Been Places

I'm a big believer that you are where you've been. Travel opens your mind and flattens your feet. It exposes you to worlds and cultures that make you appreciate the smallness of your own backyard.

These are some of the favorite places I've traveled to (and called home). If you're planning a trip of your own, the resources on each of the destination pages linked below will be very beneficial to you. If you're wondering where to stay in London, what restaurants are good in Key West, or what activities there are in San Francisco...look no further.

Milan & Lake Como, Italy

I returned my seat to its upright position in the air somewhere over Milan.

Jan 21, 20234 min read

C-H-I-C-A-G-O, That Toddlin' Town

As a first timer, I had a ton of Chicago must-dos planned for the weekend. I'm proud to say I scratched most of them off my list.

Oct 29, 20216 min read

A Little Bit of Pixie Dust

2020 was terrible... Between the heated election and the freezing storm that shut down Texas, 2021 certainly wasn't starting off much...

Aug 16, 20217 min read

Lone Star Court | Austin, TX

Texans love to hate I-35. I'm no exception. The trek is tedious and lined with construction hazards and "road gators." Nights are dark...

Feb 13, 20212 min read

Taking the Leap: My First Solo Trip

I took a risk. I risked spending money on a solo trip during COVID-19 in the hope that a few nights in a hotel would be better than a few...

Feb 3, 20215 min read

Texas Road Trip | Amarillo, TX

The one good thing about COVID-19 is the revival of the great American road trip. There are so many wonderful destinations in the US, and...

Aug 5, 20203 min read

72 Degrees and Sunny | A San Diego Getaway

Last year I was determined to go to San Diego again as an adult. I vaguely remembered the trip my family took in my elementary years, but...

Mar 22, 20203 min read

Come for the Pie, Stay for the Isles

Put on your walking shoes or grab a bicycle to best take in all of the sites Key West has to offer.

Feb 8, 20204 min read

Proceed to The Route | Arizona Road Trip

You can spot a tourist in Arizona pretty quickly. They all have the same look of amazement. Mouths slightly agape with eyes wide

Nov 16, 20195 min read

I Want To Wake Up In A City That Never Sleeps

My Friday alarm went off a 4:00 a.m. I slid out of bed, made myself semi-presentable, and tossed the last of my toiletries into my carry-on.

Sep 21, 20194 min read

3-Day Weekend In Denver

Denver is one of those great cities that has something for everyone. This is why it rose to the top of the list of destinations for our...

Jul 27, 20194 min read

Martinique in Six Hours

Martinique's storied history involves familiar characters: Christopher Columbus, Louis XIII, slaves, British vs. French trade battles,...

May 19, 20193 min read

What I Learned On My First Cruise

I've always been anti-cruise for the obvious reasons. I don't want to be stuck on a boat with annoying "cruise people." I don't want to...

Apr 16, 20194 min read

Newport, RI

Planning your decadent trip to Newport, RI? Check out my Newport Been Places page and the video below for inspiration: AB #Newport...

Dec 21, 20181 min read

Dipping My Toes In The World of Bath Houses

I think I might really be into bath houses. No...really. Ask yourself what the worst part of traveling is? Is it the stress of packing...

Dec 3, 20183 min read

ABC's of Big D

I love Dallas. Big D. There's so much to do in this perfectly sized metropolis. My goal for the next 12 months is to do everything on my...

Nov 8, 20181 min read

Gatsby? What Gatsby?

A few years ago, my friend, Hannah, and I did a road trip around New England in mid-October. The trip was one of the more relaxing and...

Aug 19, 20182 min read

An Airbnb Enthusiast Tells All

If you'd asked me a year ago my opinion on Airbnb, I would have told you it was creepy, un-trustworthy, and frankly not worth it. Staying...

Jul 31, 20184 min read

Traveling Through the Pages

You don't need me to tell you that Great Britain is steeped in history. The island is filled with public houses (fancy way to say "pub")...

Jun 9, 20182 min read

The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

Travelers to Honolulu have their pick of hotels, ranging from the luxiourious to the budget conscious. Skyscrapers, restaurants, and...

May 28, 20183 min read

Point Bonita Lighthouse

I'm a sucker for a lot of things. When ranked, lighthouses fall somewhere between elderly people holding hands and big-sky sunsets. So...

May 9, 20182 min read

Visiting Madame Pele at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

No trip to Hawaii is complete without seeing Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island. Here are some good things to know before...

May 6, 20183 min read

24 Hours in Oahu

Most people who travel to Hawaii only get as far as Oahu. Oahu is the easiest (and least expensive) Hawaiian island to get to from...

Apr 23, 20183 min read

24 Hours in The Cotswolds

Thatched roofs, inns, tea salons, and rolling hills come to mind when I hear "The Cotswolds." Visitors can expect charm and...

Apr 7, 20183 min read

Two If By Seaplane

One of my life goals is to visit all of the United States National Parks. So when my family decided to take a trip to Key West, there was...

Feb 18, 20182 min read

If It Ain't Broken Bow

"Glamping," or glamorous camping, is the new craze amongst city-slickers like myself. Roughing it in the woods is a thing of the past. If...

Feb 18, 20181 min read

Chic Loft in the Heart of Paris!

You can always stay in a hotel, but when in Paris, try an Airbnb. When we traveled to Paris in June 2017, we stayed at Aibnb's "Chic Loft...

Feb 18, 20181 min read

The Isle of Skye's Fairy Pools

When in the Isle of Skye, it's really worth it to experience the great beauty the outdoors have to offer. The Fairy Pools were high on...

Feb 17, 20181 min read

What in the World is Punting?

If you're interested, Cambridge University published a guide to punting in 2008. The guide warns novices against the biggest mistakes of...

Feb 17, 20181 min read

A Twist on Historical London

Sunday, July 2, 2017 London, England The next morning we went to a service at Westminster Abby. The four of us were all dressed up and...

Feb 17, 20182 min read

The Tower of London - Yeoman Warder Tour

I've visited The Tower of London twice, and both times I've planned my trip to align with the Yeoman Warder (or Beefeater) guided tours....

Feb 17, 20181 min read

Sunside | Sunset

July 01, 2017 Eurostar 9031 - Coach 9 Seat 34 Paris Gare Du Nord After arriving back in Paris we went to a jazz club - Sunside | Sunset....

Feb 17, 20181 min read

Veuve Clicquot Cellar Tour

Our journey began at Paris EST, where we caught a 9:28 Rail Europe train to Reims, France. The trip was a short 0:45 ride with several...

Feb 17, 20182 min read

California Here We Come

In July 2015, the gang traveled to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. Along the way we filled our bellies with Boudin sourdough...

Feb 15, 20181 min read

Highland Highlights - Diary Entry

July 6th, 2017 Creag Mhor Lodge - North Ballachuish Inverness-shire (PH22 6RY) Of two things I strongly believe. One, my Lord savior, and...

Feb 15, 20182 min read

Creag Mhor Lodge

When looking for accommodations in Scotland, one cannot rely on the usual suspects - Hotels.com, Booking.com, Expedia.com, etc. Scotland...

Feb 15, 20182 min read