Tag: Long Trips

Destinations, Packing Lists, Puerto Rico, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Five Nights in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Alyssa on the beach in Luquillo

Opening up my suitcase and sharing everything I packed for five nights in Puerto Rico It’s a little hard to believe, but there are over fifty packing lists on this blog. That’s over fifty different packing collages, series of outfit photos, and musings on the packing process. By now you might think I’ve run out …

Destinations, Mexico, Packing Lists, Style, Travel

Traveling Light: A Carry-On Packing List for Guadalajara, Mexico

Alyssa wears a wide brim straw hat and a blue ruffle dress

A real-life packing list from a week spent in hot and sunny Guadalajara – all packed in a carry on, of course!

Destinations, Mexico, Travel, Travel Tips

Travel Guide: How to Spend a Week in Guadalajara, Mexico

Alyssa stands in front of Barranca de Huentitán

Back in April, I had the absolute pleasure of spending a week in Guadalajara with my partner, Michael. It was the first time I’d had the chance to travel for my birthday since 2019, and so it only felt right to choose a destination that has long been on my list of places to visit. …

Destinations, Spain, Travel

A Relaxed Approach to Visiting Barcelona, Spain

Alyssa stands on a balcony in Park Guell

It’s true that overtourism has taken hold of Barcelona. When you combine a dense, walkable city with a multitude of sights and rich culture, there can be no other result. Even during my visit in October, which is shoulder season, the crowds in parts of the city were unbearable. But sometimes you simply have to …

Destinations, Spain, Travel

72 Hours in Madrid, Spain

Alyssa standing in front of the Metropolitan building in Madrid

When I shared with friends and family that Michael and I were traveling to Spain, many people excitedly asked, “Oh, are you going to Barcelona?!” Not a single person asked if we were going to Madrid. That seems absurd, doesn’t it? It is the capital of the country after all, and that should count for …

Belgium, Destinations, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, Travel Tips

Traveling Light: Two Weeks in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium Packing List

packing list benelux

Do you have a warm drink handy? Today I’m sharing a packing list for a recent trip to the BeNeLux region of Europe, and it grew quite lengthy by the end, so please feel free to make something and settle in to read (I won’t say no to a mug of mulled wine, so if …

Belgium, Destinations, Travel

Beyond the Basics: A Weekend Travel Guide for Brussels, Belgium

Alyssa and Michael in Brussels City Center

Brussels was the city I was least excited to visit on my recent trip to Europe: I’d heard the city was crowded and dirty, and that it has a reputation for being a bit dangerous. I might have even only trekked in for a day trip or skipped it entirely, were it not for the …

Belgium, Destinations, Travel

The Ultimate Travel Guide for Ghent, Belgium

View of Ghent from Gravensteen

My top picks for a weekend in Ghent, Belgium – including all the best places to eat, drink, and shop!

Destinations, Italy, Travel

Hiking Italy’s Cinque Terre, Part Two: Vernazza to Corniglia

Looking back on Vernazza from the trail

In Monday’s post, I shared my experience hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza in Italy’s Cinque Terre, and today I’ll pick things back up with the second day of hiking: between the towns of Vernazza and Corniglia. Michael and I actually started our hike in our “hometown” for the night, Manarola. We hiked around the marina …