Hi, I’m Allyson. A Texas girl with a suitcase always half-packed, a book always half-read, and a dachshund at home who’d prefer I stay put (sorry, Bailey). I once moved to Spain for a season, learned how to order coffee like a local, and fell Read the Post
French Riviera Travel Guide | Things to Do, Day Trips & Tips
A Coastline Worthy of Its Reputation The French Riviera—better known as the Côte d’Azur—has been the it girl of Europe’s coastlines for centuries. Royals wintered here, movie stars turned it into a red-carpet extension, and artists painted its Read the Post
How to Survive European Budget Airlines (and Still Love Them)
When we fly to Europe, we’re usually there for a good stretch. I’ve always said: it costs a lot to get there, but once you’re there, it’s shockingly cheap to hop around. European budget airlines are infamous for their strict rules, stripped-back Read the Post
How to Survive a 16.5-Hour Flight in the Back of Economy
Three days before our flight, my husband texted me: “We’re going right by AUSTRALIA?” Yes, the trip had been booked for months. Yes, I had told him it would be longer than our normal jaunt to Europe.No, I may not have given the exact flight Read the Post
Four Days in Singapore: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
Introduction: Crazy Rich (and Completely Smitten) First Impressions Ever since I first watched Crazy Rich Asians, I’ve had Singapore tucked into my travel daydreams. I pictured glittering skyscrapers, glossy shopping malls, and maybe a cheeky Read the Post
Brugge in 48 Hours: A Romantic Guide to Belgium’s Fairytale City
We had just wrapped up a chocolate-fueled stay in Brussels, and with my 29th birthday fast approaching, I wanted to celebrate somewhere that felt a little less bureaucratic-European-capital and a little more Read the Post
How to Spend 3 Days in Porto Without Missing the Magic
"Porto hums in quiet magic — like she knows something you don’t, and isn’t in a rush to tell you." Despite living in Spain for nearly half a year—collecting olive oil stains on every outfit and developing strong opinions about café con leche—I Read the Post
Algarve in 3 Days: Where to Stay, Swim, and Stumble Into Magic
Some places are loud in their beauty. The Algarve doesn’t whisper or wait to be noticed—it shows off from the minute you land. "Some places whisper; the Algarve shows off." Over three sun-drenched days, we chased golden cliffs and Read the Post
A Love Letter to Lisbon, Written in Espresso and Azulejos
Some people chase sunsets—I chase ceramic squares glued to buildings. Lisbon was our final stop after winding our way up from the Algarve, and as a known tile enthusiast (diagnosed by me), I was fully prepared to lose my mind in the best way. The Read the Post
A Four Day Walking Tour of Amsterdam, Because We Value Our Lives
Here’s the thing no one tells you about Amsterdam: the bikes are out for blood. I’m only half kidding. Within ten minutes of arrival, my husband and I had narrowly avoided being flattened by a peloton of locals who clearly trained for this. But Read the Post
Óbidos: Where the Streets Are Paved With Bookstores and Bougainvillea
I knew I wanted to stop in Óbidos the moment I read that the town was gifted to a queen and later declared a UNESCO City of Literature—basically the Portuguese equivalent of whispering “psst… this one’s for you” to a girl who alphabetizes her books Read the Post