Dear Reader,
This section of my site isn’t a formal travel blog or “guide.” It’s a series of scribbles in my pencil-and-paper journal, travel playlists, earmarked passages from country guides, resurfaced (detailed) emails from friends, Apple Notes, deep Reddit rabbit holes. I wanted to create a section dedicated to finding new places, and understanding my own place in the world. More importantly, I wanted somewhere to summarize every email I sent friends and family about their next trip to a place. This should be better than a travel blog.
- Imagine this type of person is giving you a recommendation: A person in their 30’s, (relatively) fit, conversational in Italian, and they attempt to walk 10,000 steps a day in a new place. They prepare meticulous lists in Google maps prior to going somewhere. Fast internet is a hard requirement in most places and accessibility isn’t. They’ve never meat a meat or a cheese they didn’t like. They believe Instagram tourism is invalid and unwelcome. (I don’t mean taking Instagram photos. I mean going someplace with the express purpose of sharing it on Instagram.) They opt for “slow travel.“
- 20% of why I love the outdoors (in the United States and elsewhere) is being able to see a sunset or reach the highest vantage point. I will climb 450+ stairs with no elevator and hike for hours to see a vantage point.
- My ideal experience for anything in life is when the weather is between 50 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Outside of that? You have to sell me. At the beach, I bring a tent. In an AirBNB, I crank the air conditioner as low as it will go. (I will never be in an AirBNB without air conditioning. So that also rules out camping.) If you see a recommendation to visit an outdoor place, assume I’m telling you to go when you’re not melting.
- I have shrimp and certain soy allergies. If you’re wondering why I never hype up the shrimp cocktail, prawns, gambas, etc. it’s because my face turns blotchy. This is always a joy for people that travel with me.
- I experience a giant dopamine hit after finding an experience or a material good at the perfect intersection of value and quality. It’s an addiction. It’s why you’ll read less about “that fancy restaurant with the tasting menu” and more about hidden neighborhood gems that aren’t in guide books and cost less than the average meal. Most of these places are a result of pure serendipity, buried Reddit comments, or personal recommendations from locals, friends or family that insisted we try a place.
- I’m risk averse when it comes to thrilling experiences. After a bit of personal tragedy, you won’t see recommendations for skydiving or dangerous waters for surfing. (I do love renting boats in a group though.
Hope you find them useful. Again, this won’t replace a travel guide. Lonelyplanet exists for a reason.
Italy
- Florence
- Tuscany (Coming soon)
- Rome (Coming soon)
- Bologna (Coming soon)
- Milan (Coming soon)
- Venice (Coming soon)
France
- Paris (Coming soon)
- Bordeaux (Coming soon)
- Dordogne Valley (Cooming soon)
Spain
- Paris (Coming soon)
- Bordeaux (Coming soon)
- Dordogne Valley (Coming soon)
U.K.
- London (Coming soon)
- Edinburg (Coming soon)