1. Rome: The Eternal City

Rome is a mix of history, chaos, and magic. From the Colosseum to the Pantheon and the charming streets of Trastevere, every corner tells a story. I love waking up early, avoiding the crowds, and running past ancient ruins before the city fully wakes. Don’t forget to toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain—it’s a cliché for a reason.

2. Florence: Art and Architecture

Florence feels like walking inside a painting. The Duomo dominates the skyline, and the Uffizi Gallery is a treasure trove of Renaissance masterpieces. For me, Florence is also about the smaller moments—watching the sunset over the Ponte Vecchio or enjoying a gelato in a quiet piazza. Running along the Arno River in the morning is a hidden delight for active travelers.

3. Cinque Terre: Coastal Charm

The colorful villages of Cinque Terre are postcard-perfect. Hiking the trails that connect Monterosso, Vernazza, and Manarola is both a workout and a feast for the eyes. I love starting the day with a coffee and fresh focaccia, then wandering the narrow streets with the salty breeze in my hair. It’s pure joy for anyone who appreciates nature, food, and adventure.

4. Venice: A City Like No Other

Venice is mesmerizing and slightly surreal. Gondolas, canals, and hidden squares make every walk an adventure. I recommend exploring early in the morning, before the tourists arrive, to experience the quiet magic of the city. And of course, indulge in cicchetti and espresso at a local bar—you won’t regret it.

5. Amalfi Coast: Sun, Sea, and Scenic Views

If you’re looking for breathtaking views and coastal charm, the Amalfi Coast delivers. From Positano to Ravello, every village is a gem. Driving the coastal roads or hiking the Path of the Gods gives you a new perspective of the Mediterranean. I love sipping limoncello while watching the sunset over the cliffs—it’s the perfect way to unwind after days of exploring.

Hidden Gems for More Time

If your trip allows for extra days, Italy has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Lake Garda, for example, offers stunning alpine scenery and charming lakeside towns that feel off the beaten path. The rolling hills of Umbria are perfect for wine tasting and quiet village strolls, and the medieval city of Siena transports you to a simpler time with its cobblestone streets and rich history. Exploring these lesser-known spots gives travelers a deeper connection to the country beyond the popular tourist hubs.

Italy feeds the soul as much as it does the appetite. Whether you’re wandering historic streets, tasting local cuisine, or simply pausing to watch life go by in a piazza, it reminds you to slow down and savor the moment.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

If Italy isn’t on your bucket list yet, it should be. Start with these five must-see spots, then consider adding a hidden gem or two if your schedule allows. Where should we travel to next?

Shop my must have travel Gear HERE.

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A land of lost rivers, with little in it to love; yet a land that once visited must be come back to inevitably.

Mary Austin

I really can’t think of a better quote to describe Death Valley National Park. There is so much to see in this park because it is so big. I’m already itching to return, but here are the places that captured my heart on my frist trip. 

• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Popular for sunrise and sunset, these dunes are not to be missed. Walking around this area for even a few minutes will make you feel like you’re in Aladdin. Yes, I was singing Arabian Nights in my head, sometimes out loud, the entire time I was exploring. Suggestion: wander off the beaten path to find a few untouched dunes for magical pictures. 

• Badwater Basin: Want to visit the place with the lowest elevation (-282 feet below sea level!) in North America? Get there early. This salt flat is magical. We lucked out with the rain the night before made it look like you were seriously walking on water in places. However, this place is hot. Even in the winter. I recommend an early morning visit before the temperatures get too intense. 

• On your way back to the center of the park take a detour through Artists Drive. Enjoy this nine-mile drive through chalk colored hills. Not literally, but that is what it looks like. There is no need to get out of your car for this, you can simply enjoy the fun, windy, hilly roads, but if you feel the need to explore, hop out at Artists Palette Viewpoint for a better look at this geological wonder.

• Zabriskie Point: Whether you’re starting your day here or ending here, this spot is not to be missed. This point overlooks the badlands and catches some of the best sunrises and sunsets. There is also ample hiking around the area. You can do the quick Badlands Loop (2.5 mi.) or hike all the way to Golden Canyon. 

Looking for a place to stay? There is one free camp site (Emigrant – we got lucky and got the last spot here) and plenty of paid camping sites for tents and RVs. There are also a few hotels/resorts in the park. Which is definitely a good option for comfort and AC if you’re not into camping.

Bonus: If you’re a sucker for ghost towns (I am) head towards Beatty, Nevada, and check out Rhyolite. A once-booming mining town, it is now remnants of buildings and elaborate art displays. 

Meet Erin

Erin Leigh Frederick, agirlcalledfred, is a Lake Tahoe resident and enjoys everything her home has to offer with her two dogs. An avid traveler she is constantly planning short weekend trips to longer international trips. When she ends up taking them is another story! 

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My love for travel runs deep and luckily I’m able to share it with Emerson. Even if it’s an annual trip to Mexico. However, I feel she’s at an age where we can start traveling further. For the last three years, we’ve traveled to Mexico in November (Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas twice). Cabo San Lucas is such an easy and inexpensive flight from California. So it’s kind of a no brainer especially if you’re looking for a quick getaway.

Let’s assume that you’ve never been and you’re thinking about booking a trip. Now you need the insider scoop, right? Then this is for you. I’m going to keep things simple and basic but feel free to ask all the questions.

Stay

First things first. Where do you want to stay and what type of experience are you looking for? My recommendation would be to stay in Cabo San Lucas. Preferably on the beach yet walking distance to the Marina and various restaurants. If you end up staying at a mega-resort located in the corridor between Cabo San Jose and Cabo San Lucas pick one with a sister resort downtown. This way you’ll have a free shuttle service between resorts. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for a taxi anytime you want to head into town. But if you don’t plan on leaving the resort or are traveling with multiple families with kids then a mega-resort is the way to go.

We’ve stayed at the following resorts.

• Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach – Located on the pacific side with access to two sister resorts just 10 minutes away located right on the beach near the marina.
• Marina Fiesta – A smaller “resort,” but located right in the heart of the marina. Walkable to EVERYTHING with access to a larger sister resort, located 10 minutes away.
• Marina Fiesta Grand Americana – Located between Cabo San Jose and Can San Lucas just a short 15/20 minute shuttle to the marina. Perfect for families and large groups not looking to leave the resort.

Each offers something different and I would recommend all three.

Regarding transportation. If you can book transportation from the airport through your hotel do it. Otherwise, I recommend booking a private car/shuttle through VIP Transportation Los Cabos. You can book it online before you even leave. The last thing you want to do is book/find transportation once you arrive at the airport.

Eat & Drink

Don’t be afraid to eat and drink at the local restaurants. There are a TON to choose from and prices vary. Some of our favorites include:

• Tropical Kitchen – Fresh eats for breakfast or lunch.
• Mercado Gourmet Street Food – A must! Food hall style and ideal for lunch or dinner.
• Los Tres Gallos – The best carnitas I’ve ever had. Reservations suggested.
• Mako – Fresh eats, vegan.
• Cafe Ciudad – Breakfast
• Taco Guss – Hello. TACOS!
• The Office – Cool spot on the beach.
• El Pescador – Go fishing and have them cook it up for dinner.

I didn’t even scratch the surface here. We’ve heard Edith’s, Hacienda Cocina y Cantina, Tres Sirenas, Tacos Gardenias and The Market by Flora Farms are all amazing! So, clearly we’ll have to go back.

Play

Get out and explore! Aside from hanging by the pool or beach enjoy the local flavor and get out and explore!

• Day trip to Todas Santos, Cabo San Jose or La Paz
• Get out on the water
  • Sun Rider Tours: snorkeling, whale watching, swim with the whale sharks or go on a sunset dinner cruise
  • Pirate Sunset Cruise… super silly but fun if you have kids.
  • Deep-Sea fishing
  • Take a boat to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. Look for the clear boat (the entire boat is clear!) you’ll be able to see all the sea life on your way out to the Arch.
• Shop. There’s lots of fun shopping.
• Take a cooking class. Some of the resorts offer them so ask ahead.

Above all relax and have a good time. However, if you’re traveling with a toddler you might want to check out our travel essentials

Happy Traveling!

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1. Kids Backpack
This one should be a given, but the idea is to let the child pick some items to take with them. Obvious with a nearly 4-year-old we have a tendency to pair it down otherwise she might not be able to carry her backpack. We also try to guide her to toys with minimal pieces. You don’t want a meltdown because you lost something.

2. Activity Books
We bust these out at restaurants because we don’t believe in screens while eating. Sorry, that’s the way we roll. Yes, we’re keeping her busy and active so she’s not running around the restaurant, but we want her present at mealtime and not glued to a screen.

3. Boogie Board
Hours and hours of endless drawing without all the supplies. I purchased this on a whim last year at Costco and it’s been one of the best purchases. However, we have a child who likes to paint, color, draw etc.

4. Target Spot Activites 
I like to bring 1 or 2 new things when we travel. Target is great for $1-3 items they can enjoy and toss after vacation. This time around I bought a $1 puzzle. I can’t tell you how many times she put it together!

5. Toddler Headphones & iPad
We always make sure to download movies for Em via Netflix before traveling. She’ll typically watch at least one movie in flight or on the road. She loves her LilGadgets Volume Limited Headphones and does a decent job of keeping them on.

What are your toddler’s travel essentials?

Happy Traveling!

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As you may or may not know, the three of us spent the week after Thanksgiving in Cabo San Lucas Mexico! The time away from life was much needed.

So here’s the down and dirty recap.

We stayed at the Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos. The grounds were gorgeous, the views were priceless and the staff was beyond friendly. Oh, the food on site was pretty good too. They give you an option to do all inclusive or not. We opted not to do it.

While the resort had everything you could possibly need including an 18-hole golf course, a variety of pools, beach, and restaurants it was a little too remote for us. What I mean is it’s located between Cabo San Lucas and Cabo San Jose.  While both are a short taxi ride away fares can add up quickly at $25 a trip…

Needless to say, being with a toddler we didn’t leave the resort too much.

We took full advantage of all the fresh fish tacos!

We even managed to get out on the water via a sunset cruise on the SunRider! Of course, 10 minutes prior to spotting 5 whales Emerson fell asleep in the boat! Either way, I highly recommend a SunRider tour. They do it right everytime!

We spent mornings walking on the beach and feeding the fish. The resort had a reef right off the beach and you could walk ankle deep and be surrounded by fish. They also had snorkel equipment to use, but Emerson is just a tad too young for that.

We got semi-dressed up for dinner every night. Their Mexican Fiesta is one of the best we’ve been too!

We walked around the Marina, watched someone pull a 189lb yellowfin off their boat and ate ceviche. Of course, we couldn’t pass up a little shopping. The child had a blast with the vendors and the vendors were so good with her. She’s a tough customer.

Traveling to Mexico with a toddler means A LOT of pool time! I’m not mad about it. Honestly, it was nice to just slow down.

Em is an amazing traveler and I can’t wait for our next trip.

There you have it our relaxing week in Mexico. While I like to see the sites and be on the go sometimes it’s nice just sitting back and relaxing.

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