National – A Sweet Paradise

Time for an October Getaway in the U.S.

Posted on January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 by Nicole Benedetta

Here are my top five picks for traveling to the U.S. in October:

Acadia National Park, Maine

Though I have not yet been, Acadia National Park looks amazing! And October seems to be a great time to visit due to the smaller crowds and cooler hiking weather along trails such as Beehive Loop or the Shore Path. While there, it is recommended to drive the scenic Park Loop Road, bike the historic Carriage Roads, and visit the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, located on the southwestern corner of Mount Desert island within the park.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Though I visited here in the month of April (and it was nice), October is another good choice as well. You will experience warm days in the mid-70s mixed with fewer summer crowds and warmer ocean water. Dolphin watching, golfing, kayaking, and fall festivals can all be enjoyed at this time of the year. You won’t want to miss the Hilton Head Island Oktoberfest or Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off & Jeep Island.

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is a magnificent island, with warm weather in October and the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival happening. This is ideal for hiking to Diamond Head, snorkeling at Hanuama Bay, relaxing on Waikiki Beach, and exploring Pearl Harbor. Plus the first whales start arriving from Alaska this month, so be on the lookout for them!

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta — Photo by Mark Bonica

This city is known for its world-famous International Balloon Fiesta, which is at the beginning to mid-October. It also makes for perfect mild weather to walk around the Albuquerque Old Town area. The Sandia Peak Tramway also offers incredible views of the fall foliage and the city. A hidden gem is said to be the Tinkertown Museum, full of unique architecture, eccentric collections, and interactive displays.

New England

A Road Through Autumn — Photo by Andy Thrasher

If you love fall foliage, New England would be a great road trip to take during this season. Stop in Woodstock, Vermont for a cute town known for its classic beauty, ride Mount Washington Cog Railway for exceptional sights, or take a trek at Dixville Notch State Park to see a lake, colorful trees, and Table Rock, a steep granite ledge. Other options include Salem, if that is your cup of tea, or the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, Rhode Island.

Have a great October vacation if you plan to take one. Or I hope this helped you choose where to go!

Thanks for the read.

-xo, Nicole (:

Our 5-Day Colorado Itinerary

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Nicole Benedetta

In May of 2023, my boyfriend Jordon and I traveled from Baltimore, Maryland to Denver, Colorado. It was my first time visiting there, and we already have another tripped planned for this October-November. The weather at that time was overall nice and perfect for hiking! Here’s what our itinerary looked like:

Day 1

Our first stop after landing in Denver was Castlewood Canyon State Park. We walked a little bit over 2 miles, starting near the Lake Gulch Trail. The next stop was Colorado Springs, where we went tandem kayaking on Prospect Lake at Memorial Park. Though the lake there was a bit small to kayak in, the view of the mountain was beautiful. While down in that area, we stopped at Garden of the Gods (pictured above).

Day 2

This day, we took a scenic hour drive to Idaho Springs then Central City. While in that area, we took a walk at the Golden Gate Canyon State Park. After another 20 minute drive back, we walked along the streets of Golden, where we purchased a few souvenirs at the shops on Washington Avenue. Only 15 minutes from there is Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (pictured above). Although we didn’t see a concert there that trip, we could still explore the trails and venue. For drinks, we headed downtown to Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row.

Day 3

Our third day had to be mostly indoor activities since it was raining. Because of that, we booked tickets for Meow Wolf Convergence Station, which was the best interactive museum that I have ever visited. It is so unique and definitely worth the money! Later, we went to a few stores on Antique Row and at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Back in downtown, we went to Great Divide Brewing Company then Bierstadt Lagerhaus which has giant indoor yard games such as cornhole. To end the night, we danced at the Beacon RiNo nightclub, which was a bit small but still pretty fun!

Day 4

To start our fourth day off, we went to Estes Park, which was a very cute town of shops and cafes. Though we didn’t participate in them, it offers whitewater rafting, a mountain coaster, adventure park, and much more there! From there, we drove to Rocky Mountain National Park (pictured above). There are timed reservations required from May 23-mid-October, and the entry fee year-round is $15-35. It was a long drive up the mountain but also scenic! At the top are some trails. Up there, we visited Dream Lake, though partially frozen, and further down was a gorgeous view of Emerald Lake. Once done at the park, we headed back to the Ogden Theatre for a Habstrakt concert.

Day 5

Since it was the last day of the trip, we didn’t have time for much besides gushing over the adorable prairie dogs right outside our hotel. However, we did go to the Denver Pavilions (pictured above) for some last-minute shopping and lunch at Maggiano’s before our flight.

I hope that if you’re heading to Denver soon, our itinerary gave you some good ideas too!

Thanks for the read 🙂

-xo, Nicole

International Journeys to Take in September

Posted on April 16, 2025December 16, 2025 by Nicole Benedetta

Paris, France

A major reason to visit Paris in September would be Fashion Week! While the event itself is invitation-only, there are other related things to do such as visiting the fashion museums or enjoy fashion-themed events at places such as the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, and Louvre Museum. Besides fashion, the European Heritage Days is hosted in Paris. This is an annual event in which historic sites and monuments open doors to the public, usually free of charge, including Palace of Versailles and Arc de Triomphe.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney Opera House. — Photo by Bernard Spragg

Sydney is an excellent location to travel to in September, since it is the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. This brings lovely weather, yet smaller crowds as opposed to the popular summer months. Spring events are held at this time as well, including the Floriade in Canberra, with a large display of tulips and the Royal Adelaide Show, a 9 day long carnival celebrating and connecting communities by showcasing excellence in agriculture and horticulture.

Edinburgh, Scotland

This destination is appealing at this time of year due to milder weather and lower prices. It is a great time to explore the Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile, where you can find unique shops/architecture as well as the Scotch Whiskey Experience. It is also a convenient time to stroll through the Princes Street Gardens, Arthur’s Seat, or Dean Village.

Barcelona, Spain

In September, the weather is enjoyable for parks and beaches. and the crowds are dying down in Barcelona. However, it still has plenty of cultural events for visitors to attend, such as the National Day of Catalonia and the Barcelona International Jazz Festival. Other choices could be taking a train to Montserrat, sitting on a mountain, offering scenic views, or attending a wine tasting in Penedes.

Aruba

Lower prices and crowds is an advantage of visiting Aruba in September. The weather is still perfect for visiting Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. The island’s heritage can also be celebrated at Fiesta di Cunucu at this time of year. Attractions such as Arikok National Park, Guadirikiri Cave, and Natural Pool are enticing too. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also available for those who are adventurous!

Visiting somewhere international in September? I’d love to hear where!

Thanks for the read.

-xo, Nicole (:

September Getaways in the U.S.

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Nicole Benedetta

Washington D.C.

I do have to admit, seeing the cherry blossoms in D.C. during March-April is a beautiful sight. But September would be another grand time to take a trip to the capital of the United States. You will never get bored exploring this city, with the free museums, as well as the national zoo! You can easily spend a day there, at attractions such as the botanical gardens and taking a tour of the White House during the day, then attending a concert at one of the many venues at night!

Yellowstone National Park

As it is off-season, September may be a good choice for taking a road trip to Yellowstone. It is an enjoyable time for fishing, backpacking, hiking, camping, and wildlife sightings. The best-known locations are the Old Faithful geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Grand Prismatic Spring. Some moderate trails to hike would be Elephant Back Mountain Trail or Mount Washburn.

Chicago, Illinois

Having visited Chicago during September, I can say it is a good time to go! Though I attended for the North Coast Music Festival, I also got the chance to experience the Chicago Riverwalk, The Bean/Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park, eating deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s, and getting drinks at Howl at the Moon. The Windy City Wine Festival and World Music Festival are note-worthy, and the Navy Pier or Skydeck Chicago are other popular attractions to try out.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

The temperature here in September is in the 70s and 80s, making it nice for swimming at Rodanthe Beach and climbing the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Interesting events include the Outer Banks Kite Festival and the ESA Easterns Surfing Championship. Water sports available are jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing. Dolphin tours, tiki boats, and sunset cruises are offered too!

San Francisco, California

You won’t want to miss out on the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival that takes place in San Francisco during September. I have learned that it is also the best time to go, due to fewer crowds and great weather. At Presidio Tunnel Tops, you will have fantastic views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Important points of interest may be Pier 39, right down from Fisherman’s Wharf, Aquarium of the Bay, or a tour of Alcatraz Island.

Traveling the World in July – Where To Go

Posted on May 29, 2024August 6, 2025 by Nicole Benedetta

Seychelles Islands

July is a wonderful time of the year to visit the Seychelles Islands, located off the coast of East Africa. It boasts an average temperature of 80 degrees with little rain, and the surfing conditions at Anse Intendance are top tier. Praslin Island is enjoyable, as it is has nightclubs and luscious jungles with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Meanwhile, Cote d’Or is ideal for sunbathing, volleyball, and water sports. If you’re feeling like taking a more upscale approach one night, you could even take a sail in a luxury yacht!

Greenland

If you’re looking to have an adventurous hike, cruise along the bay filled with icebergs, or discover Viking ruins in the town of Qassiarsuk, July is a great month to do so. You also have the opportunity to see the black sand beaches of Disko Island, take a tour of the museums in Ilulissat, step into the hot springs at Uunartoq, or even have the chance to view the midnight sun!

Amsterdam, Netherlands

July is recommended for exploring the vibrant region of Amsterdam. It offers wine and cheese cruises along the canal, walking tours of the Anne Frank House, open air museums in Volendam, the Red Light District, and the Amsterdam Ice Bar! Activities could be riding a bicycle, taking a walk along the beaches, or attending one of the festivals that occur.

Kenya, Africa

Masai Giraffe / Masai Mara / Kenya — Photo by Esin Ustun

At a maximum temperature of 75 degrees, July is a perfect time to catch a flight to Kenya. A safari is likely the main reason why someone would want to visit Africa, but that’s not the only reason to go! There is colonial architecture, the beaches, markets, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Hell’s Gate and Mount Kenya are well-known national parks to stop by as well.

Montreal, Canada

The summer festival season of Montreal draws in tourists for shopping, music, and eating. The Montreal Completement Cirque,includes an 11-day circus, and the Mural Festival lasts for 10 days, displaying urban art and digital installations. At the Jardins Gamelin, you will find outdoor performances, karaoke, and yoga all for free! The La Grande Roue observation wheel will give you 360 degree views of the city, or trek to Mont-Royal Lookout.