Nestled against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder, Colorado is a city that combines natural beauty and a flourishing cultural scene. It’s known for its outdoor adventures and vibrant arts. It has something to offer for everyone. Over winter break my friend and I are going to Boulder, Colorado. I haven’t seen her in a few months so I’m excited to go see her and explore Boulder. We just started planning the trip and we have a rough idea of what we are doing. Especially since she goes to school there so it’ll be exciting to have her show me around. Boulder is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes. One of the most iconic landmarks is the Flatirons which is a series of striking rock formations that are incredible to hike or go rock climbing on. We also plan on going to the Chautauqua Park at the base of the Flatirons, a very popular starting point for many hikes. We were also looking into going to the Pearl Street Mall the heart of downtown Boulder lined with charming boutiques, restaurants, and street performers. A great spot to enjoy the local culture and do some shopping, because let’s be honest who doesn’t like shopping? My friend is a huge outdoors person so we plan on doing multiple hiking trails and exploring the wilderness just a few minutes from the center of the city. Boulder is huge on sustainability and offers multiple eco-friendly activities. Eldorado Canyon State Park is just a short drive from Boulder and offers world-class hiking and hiking. Apart from outdoor activities, Boulder also offers many places to see the arts and cultures in the city. It’s filled with multiple galleries, museums, and music venues. We plan on going to The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and some other smaller galleries. Moving on the the culinary delights boulder is filled with diverse and innovative cuisines. From farm-to-table restaurants to international cuisine. The city’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its food choices, with many restaurants offering locally sourced, organic dishes. Some places that we plan on visiting are the Walnut Cafe, Ozo Coffee Company (as my friend and I are huge coffee drinkers), and The Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant. Boulder, Colorado combines natural beauty with culture. It has something to offer to someone. I’m so excited for my upcoming trip. Does anyone ever really get tired of traveling?

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Paris, France

The city of Paris has many claims to its name, known as the city of love, the heart of France is truly an urban beauty. Paris is also known as the city where Ratatouille (2007) took place. I had the opportunity to visit Paris in 2019, where I had the wonderful chance to visit multiple hotspots in the city. From the awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower that graced the skyline to the magnificent Galeries Lafayette, where I indulged in some retail therapy, each place I visited had its unique charm. The Louvre Museum, home to countless masterpieces, and the breathtaking Palace of Versailles transported me to a different era, making me feel like I had stepped into a historical time machine. Out of all the places I went to, my favorite was Musse Rodin. Known for the famous sculpture “The Thinker”, the museum was full of amazing pieces by Auguste Rodin. It also has a beautiful garden that contains more of Rodin’s sculptures. While in Paris I highly recommend taking the metro to get around easier. It also gives you a chance to be immersed into the culture and take part in daily life activities. The cuisine, one thing about me is that I will try the food wherever I go. Paris is renowned for its cuisine and I made sure to savor every bite. From the warm crisp baguettes and the buttery croissants to the escargot and the candied crepes. My taste buds went on a delightful culinary journey. While Paris did introduce me to my love for traveling, I didn’t want to forget all the memories I made. I discovered the joy of collecting mini souvenirs. One that was my favorite was small canvas paintings from local artists and keychains. They each hold a certain memory from my trip and the places I went to visit. One negative note of my Parisian adventure was that I arrived a few months after the terrible and tragic fire that engulfed the Notre Dame Cathedral. While I couldn’t explore its interior or stand close to its magnificent facade, I still marveled at its grandeur from a distance, knowing that its spirit would endure. My trip to Paris was one to remember. A city full of art, culture, and delicious food I would definitely visit again. It sparked my passion for travel and opened my eyes to a new culture. I can’t wait to explore more of the world’s wonders. Paris, je t’aime!

Camp Nou:                      Sagrada Família:          Park Güell:

A few years ago I was able to go to Barcelona for a school trip, I completely fell in love with the city. Barcelona is filled with vibrant culture! In this post, I’m going to be talking about two of the most fascinating aspects of Barcelona, food and landmarks.

Growing up my mom would make Spanish food during the holidays, as she is half Spanish. So going to Spain I thought I had a good idea, but this didn’t prepare me for the different variety of food. Paella is my favorite dish, containing affron, vegetables, and various types of seafood or meat. Although it’s associated more with Valencia. There is also a wide variety of restaurants that serve tapas. If you’re unfamiliar with tapas it is a small flavorful dish, Barcelona is famous for its tapas culture. Some dishes are patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), jamón ibérico (Spanish ham), and various seafood options. As you have noticed many of the food options contain seafood. Located along the Mediterranean Coast the seafood is abundant, Look for restaurants serving dishes like grilled sardines, squid, and seafood paella. Last but not least the market. The most famous market La Boqueria Market has sample fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies. You can also find a variety of street food vendors there. Barcelona has so much to offer so you’ll be able to hit all these spots.

Moving on to the amazing landmarks that Barcelona has to offer. First off La Sagrada Família this iconic basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous landmarks in Barcelona. It’s known for its unique architecture and intricate façades. Next up is Park Güell another Gaudí masterpiece, Park Güell is a public park with colorful mosaics, unique architectural elements, and panoramic views of the city. Moving to the coast the Barcelona Beaches. Barcelona boasts several beautiful beaches, including Barceloneta Beach, where you can relax, swim, and enjoy a vibrant beach culture. For my soccer or football fans, there is Camp Nou. If you’re a football fan, visit Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona, one of the most renowned football clubs in the world. Lastly, if you love the arts go visit the Picasso Museum. Explore the works of the famous artist Pablo Picasso at this museum, which houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist.

Barcelona is a city that beautifully blends its rich history with modern art, cuisine, and culture. Exploring both its food culture and iconic landmarks can provide a well-rounded experience of this vibrant city. Barcelona truly doesn’t have enough places to enjoy!

Many of the places I have written about on my blog are foreign, I wanted to take a turn a write about a place that is very local to my hometown and that I love taking road trips to every summer. Growing up in CT my family and I would go to Newport during the summer for day trips. Only an hour and a half from Boston, Newport gives off a classy vibe (think clean girl aesthetic). In this post, I’m going to be highlighting some places in Newport that I enjoy going to and that everyone should go to at least once.

The first is the iconic Cliff Walk, stretching 3.5 miles long and increasing in difficulty. It has some spectacular views. Along the way, there are many mansions, Salve Regina University, the Forty Steps, etc. It truly is a magical place to visit. The entry is free and pets are welcome as long as they are leashed. The view of the horizon and the ocean meeting is truly one of a kind, especially during a sunset.

If you are looking for a quick bite, look no further than Cru Cafe. Located off Memorial Blvd. enjoy the all-day breakfast or a variety of sandwiches or salads. I would recommend the Twisted Avocado Toast, especially if you’re a salmon lover (trust that your taste buds will thank you).  Just keep in mind the hours are from 8 am to 3 pm so make sure you make time to go eat and not be rushed.

Like all tourist spots, there are many plazas where you can do your shopping. Ranging from small mom-and-pop shops to more nationally recognized brands like The Black Dog or Life is Good. I would recommend The Long Whaf Mall which many a variety of stores (mostly larger brands). I like going to the Wharf in the summer as there are concert events every Saturday from May to October.

There are also numerous beaches nearby, personally, I go to Easton’s Beach. Right next to the Cliff Walk, it’s one of the bigger beaches. If you’re like me and love the waves, I can attest that the waves here are really big although like all beaches in the summer it bound to be packed so it is better to get there early and get a good spot.

Newport truly holds a special place in my heart. It’s almost like a second home that I can go and enjoy especially during the hot summer months. Newport has my love; my heart belongs to Newport. 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its incredible biodiversity. The range from beaches to rainforests is paradise. Its landscapes, activities, and experiences are as rich and varied as the colors of a precious gem. Comprised of six hundred beaches that surround the coast like a protective layer, it secured its spot on my travel bucket list with there being so many activities to do. Other than beach activities, Costa Rica has twenty-nine national parks, twelve differentiated climatic zones, and eight biological reserves you are sure to enjoy yourself. There are seven provinces spread out over the twenty thousand square miles that make up what is the country of Costa Rica.

In the Puntarenas Province, also known as the “Pearl of the Pacific” The main crowd pleaser is the Pacific coastline, which extends five hundred miles down to the Panamanian border. There, we can kick it off with the famous zip line at El Santuario. Located in the Provincia de Puntarenas, this zipline is the longest in all of Costa Rica, coming in at over 4,300 feet. With breathtaking views on both sides, as you glide down, it is an experience you will never forget. The second stop in the province of Puntarenas is the Amigos Kayak y SUP tours. Enjoying the mangroves and lively ecosystem while kayaking down the rivers is another unique experience. If you love to bird watch or just love nature this is an amazing experience for you. As you travel down the river you’ll be immersed into the Terraba Desert Wetland Mangrove system which is one of the most important parts of the local biodiversity. 

 Moving up north is the second province I found extremely fascinating. Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Providing a mixed range of forests, beaches, plains, and volcanic ranges. Here is where I found Coffee Jungle Night Tours. Coffee production is embedded in the traditions of Costa Rica, and knowing the history of coffee is to know the history of Costa Rica. Alongside this, you get to explore the forest with a nature guide. You will get to hear the sounds of the forest at night, including the songs of a wide range of pieces from the smallest creatures to bigger ones such as sloths. The tour is broken into 3 parts: First, you get a tour of the coffee plantation, then there is a short break where you can do a little coffee and savor the different types of coffee roast, and the last part of the tour is the observation of nocturnal wildlife. This takes place in a protected forest that extends along a creek that runs through the coffee plantation. The second destination in this providence is Tamarindo Diving. Now I have been scuba diving before but what makes this stand out to me personally is that this takes place in the Pacific Ocean. The most interesting activity I found while scrolling on their website was Discover Scuba Diving. It’s a good way to immersive yourself into the area and take it all in with a someone guiding you. 

Costa Rica itself can be seen as a shining gem of adventure. Its extensive biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes serve as facets that reflect the many cultures and practices that have thrived within its borders. Visiting Costa Rica is like unlocking a treasure chest of natural wonders and cultural discoveries.