Travel Tips
2022 - what a year! As this is a time of year for reflection, I thought it would be fun to share with you the top Jet Set Blonde blog posts from 2022. Let the countdown begin!
Traveling is not just about setting foot on a landmark but also inhaling the essence of the place. Our world is vast, and most of us barely explore the wondrous planet we live on. If you have finally decided to pack your bags, this list of travel experiences will help you plan your adventures for yourself. So sit back and scroll through!
Gifting can be challenging, but this round-up of travel gifts for her is sure to provide inspiration for the jet setter in your life. If your jet setter is an avid traveler, consider getting something that will help them travel with greater efficiency, comfort, or ease. These travel gifts for her will make for a meaningful present to your world wanderer no matter your budget.
If the idea of another commercial flight is something you can’t stand, we can’t blame you. Between tedious customs clearance and kids throwing tantrums, flying commercial has become a bit of an inconvenience. This has led many travelers to charter a private jet rather than flying commercial.
Many tourists only have time to squeeze in a day trip from Lisbon so they don’t have much time to experience the cuisine. But I encourage you to stay a little longer if you can because Sintra has some hidden gem restaurants (including Michelin star restaurants) worth trying. Here are my picks for the best Sintra restaurants for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner.
Kansas City is well known for their delicious barbecue, but Kansas City, MO is not just a culinary one trick pony. Kansas City, MO offers dozens of unique and high quality cuisines that will impress and delight. Here are my picks for the best food in Kansas City. In this round-up, I cover the best food in Kansas City for every meal so that you have a good idea of where to eat on your weekend getaway!
There’s no more efficient way to travel than flying, even when heading to destinations that you can reach by car or train. However, the million-dollar question here is: how do you fly? Private or first class?
New Orleans is a foodie’s paradise. There are so many amazing places to eat in New Orleans that you could plan your entire trip around the food. With New Orleans food, you’re likely to get a lot of Cajun and Creole flavors as well as soul food influence. In this round-up, I’m going to touch on every meal so that you have a good idea of where to eat in New Orleans during your next trip!
Threads Worldwide is a social enterprise that puts income and resources into the hands of impact-driven women through the fair trade of artisan-made jewelry and goods. Discover how Angela Melfi (co-founder and CEO) was inspired to start this business and how she creates life-changing work around the world with the help of Threads Socialprenuers, like Andrea Jones (Regional Fair Trade Leader).
Set on 250 acres, The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona is a contemporary resort with Southwestern influence and stellar views of Camelback Mountain. From the pools to the Cactus Garden to the spa, The Phoenician is sure to make your stay in Scottsdale luxurious and memorable.
Scottsdale may not be the first place that comes to mind when going wine tasting…wine and deserts typically don’t go hand in hand. Despite that, downtown Scottsdale has become a hot spot for winery tasting rooms. Known as the “Scottsdale Wine Trail,” downtown Scottsdale presently has six different tasting rooms open to the public for wine tasting, each offering their own unique flavor profile and atmosphere. So if you’re looking to go wine tasting in Scottsdale, this is your ultimate guide!
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from when you visit Scottsdale, Arizona ranging from budget-friendly to super luxe! Whether you’re looking for fresh, top-shelf margaritas paired with tableside prepared guacamole or bloody Mary creations paired with brunch favorites, you’ll love these top restaurants in Scottsdale.
For a really exquisite dining experience, you must make reservations at Virtù Honest Craft, nestled in the Bespoke Inn bed and breakfast. It’s an intimate, white-tablecloth restaurant with outdoor seating underneath twinkling candles and string lights. Fire and water features make the courtyard feel magical. Not only is the setting spectacular, but the food is incredible.
ROAM Luggage makes traveling easy with its thoughtful, elegant, lightweight design. It also makes traveling more personal and fun with color customizations. ROAM Luggage's Jaunt design is lightweight and practical yet also chic and attractive. You get the style of a luxury luggage brand without sacrificing any utility or function, making it the best carry-on bag for women.
Did you know that Asheville, NC has the most breweries per capita than any other city in the United States?! That’s roughly 100 local beers. Needless to say, Asheville, NC knows their beer. You can literally create a travel itinerary solely dedicated to visiting breweries and trying flights of beer but if you have limited time like I did when visiting, here are my recommendations for the best breweries in Asheville, NC.
Dubbed as “foodtopia”, Asheville, NC is home to many culinary delights. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients are very important to Asheville chefs and restaurant owners. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever visited a place that emphasizes the use of locally sourced foods more than in Asheville, NC. Here’s my round-up of the best places to eat in Asheville, NC for every meal.
Pack Up + Go adds mystery and spontaneity to your travel experiences. Whether you're looking for a vacation, road trip, outdoor experience, or staycation, Pack Up + Go can help make your surprise trip perfect. Discover how founder and CEO, Lillian Rafson, was inspired to start this business and how she's continued to evolve it over the years.
There’s no shortage of witchy and historic homes in Salem, MA, considering that it’s one of the oldest cities in the United States. Even if you’re not really into history, you can appreciate the architectural style of the times. Here’s a round-up of some of the most historic homes in Salem, MA worth visiting.
Salem, MA has some AMAZING places to eat - especially when it comes to seafood (obviously!!) Clam chowder, raw oysters, lobster rolls...take me back!! Let’s take a look at the best places to eat in Salem, MA.
If you’re the least bit interested in witchy things, antiques, and magical keepsakes from your visit to Salem, bring money to shop! There are so many amazing and uniquely decorated stores in Salem. Even if you don’t buy a single thing, it’s still worth going into these witchy stores in Salem, MA.
Though Key West may not be considered a culinary hotspot, the destination does offer some really delicious places to eat - especially if you like seafood or Cuban food. Plus, it’s hard to beat the ocean views that many of the island restaurants offer. Check out this related post to get a round-up of where to eat in Key West for every meal.
Meet Charlie Clifford and Larry Lein, the creators of ROAM Luggage - a completely customizable premium luggage brand. As former executives at Tumi, Charlie and Larry understand how a high-quality, well-made piece of luggage can elevate your travel experience. Get advice on how to pick out the best suitcase for you and learn what makes ROAM Luggage so special!
Charlottesville, VA is home to the Monticello Wine Trail, a collection of 40+ wineries within a 25-mile radius. Though you could literally spend days plodding along this wine trail, here are the 3 best wineries in Charlottesville, VA that you must visit while in town.
Read more about Palm Springs’ newly renovated boutique hotel in the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, Old Ranch Inn. It’s a peaceful escape with a relaxing pool in a prime location steps away from Downtown Palm Springs.
Read more about Palm Springs’ newest hotel in the Tahquitz River Estates neighborhood, BelleVue Oasis. It’s a sophisticated boutique hotel with modern amenities, retro chic décor, and the perfect pool.
There’s no shortage of amazing restaurants and places to eat in Palm Springs. Whether you’re going for brunch, lunch, happy hour, or dinner, this round-up provides the best places to eat in Palm Springs.
With many of us spending the holidays at home this year instead of traveling to see family and friends, it's the perfect time to share some ideas for having a luxury staycation at home. Just because you are home for the holidays doesn't mean that you can't do it in style. Consider this as your chance to enrich your life and grow in ways that you wouldn’t usually have time for.
Over the past 14 years, I’ve spent a lot of time in trains, planes, and cars in pursuit of exploration and pleasure mixed with business. And let me tell you - I’ve learned quite a bit of things you should do and not do when traveling. Mastering the art of travel certainly takes practice, and over the years I’ve learned some simple rules that allow me to travel with less stress and more enjoyment.
It’s important to explore and discover your own travel personality so that you can experience the best possible travel experience that’s right for you. Take this travel personality quiz to know what kind of a traveler you are and what type of vacation experiences suit you best.





Portuguese food is heavily influenced by the country's history and geography, with ingredients like cod, olive oil, and wines playing a prominent role in many dishes. Whether you're in the mood for traditional Portuguese fare or international cuisine, Lisbon has something for everyone. Here are my picks for the best places to eat in Lisbon.