USA Archives

Cruising on the Largest Ship in the World – Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas

It’s always special to get to be amongst the first people to experience a new cruise ship on an inaugural sailing, and doing so for Wonder of the Seas, the biggest ship in the world, feels especially magical. We tried to explore her as much as possible during our 7-day Caribbean voyage, but what can I say – she’s so big, you just can’t possibly experience it all in one trip! Here’s my take on Royal Caribbean’s newest addition to its fleet.

March 31, 2022

10 Things You Have to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii

Anyone who knows me know how much I love the Big Island of Hawaii. I grew up going there yearly, camping out on the beach with my dad near Kona and exploring all that the island had to offer. I never really did a luxury resort stay there until I became a travel blogger. Recently, I’ve been able to return to Hawaii several times for work. I’m so excited that Southwest Airlines will be launching flights to Kona soon (service start date subject to government approvals), allowing even more access to the Big Island. Two free checked bags (first and second checked bags, weight and size limits apply) means being able to pack ALL of my resort wear and bring home plenty of souvenirs too. And since I’m a hoarder of Southwest points, I’m hoping to make a yearly trip of it by using my points! For more information on Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii visit, southwest.com/hawaii.

February 9, 2022

The Best Things to Do in Northwest Arkansas

I recently had the chance to experience Northwest Arkansas, which was easy enough with Allegiant’s nonstop between Austin and NWA! I’d previously explored Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas and had the best time, so I was super excited to visit a new area of Arkansas, and it did not disappoint! I stayed in Bentonville as my home base, and I had the opportunity to find some of the best things to do around Northwest Arkansas to share with y’all!

January 24, 2022

The Best Day Trips from Austin, Texas

Looking to get out of Austin for the day or maybe even for a short staycation or weekend getaway? I’ve got you covered! There are plenty of towns to visit within quick driving distance of Austin that are worth a visit. Central Texas has so much to explore! From Wimberley’s swimming spots to tubing in New Braunfels to wine tasting in Dripping Springs, here are some of the best day trips from Austin, TX!

December 15, 2021

10 Things to Do in Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida

Ready for a getaway to Southwest Florida? I loved how many beautiful nature spots that Fort Myers and Sanibel had to offer, as well as fun restaurants, wildlife spotting, outdoorsy activities, and so much more. Check out below to see what some of my favorite things to do in Fort Myers and Sanibel, Florida are!

October 8, 2021

The Weekend Getaway Guide to West Virginia

You’ve probably heard John Denver’s timeless classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads” a million times, but have you ever actually visited West Virginia? The state has a lot to offer, including the nation’s newest National Park! It’s also an adventure-lover’s paradise, which is really what attracted me to visit. West Virginia is known for its outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, 1,000 miles of off-road ATV trails, rock climbing, caving, mountain biking, and loads more. And since I love adventure travel, I just had to see it all for myself! Whether you want to fly in or plan a quick road trip from a nearby state, here are my tips for a quick West Virginia getaway!

September 6, 2021

The Quick Guide to Visiting Oahu, Hawaii

Have you ever been to Oahu? Now that Hawaiian Airlines has a non-stop between Austin and Honolulu, it was easier than ever for me to visit the Hawaiian Islands. I wanted to create a guide to help y’all plan your next visit to Honolulu and the rest of Oahu! In this guide, you’ll find tips on things to do in Oahu, where to eat in Oahu, where to stay in Oahu, and more all based on my own trip. Don’t forget to also check out my guides to The Big Island and Maui too!

August 18, 2021

10 Things You Have To Do in Southeast Alaska

Southeast Alaska is an absolutely stunning place to visit. Each town there has something different to offer, from wildlife viewing to glaciers to seafood feasts and more. Some of the most visited destinations in the region include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Wrangell, and Sitka, just to name a few. While most people choose to cruise Southeast Alaska (which is a fantastic way to see it all), you can also totally see it by flights and ferries! You can fly into a destination like Juneau, and from there either take short flights to other nearby towns (I fly to Ketchikan and Wrangell, for example) or try the Alaska Marine Highway aka the ferry system, which is how I got to Haines. It’s all dependent on how you want to see the area (ferries take longer but are more scenic by far), and how much time you have to explore!

June 13, 2021

5 Epic Glamping Spots in the Texas Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful place to go glamping. And the good news is, there are lots of options for it! From yurts to stargazing bubbles to beautiful cabins to luxury safari tents to treehouses… should I go on? Texas glamping is some of the best you’ll find around!

May 17, 2021

Supporting Locally-Owned Businesses in Austin and Beyond

One of my favorite parts of traveling is supporting the local community while I’m there. By that, I mean shopping at local boutiques, eating at independently owned local restaurants, and spreading the word about how much I love that destination. Considering how everything has been this year, it’s more important than ever to support the tourism industry and small businesses, even if you can only travel across your own city. When staying at a hotel on a quick getaway, you’re still helping the local community just by being there. You’re supporting the hotel to keep locals employed and the city’s tourism industry alive.

November 23, 2020