When I booked our stay at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa through AMEX Travels I had somewhat high expectations but if I’m being honest I thought the property was going to be a tad outdated. I’m usually a mid-century modern, clean white space kind of gal, and from the online photos, Royal Palm Springs looked like the opposite of my aesthetic. And I was right — the aesthetic was totally different than what I’m typically drawn to but wow, it was absolutely stunning in its own way!
We spent ten days in Mallorca in late July after traveling to the Netherlands and Germany. After a busy work season, it was so nice to unplug and relax finally with zero agenda besides drinking good wine, eating paella, and jumping in the ocean. It had been over ten years since we last visited Spain, and somehow it was even more gorgeous than when we spent time here in 2012.
When finding a place to stay in Fes, Morocco I had a few priorities: proximity to the Medina, safe location, and a beautiful Riad that had a terrace to relax on. Riad Anata provided all my necessities and totally blew me away by its beauty. In the heart of Fes, Riad Anata was easy to get to and allowed us to navigate the city by foot each day.
Marrakech is an amazing city to visit. However, after a few days of the busy Moroccan souks, it's really nice to escape the chaos. There are many options when it comes to booking day trips from Marrakech. From the Atlas Mountains and desert to the beautiful town of Essauoira there is so much to see. Even if you're short on time during your travels to Marrakech, taking a day to see something different and learn more about the Moroccan history and culture is worth it.
Because we went in early August, the flowers were in full bloom. And wow. Incredible. Other than enjoying the fresh mountain air and having a packed lunch on the lake, the flowers were indeed the shining star of this hike. The hike is relatively easy - 2.5 miles to Mary, and an additional .5 mile to Lake Catherine. The views along the way are worth stopping for.
Mykonos Island was one of the most charming islands we visited during our seven days of island hopping in Greece. From beautiful alleys to restaurants over looking the ocean and the iconic mills, this island was absolutely stunning.
Although spending a few more days would have been ideal, one day was a perfect amount of time to see the main sites on the island and enjoy everything.
Spending a weekend in Paris is definitely not enough time for this romantic and charming city, but I will take what I can get. Paris was one of those places I knew I just had to see while living in Europe. After a quick 48 hours in Paris, I can confidently say it surpassed my expectations and is just as lovely as all the 90s films portray it to be.
If you’re like me and love a good lounge by the pool and read a book day but also need to get out and move your body, then Sedona is the perfect place to visit. It’s an absolutely gorgeous town with so much to offer. Before we arrived I reached out to a few friends and asked my Instagram to send recommendations, and wow did people deliver. From amazing restaurants like Mariposa, too many hikes to count, a walkable town center, views (all the views) and tranquil spas and gorgeous resorts — Sedona has so much to offer.
Bliss Riad truly embraces the culture of Morocco. Filled with Moroccan rugs, leather goods, beautiful mosaic tiles, and greenery in every corner. It was truly an oasis amidst the chaos of the souks of Marrakech. Not only where we amazed by the beauty of Bliss Riad, but it also smelled divine. The smell was like warmth and savory mixed with the cleanest, purest herbs.
We had the opportunity to visit Berchtesgaden, Germany and stay with Kempinski Hotel in their newly remodeled space. The week was full of a waking up to snowy views each morning, snow-shoeing for the first time, and having the most delicious meals in the Kempinski restaurant. It was one of absolute favorite vacations of 2017 and gave me an opportunity to experience a real snowy winter. However, now that I have my fill of snow, I think I'm good until next year -- Summer 2018, where are you?
When we arrived to Twenty Eight, we were immediately in love with the decor and design. The space was classy yet modern and had such a bold, eclectic feel about it that still remained inviting. The staff greeted us excitedly and gave us the grand tour. Which was quite grand if I do say so myself.
Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl of Morocco, has topped my list of places to see for quite some time now. I've been mesmerized by the beautiful blue buildings, small streets, and colorful culture that Chefchaouen provides. As a photographer, it's one of those dream places that you really cannot take too many photos of. Walking through the blue streets, I had to stop myself and soak it all in from time to time. It's truly one of the most gorgeous cities I've seen in person.
Mother Goose Hotel located in Utrecht, the Netherlands is one of the dreamiest and coziest places I've stayed in to date. Upon arriving to this small, boutique hotel in the heart of Utrecht, I knew I was going to fall in love. This chic space feels like a super trendy B&B with modern amenities, lots of privacy, and such a unique flare.
There are 10 travel tips I believe every person needs to know before visiting Marrakech, Morocco. To avoid being disappointed, getting sick, or being taking advantage of follow these top recommendations and tips. Although I went to Marrakech without knowing all of this; our trip would have gone a bit smoother if we had done the research. So from one traveler to another, here is my best advice if you plan to visit this beautifully chaotic city.
With 2017 coming to an end, I am in the midst of planning 2018 travels and it's got me daydreaming like crazy. When we first moved to Germany, I was mostly focused on traveling within Europe. I figured, who knows how long we will live here -- let's take advantage of the places we can get to! For 2018, I am still wanting to check off a few places in Europe, but would love to see other parts of the world.
Known as the "Venice of the North", Bruges is a city that takes you back to the 14th century with its beautiful canals, horse drawn carriages, and medieval architecture. Bruges has long been on my list of weekend trips since our move to Germany. With it being only a short, 4 hour drive away, I knew we had to spend some time in this romantic city.
Since living in Germany, flying to America and back has been a priority for me so I can still see family and friends. However, if I had to pay $1,500/ticket each time, it would not be feasible to travel as often. Thankfully, I've found a way to get to America and back to Germany (and other parts of Europe), for just $350 round-trip. Too good to be true?
Like with many hotels, my stay at Hotel De Jobo was far too short, but one of the most memorable. If you're looking for a unique and ravishing experience while in Paris, I cannot recommend staying at Hotel De Jobo enough. You will not be disappointed and it'll provide the Parisian experience one should have while in this wildly romantic European city.
The Cliffs of Moher of Ireland were absolutely incredible to see in person. They were one of the many highlights and my favorite place we visited while in Ireland. It was an unforgettable experience and one that I will forever cherish. If you're in Ireland, I cannot stress enough how worth it is to drive to the west coast and see these beautiful cliffs!
I find it so important to find a hotel or accommodation in a city that truly reflects the place you are visiting. Ellington Hotel Berlin did just that.
As soon as you walk into this 1920s building, you feel welcomed and invited in this bright and trendy space. The space is big and open, but some how still cozy. One of my favorite features of the hotel is the brass detailing along the windows and walls -- so gorgeous.
When looking for hotels these are always the priorities: well priced, convenient location, and cute atmosphere (because that's the most important). Who wants to stay in a space that doesn't have the right aesthetic and feel? Not this girl. While doing my research, I stumbled across Hotel2Stay, a new hotel next to Sloterdijk train station -- which was perfect for me because I always take the train from Germany to that exact station.
My camera goes with me everywhere, I mean everywhere. So, when picking out the right camera, lens, and equipment I wanted to make sure I was absolutely certain before making such a big investment. Also, having lightweight gear was at the top of my list because of all the traveling I do (and who wants to have a sore neck?).
Just a little over an hour drive south of Munich you'll find the beautiful Eibsee Lake in Bavaria near Garmisch and Zugspitze Mountain. If you're visiting Munich for a few days or in the area this should really be at the top of your list on places to see.
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.
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."
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.
The Maldives is one of those few places that blow your expectations out of the water. One couldn't possibly dream up a paradise as gorgeous as these 1,100+ islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The amazing teal colored water, palm trees perfectly placed on gorgeous islands, fresh fish caught daily, and sunshine 365 days of the year -- it's pure bliss.