Travel
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Highlights of Savannah, GA
I spent a weekend in Savannah on a girls’ trip a few years ago and we had such a blast! Savannah is full of Southern charm and beautiful draping Spanish moss. This city is easy to explore by foot over a few days time, making it a perfect weekend destination. Historic District The Historic District is a great starting point for exploring the city. Savannah has 22 historic squares, each with its own charm and character. Take a stroll around the district and take in the Colonial style houses, old lampposts, trolleys, and horse-drawn carriages. Forsyth Park Spanning 30 acres, this park cannot be missed when visiting Savannah! This park…
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NOLA: What to Eat in New Orleans
New Orleans cuisine encompasses its diverse cultural history, with Creole, French, and Cajun influence. From beignets to crawfish, there are several traditional dishes that you cannot tour the city without trying! Beignets The top of my New Orleans bucket list was to eat beignets! They are powder-sugar covered fried doughnut-y goodness! This delicacy was actually introduced to the city in the 18th century by French-Creole colonists. Pro-tip: these are best to eat when they are hot! Café du Monde in the French Quarter was founded in 1862 and is one of the most well-known stands/restaurants to buy a beignet. Whether it’s there, or another Cafe around the city – a…
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NOLA: Best of New Orleans
New Orleans is famous for its French and Creole influence, bustling nightlife, and being the birthplace of Jazz! “The Big Easy” is also known for the laid back culture. I recently visited New Orleans for my Bachelorette weekend and I had an absolute blast! These are my highlights of this unique city. French Quarter | Vieux Carré Laissez les bons temps rouler! The French Quarter is the historic center of New Orleans. This neighborhood is home to the infamous Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and French Market. The French Quarter features beautiful 18th century buildings with wrought-iron balconies. Jackson Square Jackson Square is a historic park just off of the Mississippi…
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Day Trip from Dublin: Malahide Castle and Howth
When I spent a weekend in Dublin, I wanted to take a day trip but wasn’t sure where or how I would go. I visited the tourism office and browsed the available tours. There was a Sunday afternoon tour to visit Malahide Castle and Gardens and the nearby village Howth! Both are not far from Dublin and can easily be visited in an afternoon. Malahide Castle and Gardens The tour began at Malahide Castle and Gardens. The medieval castle was gifted to Richard Talbot by King Henry II in 1185. The castle remained in the Talbot Family until 1975 when it was sold to the State. The Castle is only…
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Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech
One of the top attractions in Marrakech is Jardin Majorelle – a sanctuary of succulents, cacti, and palms developed over decades. This intricate garden in Marrakech was developed over 40 years by French artist Jacques Majorelle. Majorelle was a painter with a passion for botany. He cultivated 135 species of plants in the garden outside of his villa studio, creating a beautiful oasis. “This garden is a momentous task, to which I give myself entirely. It will take my last years from me and I will fall, exhausted, under its branches, after having given it all my love.” Jacques Majorelle The garden was opened to the public in 1947. Unfortunately,…
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Place Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech
Place Jemaa el-Fna is the large market square in the Marrakech medina (old city). This square features street performers, snake charmers, and vendors all surrounded by a myriad of alleys full of souks. You simply cannot visit Marrakech without experiencing this bustling area. I’d recommend visiting both at night and during the day, because it is a completely different experience! Jemaa el-Fna has been a meeting space since the founding of Marrakech in the 11th century. The square inspired UNESCO’s “Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2001. Place Jemaa el-Fnaa features a lot of aspects of Morocco’s heritage, including storytelling and entertainment. – “The…
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Essaouira: Morocco’s Windy City
Essaouira, formerly Mogador, is called “The Windy City” due to the strong winds coming off the Atlantic. It’s a very popular beach for windsurfing! This vibrant coastal city is a must-visit when in Morocco. Essaouira was Morocco’s main port until the end of the 19th century. It was a prominent hippie city, attracting artists including Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens! You still see lots of backpackers, surfers, and artists throughout the city. Archaeological evidence shows that the city has been inhabited since prehistoric times! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfHfG3ldA3Q Essaouira Medina One of the highlights of this port city is its fortified medina, or old town. Inside the ramparts and medina walls, the streets…
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When in Rome: Can’t Miss Sites
Rome is a quintessential tourist destination. The capital of Italy, this city is home to so many iconic places! From the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps, there are so many things to do and see! Rome wasn’t built in a day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it certainly cannot be toured in only one day either!! Below are some of the can’t miss sites in this stunning city: Piazza del Popolo Piazza del Popolo, or the People’s Square, sits just beside Villa Borghese. This square is super lively with performers and tourists. The piazza was a place for public executions until 1826! You can climb the hill at…
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Lille at Christmas: Visiting the Marché de Noël de Lille
Every year, Lille hosts a Christmas Market complete with a giant ferris wheel! From the end of November until New Year’s you can enjoy Christmas lights and decorations throughout the city. Marché de Noël de Lille is the largest Christmas market in Northern France! Apparently this tradition is centuries old. Grand Place A 164ft Ferris Wheel stands in Grand Place during the holiday season, in addition to a Christmas Tree and other decorations. Riding the Ferris Wheel is absolute must – the views from the top are unreal! Definitely wrap up if you’re going to ride the Ferris Wheel because it can be quite windy up there! I rode the…
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Holiday Magic in Paris: Experiencing the City of Lights at Christmas
I recently posted about Paris in the fall. However, Paris is especially magical at Christmas-time. By mid-November, Paris is completely decked out for the holidays. The city is covered in lights and decorations, everywhere you go! There is a ton to do in the City of Light near the holidays. Here are some of my favorites: Galeries Lafayette As if Galeries Lafayettes wasn’t already stunning enough, every year it has a new Christmas Tree design. The year I spent Christmas in Paris, the tree was made out of recycled paper! The interactive window displays were all made with the recycled materials theme. The tree was very intricate, with polar bears…
