My Top 3 Places I’ve Visited — and Why You Have to See Them
Hydra, Greece
Travel isn’t just about the destination — it’s about the moments that stay with you long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase. Here are three places that completely captured my heart (and maybe a little piece of my soul).
🇺🇸 Alaska
I love an Alaska cruise (and highly recommend one!) — but seeing Alaska by land from Anchorage to Fairbanks was next-level. From charming Talkeetna to the wild beauty of Denali National Park, it’s where I truly felt the magic of “The Last Frontier.”
One of my favorite memories was the day our white-water rafting trip in Denali got canceled — the rivers were just too rough. What started as disappointment turned into one of the best days of the trip. We decided, on a whim, to rent a Jeep (the rental office was just down a small hill from our hotel) and set out on the Old Denali Highway.
Before long, the pavement disappeared — replaced by gravel and open wilderness. Cell signal? Gone. But freedom? 100%.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rushing streams, waterfalls, and even a few moose — it was one of those rare, unscripted travel days that becomes pure magic. The kind of adventure that reminds you how breathtakingly beautiful the world can be.
🇬🇷 Greece
A week in and around Athens was pure joy — from incredible food (I’m still dreaming of the souvlaki and spanakopita) to ancient ruins and postcard-worthy scenery.
I’ll never forget our overnight adventure to Delphi and Meteora. Passing endless fields of olive trees, we reached Meteora, a tiny town nestled beneath towering rock formations. Once home to over 20 monasteries perched high on the cliffs, it’s one of the most awe-inspiring places I’ve ever seen. We left most of our luggage behind in Athens, packed light for one night, and stayed at a cozy hotel at the foot of the mountains — looking up at those incredible monasteries glowing in the sunset.
And our day trip to the nearby islands — Poros, Aegina, and Hydra (where there are no cars — just mules and footpaths!) — was the perfect ending to our Greek adventure.
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy… where do I even start? I haven’t seen it all (yet!), but the parts I have seen left me completely enchanted.
Naples. Sorrento. Pompeii. Sicily. Mount Etna. Every stop felt like stepping into a living postcard.
In Pompeii, we toured with Vera — an incredible Italian guide whose warmth and passion for her country were as memorable as her perfectly rolled “r’s.” Complete with the classic cheek kisses and a melodic accent that made history sound like music, she guided us expertly past the long lines straight into the ruins.
She didn’t just show us Pompeii — she brought it to life. The stories of the people who once walked those ancient streets felt so real, you could almost hear them.
And later, as our ship passed Stromboli, one of Italy’s active volcanoes, I realized… I might be collecting volcanoes like Pokémon. Gotta catch ’em all! 🌋
So go. Take the trip. See the places that make your heart race and your jaw drop.
And when you’re ready, let me help you plan your own unforgettable adventure. 💌
-Melissa
