully plotted out layover in Beijing,  I was able to take that day trip to the Wall and fulfill a life goal. It's so easy and simple to do and makes for a great use of time if you're flying and need to break up a 10-15 hour flight with something to stretch your legs. Check out this video of the highlights of our layover. On our way t ..read more

When life gives you a layover, you take it! On my way back from Tunisia, I had the option to spend the day in Malta, and I was so excited to have 14 hours to explore. It’s a small island in the Mediterranean Sea and is known for being a Game of Thrones filming location. They’ve used lots of different spots around the island to represent their different lands, and it’s really cool to see in person, even if you’re not a GoT fan. I booked a driver for the day through a tour site and he picked me up at the airport and took me around the island. I was able to tell him the stuff I was mostly interes ..read more