destination195

Embarking on a 2-month solo mission through the Balkans this past summer, I had to be *extremely* efficient with space while still making room for the essentials. This is everything that made the cut—and now that I'm reflecting after the fact—what I would take out and add in the future.

flying internationally—the right way—is an art form in a sense, a craft that can be honed over time with the age-old adage that practice makes perfect. fortunately, the hundreds of hours i've spent in the air have sharpened my abilities so i always sleep soundly, ready to roll off the plane and seize the day as soon as we touch down. take a peek at my travel toolkit essentials below for ideas on how to step up your own flight game.

I'm not a hostel person...which means if I'm budget traveling, only the best of the best are being booked 🛌🏿

Learn which historic hotspots are worth paying for now that the all-in-one combo ticket is no more and discover hidden gems embracing the art of Greek hospitality for the ultimate first time in Athens, Greece experience 🇬🇷Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/what-to-do-in-athens

Where sapphire water meets secret caves and fishermen paint their pastel doors to match the sea–hit the same picturesque pockets that I did during 3 days on the quieter side of the Cyclades for the ultimate first time in Milos, Greece experience ⛵Find the full travel guide here: destination195.com/destinations/what-to-do-in-milos

An island made for the girls, find Cycladic gems tucked away in charming villages and discover what's actually worth your while in the upscale (yet tourist trap-filled) harbors for the ultimate first time in Paros, Greece experience 🏖️Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/what-to-do-in-paros

Where ancient Roman ruins meet Adriatic coastline views, discover Split through its most atmospheric corners. From Diocletian’s Palace courtyards and marble alleyways to pine-covered hills above turquoise waters—use my recommendations below to plan an ultimate first-time in this Dalmatian gem 🇭🇷

Dubrovnik (aka King’s Landing) delivers on the fantasy of a fortified medieval city by the sea. Its massive stone walls rise high above the Adriatic, containing endless orange terracotta rooftops. Lantern-lit cobblestone alleys wind between staircases in the Old Town somehow climbing in every direction. Use learnings from my two past visits to plan your time in this quintessential Croatian stop 🇭🇷

A 2026 guide to Bosnia and Herzegovina. To recreate a similar 4-days around this Balkans gem, fly in and out of Sarajevo, hitting the historic Ottoman capital, Livno for wild horses, and Mostar with the infamous Stari Most in the south 🇧🇦Find the full guide at: https://destination195.substack.com/p/we-in-this-bih-sarajevo-livno-and?r=5eqvwq

A Kiwi-approved 2026 guide to New Zealand's South Island. To recreate a similar South Island road trip, fly into Queenstown and out of Christchurch, hitting the following spots during 7 days in New Zealand 🇳🇿Find the full guide at: https://destination195.substack.com/p/the-land-of-irl-glacier-freeze-gatorade?r=5eqvwq

If I could only buy clothes from Oceania for the rest of my life, that’s something I’d be entirely cool with, considering the designers down under are on top of the fashion curve. The best part is, our flipped seasons mean that with warmer weather around the corner, the end-of-summer sales are about to drop on the sites below!Find my full style guide on what to wear in New Zealand on Substack: https://destination195.substack.com/p/dressing-for-the-destination-the

As a type-A travel maximalist I always curate packed itineraries to get the best bang for my buck – especially with only 2 days to spare in Sydney! Hit the same show-stopping highlights that I did in this theatrical harbour city for the ultimate first time in Sydney experience 🎭Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/2-days-in-sydney

A girls trip guide to sampling the best French reds in the region. To recreate a similar 3-days around Bordeaux, explore the fairytale, almost Parisian wine hub on foot before hopping in a van to Saint‑Émilion and Margaux châteaux 🍷Find the full guide at: https://destination195.substack.com/p/boozing-around-bordeaux-red-french?r=5eqvwq

whether it's your first or fifth time visiting the city of love, there's always something new to discover in the 18 arrondissements comprising paris, france. use this go-to guide to discover cool girl-coded spots around the capital i've personally vetted, plus quintessential tourist attractions you can't miss 🕊️find the full paris travel guide here: destination195.com/destinations/3-days-in-paris

Coming from Nice, trade beach clubs for Bentleys—this Monaco day trip hits superyachts, palace views, and Formula 1 turns in one perfectly packed route through Monte Carlo’s most iconic stops 🎰Find the full travel guide here: destination195.com/destinations/monaco-day-trip-from-nice

From tucked-away omakase counters to centuries-old shrines hidden between skyscrapers, follow the exact pockets of Tokyo I explored to balance neon city energy with traditional Japanese culture for the ultimate first-time Tokyo experience 🍣Find the full travel guide here: destination195.com/destinations/3-days-in-tokyo

Step into the slower, more sacred side of Japan from the era of samurais and shoguns with bamboo forests, hidden shrines, and preserved geisha districts—follow the exact routes I took through Kyoto’s most timeless corners for the ultimate first-time experience 🎏Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/3-days-in-kyoto-itinerary

Come hungry—this is where “Japan's kitchen” lets loose. From fried-octopus ball takoyaki stands to buzzing Dotonbori nights, hit the same culinary delights and high-energy streets I did for a first-time Osaka experience that’s all about flavor 🐙Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/1-day-in-osaka-itinerary

From panoramic castle viewpoints to lakeside adventures, discover the exact natural highlights and experiences I hit for a first-time in Interlaken visit that balances iconic glacial views with alpine adrenaline 🏔️Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/2-days-in-interlaken

Where 72 waterfalls spill down dramatic cliff faces and car-free villages sit high above the valley floor—hit the same storybook pockets that I did while exploring one of Switzerland’s most unreal valleys for the ultimate first time in Lauterbrunnen experience 🥾find the full travel guide here: destination195.com/destinations/lauterbrunnen-2-day-itinerary

If you’re spending a single day in Zurich, odds are you flew into the international airport and will be venturing elsewhere in the country shortly. While it may not offer the dazzling scenery found elsewhere in Switzerland, don’t let the urban nature of this destination fool you—exploring Zurich is a worthwhile endeavor, even if you only have half a day to spare 🇨🇭Find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/zurich-1-day-itinerary

Prior to moving to Manhattan, I truly didn't understand how the average person could afford to live in the most expensive city in the country. It took actually arriving to uncover the truth: everyone gets creative with their finances, saving a bit here and there with freebies and discounts—this list details all the local deals I've discovered along the way 💸

A regularly updated curation of my best spots in the city, from an ex-East Village girl relocated to the West Side.Given how expansive Manhattan is, let alone considering the other four boroughs, I'd pick one neighborhood to explore each day. There's fine dining, hidden gems, and drool-worthy boutiques in literally every corner — so it's a better use of your time to properly explore a few areas versus trekking around to check off a couple popular places. With that in mind, these are the highlights I'd hit around Lower Manhattan (+ some Brooklyn house venues) with one weekend in the city from south to north.

I hit the Hamptons for the first time during a cozy MDW weekend, exploring the town on the tip during a quick day trip with a Montauk professional who showed us the best that the end of the world has to offer—detailed for you below 🌊

a desert dream weekend roadtrip, this artsy, eclectic cowboy town is my go-to retreat from la as an ex-california girl of 6 years. a car is absolutely required to explore the best national park in socal, plus prayers that clear skies will reward you with a spectacular sunset 🤞

live your big little lies fantasy in this outdoorsy x spa weekend roadtrip, from an ex-california girl of 6 years. a car is absolutely required, plus prayers that pch will be open throughout the whole route 🤞

a girls' trip guide with a mountain backdrop behind the pristine beaches, wine tasting rooms, and spanish colonial aesthetic of one of socal's most idyllic coastal towns, from an ex-california girl of 6 years 🌊

as a type-a travel maximalist i curated packed itineraries to get the best bang for my buck – especially with a full 5 days to spare in copenhagen! hit the same cozy highlights that i did during a winter hygge holiday for the ultimate first time in copenhagen experience 🧜‍♀️find the full travel guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/copenhagen-in-5-days

as a type-a travel maximalist i always curated packed itineraries to get the best bang for my buck – especially with only 4 days to spare in london! hit the same high-street highlights that i did in this metropolis where history and modernity intertwine for the ultimate first time in london experience 🚇 find the full travel guides here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/3-days-in-london-itinerary + https://www.destination195.com/destinations/girls-weekend-in-london

A Wyoming girls’ weekend guide to Jackson Hole with a rugged-meets-refined edge—divey cowboy bars, postcard Teton sunrises, and chic Western boutiques packed into one perfectly curated mountain escape 🤠Find the full guide at: https://destination195.substack.com/p/a-bone-to-pick-with-shoulder-seasons?r=5eqvwq

After traveling to Fairbanks last season, these are the must-haves I packed to stay sufficiently bundled. Alaskan winters are some of the harshest, reaching lows of -40°F. Even when facing frigid temps, it's worth braving the cold for bucket list experiences only this state can offer—from soaring over Mt. Denali to driving your own dog sled and chasing the Northern Lights 🥶Find the full style guide here: https://www.destination195.com/destinations/what-to-wear-in-alaska-in-winter