Alyssa Juris

Anna Maria Island feels like stepping into an older version of Florida, before the high-rises and rush. I grew up coming here for summers and holidays, with my grandparents spending their winters on the island, so it’s woven into my sense of what Florida should feel like. It’s bike paths, pastel beach cottages, Gulf sunsets, and mornings that start barefoot. The water is calmer and clearer on this side of the state, and the pace is noticeably slower. This guide reflects the way I’ve always experienced it: simple days, good seafood, and ending every evening facing west.

Florence is where I studied abroad and discovered my love for travel that feels both intentional and free. It’s a city best experienced on foot, wandering, pausing, returning to the same café more than once. The Renaissance masterpieces are unforgettable, but so are the quiet rituals: espresso at the bar, Chianti at sunset, markets tucked into neighborhood streets. This itinerary honors both: the icons and the in-between.

After relocating to Miami, Key West quickly became our most-requested visitor road trip! It’s an easy, breezy weekend escape for South Florida friends and a fun, no-stress getaway for anyone flying in. This trip felt especially meaningful because it added a true bucket-list moment: visiting Dry Tortugas National Park, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that elevates any Key West itinerary.

Rawnsley Park Station is where the outback meets intimacy. It’s the kind of place where days are filled with red earth and adventure, and nights slow down under a sky thick with stars. Staying here felt like a blend of sustainability, comfort, and connection to nature that’s hard to describe until you’ve been. Between scenic flights over Wilpena Pound, sunset 4WD tours with happy hour on the hillside, and dinners at The Woolshed, the experience brought out both adventure and calm, the perfect recipe for a couple’s escape.

I discovered the McLaren Vale wine region during two weeks exploring South Australia and was instantly captivated by its deep connection to the land, its people, and its history. Set on the traditional lands of the Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri peoples, the region’s beauty and agricultural heritage carry a sense of place that feels both sacred and alive. While I didn’t make it to all 80 cellar doors, every one of the four vineyards I visited left me eager to return. What made the experience even more special was knowing that many of the wines I sampled can only be enjoyed on the property, they’re not distributed regionally or across the country, making each tasting truly one of a kind. McLaren Vale celebrates both craftsmanship and sustainability, and with the dramatic ocean cliffs of the Fleurieu Peninsula just minutes away, it feels like a magical blend of coast, countryside, and culture.

Canberra completely surprised me. It’s where nature and creativity intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Between mornings floating over misty valleys watching kangaroos hop through the grasses, afternoons sipping crisp Riesling among the homesteads, and evenings dining beside wildlife, this capital city feels anything but corporate. Rooted in community, the city’s culinary scene is inspiring, some of my favorites being truffle farms, local chocolatiers, and craft breweries. Surrounded by trails that wind through eucalyptus forests and open bushland, Canberra invites you to slow down, reconnect, and fall back in love with travel, with your person, and with life’s little luxuries.

My first trip Down Under was all about South Australia, but when I got the chance for a long layover in Sydney, I jumped at it. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of seeing the Opera House, and let me tell you, it’s even dreamier in person. In just 24 hours, I got a taste of Sydney’s coastal energy, beach walks, and café culture. This guide focuses on the harbor and The Rocks area, the heart of Sydney where history, views, and local flavor all come together. That quick layover left me completely hooked and already planning my next visit for more.