Tracy Delossantos

When visiting Argentina, many travelers seek adventure and culture in Buenos Aires and tend to overlook visiting Mendoza. While on an adventure to Patagonia, we decided to make a stop in Mendoza to explore its quaint beauty and sip our way through this region well-known for its Malbec wine. Mendoza, Argentina is a wonderful place to take a little break on your vacation and spend a long weekend relaxing in the tree-lined streets and sipping on wine complemented by the Andes mountains.

When venturing to Hawai'i, you’re faced with the decision of which island to visit. Each island is a little different, so it’s important to know what you want to do before booking your trip to paradise. The Big Island is the largest and youngest, and it arguably offers the most diverse terrain all in one island. Here, you can relax on volcanic black-sand beaches, explore the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and venture into tropical rainforests. The Big Island has everything you can imagine for a week-long getaway. To optimize your time and do the most exploring, this itinerary requires a rental car.

When traveling from Hungary to the Czech Republic, we were fortunate to spend time in Bratislava, Slovakia. What was meant to be a pit stop turned out to be a lovely surprise we all loved and were thankful to experience. I adored this Slovakian capital’s charming pedestrian streets, affordable cuisine, and friendly people. Bratislava is an underrated European city that everyone should add to their European destination list.

Mexico City is a cultural hub at the center of a diverse art scene, vibrant culture, and rich history stacked with picturesque cafes and stunning rooftop bars. This city draws in travelers of every kind from all over the world, with many returning again and again—especially the foodies of the world. With so many amazing sites to see, things to do, and endless bites to eat, my list of must-dos continues to grow. Mexico City should be on everyone’s list to visit, explore, and eat their heart out. This guide is based on my time visiting during Dia de los Muertos, so a few things may be different depending on when you decide to go.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country in Central America that offers adventures in the rainforests, exploration in mangroves and swimming near the coral reefs. The Guanacaste region is famous for the beautiful beaches along the Pacific Coast and beach towns, including the picturesque beach town of Tamarindo. Known for its surfing, nightlife and wide variety of restaurants and activities, Tamarindo is not to be missed. Whether you’re traveling for a long weekend or are venturing through Costa Rica on a multi-city trip, Tamarindo is a great destination to rest, relax and put your toes in the sand.

Budapest, Hungary is a beautiful city that invites travelers from all around for its rich history, vibrant culture and striking architecture. With the Széchenyi Chain Bridge connecting the Buda and Pest sides of the city over the Danube River, you have an endless list of sights to explore, history to learn and food to devour. This destination has a little bit of everything for someone - no matter your travel style. This itinerary is a great way to spend your time in Budapest whether it’s your only destination or part of a longer European adventure. As someone who has visited this city multiple times, this guide is a compilation of my favorite spots in this city. This charming Hungarian capital left me in awe each day, and I look forward to returning again one day.

Santiago, Chile, was originally planned to be a stop on the way back from a trip to the Patagonian mountains. But it became one of my favorite places in South America. This city is rich in vibrant neighborhoods with stunning views, a bustling historic district and striking architecture. I loved how this place was a great city to visit without being too crowded, plus the food and wine were top-tier. Santiago is more than a layover stop to other parts of South America. It is a destination in itself that you can explore with your bestie over a long weekend.

Portugal was my first solo adventure after graduate school, and it undoubtedly reignited my spark for European travel. It checked off all of my travel boxes with cities rich in culture and history, delicious food, charming people and beautiful sites. With just a week off between jobs, this 5-day trip was a perfect way for me to explore a glimpse of Portugal and what it has to offer. If you’re planning to take a solo trip, then Portugal is a fantastic place to consider for your travel destination.

Granada is a beautiful colonial city nestled in Nicaragua! At the foot of Mombacho Volcano, this is filled with colonial heritage, colorful streets and warm weather all year round. The friendly people, delicious food and vibrant culture draw you into exploring this gem of Nicaragua. This is a place that will capture your heart with both its charm and beauty, leading to visiting more of Central America.

The Canadian Rockies is a haven of majestic nature that took my breath away from the first moment I arrived. With beautiful mountains and glacier lakes galore, my family and I explored many of Canada’s national parks that include Banff, Jasper and Yoho. This is a vacation where you can truly unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of nature. A trip to visit the Canadian Rockies should be on everyone’s bucket list.

As my home away from home for multiple years, Boston holds a special place in my heart. It’s a charming city packed with rich history, culture and beauty that lures foodies, history lovers and sports enthusiasts alike. Walkable with access to public transit, you can explore Boston’s diverse neighborhoods without ever needing to rent a car and enjoy this city in any season of the year.