Having grown up 600 miles from the nearest ocean, I remember my first time on a boat very clearly. The ocean-obsessed 11-year-old me couldn’t have been more excited for my first deep sea fishing excursion out in the Gulf of Mexico. I mean, Free Willy had just come out–I was losing my cool. Speeding out […]
7 France-tastic! Things to Do in the Loire Valley
When I first started looking up things to do in the Loire Valley, my first thought was, “WTF!”– as in, way too feminine! Castles? Wine? I assume there’s going to be a fairy godmother and a glass slipper at some point? Had my travels finally turned me into a Disney princess? The holes in my Converse gave […]
Yes, You Need Travel Insurance! And Here’s Why…
Okay, look. I’m pretty cheap. Always have been. And I’m not just talking flying coach here. I mean, I’ve had the same hairdryer for 20 years and the sum’bitch has been duct taped for 10 of those. I’m talkin’ at-home leg waxing, still wearing clothes I bought in high school (I’m thirty-freaking-five), and I’m currently […]
How to Squeeze in a Day Trip to Salzburg from Munich
Salzburg, Austria is known for many things. Like… well, how about… okay, so maybe Salzburg is known for just one major thing: The Sound of Music. It’s where the movie was filmed; it’s where the movie takes place; and it’s where I went this year to escape Germany’s Oktoberfestivities for a day. You know what’s […]
A First-Timer’s Guide to Spending 3 Days in Lisbon, Portugal
Ahh, Lisbon. I’m saying that as if Lisbon, Portugal has been a topic of much-had conversation over the years. Which it has not. I mean, do YOU know anything about Lisbon? Other than it’s the capital of Portugal? (It is the capital of Portugal, right?) I ask this because… before I booked 3 days in […]
A Step-By-Step Guide for How to Get a Passport Already!
Step by step, ooh baby! Gonna get that passporrrrrtt. I realize only 19% of you will get that reference (that’s how many of my readers are between the ages of 35 and 44), but I’m still running with it. Original NKOTB forever! So yeah, if you couldn’t tell by the title of this post, it’s […]
Need-to-Know Tips for Spending 2 Days in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
I first decided to spend 2 days in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico after seeing it designated as the “world’s best city” by Travel and Leisure. (Also, let’s face it, I hadn’t even heard of it before that.) It turned out I was going to be back in Mexico City for a time and, at […]
Do This, Not That // Day of the Dead in Mexico for First-Timers
For as long as I can remember I’ve been drawn to the holiday of Day of the Dead in Mexico (Día de los Muertos) even if I never really understood the entire meaning behind it. It’s so colorful, so beautiful, and so… enchanting—yes, enchanting is a good word. I always wanted to know more but, […]
How to Dress for Day of the Dead // A Complete Guide for Both Sexes
I’ve been captivated by Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos for as long as I can remember. The colors! The skulls! The flowers! Plus, if you’ve ever seen me apply makeup in the morning, you’ll understand why I’ve been waiting my whole life to celebrate a holiday where I can look like death on […]
200 Things to Do in Memphis for First-Time Visitors // A Local’s Guide
Updated: December 29th, 2018 My beloved hometown of Memphis, Tennessee turns 200 in 2019 and she’s been through a lot in her short lifetime. Most of it good, some of it bad, and that time we lost the NCAA basketball championship by seven points was really, truly ugly. No, I’m still not over it so […]
13 Reasons to Visit Graceland Even If You’re Not an Elvis Fan
I’ve lived in Memphis, Tennessee for almost my entire life and never visited Graceland. Actually, “I’ve never been to Graceland” is practically the subtitle of every Memphian; it should be written under their names on their driver’s licenses next to “Blood Type: Sweet Tea and fry oil”. I’ve never been a fan of Elvis and […]
How to Use the Tampa Bay CityPASS as a Childless Adult
I’m a serious lover of discount attraction passes—possibly the best invention for those of us who want to see a lot, only have a little time to do so, and are probably just a lil cheap. Okay, I may be more than just a little cheap—I have worn seven tops and coats on a plane […]
Do This, Not That // 2 Days in The Bahamas
When given the chance to travel anywhere (which is always, admit it–we’re a pretty privileged bunch), you’ll most likely find a Caribbean resort scraping the sandy bottom of my travel wish list. It’s not that I dislike the Caribbean—I mean, it’s not as far down as rural Arkansas–I’m just not a beach vacation kinda taker […]
Exploring the 700 (!!!) Islands of The Bahamas
Shortly after landing in The Bahamas and having my dreams of tending tiki bar until the end of time dashed (The Bahamas passport stamp blatantly states “EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITED”—it’s like they know we’ve all seen Cocktail), I learned a very interesting fact from my cab driver: There are 700 islands of The Bahamas! During a conversation […]
What to Pack for Mexico City (+ What to Just Buy There)
What to pack for Mexico City, hmm? Well, obviously three bikinis and your “suns out, guns out” muscle tee because Mexico, right? PSYCH! It’s that kind of naïveté, I mean ego, that makes traveling the world a real adventure, I mean shitshow. If you’ve never been to Mexico City, I can tell you right now […]
15 Essential Mexico City Experiences for the Best Trip Ever
I just did something I’ve never done before. No, it’s not eat grasshoppers again. No, it’s not injure myself while attempting lucha wrestling moves again. The completely new and surprising thing I did: I just visited the same country back to back. In less than five months. That’s how much I adore guacamole Mexico. The […]
Do This, Not That // Tips For Flying Budget Airlines
Updated: November 9th, 2018 Hey, I’ve done it too. I’ve been sucked in by the allure of getting something that used to cost $500 for just $50. It’s human nature. Like yielding to a buy one, get one free sale regardless of how badly you actually need two battery-powered ear hair trimmers. You get TWO […]
Show Me the Monet! // On a Day Trip to Giverny
One thing I always tell people to do when visiting Paris, France is… leave it. Just get out. *Gasp* What’s wrong with me!? Have I got Nutella for brains or something!? Alright, alright, calm down. Paris is what it is (magic and romantic and crawling with delicious snails that actually aren’t anymore) but the France outside […]
9 Reasons a Long Weekend in Cincinnati Should Be Your Next Trip
I put off spending a long weekend in Cincinnati for a long time. I didn’t know (or had ever heard) anything about it and didn’t want to risk wasting a weekend. I needed to be 100% convinced a weekend in Cincinnati was going to be worth it—not like that time I boarded a plane to […]
Day Trip to Luxembourg // To Take or Not to Take?
Three is my magic number. Wherever I go, and for however long I’m gone, I always try to fit three countries into a trip. New countries, to me, are like Pringles—I really can’t have just one… (entire can all at once). I need more, MORE! And that’s the magic of Europe—tiny countries, incredibly easy transportation […]
