Destinations, North Carolina, Travel, USA

Checking In: A Review of The Lighthouse at Kure Beach in Kure Beach, North Carolina

View from inside a beachfront room looking out through a glass door to a wooden balcony with a single chair and table, overlooking grassy dunes and the Atlantic Ccean under a cloudy sky.

Learn more about The Lighthouse: a postcard-perfect sunrise stay in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

Charlotte, Destinations, North Carolina, Travel, USA

Charlotte Uncorked: My Go-To Wine Bars in the Queen City

Alyssa holds a glass of wine and smiles at Flight

I haven’t polled people around the globe, but I feel pretty confident making this assumption: most folks are far more likely to associate Charlotte with beer than with wine. I mean, you can’t even share a news article about a new brewery opening without someone chiming in about how we have too many. And whenever …

Destinations, South Carolina, Travel, USA

Two Towns, One Scenic Day: Exploring Edgefield and McCormick, South Carolina

A woman wearing sunglasses and a black outfit sits at a white café table outdoors in McCormick, holding a white coffee cup. She gazes off to the side with a relaxed expression, with a mostly empty plate and napkin beside her; black-and-white patterned chairs and a brick building are visible in the background.

Discover the best things to do, see, eat, and explore in the charming towns of Edgefield and McCormick, South Carolina—from local eats to cute boutiques!

Destinations, South Carolina, Travel, USA

Your Guide to Spending a Perfect Day in Laurens, South Carolina

A woman in sunglasses, a black tank top, and high-waisted jeans smiles while walking in front of a colorful mural that reads “Greetings from Laurens, South Carolina.” Each letter in "Laurens" contains illustrated scenes, including a Coca-Cola bottle, historic buildings, and people, representing the local culture and history.

Heading to Laurens, South Carolina? Your day is already planned—all you need to do is hit the road! — Slowly but surely, I’m making my way around South Carolina and exploring destinations both large and small. From the capital charm of Columbia to the coastal corner of Charleston, and from the billowing branches along the backroads …

Destinations, Ireland, Packing Lists, Travel

Traveling Light: A Carry-On Packing List for a Week in Ireland

Alyssa in front of Powerscourt. Waterfall

Opening up my suitcase and sharing my real-life packing list for a week in Ireland.

Destinations, Ireland, Travel, Travel Tips

Steal My Itinerary for a Week in Ireland—Plus My Best Ireland Travel Tips

View of the rugged coastline in Dingle, Ireland

Sharing a well-rounded itinerary for a week in the Republic of Ireland—plus helpful tips for your trip.

Destinations, Ireland, Travel

How to Spend a Weekend in Dublin, Ireland

Alyssa stands in front of a gate in Dublin that reads GUINNESS with the harp logo

A weekend in Dublin isn’t long—but it’s enough time for a few great meals, some leisurely strolls, and to fall a little bit in love with the city.

Destinations, Ireland, Travel

Checking In: A Review of The Stop Bed & Breakfast in Galway, Ireland

The author stands outside the entrance of The Stop Galway, a boutique bed and breakfast with a grey facade, arched brick doorway, and the number 38 above the door. Decorative award plaques and potted plants frame the stylish entryway.

Wondering where to stay in Galway, Ireland? I’m sharing all about my stay at The Stop, a bed in breakfast in Galway’s Westend.

Destinations, Ireland, Travel

24 Hours in Dingle, Ireland

Alyssa at the Dunquin Pier in Dingle

I don’t know about you, but I’m always a little wary when places are too picturesque. When the beauty and charm of a place are picture-perfect, the entire region tends to feel commodified—transformed into a shell of its former self (take Niagara Falls, for example, with its mini-golf courses and wax museums galore). So I …