Featured Adventure
Vintage Classic Glam Photoshoot
As quarantine progresses, Katarina Van Derham and I have been conducting more and more vintage photoshoots. As a huge fan of the past eras, I've been super proud of the results. Here's our newest vintage classic glam photo set. And be sure to check out our past sets...
Latest Trip
Cheap Travel: Traveling on a Budget
Cheap travel is something that we all dream of. And when I say cheap, I don't mean bad quality. We all want the best bang for our buck on our adventures. We want the most epic experiences while dishing out the least amount of cash possible. Most of us have a hard time...
Latest Hike
Enchanted Forest Trail & Woodland Falls Trail in Pine Mountain Club
As we progress into cooler weather, we can finally start dreaming about beautiful walks in the snow (and pray that weather will be upon us soon). No more freakishly hot summer days. Hopefully no more fires! Well, if you find yourself in a nice getaway up in Pine...
Stop Creating Your Own Hell!
And Live in the World You Want to Live In! In today’s time, it’s pretty normal for one to look in on someone else’s life and get jealous or to notice each and every flaw we have in our own lives. Especially with social media being such a prevalent part in our society,...
Vintage Classic Glam Photoshoot
As quarantine progresses, Katarina Van Derham and I have been conducting more and more vintage photoshoots. As a huge fan of the past eras, I've been super proud of the results. Here's our newest vintage classic glam photo set. And be sure to check out our past sets...
Cheap Travel: Traveling on a Budget
Cheap travel is something that we all dream of. And when I say cheap, I don't mean bad quality. We all want the best bang for our buck on our adventures. We want the most epic experiences while dishing out the least amount of cash possible. Most of us have a hard time...
Achieve Mind, Body, and Spirit Health at Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment
As you may have noticed, I love to embrace and discuss metaphysical topics. I truly believe there is more to humanity than meets the eye. In other words, we are all capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for, we just aren’t always open to the...
The Land of Oz Park Brings Out the Inner Child in Everyone
Head to Beech Mountain, North Carolina for an Epic Wizard of Oz Experience Almost all of us can remember that special moment when we were first introduced to The Wizard of Oz film as children- that moment you first meet Dorothy and Toto, that moment you first see her...
Intuitive Donita King Teaches Students to Utilize Their Psychic Abilities
An Interview with a Psychic Donita King is a natural intuitive, having exhibited psychic skills from early childhood. Donita, as a child, received information in dreams, spontaneously “knew” things, and communicated easily with those who had crossed over. Growing up,...
Why You Should Visit Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem has been known for hundreds of years as a cultural, innovative, and artistic hub. Since its early settlers, craftsmanship, pottery, iron working, furniture making, and clothing production have all set the city’s personality apart from surrounding areas....
Introducing the American Museum of the House Cat, a Treasure for Cat Lovers
Help Dr. Harold Sims Keep His Legacy Alive Dr. Harold Sims is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met with an incredibly unique story that comes with him. In the 1990s, he found that in his area of North Carolina, there weren’t any shelters that didn’t...
The Windsor Boutique Hotel is a Must-Visit in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, NC is becoming more hip by the minute. This city is an art-lover’s dream with old brick-buildings placed in between brightly colored facades. The food is delicious and vegan-friendly at most places, and there is no lack of things to see and do. Plus, it’s...
The Perfect All-In-One Stop in Asheville, North Carolina
If you’re looking to visit Asheville, North Carolina (or are planning to stop through it for the night), we have some recommendations for you! Asheville, North Carolina is quickly becoming one of the hippest, most artistic places to visit. The plethora of artistic...
King Neptune’s 3D Mini Golf Brings a New Take on a Favorite Hobby
Have you ever wanted to play mini golf in the dark…with a blacklight…and 3D glasses? I’m sure many of you have never thought about it. But now that I’ve said it, it sounds incredible, right? I’m here to tell you firsthand that it is something you must experience for...
A Quick Ghost Guide to North Carolina
One thing is pretty certain when dealing with the paranormal world- the older a location, the more history it has. A longer history provides more chances for the paranormal to emerge and for hauntings to take place. That’s why, according to most, the east coast of the...
What is a Spirit House? All You Need to Know About Spirit Houses in Cambodia
As I was working on an archaeological dig in Cambodia last year, I quickly discovered that almost every home in Cambodia has a spirit house. What is a spirit house? It's a small bird-house like roofed structure that sits on a pillar. They are generally made with...
Diving at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach
Now that I'm Scuba Certified, you will be seeing periodic reviews of dive sites! I'm going to start, of course, with the few places that I had to dive at to get my certification. The first of which was Veterans Park. As mentioned, Veterans Park in Redondo Beach was...
Vintage Victorian Photoshoot
Those who know me know how much I love dressing up in vintage garb. Old-fashioned shoots are always my favorite! Luckily, Katarina Van Derham has been on a photo kick and taking gorgeous vintage-inspired photos of me for VIVA GLAM Magazine. They are stunning! These...
Adventure Headshots & Modeling Set
I have some new photos to share with you! Well, these are actually pretty dated now, but this is still one of my absolute favorite photo sets- shot in my back yard. They were intended to be headshots with some fun, different aesthetics thrown in for funsies. Check out...
How to Get the Best Experiences Out of Your Trip
Have you ever experienced that moment when you head out on your dream trip, get caught up in the moment, get back home and then... crap! You forgot about this thing you really wanted to do! How did you not think about it in the moment? It can happen to anyone. While...
The Side Effects of Meditation
Meditation is a great practice for one’s mental health that helps provide a healthy overall outlook on the world. Honestly, I am an avid supporter of meditation and regularly write about my spirituality and mediation practices on other platforms. However, I do think...
Enchanted Forest Trail & Woodland Falls Trail in Pine Mountain Club
As we progress into cooler weather, we can finally start dreaming about beautiful walks in the snow (and pray that weather will be upon us soon). No more freakishly hot summer days. Hopefully no more fires! Well, if you find yourself in a nice getaway up in Pine...
Safely Solo Traveling as a Girl
Ladies, traveling alone can be really difficult. As a girl, I sometimes get worried about traveling alone to certain places- not even just foreign countries, even to many local cities. (It's not that it's much easier for men, I'm just speaking from my own experience...
Rise Lantern Festival Lights Up the Mojave Desert Once a Year
Lantern festivals are a breathtaking sight for those lucky enough to experience one, but they are usually very hard to find; especially in the United States where our environment doesn’t always serve as the safest atmosphere to launch lanterns into the air. This is...
Getaways Near Los Angeles: Julian, Pine Mountain Club, and Ojai
2020 has been a rough year for adventurers, let me tell you! Between the quarantine, travel bans, and inability to even leave our homes, how can a regular traveler adjust? I had a couple of months where I told myself that it would quickly pass and everything would be...
Is Getting Scuba Certified Right for You?
Well, I did it! I officially became a certified scuba diver, and I couldn't be more excited about it. When discussing my scuba adventures with the world, I quickly realized how many people have written "Get Scuba Certified" on their bucket lists. Who could blame them?...
The California Institute of Abnormal Arts
You can find the California Institute of Abnormal Arts (or the C. I. A. as they call it) standing proudly on Burbank Blvd. This building certainly draws plenty of attention to itself. The CIA is a club, performance venue, and sideshow museum located in North...
The Spider Pool – Old Hollywood History & Lore
I love emphasizing how weird our world is in both my show and my blog here. Part of that is focusing on old myths and legends. Every place has its own weird history and lore that most don’t know about. Usually, the locals of an area know much more about this than...
Monitoring Your Health as You Travel
As a modern traveler and adventurer, you really have to know your body well before stepping out into the world to experience an adventurous trek. Especially now during this pandemic. You need to know how your body reacts under stress, how your body reacts with its...
Renaissance / Baroque Photoshoot
For years now, I have been trying to get the perfect photos in my Renaissance dress. My friend Alex made this dress for me for the Renn Faire years ago, and I love it. It is a replica of one of Danielle de Barbarac's dresses in the movie Ever After. Well, after years...
Sturtevant Falls Trail
While we were only expecting a hike to a waterfall, my friends and I found so much more at Sturtevant Falls Trail. This hike has a parking lot, as well as a closer parking lot by a convenience store that you can pay to park at. On a busy day, it’s worth it to pay the...
Franklin Canyon Trail
Franklin Canyon Trail is a nice, easy hike. (It's less of a hike and more of a walk actually). It's the perfect hike for a beginner or for someone looking for a nice stroll around a lake. While this trail is a 1.9 mile trek, it's almost all flat and is good for...
Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez is a charming little fishing village located in the South of France- about two hours out from Cannes. It has the serene nature of a small town but a personality all its own. When we went to Saint Tropez, we met up with Vanessa from La Tarte Tropezienne,...
The Best Places to Hang in Richmond, VA
Having grown up around Richmond, Virginia, I definitely have my favorite places to visit each time I head home for a holiday. Some of them have become incredibly mainstream over the years, while others are still quite little places for me to enjoy. Regardless, if you...
Paradise Falls Hike
If you are located in the Los Angeles area and are looking for a beautiful hike that figuratively transports you to another planet, look no further than Paradise Falls Hike. Located in Thousand Oaks, CA, this hike is 2.7 miles long, so it’s a little more difficult...
The Old Zoo Trail at Griffith Park
I know it's a very popular trail and that many people already know about it, but isn't that a good thing? They must be onto something. The Old Zoo Trail is the perfect hike for those looking for a relatively easy hike in a more park-like environment. I like this hike...
Leo Carrillo State Beach
There is no shortage of beaches in California. There's basically a beach for every day and occasion. But, for me, Leo Carrillo State Beach easily takes the award for best beach around. Located up near Malibu, it's far more interesting than the flat beaches like Zuma...
How to Have an Adventure Anywhere
Adventure, like many things, is a state of mind. Most people immediately assume that having an adventure entails going to some far-off land to accomplish a major quest. While this is definitely an example of an adventure, it's just that: an example. It is just as easy...
What It’s Like on a Plane Right Now During the COVID-19 Pandemic
I Flew During the COVID-19 Pandemic so You Don’t Have to ...but Maybe You'll Want to After Reading This That’s right. I did it. I braved the world and flew across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Was I scared? I was a little worried at first. But...
My Quarantine Journey- Learning the Power of the Mind
The mind is an incredibly powerful tool that we tend to take for granted. In fact, our brain controls all bodily functions from movement to speech to memory and the function of our limbs and organs. Many scientists and civilians alike believe the mind can also harness...
How to Get Rid of Grief and Begin Your Journey to Happiness
Quarantine has definitely been challenging everyone's mental stamina. I'm an introvert, so I loved the idea of not having to go out; and then tragedy struck. I lost my best friend, my baby, my beloved cat of 12 years, Tobi through a freak veterinary mistake during a...
Reconnect with Your Inner Child During Quarantine to Create New Adventures
It’s definitely a scary time in the world right now. And one thing is certain: traveling for leisure is pretty much off the table for the next year. I had a big volunteer gig planned in South Africa in May that, of course, could not happen. And my future trip plans...
Harness Your Intuition at The Monroe Institute
I’m going to get a little personal and talk about something "weird" (weird in a unique and endearing way) that is important to me that you may or may not know. I grew up very intuitive, and I naturally believe in a religion that I refer to as Christian Mysticism....
Weird World Adventures is Now on VIDI Space
What is Weird World Adventures? TRAVEL TO THE STRANGEST, DORKIEST, and MOST UNBELIEVABLE PLACES IN THE WORLD with MALORIE MACKEY!I am thrilled to announce that I have teamed up with VIDI SPACE to bring you the first season of Weird World Adventures- my new strange and...
Understanding the German Train System
If you’re visiting Germany for an upcoming trip, you should know that it’s a country that is all about its train system. In fact, you are heavily discouraged from taking a taxi for any long-distance trip. Instead, a train will suffice as all major cities have many...
It’s Beethoven 2020! And Here’s How You Can Celebrate Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary!
It’s the 250th anniversary of Beethoven, and the famed composer’s face is all over Bonn, Germany to remind its residents and guests that Beethoven was born there in Bonn in 1770. Beethoven gets associated with Vienna, as that’s where he composed his greatest works,...
The Hard Rock Riviera Maya
The Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya is a nice place to get away that is just a short drive from Cancun, Mexico. I had never been to an all-inclusive resort before, and it was a really nice treat. Food and snacks are laid out around bars and kitchens all around the...
Your Ultimate Packing List
The Essential Packing List The worst thing that can happen when you are traveling is forgetting a pivotal item. There was one vacation I went on as a teenager where I forgot to pack my entire top drawer! I had no underwear, bras, socks, or swimsuits. Having to run by...
Ibagari Boutique Hotel
This past month I traveled to Roatan, Honduras for the first time, and I was lucky enough to stay at Ibagari Boutique Hotel, a beautiful artistic structure located on the beachfront of one of Roatan’s most exclusive areas. This serene spot has become a favorite travel...
Photo Set Inspired by Marilyn Monroe
See here below Jay Ablah Photography and my photoshoot inspired by the famous final photoshoot of Marilyn Monroe. This was shot very early in the morning as the sun came up at Leo Carrillo Beach. It's something I've been wanting to shoot forever, and I knew that Jay...
Luna Muna at Ibagari Boutique Hotel Provides Culinary Excellency
The Ibagari Boutique Hotel provides its guests with the most exquisite dining experience that I have seen at any hotel or resort. The on-site restaurant, Luna Muna, consists of a unique and delicious menu featuring a wide variety of cuisine. Luna Muna is relaxed, fun,...
Delphinus, a Chance to Play with Dolphins
Have you ever wanted to swim with dolphins? It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. Do you worry that when you do, though, that it will be inhumane/not moral, especially with all the backlash to Sea World after the Blackfish documentary? Though I have mixed...
Scuba Diving is One of the Greatest Activities to Try on Vacation!
Have you ever wanted to go scuba diving? It's something that I have always wanted to try that I just hadn't been provided the opportunity to do. And it's not something that one usually thinks of being able to just go and do in everyday life. Submerging yourself under...
Solvang, a Cute Danish Village in Wine Country
If you're looking to take a nice visit into wine country and are located in Southern California, I encourage you to make the day trip to Solvang. Located just 40-minutes or so from Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is a little Danish village that looks...
Inspiration Point Trail
I'm always on the search for the newest and best hiking trails. I find that I prefer the trails less traveled, however, when it comes down to it. That being said, I was unsure about Inspiration Point Trail at first because it is very “mainstream” out here in Los...
The Best Websites to Use to Plan Your Travel
Planning your own trip without the hassle of hiring a professional is becoming a big trend. With technology at our fingertips, everyone has the ability to research and plan the ideal trip they want to take. There are a few key sites that are crucial for trip planning....
Photoshoot at Rock-a-Hoola Abandoned Water Park
Last year, I had an epic adventure at Rock-a-Hoola, the abandoned water park on the 15. There, we did a photo shoot. This was something of my own creation that I envisioned one day after finding photos of this incredible place online. After getting inspired by the...
The Cave of Munits
I was inspired to make it out to the Cave of Munits after seeing a group of friends hike out that way. Let me say, this hike is VERY easy. It’s an extremely quick walk over to the cave from the parking location. The hardest part was finding the exact whereabouts of...
Cannes, France at the Cannes Film Festival
Last year, I received the blessing of attending the Cannes Film Festival to film for a show I was working on. We didn’t just stay at a hotel, we rented a flat for the duration of the event and lived a block from the event festivities. That was a truly remarkable...
Planning the Most Epic Irish Adventure
Traveling to Ireland is definitely an adventure in itself. The lush, green countryside, the centuries-old stone architecture, and the castles appearing on the horizon all over the place truly make it feel as if you are in a fairy tale. Everywhere in Ireland is so rich...
What to Do in Puerto Vallarta
So, you’re going to Puerto Vallarta. You will be thrilled to be spending some time in paradise. But what should you do when you get there? There are so many things to do in this thriving tourist destination. How can you pick just a few? Don’t worry; we have you...
Why You Should Visit Puerto Vallarta
When you hear about Puerto Vallarta, the first thing that may come to mind is an exotic, tropical vacation. While Puerto Vallarta definitely has sparkling waters and luxurious beaches, the most exciting thing about the city may very well be its art and culture. During...
The Monroe Institute Teaches You How to Have an Out of Body Experience
Hidden in the foothills of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains in Faber, VA, sits The Monroe Institute, the spiritual center that might just change your life. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an out-of-body experience or to experience different...
My Archaeological Experience in Cambodia
For those who don’t know, I decided to volunteer this summer at an archaeological dig in Cambodia. P’teah Cambodia: ProjecT Excavating Ancient Households was an excavation lead by Drs. Miriam Stark and Alison Carter. The goal of the dig was to discover how people...
A Day at Shanghai Disney Resort
Though it took me a 14-hour plane ride to make it to Shanghai from Los Angeles, somehow the flight seemed relatively easy and painless. There were plenty of meals, and perhaps the overnight aspect of it made the time fly by faster. Whatever it may be, getting to...
The New England Society for Psychic Research Continues the Work of Ed & Lorraine Warren
Horror movies are more popular now than ever before. Perhaps the most well-known series out there currently is the Conjuring Series. It’s hard to find anyone today who hasn’t heard of Ed and Lorraine Warren thanks to these hit blockbusters. If you know of them, then...
The Temples of Angkor: Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, and Angkor Wat
When the Temples of Angkor are mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is Angkor Wat. In fact, many people believe that Angkor Wat is the only temple within the structure, not having heard otherwise. However, Angkor Wat is actually just one...
Dinosaur Kingdom II Tells the Exciting Tale of Civil War Soldiers Fighting the Dinosaurs!
Dinosaur Kingdom II is not your normal road-side attraction. Inspired by the innovative mind of artist Mark Cline, this fun, immersive experience is much more than just something to look at. The park announces, “Them wacky Yankees is at it again. Tryin’ to use living...
APOPO Works with African Giant Pouched Rats to Detect Landmines throughout Africa and Cambodia
On my recent trip to Cambodia, I had no idea that landmines were such a problem until I arrived. As Cambodia was plagued with three decades of recent war, there are landmines scattered all across the countryside, abandoned and ready to detonate at any moment. This is...
What It’s Really Like Taking the Oral Typhoid Vaccine
Are you traveling to somewhere exotic? If you are, the odds are your local doctor or travel clinic will advise you to get a typhoid vaccination- among others. Now, I will start this by saying that you should ABSOLUTELY follow your health-care provider's advice. They...
Glen Ivy Natural Hot Springs
Glen Ivy is the perfect serene getaway for someone who needs a day off from their busy life. Glen Ivy is a natural hot spring out in Corona, California that offers spa and salon services to guests, as well as just a generic day-spa getaway. You must book and pay extra...
The Accommodations at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Kakslauttanen Artic Resort truly is one of the greatest adventures you could ever have. I already covered the unique activities that you can do there, but now let me discuss the lodging offered there. Kakslauttanen stretches on for the course of two villages. They are...
Interview at the Whaley House: One of America’s Most Historically Famous Homes
Located in the heart of Old Town San Diego, the Whaley House sits as a living piece of history for guests to come take a trip into the past. Built in 1856, Thomas Whaley’s home served as a convenient store, a county courthouse, and a commercial theater throughout the...
Experience the History and Lore of the Winchester Mystery House
Interview with Janan Boehme, the Historian at the Winchester Mystery House Holding many accounts of both historical and paranormal lore, the Winchester Mystery House is perhaps the most famous house in America. It is both beautiful and bizarre. The mansion was built...
The Day My Friend Almost Died at Deep Creek
If you remember reading my previous post about Deep Creek, you'll recall me mentioning that this is a hike you really need to be prepared for. It's a long hike in the desert with an uphill slope on the way back- so save your water until the end. Well, when we went...
Saint Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence has made the top of my list of places I've visited thus far in France. Nestled up in the French Alps sits this gorgeous getaway. It’s an old, medieval city made of stone that still stands within the city walls of its glorious past. This is...
How to Bring More Travel and Adventure into Your Life
We manifest what we want in our lives whether we are conscious of it or not. That means that the more we focus on something, the more likely it is to become a bigger part of our lives. So, the best way to bring more travel and adventure into our lives is by focusing...
Everything You Need to Know Before You Take Your Ultimate Vacation
Don’t Pack Your Bags for Your Vacation Until You Are Fully Prepared Most people now-a-days book their travel without any travel agent, agenda, or any real plan. It’s almost romantic to just throw your worries out the window and hop on a plane to find your inner peace,...
The Tulum Archeological Site
I had never seen an archaeological site on the beach until I visited Tulum. Those are two things you definitely wouldn't normally think of as going together. What a unique experience! Something about old stone structures such as pyramids and temples sitting with palm...
The Terrifying Mummies of Guanajuato
When I was visiting Guanajuato, my friend told me that I had to see the mummy museum. I wasn't a bit concerned; after all, I had been to the Catacombs of Paris. This was no where near as many dead bodies as I saw there. When we got to the mummy museum, I was shocked...
Sequoia National Park: Crystal Cave & Tokopah Valley Trail
As I’ve said before, if you live in Southern California, a day trip (or a weekend trip) to Sequoia National Park is a must. Spread out wide across from King’s Canyon National park and conveniently 3 ½ to 4 hours from Los Angeles is Sequoia, featuring miles of hiking...
Malorie’s Adventures Promotional Photo Set
It's been a fun and exciting experience setting up Malorie's Adventures for everyone; therefore, I thought I'd do something fun for you. Re-launching this blog, mixed with a new secret pilot I'm working on, meant that it was time to do an adventure photoshoot! This...
Rock-a-Hoola: the Abandoned Water Park on the 15
Many people have seen this. It's the abandoned water park that sits in desolate tranquility in the desert on the 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Having gone back and forth between the two many times, I had seen it hiding there in plain sight. Little did I know,...
Ile Saint Marguerite, a Hidden Paradise off the Coast of Cannes
The Island Just a 15-minute boat ride off the coast of Cannes, you will find Ile Saint Marguerite. Ile Saint Marguerite houses a little fishing village, a bird sanctuary, and a lot of history. There are ferries that take you to the island from Cannes hourly, and it is...
Alltournative Jungla Maya
Jungla Maya Native Park If you love adventure, then you need to connect with AllTourNative the next time you’re in the Cancun or Tulum areas. I had the pleasure of adventuring with Alltournative while I was staying at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya. My tour group and I...
What To Do in Los Angeles at Halloween Time
Halloween might be over, but the festivities are still going on through the end of this weekend! The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor goes until Friday November 2nd, and Halloween Horror Nights continues its scares until November 4th. Now, many who know me know that I am the...
Solstice Canyon Loop
Solstice Canyon Loop is a 3.4 mile trail in the shape of a loop located near Malibu in California. As I began this hike, I chose the path starting on the left side of the trail. That part of the trail isn’t very steep or complicated to climb. It’s actually pretty...
The “Keys to the Kingdom” Tour at Disney World Offers You a Glimpse at Disney’s Underground Tunnel System
If you’re curious to know more about the amazing tours that Disney World and Disneyland both offer, from the most fun Halloween experiences to the tours of Walt’s apartment on Main Street USA, check out my article on VIVA GLAM Magazine here! Just for you all here, I’d...
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa
I was very excited to visit the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa after having heard about them for years. They have been compared to the caves within the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. Naturally, being a Disney connoisseur, I knew I had to see them...
The Activities at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Have you ever wanted to go husky sledding? Ever wanted to be pulled in a sled by reindeer? Well, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is the perfect place to live out your dream winter activities! My husband and I went to Kakslauttanen in late December, and there are so many...
Grotto Trail
This Beautiful Trail Would Have Been so Much Better if We Weren't in a Drought Grotto trail is a 2.7 mile loop near Malibu, California. While Grotto trail really does have it all- flowing water, waterfalls, fields, mountains, and incredibly scenic views, make sure you...
Remington Hot Springs
A Little Getaway in Sequoia National Forest The Remington Hot Springs exist in a quick path in the Sequoia National Forest just a few hours north of Los Angeles in Southern California. Don’t let their existence in the Sequoia Forest fool you, though. They are nowhere...
Murphy’s Ranch Trail
Murphy's Ranch Trail is a 3.4 mile loop located in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, CA. This hike is in a pretty central area, located just shortly off of where the 405 meets Sunset Blvd. Parking is simple, as the trail begins in a residential area....
Deep Creek Hot Springs
The hike to Deep Creek Hot Springs is a MUST for those who are itching for adventure. However, it is absolutely not for the faint of heart. Deep Creek Hot Springs is located about 2 hours away from Los Angeles. It is roughly a 5-mile hike in- and-out, however, the...
Jardin Escultorico Edwards James, Las Pozas
Las Pozas is an unbelievable playground for adults. It was created by the mind of art patron and poet Edward James who searched for the best land he could find to create his wonderland. He discovered the mountains in San Luis Potosí and knew that he had found the...
Sequoia National Park -The Giant Forest & Moro Rock
If you live in Southern California, a day trip (or a weekend trip) is a must-do to visit Sequoia National Park. Spread out wide across from King’s Canyon National park and conveniently 3 ½ to 4 hours from Los Angeles is Sequoia, featuring miles of hiking trails,...
The City of Puebla & The Great Pyramid of Cholula
Puebla is a very artistic, hip city slightly south of Mexico City. It is a fun, modern place to be. Though it is updated, the old side of town features antique Spanish architecture still entwined perfectly within the new.Our hotel, the Puebla de Antano Hotel, was a...
Guanajuato, a City in the Hills
Guanajuato is an intricate city built into the side of a great hill. It is colorful, bright, and cultural with a massive theatre, classy little parks, and little shops and knick-knacks everywhere. The road system twists in and out of the hills in a way where you can...
Grutas Tolantongo: A Hidden Paradise
For the outdoor-loving adventurers of the world, Grutas Tolantongo is a must see! It is the most mesmerizing place. Hidden in the side of a mountain and overlooking its mighty valley and river bed within it, is Grutas Tolantongo, a natural hot-springs resort and park....
Blarney Castle and Gardens
Let’s talk about Blarney Castle. The full name of the property is “Blarney Castle and Gardens,” and with quite a good reason. The gardens of Blarney are, perhaps, more charming than the castle, itself. But more to that in a second. In my opinion, Blarney Castle is the...
The Rock of Dunamase
I was inspired to visit the Rock of Dunamase (an amazingly beautiful castle laid in ruins along the Irish countryside) while watching Leap Year with Amy Adams, as it is featured in that movie. I know, it’s slightly lame, but the structure just looked so beautiful on...
He’s Here! The Phantom of the Opera! (The Opera Garnier)
The story of The Phantom of the Opera has always interested me since I was young. It originated from a book by Gaston Leroux, who supposedly swore on his deathbed that the story was true. People have spent their lives studying the Opera Garnier, where the story...
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel is an ancient castle found in the lower, middle land of Ireland in Tipperary. Damian and I had the honor of visiting there, and it seemed to transport us into an ancient, religious time. This large castle was once the seat of the King of Munster...
St. Anne’s Park
St. Anne’s Park was the perfect way to start my adventure in Dublin. Despite the entrance being grand, it is almost as if it is hidden away, as there is no prominent sign. After ensuring that we were in the right place, we continued down the large main walkway that...
“Stop! This is the Empire of the Dead.”- The Catacombs of Paris
The Catacombs of Paris are, perhaps, one of the most interesting places to visit in Paris. They are eerily beautiful and still. Yes, the catacombs are touristy, but no more than any other attraction in the city. In fact, you will find many locals there, as well. This...
A Letter from the Past: Serbia and England- 2009
While looking through old documents on my computer, I stumbled upon a letter I had written for class upon traveling abroad to Belgrade, Serbia and Herefordshire, England. Upon re-reading this so many years after the event, I found this to be a pretty remarkable piece...
Floating: A New Meditation Technique
While this isn't necessarily about travel, this is a health and wellness topic that is becoming popular everywhere. It is something being practiced around the world, and it is a unique experience that I felt inclined to write about. The other day, I visited Just Float...