Oh, Munich.  The heart of Bavarian culture, delicious German bier, heavy food, and so close to the mountains.  Really the perfect spot for anyone looking for a true German experience (the Northern Germans will not appreciate me saying that ;) ).

Scotland's beautiful & historical capital Edinburgh is a city well worth a visit.  It's a city rich with culture, delicious fish & chips, authentic whiskey, ancient castles, and some of the friendliest people I have met to date.  I can totally see why J.K. Rowling took much of her inspiration from this city sitting on the hills.

One of the top luxury hotel lines in Germany and around even the world, Kempinksi Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is not just a hotel, but a luxurious escape in Munich.  Located on the famous Maximilianstraße across from Cartier, it's the perfect location for someone looking for an extravagant weekend away in the heart of Munich.

Gothenburg, for me, was the perfect place to start in Sweden and to get a sense of the Swedish culture. It's a fairly good size city with a large university, so there is plenty to see, great restaurants and food, and lots of culture.  I had the pleasure of exploring Gothenburg for 6 days, but you could definitely get a feel for the city, see the top sites, and grab a couple delicious Swedish meals in just a few days.

"The visionary brainchild of art patron Dakis Joannou and famed industrial designer Karim Rashid. Given free rein to create a total experience, Karim used his signature curvaceous forms and lollipop colours to offer a young, enthusiastic and seductive alternative to more traditional conceptions of hospitality."

Spring has always been my favorite season, but since we've moved to Germany it has really become my absolute favorite.  Winter here can be brutal and the first signs of spring can make you want to dance around the city and eat ice-cream all day (at least that's what it does to me). 

Sharing a few photos from my time in Dublin, Ireland and the surrounding area.  It was a short, three day trip, so there is still so much more to see, but most certainly worth it.  Although I was expecting dreary weather, we were lucky enough to have sunshine each day and warm temperatures! 

Malahide Castle & Gardens was such a sweet little escape and a lovely way to spend an afternoon in Ireland with my mom.  A friend of mine kindly sent a list of top things to do in the Dublin area and along with the Howth Cliffs,  Malahide Castle & Gardens topped the list. Which after spending an afternoon around the grounds and garden, I definitely see why.

On one of our days in Austria we drove just 25 minutes north to the beautiful Hintersteiner See, where we were blown away by it's gorgeous turquoise water. The area is perfect to spend enjoying the views, having a coffee overlooking the water, swimming the summer and plenty of trails to walk along that surround the entire body of water.

Last weekend when we traveled to Austria and stayed with Sport Resort Hohe Salve it was the most relaxing experiencing I have had in a while. It was the first time I came home from a weekend trip and actually felt more relaxed and rejuvenated than when I had arrived. I think the infinity pool, perfect Austrian weather, and modern spa might have done the trick.

In college one of my friends introduced me to the Starbucks Green Tea Latte and I have been hooked every since.  Sadly, it's taken me 4+ years to finally perfect my own dupe of Starbucks Green Tea Matcha Latte (better late than never). This recipe is easy, super delicious, and the perfect treat on a dreary fall afternoon or morning.

This Lentil Chickpea + Lemon Radish Salad has been my go-to recipe for weekly dinners and when we have guests over for a small dinner party. It's so easy to mix together and the lemon dressing is always a crowd pleaser. It's like one of those dishes that people think you worked so hard on, but really you just whipped it all together and garnished with a few leftover herbs -- easy!   

We visited the French Alps via Chamonix Valley during probably the worst and yet best time -- ski season was ending and hiking season hadn't even begun.  I must admit, I was a bit worried that our time in the French Alps would be an epic fail, but to my surprise, visiting this beautiful area during a somewhat "iffy" time was such a blessing in disguise. 

This historic building now turned luxury, stylish apartments was the perfect place to stay during our time in Geneva.  Swiss Luxury Apartments offers all that an upscale hotel provides, while giving you the feeling that you're coming home to your own chic apartment in the heart of Geneva. What more could you ask for?

Hotel Jan Brito has been of my favorite spaces in Europe that we've stayed in.  The hotel embraced the history of Bruges while maintaining a modern, comfortable space for today's travelers.  I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is staying in a space that reflects the city you are visiting.

Although I absolutely love Shrimp Ceviche, it has intimidated me so much so that I've never tried making it on my own. Until now! I was a bit nervous that I wasted all my money on shrimp and avocados and it was going to be a complete disaster, however, I am happy to report it was super delicious and easier than expected.  Who knew?

Today, I wanted to share with you a few photos of our newest piece, this IKEA plant holder.  I saw in it stores a few months ago and envisioned my cactus and succulents having the perfect sun spot.  Well, a few days later my cactus died and my succulents' lives were coming to an end as well. Who knew you could kill the most resilient plants? My "black thumb", as my husband so kindly said, was out in full force.  I prefer to blame the dreary, German weather.

As much as I love traveling and seeing new places, the thought of being on a plane for 7+ hours always gets me.  Thankfully, now that we live in Europe our flights are typically much shorter than before, but we still have a few long hauls each year.  In order to feel my best and recover the quickest, I always try to incorporate the below tips & tricks.  Although I might still be a bit jet-lagged, I am feeling much more fresh and ready for my adventure ahead of me! Hope you enjoy.

Located in Borgarfjörður, West Iceland, Hotel Húsafell is a hidden escape where you can find your best chances of seeing the Northern Lights, exploring glaciers, hiking close by mountains, and only a 7 minute drive from the Hraunfossar waterfalls.  During my stay there, I could not help but think I was in my own, dream adult playground -- it was pure bliss!

Visiting Southern Italy during the winter is an entirely different experience.  So, today I am sharing with you why I would recommend traveling to Southern Italy, Positano specifically, during the winter a thousand times over.  Hope you enjoy!