Iceland Diaries

Iceland had been on my bucket list of places to visit for years! I heard so many amazing things from friends, family, and blogs and the photos were always so unreal. I had to see it for myself. So in September, I bit the bullet and bought tickets to finally go to Iceland with my girlfriends. Best decision ever!

I spent 5 days and 4 nights in Iceland this December and brought in the New year in Reykjavik. Honestly, I wish I could’ve spent a full week there because there is so much to see! If you have the time, I recommend driving the whole Ring Road and spending at least a week there.

My few days in Iceland were jammed pack and so fun! See below on the areas I went to (Golden Circle and South Iceland) and tips I have.

Arriving in Iceland

Driving/ Renting vs. Tours

We opted to rent a car and drive ourselves which I think was the best decision at the end. I will say, it was NOT easy. We went in December and the weather was not great. Lots of snow, heavy winds, icy roads, and rain. The driving conditions were rough and at times we only drove 20 mph. Another thing to remember is that you will be driving a lot! I mean 5-10 hours a day depending what you want to accomplish. It is not an easy task but the scenery you see will make up for it. On the plus side, there are lot of signs and directions from Google maps are very easy to follow. The roads are also maintained very well- not as many pot holes as I was expecting. Renting a car cost us about $500 a day with insurance and gas (filled up two full tanks of gas). Overall, a car was the cheaper and more efficient thing to do. It was also nice to be able to create our own route and get out as we pleased. This allowed us to feed wild horses in the middle of the fields (I honestly don’t even know where we were ahah).

Tip: get insurance! Our car got damaged by a person’s door flying into our rear-view mirror due to the heavy winds. Do not risk it!

Tip: get gas when you see a gas station! You may not see another gas station for another 90 miles. Remember gas is also quite expensive in Iceland.

Tours are a great way to go if you have a really large party and do not want to take the chances of driving. However, they also take a lot more planning. The tours in Iceland are fairly reasonable ($50-$150). I recommend doing the tour in the day as you will see so much more. When it gets dark, you cannot see the beautiful mountains that you may see just driving on the highways.

Tip: Most tours leave from the city center so I highly recommend staying in Reykjavik.

Tip: Book at least a month in advance!

Day Trip 1: Southern Iceland

Stop 1: Vik

Stop 2: Reynisfjara Beach - black sand beaches

Stop 3: Dyrhólaey- my personal favorite

Stop 4: Solheimajokull- Glacier

Stop 5: Skógafoss- Waterfall

Stop 6: Seljalandsfoss- Waterfall (did not picture)

Iceland may look small on a map but there is so much to see and covering all that ground takes a long time. I knew I had to see southern Iceland before going while doing my research. It was STUNNING!! I highly recommend discovering this part of Iceland! I saw parts of nature that I didn’t even know existed (mind was blown)! The stops listed above is a great way to see parts of south Iceland if you are driving.

We started out driving out to the furthest point and working our way back to Reykjavik. A bonus of driving to the furthest point first is seeing signs for other points on this itinerary along the way and getting a sneak peak of what you will be seeing.

Vik

This is a charming little town in the southern part of Iceland. Being right by the coast, you see nothing but dark blue water for miles on end. It is also quite windy here so make sure you don’t get blown away. 

Reynisfjara Beach

Before visiting Iceland, I didn’t even know that black sand beaches existed. I’m used to the typical brown or white sand beaches. Well the sand along the southern coast of Iceland really is black! The beaches are beautiful and so unique! My favorite part of Reynisfjara Beach was the beautiful mountain with the rectangular jagged edge cliffs. It was so interesting to see a different kind of rock formation.

Tip: wear waterproof layers here

Tip: do not get too close to the water because the waves can get pretty crazy in a matter of seconds. There have been a few deaths here so be careful. Do not face away from the water when taking pictures-that’s how people have gotten swept away.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Dyrhólaey

This was my favorite stop of the first day trip! The view was so incredibly beautiful! My favorite part about this viewing point was that you can see the ocean, mountains, valleys, and little lakes at the top.

You do have to drive up a pretty steep curvy hill to get to see this view. It was a bit scary to get up and down the hill but it was worth it!

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Solheimajokull

Talk about seeing all kinds of natural forms right? In one day (following this itinerary) we saw a beach, mountains, glaciers, and a waterfall! Iceland probably has all 7 world wonders right in the southern part of Iceland! 

I honestly did not know what to expect when arriving at this location. As we walked along the trial, I began to see small forms of bright teal ice. All of a sudden around a corner, the massive glacier stunned us! It was amazing!! 

Tip: if you are interested, you can go glacier climbing! If I had more time, I would’ve totally tried this! 

Skógafoss

One of the famous waterfalls in Iceland is not to be missed! This waterfall is quite grand. Iceland is known for all of their amazing waterfalls so make sure to check out at least one or two. You will also see a ton of mini waterfalls along the drive to Vik. 

Tip: wear waterproof clothing. Chances of getting wet are quite high. 

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Day Trip 2: The Golden Circle

Stop 1: Kerid Crater

Stop 2: Gullfoss Falls- Waterfall

Stop 3: Haukadalur- Geysir

Stop 4: Bruarfoss- Waterfall (did not picture)

Stop 5: Thingvellir National Park

Kerid Crater

We were so lucky with the weather on day 2! We stopped at the Keri’s Crater around 11am and got so unbelievably lucky to be woken up to the most gorgeous sunrise. It was nothing but cotton candy pink and purple skies for miles on end. This crater is a very interesting landmark. It was my first time seeing anything like this too.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Gullfoss Falls

Another famous waterfall in Iceland and this one I not to be missed! This waterfall was definitely the biggest one that we saw! You can go on a trail to the bottom as well but in December it was too icy and closed off.

This spot has a really nice cafe so it is a good stop to plan around lunch.

Haukadalur- Geysir

This was another natural landmark that I was seeing for the first time. The eruptions were so big which I was surprised by. The first time the geysir erupted, I actually got scared. The eruptions happen quite frequently so the chances of you seeing one is highly likely.

Note that the water smells like rotten eggs but it was still really cool to see this landmark!

Thingvellir National Park

We were so blessed to see an incredible sunset at the Natural Park. The colors of the sky were so beautiful next to the outlines of the mountains and trees. You can end up spending hours at this park going on different trails. We opted to go for a little bit and just take in the scenery instead. In December, the trails were pretty icy so be mindful of this.

Day Trip 3: Locations close to Keflavik Airport

Stop 1: Hafnarberg - Sea-cliffs

Stop 2: Valahnúkamöl- Sea cliffs

Stop 3: Blue Lagoon

For the last leg of the trip, we decided to stay by the airport since the blue lagoon is right by it. Iceland is filled with so many amazing natural areas that we found a few stops to checkout before heading back to the US. Right along the water, there were beautiful cliffs surrounded by gushing waves. The water along the coast were wild! There is a very high chance you will get wet. Still worth checking out the views though. This part of Iceland was also very quite and didn’t have any tourists.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon was one thing that I just had to do when visiting Iceland! It looked exactly like it did in all the pictures I saw online too! The water was incredibly blue, it felt nice and warm, and the views from the lagoon were stunning! However, it was really cold getting in and out of the lagoon (I ran as fast as I could getting in and out). We got the basic package which included a drink and mud masks. I recommend this package because it gave the full blue lagoon experience without breaking the bank. You won’t want to spend more than 2 hours at the lagoon because your head/ top half will get cold and you’ll begin to prune. Another thing to remember is to heavily condition your hair before entering the lagoon- leave the conditioner in your hair too! Even though I conditioned my hair, it was still very dry/ straw like after the lagoon. It took about two washes to get it feeling back to normal.

Ending note- you have to visit the lagoon as it is definitely an experience you will never forget!

Things I Did Not Know But Wish I Had:

The water in Iceland does not smell the best. It smells like rotten eggs (not exaggerating). We stayed in an Air BnB and it was pretty gross. The water was perfectly clean, just did not smell the best. However, when we stayed at a hotel, it did not smell as bad. Not sure why, but just be prepared.

There are a lot of roundabouts! I guess it keeps drivers in check from not going too fast. Started to get a bit annoying but keep your eyes peeled. They also have a yellow light which comes on before the green light to get you prepared to go.

During the winter, there are only about 4-5 hours of daylight. This meant we had to get a very early start to each day! Photos were great to take during the daylight but as it got darker, photos were harder to take. I didn’t realize how dark it was going to be- even during the daylight hours, because it was cloudy, things seemed quite dark!

Food is quite expensive but relative to New York prices. Be prepared to spend an average of $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner.

Be prepared to experience all different kinds of weather and for the weather to change in a matter of minutes. The weather would change of heavy winds to rain to sleet in span of 5 minutes. Crazy!

Also, be prepared to get soaked! If it calls for rain and you are visiting waterfalls, wear all of your waterproof gear. My waterproof parka got soaked through (don’t know how) but be ready to get wet. It was worth it though.

Mexico City Travel Diary

Mexico City is a city you should have on your radar. It’s colorful, the weather is amazing, food is outstanding, people are friendly, there’s tons of historic architecture, and is filled with culture!

Mexico City is the perfect city to get a full vacation experience in a short period of time. What do I mean by that? You’ll get cultured by learning about the country's history, party, eat traditional food all while feeling relaxed by the easy vibes of the city. You can’t ask for more. I was in Mexico City for four and a half days (not including transportation) and it felt like that was a great amount of time to soak in the city. I could have easily stayed longer, so if you have the option to do so, take it! There’s a lot to do and even more to eat! Here are my must-see Mexico City sites, a list of food and bar recommendations, insight on where to sleep, plus the perfect outfit options to take on your trip!

WHERE TO SLEEP

We heard from many people that Zona Reforma or Zona Rosa were the best places to stay. We stayed at NH Collection Mexico City Reforma in Zona Rosa and highly recommend that hotel!! NH Collection Mexico City Reforma was incredibly modern and the staff were very helpful! We stayed in a suite which was a huge amount of space, well lit, and very clean. Their shower head is also amazing! This hotel was walking distance from amazing restaurants, bars, and the main city street. I could not have asked for a better location! 

WHERE TO EAT

Mexico City has a lot of really great restaurants so narrowing down exactly where to eat was hard. It felt like there weren't enough meals to eat in a day when I was down there. I am a huge fan of Mexican cuisine so if you are too, you must try these restaurants. Make sure to check out my Yelp list for easy access to ratings and locations HERE.

Tacos, guacamole, crisp fresh tortilla chips, flavorful spices, endless sauces, juicy meats, and fresh veggies was all I ate for five days. Carbs and meats took over my diet but it was worth every bite. 

For breakfast, we usually ate at the hotel or had something as light as a granola bar and fresh fruits. But if you are a breakfast lover, you must go to El Pendulo. It is a bookstore/ restaurant. The food is great and you can grab something to read over breakfast. They also have a cozy little back courtyard that is perfect for your morning coffee.

Lunch

My first real meal of the day was really lunch. I craved fresh tacos everyday. There are tons of street vendors who sell hot tacos. You can't avoid the smell on the street. One taco stand you cannot miss is Taquería Los Cocuyos! Hands down the best tacos I have ever had. To be honest, I don't really even know what kind of meat I ate, all I know is that is was good! The full menu is in Spanish and there is no English version. The tacos are under $1 too!! I did not get sick eating any of the street food in CDMX. 

El Cardenal is probably one of the highest rated restaurants I ate at while in Mexico City. It lived up to its reviews! The ambiance felt so homey- like I was going to my grandma’s house for dinner. The dining area is beautifully lit by huge wooden windows. We tried the veal to share and is was absolutely delicious. Crispy and perfectly fried out the outside, yet sot and juicy in the inside. It was very well complimented by their home- made sauces. Just a warning- the portion is huge so be prepared to eat!

Dinner

Dinner was my favorite meal to eat in Mexico City. After a long day of walking around, a good meal was the best treat to end the day. Some of my favorite dinner spots were Pasillo de Humo, Comedor Jacinta, and Los Girasoles.

Pasillo de Humo serves some of Mexico City’s best traditional Oaxacan food. From the outside, it looks like a bar but the dinner seating area is located upstairs. You definitely have to try a dish with their homemade mole sauce! Also make sure to ask about their mezcal selection! They’ve got a lot to choose from!

If you’re looking for a quick yummy bite to eat, you have to try La Casa de Toño. It’s a chain favorite of the locals and I completely understand why! They start you off with complementary chips and salsas. Be careful, the salsas are hot! I had to order a Horchata which is a Mexican milk drink to calm down the spiciness. I recommend trying the tacos and their well-known soup! We (two people) ordered a lot of food and the bill only came out to $13 usd including tax and tip!

WHERE TO DRINK

Drink at Dualistas. This is an old hole in the wall spot where locals come for a drink after work. The floors are sticky, there is no ac, graffiti fills the walls, hard rock plays from the jukebox, and there is not a single tourist in site (besides the people who are really in for the experience). They don’t have a large selection of drinks because they only carry traditional drinks. Try the pulque- 'a Mexican alcoholic drink made by fermenting sap from the maguey'. It is a thick, smoothie like drink with the equivalent alcohol content of a mild beer. Have a few of these and you might be on the floor. It’s easy to knock back a few because it doesn’t taste like alcohol at all!

The nightlife in Mexico City was bigger than I expected. Bars stayed open quite late and were always full. One of my favorite bars I went to in Mexico City was Bósforo. Dark, small, and very mysterious. I loved the vibe of this bar and the mescal selection was amazing! The serve mezcal in shot glasses with a slice of orange. Be prepared to stand and get cozy next to a candle as the space is quite little.

WHAT TO DO:

1. Frida Kahlo museum, aka Casa Azul:

• The paint colors are bright, and the gardens/foliage are lovely. You’ll get an inside look at her studio where she created her art, her personal living areas, and a look at her personal diaries. They also have a great display of her clothing! To take pictures inside the house, not just in the courtyard, you have to pay a small fee of 30 pesos which is totally worth it!
• It's generally best to get your tickets online ahead of time so you don't end up on a long line behind a bus load of tourists! I didn’t do this and when I showed up to the site. There was a three hour wait. HOWEVER, I got lucky and bought a 2-in-1 pass for Casa Azul and Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli for 150 pesos and got instant entry. In the ticket price, it included a bus to the Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli and back. For an extra 30 pesos, you can take photos inside both sites. 
• I took an Uber to Casa Azul from Zona Rosa for $12 round trip. I highly recommend this route unless you are quite familiar with the MXCD transit system.
• While you're in the area, enjoy the main square of Coyoacan. There are markets, great churros, and just a generally pleasant vibe.

2. Teotihuacan pyramids:

• Definitely go in the morning! Fewer people, not as hot, and extra beautiful. I got to the site around 9am which was the perfect time. When I was on my way out around 2pm, it was hot (I got a little sunburn) and it was getting pretty packed. 
• It’s very cheap to take a bus (there are various companies) from Central de Norte, a main bus terminal. It's about an hour ride. 
• Tip: make sure to wear sneakers or shoes with good grip. The stairs at the pyramid are very steep and slipping is very easy. I’m 5.2 ft and the stairs were the length of my shin, not joking! There are ropes to hold on to. Also, make sure to wear sunblock and reapply midway. The sun is very strong and there are no shaded areas. 

3. The Angel of Independence

This is probably the most iconic places in the city. It's in the middle of Paseo de la Reforma which is a major street in Mexico City.

While I was on Paseo de la Reforma, I saw a protest going on which I found really cool. It showed the passion of the people. This street is also filled with signs/ images of historic moments. 

4. Zócalo:

This is the main square downtown with government buildings. It is a must-see for CDMX history and sites! You can’t miss this area.

• Palacio de Gobierno: fantastic murals inside and is a really pretty Spanish style of architecture.
• Murals by the famous Diego Riviera are all over the second floor. You cannot miss this! 
• Catedral Metropolitana: so old and beautiful and great for pictures. You can actually go on the roof for a small fee!

Tip: while visiting the government area, make sure to carry some form of ID. You will need it for entry

5. Chapultepec Castle & bosque.

The bosque (forest) is a huge park, bigger than Central Park in NY. It has gardens, museums, and fun things to do like paddle boat, bike rides, etc. At the end of the park, on the top of the hill, is one of my very favorite spots from the trip, the castle. It's a stunning piece of architecture- inside and out. You also get insane views of the city because it's up on top of a hill. This is another great place for pictures! 

6. Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes is insanely beautiful inside and out. Pro tip from a local: if you go to the Sears across the street and grab something from their cafe (on the god-knows-what floor), you get a perfect view of the palace from above, which means you'll capture the brightly colored glass roof.

If you have time, go see the ballet! It was beautiful and so entertaining. it is not like your traditional American ballet, it is more of a Mexican local dance. 

Across from Bellas Artes is the Palacio de Correos, another really beautiful old building.

7. Other great things to do:

• Generally the Condesa neighborhood is known for being scenic for its bohemian vibe, little parks, etc.
• Santa Maria la Ribera + Kiosco Morisco: a little neighborhood with a small-town feel. The Kiosco is a really cool pagoda-ish thingy that was built for a World's Fair. The area around it is cute and also the site of a geology museum. 
• The Museo Tamayo is also cool and modern and a great place for pictures and to enjoy the (sometimes weird) art.

OTHER TIPS: 

• Uber is your best friend. It's quite cheap, reliable, and will quickly/ safely get you where you need to go.
• I didn’t get a chance to ride the metro system but I’ve heard good things about public transportation in Mexico City. One thing I do know is that it’s cheap! 
• Ask for WiFi passwords. There is WiFi everywhere. I never used my international service. 
• Make sure to load up on sunblock. Being brown, I thought I could get away with just applying in the morning but after being out in direct sunlight for over 5+ hours catches up with you. 
• Take a screenshot of you hotel and it’s cross streets so if you need directions, you can have an image to show. Many of the streets are very similar to each other.

WHAT TO WEAR

Mexico City is hot! But the good kind of hot where the sun feels good on your skin. But as far as wearing clothes in the heat, I recommend wearing shorts, easy loose fitting dresses, linen tops, and light weight cotton clothing.

When packing for Mexico city don’t be shy to take a lot of color. The city is filled with art murals and colorful buildings-even homes are painted in pink red and yellow!

Regarding shoes, I’d take a pair of sneakers to do intense walking in. You’ll need it for the Teotihuacan pyramids. You’ll also want a pair of sandals. I love Birkenstocks and block heeled mules for walking. The taxi and Uber’s there are incredibly cheap so don’t be scared to pack a pair of heels for a night out.

And of course we can’t forget the sunnies and swimsuits. Shop some of the items that I took to Mexico City below

xoxo,

Krity

Cold Spring

Are you dying to just getaway? Truly relax? While not having to do to much planning? Or spend too much money? Well that's exactly how I was feeling when I decided to take a quick escape to Cold Springs. Living in New York City is amazing but can get quite overwhelming at times. The last time I went on vacation was over six months ago and a truly relaxing weekend away was exactly what the doctor recommended. Just 48 hours in Cold Springs at the Hudson House Inn had me feeling like I had gone on a full week long vacation. I soaked up so much fresh air and let all my muscles finally relax. It was definitely one of the best quick getaways I have ever taken!!

Cold Spring is located in upstate New York, just a quick hour and half train ride away from the city. After work, I hopped on the train at Grand Central and was off to start the weekend. The train ride was so smooth and had the best views. The sun was setting and looked so gorgeous reflected on the Hudson River. 

Where to Stay:

When I got off the train, I felt like I had entered a whole new state. There was not a soul in site and so quite compared to the city. It honestly felt a little weird, but in the best way. It was a short five minute walk to Main Street where the cute hotel on the corner was waiting for me. Hudson House Inn can not be missed in the city of Cold Spring! The minute I walked into the hotel, I felt that warm gushy feeling like I was home. Imagine this- on a cold night, you open the wooden door to walk into a cozy room. The space is lit with a warm light with the addition of candles that fill the area with a relaxing aroma. You're greeted with a big smile waiting for you to check in.

Walking into the room was such a pleasant surprise. It looked exactly like my old bedroom from my hometown of Michigan. It was simple chic with a country style vibe. The pale yellow walls made me feel so calm. Hudson House Inn was built in 1832 and sits beautifully a hundred feet away from the Hudson River. It is truly a part of the interesting history of the Hudson River. While staying at the Hudson House Inn, you'll get gorgeous views of West Point and Storm King Mountain. 

Where to Eat:

Breakfast 

Hudson House Inn is one of the highly rated restaurants in Cold Spring so having a meal here is a must! If you are staying at the hotel, a complimentary breakfast is included. It isn't one of those boring breakfasts you get at other hotels either. Breakfast both days was absolutely amazing!! Hudson House Inn has a great breakfast menu to choose from which includes waffles with fresh strawberries, spinach omelet with homestyle potatoes (which were my favorite), blueberry pancakes, and the big one (eggs, sausage, potatoes, and bread). The bloody Mary and mimosas were the perfect finishing touches to go along with the yummy breakfast. It was the perfect way to start out the day before going for a hike. 

Dinner

If you're looking for a great meal (one of those where you go "omg, this is so good" with every bite), have dinner at the Hudson House Inn!! In between every bite, I was complimenting how good the food was. 

Dinner started off with fresh bread with a tomato and bean topping. The menu is filled with so many delicious options. I wanted to try everything! For appetizers, I tried the homemade Maryland crabcakes made with fresh jumbo lump crabmeat with a side of dijon sauce. The outside was nice and crispy and the inside was filled with fresh crabmeat flavor! I also tried the arugula salad with tossed radicchio, caramelized pecans, cranberries, balsamic vinaigrette, topped with blue cheese. It was the perfect salad- light and flavorful. For the main dishes I went all out. I got the Surf and Turf- a plump broiled lobster tail on an eight ounce dry aged sirloin served with roasted peppercorn brandy sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and carrots. Yummmm! I also got the Hudson House Ribeye marinated in fresh rosemary and extra virgin olive oil topped with caramelized onions and blue cheese. This was one of the best ribeyes I have ever had! The meat was tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked! Hungry yet?

Drinks

Make sure you also try some of the amazing crafted cocktails at the Hudson House Inn or even wine from their large selection. You can curl up on the comfy leather couches by the fire and read some of their amazing coffee table books over drinks.

Things To Do:

While you are in Cold Spring, New York there are a few things you must do!

1. Walk along the Hudson River and gaze out into the mountains. Just listen to the water crash and take a deep breath. I promise it is so relaxing! After all, this is what you came here to do. Read the history of West Point and make sure to take some great pictures!

2. Take a walk through the quaint little town of Cold Spring. Coming up from NYC, I was in the mindset to walk around for several hours but It won’t take you that long. Make sure to check out the cute antiques shops. They have some really amazing hidden gems. There is everything from furniture, clothing, jewelry, dolls, toy cars, and records just to mention a few items. Along the way, step into one of the restaurants and grab a cup of coffee or even an ice cream cone. 

3. Hike! One of the reasons I came up to Cold Spring was to hike. I had heard amazing things about the many trails and the pictures looked beautiful. It was so worth it! I took a 4 hour hike on the Breakneck Trail. The name reflects the mountain pretty well. One step the wrong way and there was a good possibility of actually breaking my neck. However, don’t let that scare you! The hike was absolutely amazing! The hardest part was getting up the mountain and climbing over large rocks. There are different points along the trail so you can choose how far you want to go. The walk down is nice and easy so go for it!

Additional Things To Do:

Take the Metro North (or a cab/ Uber) up to the next city of Beacon, New York. The Dia Beacon Museum is a must see while upstate. It a HUGE modern art museum in a revamped old warehouse. The art here is really interesting and quite different than many other modern art museums I have been to. There are several floors so be ready to walk around. 

3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 440-0100

$15   General
$12   Students and seniors
Free for Dia members and children under 12

January–March
Friday–Monday 11 am–4 pm
April–October
Thursday–Monday 11 am–6 pm
November–December
Thursday–Monday 11 am–4 pm

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity

*This was a sponsored post for Hudson House Inn. However, all opinions are my own.*

Dallas

Do you love to eat? Do you like to drink? Do you like to shop?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then Dallas, Texas is the perfect city for you to visit. Dallas, Texas had incredible food, amazing drinks, and a store on every corner! The sizes are definitely bigger- from the size of houses to the size of a drink. I was pleasantly surprised by the bigger drink sizes. I also loved the affordable prices! There is a lot of unique history in Dallas from Kennedy to oil. I learned about this unique city. I think an extended weekend to Dallas is a great idea and anywhere from 2-4 days is a good amount of time to visit. 

Things to do:

When in Dallas, you must go to the Bishop Arts District! It's a cute little area filled with beautiful street art, unique boutiques, great food, and bars. The Bishop Arts district has a great laid back vibe. It's the perfect place to get a picture for the gram too! It doesn't take that long to cover this area- probably about 2 hours total. But I recommend going during the day so you have good lighting for the pictures. 

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I highly recommend going to visit downtown Dallas. The architecture is beautiful and there's some fun things to do there. 

While in downtown Dallas, check out the Reunion Tower. I got the combination ticket ($31) for the Reunion Tower and the Trolley Tour of Dallas. The view from the top of the tower was stunning. You can see all the way to the city of Forth Worth, Texas! The trolley tour was so much fun! The guide shared so many interesting stories about Dallas and it's history. The tour was about an hour and half. It was a great way to see the full city. Dallas isn't like New York City where there is something on every block so it's not easily walkable if you want to see everything. 

Food

The restaurants in Trinity Grove are known to be really good! I didn't get a chance to try them but I heard each restaurant was amazing. They have a huge outdoor seating area too which gave it a really cool vibe, However, I did try out Cake Bar and I have to say you MUST try the cake there. I'm more of a pie gal so when I like a cake, it's on another level good. I tried the strawberry and key lime, both tasted like heaven! It was the perfect amount of sugar, moist, and the frosting was creamy. 

There is also a lot of great food in downtown Dallas. The Omni Hotel has multiple restaurants inside that are yummy! There's also the well known restaurant that started 'Tex-Mex'. The food trucks by Klyde Warren park are also good so if you're in that area, make sure to try it out. Dallas is known for its steak, so if you're a meat lover like me, grab a tasty bite at a steakhouse. 

For brunch, make sure to try Mash'd! This restaurant is decorated in true Texan style- the space is huge, wooden seating, tall bar stools, and even bigger booths. They have $2 mimosas!! No that was not a typo! Make sure to try out the French toast! It was some of the yummiest French toast I've ever had. 

If you're in the mood for Mexican food, try Gloria's. There are tons of great Mexican restaurants in Dallas that I'm sure are excellent. Gloria's black bean dip was to die for! Super simple but I could not stop eating it! Try the steak for a yummy filling dinner. Oh, and don't forget the margarita! 

For drinks, try Happiest Hour! It's a super cool two story bar with an amazing rooftop area. I loved the vibe of this place and the drinks were really good. You can play games, watch sports, or just soak up the Dallas sun at the patio. 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO,

Krity 

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

CUBA

How do I enter Cuba if I am an United States Citizen?

To travel to Cuba, a US citizen, one must select a reason from the twelve options below:

1. Family visits

2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations

3. Journalistic activity

4. Professional research and professional meetings

5. Educational activities

6. Religious activities

7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions

8. Support for the Cuban people

9. Humanitarian projects

10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes

11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials

12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.

I traveled to Cuba through JetBlue on a direct flight from JFK Airport in NYC to Havana, Cuba. While purchasing my ticket through JetBlue, one of the steps were to fill out an affidavit selecting my reason to travel to Cuba.  I chose journalism as my reason for blogging purposes. I was very nervous and skeptical about getting a visa by choosing journalism but it worked out. We arrived at JFK three hours before our flight (I think 2-3 hours is a decent amount of time). JetBlue has a check-in area just for flights to Cuba at JFK. We approached the kiosk where a JetBlue representative took my passport and checked me into my flight. I got my visa ($50 through JetBlue at the counter) and got it notarized at the same time. No questions were asked and it only took 10-15 minutes! I was incredibly surprised by how easy the whole process was. With JetBlue, you cannot purchase your Cuban visa ahead of time, only at the airport. I have heard of being able to purchase the visa ahead of time with other flight carriers. JetBlue made the trip very simple and I recommend flying through them (this is not a sponsored post, I just had a great experience with them).

When is the best time to travel to Cuba?

I cannot guarantee when the best time to travel to Cuba is, but I can speck from my experiences. I traveled to Cuba during the second week of May (seven days). I thought traveling to Cuba in May was great because the weather was nice, it wasn't over crowded with tourists, and the flights were on the cheaper side. The weather was perfect, high eighties and nineties fahrenheit, and it only rained one day. It was a little humid, but not to the point where it felt uncomfortable (my hair was manageable). My non-stop flight roundtrip from JFK to HAV was only $285! In all three cities I went to (Havana, Bay of Pigs area, and Trinidad), the streets were calm and I had no trouble getting into museums, restaurants, etc. 

Where should I go in Cuba? What should I do in Cuba?

We went to Cuba for seven days in the following order: Havana (2 nights)-> Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron (1 night)-> Trinidad (3 nights)->Havana (1 night)

Havana

While visiting Cuba, you must spend a couple of days in the city of Havana! The city is filled with color, culture, history, and bustling nightlife. We spent two and a half days and felt that it was enough to see all the main sights. There are tons of things to do in Havana! You can spend the whole day just roaming the streets and getting lost in the colorful architecture. That’s exactly what we did! I recommend the following:

1. Visit Museo de La Revolution. Learn about the history and culture of Cuba for only 8 CUC

2. Be amazed by the beauty of the Capital building and walk along Paseo del Prado where you can find an array of colorful vintage cars!

3. Ride in a vintage car- for 25-40 CUC (depending on your bargaining skills) you can ride in a vintage car of your choice/ color and get an hour long tour in Havana. It was worth every penny and the photos are priceless! I only had 15 CUC by the end of my trip so hustled my way to getting a tour with the money I had left. The Cuban people are incredibly sweet and just want to give tourists the best experience. Tip- bat your eyelashes and smile :)

4. Take a pit stop at the Jose Marti Memorial and learn about Cuban history.

5. Walk along the Malecon! The sights are absolutely stunning and so peaceful! Admire the views of the blue waters and Morro castle. Make sure to catch the sunset!

6. Walk around old Havana from Museo de Revolucion, to the Plaza de Armas, then Plaza de la Catedral, next Plaza de la San Francisco, and end in Plaza Vieja for a nice cold beer from La Factoria.

7. Take a pit stop at the Jose Marti Memorial and learn about Cuban history.

8. EAT!!! Cuban food was delicious! Scroll down for all my favorite places.

In Havana, we arranged a taxi to take us to Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron for 70 CUC. Next stop...Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron

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Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro

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Havana, Cuba

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Palacio del Segundo Cabo

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Plaza 13 de Marzo- Havana, Cuba

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Plazuela de Santo Ángel

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Plazuela de Santo Ángel

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The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de la Habanal

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El Patio En La Habana Vieja

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Casa de Lombillo

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Statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes

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Plaza San Francisco de Asís

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Plaza San Francisco de Asís

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Architecture in Old Havana

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Plaza Vieja- Havana, Cuba

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El Capitolio- Havana, Cuba

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Hotel Inglaterra- Havana, Cuba

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Cuba- Havana- Sunset along the Malecon

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Casa de Lombillo

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Riding in a n old classic pink Ford convertible along the Malecon in Havana, Cuba 

Cuba- Havana- Vintage Chevy Lime Green Convertible

Cuba- Havana- Colorful vintage cars in the streets

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Bay of Pigs- Playa Giron

We went to Bay of Pigs for one reason- scuba diving! It was worth the trip and I will never forget the time in this little city!

We arrived in the late afternoon and it was too late to go scuba diving. Instead  we went over to Coco beach. It was walking distance from the house we stayed at. Coco beach is very secluded and private. The beach is a bit more rocky but the sunset was gorgeous! We swam, drank rum on the beach, watched the sunset, and made friends with locals 

The next day, the bus picked us up to head over to scuba dive. It costs 35 CUC for beginner diving which consists of a 15 minute lesson and hour long dive in the Caribbean sea. It took roughly an hour to get gear and sign waiver. There was someone who spoke English pretty fluently to help me with my lesson. I was surprised about how easy it actually was. We went about 20- 30 feet under. The reefs and wildlife were incredible. One of the coolest things I have ever done!! This area is known for some of the best diving and is why we chose to go. 

We took a Viazul bus from Playa Giron to Trinidad for 14 CUC a person. The trip was about 3 hours long and the bus was really comfortable! I tried to buy tickets online but the website did not work. It was very easy to purchase tickets on the spot!

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The best rum!

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Sunsets on Coco Beach

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Coco Beach

Trinidad

The colorful city was absolutely beautiful!! Everywhere you look, there was color!! The streets were like rainbows.

1. Take a walking tour through the city to see all the main sights and see where the locals live. We took the tour recommended by Lonely Planet

2. Have a drink while sitting on the steps by the plaza and people watch

3. Rent bikes for 5 CUC from the casa. We rode bikes for about 10 miles to Playa Ancon. I do not recommend doing this if you are traveling to Cuba in May or if it is above  90 degrees Fahrenheit. I definitely learned the hard way. I felt like I just rode a marathon by the time I got to the beach. Another option is taking a classic taxi car for 8 CUC. 

Playa Ancon was absolutely beautiful and everything I had hoped for. White sand beaches with clear blue water. The beach went on for miles and we hung out all day till right before sunset. We drank from the bar, had lunch at the Ancon Grill, and drank fresh coconut water out of ginormous coconuts. I couldn't have asked for more. We decided to ride our bikes back and were dead by the time we got back to our casa. 

After Trinidad, we had to go back to Havana because our flight was departing from there. We originally planned to take a bus but we got a persoanl taxi for the same amount so we went with the taxi. Our host helped us arrange the taxi. The cost was 25 CUC per person and the car ride was roughly 4 hours.

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba- Trinidad- Colorful streets of Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Plaza de Armas

Cuba- Trinidad- Park -------------

Cuba- Trinidad

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba- Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Local streets

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon- Fresh coconuts for 3 CUC

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon

Where should I stay in Cuba? 

Most of the time when I travel, I stay at hotels. I did a lot of research before I went to Cuba and after reading a ton of articles, the overall consensus was to stay in an Air BnB. I loved my experiences at the three places I stayed in during my trip to Cuba. The local hosts were absolutely amazing and so willing to help with everything from arranging taxis, preparing food, and giving us tips on where to go. For seven nights, the total came out to $260! 

In Havana I stayed with Elizabeth. The views from her rooftop were great! This apartment was very close to the capital and walking distance to old Havana. If you are looking to be closer to most of the sights, stay in old Havana. I walked past several hotels in Havana and they all looked stunning and incredibly luxurious. 

In Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron, I stayed at Tony's. I had the best experience here as the hosts helped arrange everything from our scuba diving excursion, taxi, and bus to Trinidad. Tony's wife, Mary, was an amazing cook!! I had some of the best lobster, shrimp, and chicken here!!

In Trinidad, I stayed at Felix's. This was the perfect location! It was very close to the bus stop and main plaza. There was a great restaurant right across the street too! Felix and his wife were absolutely amazing hosts and cannot thank them enough for all their help!  

Cuba- Havana- Balcony view from Air BnB

Cuba- Air BnB- Play Giron

Where should I eat in Cuba/ How is the food?

Food in Havana

The food in Cuba was amazing!! Before I went to Cuba, I heard/ read that the food wasn't that good. But after experiencing it for myself, I have to completely disagree with that!

We went to a famous place, La Guaridia, one night for dinner. We made reservations a week in advance which I highly recommend doing- expect a response within 48-72 hours. This restaurant is located in a residential neighborhood. On the way to the place, we thought we were going the wrong way because it was dark and quiet. The restaurants was super cool! The building is worn down and several levels. I will be honest and say the food was not as good as I was expecting. We had the lobster and chicken. But I will say, it is still worth going for the ambiance and experience. For four drinks, one appetizer, two main courses, the bill came out to about 75 CUC. Tip- request to sit on the roof. The views were cool!

Have a mojito, or two, at El Patio En La Habana Vieja while people watching. The food here is not known to be great but the drinks were great!! It was about 2 CUC per drink.

Try a real Cuban sandwich from Sandwicheria La Bien Paga. The sandwich is only 2 CUC!!! Yup, you read that right. It was delicious!!!!!

In between exploring, try the ropa vieja and a couple drinks at Mama Ines. It was the best ropa vieja I had, ever! The drinks were strong and made perfectly!! This hidden gem is tucked away in a little street and is perfect to try out before heading over to Plaza de San Francisco. 

The beast meal I had in Havana was at Los Nardos. This restaurant had a line every time I walked by. We waited about 30 minutes and it was totally worth it! It was and amazing meal with a romantic ambiance. A really cute man was also playing the piano. I felt like I was Belle from Beauty and the Beast- then the theme song started playing. Try their famous soup, fresh fish of the day, and lobster!

Make sure you head over to Chinatown while you're in Havana! Yup, that's right. We at an amazing Chinese Cuban lunch at Tein Tan. We had beers, beef on hot iron plate and friend rice. YUM!! 

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El Patio En La Habana Vieja

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Sandwicheria La Bien Paga

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Mama Ines- Daiquiri and Ron Collins

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La Floridita

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Los Nardos

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Los Nardos- Full Fish

Food in Trinidad, Cuba

The food in Trinidad was amazing!!! I ate for dirt cheap and the portions were huge!!

We had breakfast at our casa every morning for 5 CUC which consisted of fresh pressed juices, coffee, bread, eggs, and fresh fruits.

One night, we had dinner at La Ceiba which was amazing! It was right across the casa we were staying at. Ceiba means big tree. The restaurant was built up in several levels around this gorgeous tree. I highly recommend trying this place out for dinner one night. We tried the lamb rope vieja and roasted honey chicken. It was served with a fresh fruit salad as well as a vegetable salad. Both dishes were delicious and the portions were very large! The bill came out to about 34 CUC for three cocktails, and two dinner entrees. 

Other nights, we walked down Calle Gutiérrez, which is a main street filled with restaurants. Most of the places on this strip looked amazing and plates never went over 25 CUC. We had dinner at Restaurante Punta Brava that was mind blowing! The portions were big enough to feed an army (image below) and the whole meal came out to roughly 18 CUC. We had lamb special, pork chops, and traditional rice and beans (two different ways). We also wrote our names on the wall with crayons!

 At Playa Ancon, there are bars on the beach where drinks are roughly 4 CUC. There are also fresh coconuts for 3 CUC!! They were huge and so refreshing! There is also a restaurant, Ancon Grill, where they serve hot food and cold beverages. The food was not the best but plate were roughly 5-12 CUC.

What should I pack to go to Cuba?

As far as packing goes, I recommend taking tropical prints, flowy dresses and skirts, shorts, cotton/ linen shirts, and tons of bathing suits (so many great unlined bikinis here)! Stay tuned for all my vacation looks!

Shop this two-piece bikini that is only $12 HERE

Shop this gorgeous palm leaf printed one-piece for $15 HERE

Pink Hat from Zara

Pink Dress from Aidan Mattox- shop the look HERE

Do American/ US credit/ debit cards work in Cuba?

If you use Chase Bank, your cards will not work in Cuba. The atms will not give cash and cards are not accepted in any hotels or restaurants. I recommend taking US dollars and converting cash in Cuba. The currency exchange rate is the same throughout the whole country- it is about 10% conversion fee.

Cuc vs. Cup- almost everything we paid for was in CUC. The locals automatically converted CUP for us. You shouldn't worry about getting ripped off as the Cuban people were some of the nicest and honest people. 

1 Cuc= $1

What do I do if I run out of money in Cuba?

If you run into this problem of running our of money in Cuba, don't worry, there is a solution. One way to get cash is through Western Union. Someone in the US needs to directly transfer money to a local Cuban citizen. You could ask your host family to help you by being the middle man. You will need the local Cuban citizens full name and possibly ID number. Your family/ friend in the US needs to go to the local Western Union and transfer money to their account. Western Union will provide a ten digit code for the transaction. This number is needed to be given when picking up the money at the Western Union in Cuba. This process could take up to a few hours.

TIPS!

Bank- take cash, even some extra cash just in case. Cuba was incredibly safe. I took by passport and cash everywhere I went. I wore by crossbody bag and never felt unsafe the whole time. I honestly felt safer in Cuba than I did in Paris

Save some money at the end of your trip to buy rum at the duty free shops to take home with you!

Medication- take allergy medication- the dust made me quite sensitive. 

Water and fruits and vegetables- we drank out of bottled water and all restaurants and casa. I brushed my teeth with tap water and had no issues. I even drank tap water and had no difficulties. Cuban food always consisted of a vegetable salad- cucumber, tomato, and cabbage. I ate everything (even with the skin) and my stomach was fine. 

Average Cost of Things:

Taxi to and from the airport in Havana= $30 total for car- not per person

Bus prices=$14-25 per person

Taxi from Trinidad to Havana =$25 per person. Same price as vizual bus but you get the whole car to yourself. The taxi should also pick you up and drop you off from your hostal. Door to door service

Average cocktail price= $3

Average beer = $2

Average water price =$1-3 depending on size

Average food cost = sandwiches $2-$7, full plates $6-25

Casa breakfast =$5

Casa dinner/lunch= $9-12

XOXO!

Till the next adventure....

Puno, Peru

After a couple days of amazing adventures and climb in Cusco, my friend and I headed to Puno, Peru to see Lake Titicaca. I love the name of the lake and had to see it for myself. Puno was the most relaxing vacation spot! 

Day October 10

We arrived in Puno after riding the overnight bus (Transzela) from Cusco. The overnight bus was better than expected. I'm going to be completely honest, the bus station was not the best...it gave me doubts on the kind of bus I would be getting on. However, the Transzela bus was 2 levels and had seats that reclined way back ( almost like a bed). If you are looking for an inexpensive way to travel, this is it. Total cost for the 1 way bus ride was roughly $16. But be mindful that you will not get the best sleep. 

We got on our boat to Isla Suasi Hotel in the main harbor which departs the harbor at 6:45am daily (only time you can catch it). We then got a great tour of the Uros Floating Island. It was really interesting to see how the Uros people built the island using all natural products from the Earth. It takes the local Quechuan people about 12-15 months to build the island and they live on it for about 20-25 years! We then took a boat ride on a boat the local Quechuan people made by hand to the next Uros Island. I found it completely amazing how people use natural resources and live off of the basic needs! They just recently began using technology like lamps and cellphones. It's times like this that I thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to live the life I have.

Next we took a tour of the Taquille Island. This island is biggest and most developed island in Lake Titicaca. We watched the local Quechuan people dance and learned how they made their traditional clothes. I loved seeing how they knit the beautiful textiles! The total tour was roughly 3.5 hours. 

TIP: Dress warm because the temperatures in Puno are much colder! It was about 40 degrees farenheit in the middle of October.

TIP: Take sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. The sun on the island is very powerful! It gets really warm during the day.

TIP: Take your passport so you can get it stamped at Taquille Island for 1 sol! 

TIP: If you are prone to sea sickness, take motion sickness medication. The waves got pretty choppy a few times.

After our amazing tour, we arrived at Island Suasi where our hotel was located. We walked up the hill and I saw the gates of the hotel followed by a lovely stone building with colorful flowers and greenery surrounding the building. I couldn't believe that was the hotel! I had to pinch myself and just soak it all up. 

It's dead drop gorgeous!! The views are amazing and you can see many many miles of Lake Titicaca as well as other islands! The hotel was decorated perfectly, making you feel cozy and right at home. The hotel staff members were all really delightful and were available whenever we needed anything, even something as little as a hair dryer. 

The best part of staying at Isla Suasi Hotel is that the tour is provided for you! There is no need to plan other tours (which can get really confusing when traveling abroad). They also have tons of other activities such as walking up to the peak to watch the sunset, bird watching, kayaking, and spa treatments. 

Thank you so much for the amazing tour and stay Isla Suasi! I will never forget my time there! 

Day 11 October 11

Woke up with an amazing view! I had to pinch myself again just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. My hotel room looked out to Lake Titicaca.

We started the stay off with a delicious breakfast buffet- mini pancake, bacon, cereal, yogurt, coffee, omelet with spinach ham cheese onion mushroom. Yuuuummmmmmm

After breakfast, we went to explore the island a little. We laid outside in the hammocks and read magazines while soaking up the sun. It was amazing!! I've never felt more relaxed like I did on this island!!

The hotel package includes two 3 course meals and breakfast during your stay. Talk about a lot of food!!! I don't eat 3 course meals on a daily basis so this was something totally new to my body. For lunch we enjoyed, chicken noodle soup, salmon with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, wine was also included. For dessert, I had custard. 

To work off all the food we just ate, we decided to go canoeing on Lake Titicaca. We couldn't avoid the bushes so we paddled our way through ( I wish I caught that on camera- it was a good laugh). Best part about vacations are moments like that, laughing so hard to the point you cry. 

After that we took a lovely walk up to the highest point of Island Isla Suasi to look at the sunset. It was a bit cloudy so we only caught a glimpse but it was still beautiful. On the way down we ran into a heard of cute alpacas! They even posed for us!

We relaxed in the lobby by the fire warming up after the walk. It felt so good to relax and do absolutely nothing but at the same time it felt a little weird. The hotel has such a relaxing vibe! I felt so calm and at ease the whole time. 

For dinner we had another 3 course meal! One thing about Isla Suasi Hotel is that you will not go hungry! The food is absolutely amazing and presented/ served so well! We started off dinner with tomato soup, main dish was penne pasta with tomato sauce, desert was the traditional fruit of Peru, the passion fruit. 

Day 12 October 12

Sad knowing this was our last day on the island, we relaxed in the hammocks again.  We had another amazing breakfast then took a boat back to Puno. The hotel gave us a paper bag lunch- so cute! 

Read more about Peru from my visit to Lima, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, and Cusco!

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!