Shopping in Paris is exhilarating, but without a plan, it can quickly become overwhelming. With endless boutiques, beautiful streets, and impossibly good window displays (the French really excel at this), it’s easy to wander for hours and still walk away empty-handed.
As a self-proclaimed Type A traveler, I’m the one with an icon-coded Google map, a meticulously organized itinerary, and at least three backup restaurants for every meal. So, spending an agenda-free afternoon in Paris felt like I was rebelling against my natural wiring. It was equal parts liberating and mildly terrifying—with a definite emphasis on terrifying.
London mornings have a magic of their own. Imagine fog drifting off the Thames, the quiet buzz of black cabs, and the inviting aroma of a fresh flat white alongside a croissant or avocado toast. Here, breakfast isn’t just a meal, it’s a blend of tradition and modern style.
If you’ve followed Blonde Voyage Nashville for any length of time, you know that Chicago has a special place in my heart. I’ve been traveling up there on a regular basis since 2011 and I continue to become more captivated with the the architecture, the culinary scene and the great people of the city.
Why Chicago?
I’ll be honest: fish just isn’t my thing. I’m not the person at the table ordering the branzino or raving about the quality of the crudo. Seafood, for me, has always been that category I quietly sidestep. Of course, there’s always an exception, but rest assured, you won’t find me ordering salmon for dinner. So when everyone in my orbit started raving about Kase X Noko as if it were some sort of spiritual experience disguised as a tasting menu, my reaction was exactly what you would expect. I was skeptical. Very skeptical, in fact.