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Warsaw is the hidden gem of Europe ✨ an underrated European capital that feels authentic, artsy, and welcoming - without the tourist crowds you’ll find elsewhere. From its beautifully rebuilt Old Town to modern architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, cozy cafes, and museums that tell powerful stories, Warsaw blends old and new like no other city.
It’s the perfect long weekend getaway (with a direct flight from Chicago!) or a starting point to explore more of Poland. Here are my favorite things to do, eat, and see in Warsaw.

Things to do
• Guided walking tour
• Royal Łazienki Park
• Free Chopin concert in the park
• Highline Warsaw (tallest building in the EU)
• Pierogi-making class
• River cruise along the Vistula
• Neon Museum, POLIN, Museum of Modern Art, Pracownia Karola Tchorka
• Rooftop gardens at Warsaw University Library
• Explore the Praga neighborhood

Where to stay:
PURO Hotel Warszawa Centrum — modern, aesthetic, and perfectly located.

Where to eat & drink:
✨OKEH Bakery
✨Bar Rascal
✨Rugs and More
✨Być Może
✨MOYA Matcha
✨Sour
✨MUND
✨Tekla
✨DOT. Coffee & Matcha Bar
✨FOURTEEN Concept & Cafe
✨BAKEN Piekarnia

Warsaw has everything you’d expect from a major European city, just without the crowds. Save this guide for your trip… but don’t tell anyone 😉 AD

This and no roaming data on my phone, please! 🕯️
the loveliest stay in Glencoe, Scotland - a little riverbed lodge with a fire pit and hot tub, surrounded by trees and overlooking the water. The kind of place where time slows down and you actually breathe again.
Glencoe might just be one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen, and staying in a cozy cabin like this made it even more magical. Scotland, you have my heart!
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The Isle of Skye was everything I hoped it would be - wild, rugged, and unbelievably beautiful. We stayed at ’s Milovaig House, and I swear it’s one of the most peaceful and stunning places I’ve ever been. The house itself is gorgeous and so well designed, but the location is what makes it so special. You can just sit by the window and watch the landscape shift with the light - you don’t even need to leave to feel Skye’s magic!

That said, we did plenty of exploring: a hike up to the Old Man of Storr, a visit to Neist Cliff Viewpoint and lots of local walks where we ended up greeting every sheep we passed. The best part, though, was coming back at the end of the day — lighting a fire, making a delicious meal, sitting in the rocking chair with a book, and finishing the night with a long bath. It felt slow, cozy, and exactly what I needed.

If Skye is on your bucket list (and it should be), Milovaig House is the kind of place that makes the trip feel even more special! ✨

GIVEAWAY ✨ Chicago friends, this one’s for you! Win a 2-night stay at + a $200 gift card (redeemable at the Terrace Room or Foundation Spa). The Harbor Grand is a beautifully designed waterfront hotel - the perfect place to recharge, disconnect, and enjoy a slower pace of life. Plus, it’s right in New Buffalo, where there’s so much to do - from beach walks and to cozy coffee shops and charming boutiques. And the best part that it’s only 1.5 hours from Chicago!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway

• Follow and
• Submit your name + email at the giveaway landing page (link in my bio)
• Bonus entry: tag 2 friends in the comments

Good luck — your lakeside getaway might just be around the corner!

nothing makes me happier than discovering a new coffee spot ☕️ as someone who will literally travel for cafes, finding one here in Chicago always feels like such a treat. 📍

The Bahamas called, and I answered ✨🌴Here are some highlights from my few days at Sandals Royal Bahamian. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean - whether it’s for a honeymoon, a friends’ getaway, or just a much-needed recharge - here’s why I think it’s worth staying here and what I especially loved:

✨The natural beauty is unreal - that crystal-clear, postcard-perfect blue water.
✨Beautiful, well-kept grounds with palm trees and tropical plants.
✨So many dining options! From local dishes with conch to steaks, sushi, pizza, and even a food truck with sweet treats. My only regret was not having enough time to try them all.
✨The pools - two big ones buzzing with activities, plus smaller, quieter pools where I could read for hours in peace.
✨Tons of activities included in your stay: pickleball, tennis, watersports, and even taking a cute Mini Cooper out for a spin (SO fun!)
✨The private offshore island, Barefoot Cay - the highlight of my stay. Peaceful, full of little hidden corners, surrounded by trees and birds. There’s even a spa if you’re in the mood for a beachside massage. Highly recommend!

So, would you want to stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian?

Michigan cabin life ✨ I travel far and wide, but sometimes the most magical moments are close to home. This cozy cabin in northern Michigan, set on the river and surrounded by trees, was the perfect place to unplug and just breathe!

feeling so lucky to call this beautiful city home 🫶🏻🥹 this summer has been all about staying in Chicago and playing tourist with friends and family, and honestly, it’s been the best. I’ll never get tired of spots like … sipping cocktails at while the sun sets over the skyline, or getting that little adrenaline rush from TILT. The views of the city and lake get me every single time. Moments like these are exactly why I love this city so much.

24 hours at in Chicago ✨🙃 This charming hotel has been on my list for a while, overlooking the iconic Wrigley Field and named after Zachary Taylor Davis, the architect who designed the ballpark back in 1914.

I finally got to visit with my mom and sister for a cozy staycation, and it was everything I hoped for.
We checked into our spacious suite with views of the ballpark. I was pleasantly surprised to see a record player with some vinyls in the room. We listened to music, watched the sunset from the balcony, and even fit in a quick gym session and some fireside lounging in the cozy lobby. Of course, we explored the neighborhood full of cute shops and restaurants, and ended the night with takeout and a Netflix marathon back in the room.

Whether you’re visiting Chicago or planning a little staycation, Hotel Zachary is such a special place to stay. And if you’re into sports, there’s truly no better location - it’s literally across the street from Wrigley Field, so catching a game would be a breeze.

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the coziest little spot for a coffee break and a sweet treat in Chicago 🤎 Just stopped by in River North to try their iced caramel latte (so good!) and obviously couldn’t leave without grabbing some cookies that melt in your mouth and their iconic handmade chocolates.
This place always makes me feel like I’m somewhere in Europe - it’s such a cute year-round spot to catch up with friends or family over something yummy!