Merissa Bradford

For our anniversary this year, we packed up the car, turned up the playlists, and drove from Dallas to Santa Fe for a weekend we’ll never forget—one full of red rock views, crisp mountain air, great food, and dog-friendly fun. It was our first time in Santa Fe and we absolutely loved it. From the views to the arts and culture, there's so much to do!

You've heard of Lake Como, but have you heard of Lake Garda? If you're dreaming of a place where sparkling waters meet pastel villages, ancient castles perch on hilltops, and gelato is a daily ritual—Lake Garda should be at the top of your travel list. Italy’s largest lake is a destination that blends relaxation and adventure, romance and culture, and a whole lot of jaw-dropping scenery. Whether you're here for hiking, swimming, boating, wine-tasting, or just soaking up that dolce vita energy, Lake Garda offers something for every kind of traveler. I loved that it was less crowded than the popular Lake Como—there were still tourists, but they were all European. We didn't run into a single American during our week there.

The Dolomites had been on my bucket list for so long, and I finally got to experience it for myself. The photos truly don’t do it justice, and seeing the region with your own eyes is an absolute must. We spent a full week exploring the area while also relaxing at some amazing hotels.

If you’re dreaming of a tropical escape where the beaches are straight out of a postcard and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, Turks and Caicos is the perfect spot. This little slice of paradise in the Caribbean is made up of 40 small islands (though only a few are inhabited), and it’s all about sun, sand, and sea. The main island is Providenciales, where the famous Grace Bay Beach has been consistently voted one of the top beaches in the world. Turks and Caicos has some of the most beautiful water in the world, very similar to that of Bora Bora. I went for a mother-daughter birthday trip and it was a perfect destination for celebration!

I have been to Cabo several times now, for work, weddings, bachelorettes, you name it! I wanted to share my expertise on the best places to stay, eat, drink, and things to do! Cabo is known for its beautiful, luxury resorts, vast nightlife and water activities.

I've been to Palm Springs several times for girls' trips, bachelorettes and work trips and have gathered all the best spots to see and stay! Palm Springs is a great destination to visit during fall-spring where you'll find sunny days and pool weather to escape the cold!

I’ve visited Fredericksburg several times now (so this guide is years in the making), and it is one of my favorite weekend getaways! It’s the perfect place to visit with family, friends, or for a couple’s trip. It has become a very popular spot for birthdays and bachelorette parties. The town was founded back in 1846 and still has so much history to it, from buildings, to museums, to restaurants showcasing the German heritage. With vineyards, shopping, live music and more, there is always something to do in the quaint town of Fredericksburg, TX! Fall is the most popular time to visit with cooler temperatures.

I had only been to Maui out of the Hawaiian islands, but Oahu is now my favorite of the two! There is so much to do and see on the island! It’s definitely necessary to have a rental car so you can see all the sides of the island. Most of what we did was based on recommendations from local Hawaiian friends and frequent travelers to Oahu.

My husband and I took a trip out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming this December and it was the perfect couple’s weekend getaway! Jackson Hole is a popular destination year-round. With hiking, biking, horseback riding and more in the warm months and of course the world-class skiing and snow activities in the winter. There’s direct flights from Dallas to Jackson, so it was very easy to get to! You can either stay in the town of Jackson or Teton Village, which is just 30 minutes further out.

About a week before this trip, two friends and I were joking about seeing Taylor Swift in Europe. A few hours later, flights and concert tickets were booked to see her the following week in Lisbon! We were able to find great flight deals with a connection in Paris for only 65k points roundtrip. Many Americans have been flying to Europe to see the Eras Tour since it’s so much more expensive to get tickets in the US than it is in Europe. We decided to spend one night in Paris and have 24 hours there and the other five nights in Lisbon. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, a beautiful coastal city on a hill with many neighborhoods and districts to explore. I think a few days there is enough to see the whole city! We did one day trip to Cascais, a cute beach town only 30 minutes away by car. One of the coolest parts about Lisbon was the hand painted tiles on many buildings and the stone sidewalk designs (pretty to look at but careful as they can be slippery!).

My husband and I got married in Tuscany this September, so Puglia was the perfect honeymoon destination for us. It’s been on my bucket list for a while now as I’ve visited most of the popular destinations in Italy but had never ventured down to Puglia. You really need at least a full week to fully explore Puglia and at least 10 days if you plan to also see Matera like we did. Puglia is a southern region in Italy, forming the heel of the “boot.” It is known for beautiful Mediterranean coasts, whitewashed towns, ancient farmlands and production of olive oil, wine and mozzarella.

It’s definitely a different vibe than Amalfi coast- Puglia is far less crowded, but more spread out. I love researching destinations and planning trips, and spent almost eight months working on this one! September was a perfect time of year to visit as there were less crowds, but it was still warm enough to swim! If you want to see all the bougainvillea in bloom though you have to visit in May or June.

I have traveled all over Italy, and Lake Como is one of my very favorite destinations that I will definitely be going back to. The views at every moment are incredible and it has such a relaxing, yet luxurious ambience.

I have been to Positano a few times myself and the Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Italy! Not only is it beautiful, there is so much to do and see while there. Known for its pebble beaches and colorful umbrellas, Positano is a scenic cliffside town lined with cafes and stylish boutiques.

I've been to San Miguel de Allende once but already have a trip booked to return! It is a very safe town with a large expat population and is one of Mexico’s safest cities! It truly doesn't even feel like Mexico but feels more like Spain with lots of beautiful architecture, lots of culture, and is very walkable. February is a great time of the year to visit with no rain and warm sunny days, but chillier nights.

I planned a mother-daughter trip to Maui for my mom’s 60th birthday, and we had a blast! It was my first time in Hawai'i, so I asked around for recommendations from family that used to live there, friends that go every year and even a few locals! This blog is a roundup of the must-see spots and everything you’ll need to know to plan your trip!

I had never been to Austria before and was excited to see a new country in Europe that would mark the 21st country I’ve been to in the world! My friend joined me, flying from Milan to Vienna. We did two nights in Vienna, two in Salzburg and two in Innsbruck. Looking back, I wish we had done three nights in Vienna and Salzburg, but two nights was the perfect amount for Innsbruck.