Planning a trip to Japan? Discover the ultimate Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary from a seasoned traveler obsessed with crafting unforgettable journeys. From hidden yakitori alleys in Shinjuku to serene bamboo forests in Kyoto, this blog is packed with must-do experiences, luxury stays, foodie tips, and travel hacks for your dream Japan adventure.

 You’re invited to an island in Greece whose name you’re not allowed to mention. At first, you think it’s cute, like, “Oh for sure, for sure, American tourists ruin everything. I’ll totally gatekeep this one,” but you soon realize it’s not a joke. You’re told it’s like the real life version of the island in Mamma Mia and the opposite of Mykonos. You get on a plane without any idea of what you’re going to be doing once you get there. You haven’t made a single reservation. The only pin of your GoogleMaps is the name of the hotel, which is owned by someone who is a cousin of the friend who invited you, probably. You come to realize that everyone on the island is a cousin of the friend who invited you, probably. 

So first things first. The question everyone asked me the second I touched down back in America — is the Four Seasons San Domenico at all like it is in White Lotus? The answer is yes…mostly. Immediately upon checking in, I noticed how seemingly familiar everything was to the fictional White Lotus hotel TV — from the outfits worn by the staff, to the iconic Sicilian ceramic head statues dotting every corner, the HBO art team clearly took inspiration directly from the hotel’s established aesthetic. The rooms looked identical, the pool, just as beautiful, even the piano player during happy hour — suspiciously similar-looking to the gal on the HBO show. As for the location itself? This is where there is a slight deviance. Parts of the show, including the infamous first scene, take place on a beach, seemingly next to the hotel. So yeah, no beach here. Those scenes were actually shot in Cefalù, a few hours drive away on the northern part of Sicily. The San Domenico sits high on top of a cliff, which makes for dramatic views from the infinity pool, but there is a thousand foot drop down to the water, making it extremely treacherous for walkable beach access.

For my birthday this year, Scott gifted me a week at an adorable cottage in Martha’s Vineyard. Scott, being classic Scott, profusely apologized for the next eight weeks between my birthday and our trip for not getting me something to unwrap on the day of, to which I had to assure him, “Don’t be silly! This is going to be so much better than anything you could fit in a box!” Having just returned home from said vacation, I stand by my comments. A weeklong trip to Martha’s Vineyard is better than anything you can put a bow on.

Stepping into San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, felt like walking into a dream I'd been planning forever, (or at least since we booked the trip on a whim last November). This place has been on my must-visit list ever since Condé Nast Traveler crowned it the best small city in the world. From everything I’d seen, I expected to step onto a movie set with Rothko-esque painted walls and cobblestone streets — almost too picturesque to be real. But San Miguel is far from a manufactured marvel. It’s as breathtaking and cinematic as it looks, but the vibe remains authentically Mexican and the people are some of the friendliest we’ve met in any of our travels. From marveling at the stunning architecture of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, indulging in rooftop sunset dinners and drinks, and immersing myself in its vibrant art scene, I 👏 WAS 👏 SOLD 👏.

CDMX, we meet at last! I've globe-trotted quite a bit, but somehow, Mexico City had always eluded me. But the moment I set foot in this bustling metropolis, I knew I was in for an epic love affair. We settled into an incredible loft airbnb in the charming La Condesa neighborhood, a picturesque oasis with tree-lined boulevards, adorable cafes, and countless scenes that had me reaching for my camera and exclaiming, "Oh, gosh, that's pretty!"