5 Fantastic U.S. Destinations To Visit In January

Phoenix, Arizona

Photo by Thalia Perla on Pexels.com


If you’re looking to escape the cold of winter, Phoenix, Arizona would be a great location for you to visit. It has, perhaps, the best weather in January, with the average temperature being in the 70s.

Aspen, Colorado

Photo by Terry Agar on Pexels.com

Contrarily, if you would like to visit a ski resort town, Aspen, Colorado would likely be a good fit. Whether you’re a beginner or nearly a professional, Aspen will have a place for you!

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs, California will provide you with 70 degree weather and sunshine in the month of January. It’s perfect for taking a hike or lounging by the pool.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas
Photo by Sergiy Galyonkin

If you’re looking to avoid crowds and relax in warm weather, Austin, Texas is the way to go at this time of year.

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley, Idaho
Photo by Chalky Lives

Another popular resort town would be Sun Valley, Idaho. Even celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzeneggar and Ashton Kutcher own vacation homes in that city.

Thanks for the read!

-xo, Nicole (:

How To Spot Gwyneth Paltrow and Lucy Hale in Paris

Ever wonder where celebrities visit while they’re in Paris?

Well, Bradley Cooper has been known to stay at luxurious Villa La Coste in Provence. The Villa Tropicale 4-bedroom suite is equipped with a video projector, heated pool on a spacious deck with plenty of seating, and even a grassy area with a set of swings.

Meanwhile, Rita Ora has been seen at Hotel de Crillon. The largest suite is the L’Ecrivain, which features a minibar, private balcony, soaking tub, and entertainment including streaming services.

When it comes to dining, Gwyneth Paltrow seems to enjoy lunch at La Dome Cafe. Leonardo Di Caprio eats his dinner at Le Sourire de Saigon. And both Jessica Alba and Lana Del Ray have been to a corner bistro called L’Avenue.

As for shopping, Mariah Carey and Halle Berry can be found at The Golden Triangle. This is made up of three streets in the shape of a triangle, with high-end designers including Valentino and Armani.

Another popular place to spot to catch a celebrity would be at a fashion event.

Lucy Hale attended the Miu Miu Fashion Show in October of 2021.

Emma Watson and Hunter Schafer were at the Schiaparelli Fashion Show just a little over a week ago.

Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid were both in the Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show in March of 2022.

Good luck and thanks for the read!

-xo, Nicole (:

Visit Chicago’s Comedy Club Where Steve Carell and Tina Fey Performed

Nearly everyone has heard of the windy city of Chicago, BUT you might not have known that it:

-is set on Lake Michigan

-has over 25 beaches, 580 parks, and more than 60 museums

-was named the 2017 Restaurant City of the Year, as it contains over 7,300 places to eat

-is the third largest city in America

It is a popular place to visit and for good reason. You’ll likely find at least a few places you will want to explore when in the city.

Attractions

Two of the well-known places I stopped at during my visit to Chicago were:

Chicago Riverwalk, filled with waterfront dining, boat tours, and kayak rentals

Chicago Riverwalk

-The Bean at Millennium Park

The Bean

Other attractions that I would recommend in the city are:

-WNDR Museum, an immersive art and technology experience

360 Chicago Observation Deck/TILT

-Wrigley Field

-The 606, a recreational scenic trail with green spaces and art sculptures

-Garfield Park Conservatory

-Lou Malnati’s, for delicious deep dish pizza

-Shedd Aquarium

-Museum of Illusions

Navy Pier, where there’s fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer

-Adler Planetarium

-Montrose Beach, Oak Street Beach, or 12th Street Beach

-The Second City, the infamous comedy club where Steve Carell and Tina Fey have performed

-Buckingham Fountain

-World’s Largest Starbucks

-Rooftop Cinema Club, an outdoor rooftop movie theater/bar

Art Institute of Chicago

-The Magnificent Mile, a strip of entertainment, dining, and shopping

-Lincoln Park Zoo

Places to stay

Cambria Hotel

LondonHouse

theWit Chicago

Ambassador Chicago

Hopefully, you found this article to be insightful for your next Chicago stop!

Thanks for the read 🙂

-xo, Nicole

Where I Want My Next Tropical Destination To Be & Why

I personally LOVE the beach. Staying in an all-inclusive resort on a white sand beach, with a view of the sparkling blue water is pretty much all I dream about. And having the option to stay in an over-the-water bungalow would be an amazing bonus! Therefore, my next destination of choice would have to be Montego Bay, Jamaica.

About

Montego Bay, located in the northwest portion of the Jamaican island, is full of resorts, beaches, and some golf courses. It is a popular vacation destination for tourists, as it is full of natural beauty, lively nightlife, shops, and activities. On average, the temperature is between 72 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for taking a dip in the ocean or the pool.

Attractions

  • Doctor Cave’s Beach
  • Luminous Lagoon Glistening Waters
  • Chukka’s Jungle Outpost – includes river rafting/or ziplining
  • Sam Sharpe Square
  • Aqua-Sol Theme Park
  • Cornwall Beach
  • Main Street Jamaica
  • Gloucester Avenue – includes dining, stores, and art galleries
  • ATV/Jeep safaris
  • Water sports – snorkeling, sailing, fishing,
  • Whitter Village Shopping Mall
  • 876 Beach Club
  • Horseback riding/swimming
  • Montego Bay Marine Park

All-Inclusive Resorts

Sandals Royal Caribbean

SeaGarden Beach Resort

Secrets Wild Orchid

Zoetry Montego Bay

Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa

Food

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

Rick’s Cafe

Usain Bolt’s Track & Records

The Houseboat Grill

Pier One

Marguerites

Sugar Mill

Scotchies

The Pork Pit

Well, if my blog didn’t convince you to plan a getaway to Jamaica, I’m not sure what will!

Thanks for reading (:

-xo, Nicole

An Inside Look at L.A.

Personal experience

Over 6 years ago, I took a trip to the City of Angels, or more widely known as, Los Angeles, California. My AirBnB was in a prime location of West Hollywood, just steps to the Walk of Fame. Within the week that I was there, some of the major attractions that I hit were the Griffith Observatory, with a view of the infamous “Hollywood” sign to my left, the Santa Monica Pier, Koreatown, and the Grove. And yes, of course, I had to try In N’ Out Burger. Besides West Hollywood, I took transportation to and from North Hollywood and Anaheim. In Anaheim, I attended the annual Vidcon event, as I was in two YouTube Collab groups at the time. While at the event, I met popular YouTube stars including Christian Collins, Maggie Lindemann, Arden Rose, Lauren Giraldo, and Zachary Piona. I had an overall great vacation in Los Angeles and am looking forward to eventually going back again.

About L.A.

Located in Southern California, Los Angeles has the most amazing weather, especially when I visited in July. During that time, it was, on average, 75 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny, every day. The coldest month there is January, and even then, the weather only drops down to roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you want to avoid larger crowds, you may want to try to go between March and May or between September and November. For specifically going to the beaches, July or August would be recommended.

L.A. is the biggest city in the state, consisting of over 500 square miles. There are a total of 88 smaller cities just within that metropolitan area.

Favorite Tourist Attractions

  • Runyon Canyon – This is where you may have a chance to spot a celebrity on a hike. Justin Bieber, Channing Tatum, and Natalie Portman have been seen here before.
  • Griffith Park – Being 5x larger than Central Park in New York City, it contains a planetarium/observatory, golf courses, zoo, train rides, tennis courts, trails, and the Bronson Caves, where the Batman series took place. This park, and Lake Hollywood Park, are likely the greatest places to observe the Hollywood sign.
  • Universal Studios – Found in the San Fernando Valley region is this 425 acre theme park and film studio. There are tours with attractions there, based on movies, including Jaws and the Fast and Furious franchise. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you need to check out the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” area within the park. Get tickets here.
  • Disneyland – Based off of Disney-themed movies, it is nearly impossible to not have fun spending the day at the Disneyland park in Anaheim.
  • Santa Monica – This coastal city, beach, and pier, home to the end of Route 66, overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
  • Sunset Boulevard – This iconic strip is 22 miles long. You will probably want to explore the stretch between North Crescent Heights Blvd and Doheny Drive, where the stores and nightlife are. Along the boulevard are tourist stops, like the Roxy Theater, where Bob Marley recorded live albums, and The Comedy Store, where Jerry Seinfeld has performed.
  • Rodeo Drive – This Beverly Hills road is known for its designer boutiques, Armani, Cartier, and Coco Chanel, to name a few. Britney Spears, P. Diddy, Paris Hilton, and Jack Black are some of many public figures who shop here.
  • Warner Bros. StudioHere, you can purchase tickets to take a tour of the studio where the hit TV shows Friends and The Big Bang Theory were shot.
  • Beaches – Huntington, Venice, Laguna, and Malibu are among the highest-rated beaches on the Southern California coastline.
  • Hollywood Blvd – Along this lively street, you can find the Walk of Fame, with approximately 2500 Hollywood star’s names on it. Plus, the Kodak Theater is where the Academy Awards are held annually. And let’s not forget about the TCL Chinese Theater, the location at which the Stars Wars franchise premiered back in 1977.
  • Capital Records – Intended to look like a stack of vinyl records set on a turntable, this building is the studio in which Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole have recorded songs.
  • Guided Tour – Ride in a vehicle and take pictures of celebrity homes in Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills.

Most Luxurious Hotels in Los Angeles

The Peninsula

The Hollywood Roosevelt

Beverly Hills Hotel

Hotel Bel-Air

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

The Viceroy Santa Monica

The London West Hollywood

Waldorf Astoria

The W Hollywood

Where would you visit if you traveled to L.A.? Let me know in the comments below!

-xo,

Nicole

2021 Gift Guide for Travelers

Know an avid traveler that you need to purchase a present for this holiday season? I’ve got you covered! Here are 10 excellent gift ideas that you can buy online.

Bucket List Journal


Adventure Fund Box

Scratch the World Travel Map


Airline Giftcard


Digital Luggage Scale


Adjustable Travel Pillow

Luggage Tags

Travel Journal Cards


Destination of a Lifetime Book


Packing List Notepad

I hope this post helped you out!

Thanks for the read 🙂

-xo, Nicole

Popular International Spots for Beyoncé, Nina Dobrev, and Zac Efron

Saint Tropez, France

St tropez Riva
Photo – JimsBack

Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé and Jay Z are among some of the A-list celebrities who have traveled to the coastal town of Saint Tropez, located in the French Riviera. 

Hawaii

Hawaii
Photo by Erik Cooper

Nina Dobrev, Billie Eilish, Owen Wilson, Selena Gomez, Jason Mamoa have visited one of the gorgeous Hawaiian islands before. 

Aspen, CO

Photo – Perfect Zero

The Kardashain/Jenner family, Mariah Carey, and Rebel Wilson have all hit the slopes in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. 

Bora Bora

Bora Bora
Photo by Benoit Mahe

Courtney Cox, Keith Urban, and Halle Berry have taken a trip to this blue-water paradise in French Polynesia. 

Dubai 

Dubai
Photo by Michaela Loheit

A few well-known stars who have been to this luxurious city on the Persian Gulf are Zac Efron, Will Smith, and David Guetta. 

The Hamptons

2007 - The hamptons
Photo by Jens Karlsson

The Hamptons is a place where many celebrities actually own vacation homes, such as Neil Patrick Harris, Anderson Cooper, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Brooke Shields. 

Los Cabos, Mexico

Great Taxi Ride in Cabo
Photo by Carolyn Savell

The cast of The Hills, including Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, and Brody Jenner shot an episode of the show in Los Cabos. Oprah Winfrey and Cameron Diaz are among others to have been here as well. 

Lake Como, Italy

Varenna, Lake Como, Italy

Another location where multiple celebrities have homes is Lake Como. A couple of them are Madonna, George Clooney, and Johnny Depp. 


Thanks for the read! 🙂

-xo, Nicole

The Outback of Australia

Western Australia is the largest of the 6 states in the country, covering 1/3 of it. This land mainly consists of a dry, open desert with plateaus and mountain ranges.

Yet, it is also home to vineyards, caves, and beaches along the Indian Ocean. So, if you are wondering if you should travel there in the future, the answer is definitely yes!

Perth
Photo taken by Pedro Szekely

Perth (pictured above), a huge metropolitan area on the coast of Western Australia, is worth stopping at. Inside of this area is the international airport, historical sites, museums, a planetarium, retail shopping, arcades, dining, bars, nightclubs, rum distilleries, parks, and much more.

More specifically, the top sights include:

  • King’s Park and Botanic Garden
  • The Bell Tower
  • Adventure World
  • Caversham Wildlife Park
  • Scarborough Beach
  • Mundy Regional Park
  • Caversham Wildlife Park
  • Carnac Island
  • Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
  • Leighton Beach
  • Heirisson Island
  • Nostalgia Box Museum
  • Elizabeth Quay
  • Hillary’s Boardwalk
  • Mettams Pool

Some luxurious, yet affordable hotels include:

QT Perth

Gallery image of this property
Deluxe King Room

Duxton Hotel

Gallery image of this property

Another option would be the town of Margaret River. Located south of Perth, it is known for the production of wine, as well as, its surfing locations along the coast. Some note-worthy spots would be:

  • Meelup Beach
  • Point Piquet
  • Cape Mentelle Vineyards
  • Injidup Natural Spa
  • Ngligi Cave
  • A Maze’n Margaret River
  • Leeuwin Estate
  • Geographe Bay

Pullman Bunker Bay Resort

Gallery image of this property

Mile End Glamping

Gallery image of this property
Luxury Dome Tent


A great location for exploring the Outback would be the region known as the Kimberley. It is at the very top of the country, bordering the northern territory. It has several breathtaking sites all throughout, such as gorges, rock pools, beaches, and waterfalls. However, you will either need to take a guided tour, which can last between 2 days and 2 weeks, or use a 4WD vehicle, due to the uneven terrain.

Within the Kimberley is a town with a magnificent beach, called Broome. It is a popular tourism destination with hot spots including:

  • Cable Beach
  • Karijini National Park
  • Sun Pictures
  • Gantheaume Point
  • Streeter’s Jetty
  • Rowley Shoals
  • Willie Creek Pearl Farm
  • Sundowner Camel Tours
  • Broome Gallery
  • Gantheaume Point
  • Chinatown
  • Go Horizontal Falls Tour

The Pearle of Cable Beach

Gallery image of this property
Superior Pool Villa

Moonlight Bay Suites

Gallery image of this property

Have you been to Western Australia or are planning to go soon? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks again for the read! 🙂

xo, Nicole

13 Important Items to Bring to Europe

Plug Adapter

You’re going to need some kind of plug adapter if you live in the United States and are traveling to somewhere in Europe, since they differ. This pack shown above comes with two adapters, including USB spots.

Neck Wallet/Passport Holder

Not only is this wallet water-resistant, but it also has multi-function features including a keychain holder, a place for your cell phone, a coin pocket, and a pen holder.

Prepaid Europe SIM Card

With this, you will not have to worry about wasting your money on expensive mobile roaming fees. Instead, it is useful when it comes to, for instance, ordering an Uber.

TSA Approved Travel Bottles

This 15 pack of travel bottles can be filled with 2.9 oz of liquid. The kit comes in different colors and includes a clear bag with spray bottles, silicone bottles, cream bottles, and a pump bottle, all of which are leakproof.

Filtered Water Bottle

This particular water bottle contains a filter to remove bacteria and ensure that the water is clean and safe to drink.

Luggage Set

This lightweight yet durable suitcase set comes with 3 bags.

Support Travel Pillow

This support pillow is made of memory foam and comes with a removable/washable case. It assists in providing extra support for your neck, which is convenient for long plane rides.

Sleep Mask

The soft cotton mask blocks out the light and is very comfortable to wear due to its breathable fabric.

Wireless Ear Buds

The small, wireless ear buds can connect to your phone through Bluetooth. The waterproof pair comes with a wireless charging case.

Books

Bring a few novels to read on your long plane ride or during your down time!

VPN

Often times, video streaming services including Netflix are blocked when you travel to European countries. Therefore, a virtual private network will ensure that you have a secure connection for that, as well as, keeping your private data safe.

Comfortable Shoes

These are necessary when exploring and hiking all over the country, of course.

Windproof Umbrella

Considering it rains quite a lot on this continent, it is very smart to always carry a windproof umbrella around.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.