I’ve traveled to over 35 countries and lived on 3 continents. There is nothing I love more than discovering new places. With each trip, I learn something new about myself. Over the years, I’ve discovered that I much prefer the adventures of the great outdoors than spending all day touring museums and dining at restaurants.

There is nothing more satisfying than time spent exploring the outdoors. My best nights of sleep are had in the wild, under the starry skies. This year marks 100 years of the National Park Services. In 2016, there are 16 days when you can visit National Park Service sites that normally charge admission for free. The first of these free admission days was this past Monday. While you mark your calendar for the other 15 days, I wanted to share photos of some of my favorite national parks. These are definitely worth a visit, or a long weekend stay.

Yosemite National Park, California: best for stunning views and overnight camping. Great all year round.

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time hanging out around my own neighborhood, Harlem, as part of an exciting project I'm working on (more details to come). I love the budding coffeeshops and restaurants on Harlem's restaurant row and jump at the first chance to bring my friends from downtown NYC to this side of Central Park. Before the summer is officially over, I'll be squeezing in a few more patio beers and outdoor brunch sessions at my favorite spots in Harlem.

For brunch, my favorite spot is Barawine. Bottomless mimosa - need I say more? The interior decor is bright and minimalistic, and the outdoor seating leads up to a row of brownstones to lust after. All the while, the DJ is making sure everyone has a great time.

For some post-brunch caffeine boost, head over to Double Dutch Espresso. This intimate rustic spot serves up a perfect cup of joe and, dare I say, offers the best cup in the neighborhood. Indoor seats are usually hard to snag as it's a local favorite spot to work, but the outdoor patio is generally open while weather permits and ideal for some peace and quiet in an otherwise busy city.

If coffee is not for you, then head a bit north of Double Dutch and try some tea at Serengeti Tea & Spices. They have several different iced teas, from Africa, to cool you down on a balmy day. The tasting room is well-stocked with teas and spices of all variety, and feels like a hidden gem, just waiting to be discovered.

By this time, you're probably ready for something sweet. Pop into Levain Bakery - yes, there is now one uptown - for some perfectly baked oversized cookies. Indulge in a cookie (or share it with a friend), or order some fresh baked bread to go. This place won't disappoint.

Funnily enough, I find that no matter where I'm headed to in Harlem, I always find my way to Streetbird Rotisserie. Perhaps it's because the A/C train is right at the corner, or perhaps Streetbird is the perfect representation of Harlem's history. The interior is a celebration of the art and culture of the Harlem, while the food is a mix of Asian/African cuisine that punctuates the tastebud of the neighborhood.

Between traveling for work and traveling to see family, I love to spend any time off staying put in New York City. A night in at a downtown NYC hotel is my kryptonite - I even got engaged at The Standard in Chelsea. That’s why I jumped at the chance to try out one of New York’s latest luxury hotel: citizenM. The marketing copy on the hotel website set the bar high: a smart hotel with no tired old cliches.

I had walked by citizenM hotel many times and its edgy outdoor art pieces has always caught my eye. Once inside, it’s easy to see that the cool artful lobby gives the Ace Hotel a run for its money. The laidback livingroom vibe made me feel comfortable and settled no matter what I was wearing as I walked in. The lucky hotel guests access the rooftop bar with a lush green theme and busy midtown views. My friends and I took full advantage of the cloudbar - it’s rare to find a rooftop bar in New York where you don’t have to fight the crowd and noise. I can’t be the only one who loves to check out the fitness situation at my accommodation, and I was even pleased with the gym with its city-views.

The rooms may be on the small side, as one might expected in NYC, but the best part of this hotel is the digitally-outfitted rooms. I can turn on the TV (with HBO movies), adjust the temperature, turn off the lights, set a wake-up call, and read citizenM stories all from their in-room tablet. Punchy copy on just about every product keeps the mood light: the soap promises to turn even the longest-haul traveller into a sparklingly clean and nice-smelling human being again.

Free wi-fi and Instagrammable decor, that’s how you run a hotel in 2015.

On the drive back to the Amtrak station, my Uber driver admitted that she has been in Philly her whole life and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Philadelphia met Alex and I with moody weather, perhaps as a hint that I should spend some time in their Museum district before eagerly wandering the streets. We spent half the day at the Eastern State Penitentiary, which is now officially my favorite place to photograph in Philly. The torn-down worn out building is a playground of light chasers, even on a cloudy day. Between Chinatown and Philly’s pristine and quaint Historic District, Alex and I spent the rest of the day wandering around the city and dodging the rain. When the weather cleared, we continued our trek to the Rocky Statue and the steps leading up to the Museum of Art.


Once in a while, Alex and I disagree on a city. Philly happens to be one of these places. I enjoyed the quaintness of small Philadelphia, its quiet waterfront seemed like a much needed change from my usual bustling and smoggy Manhattan. I think Alex prefers the grittiness of a city like New York to my yearning for the laidback vibe of Philly. Before we left for the train station, I took one last stroll on the Ben Franklin Bridge. I had intended to run across the bridge in the morning but the rain kept me confined to the hotel gym. Now, with the sun beaming above me, I could make out downtown Philly faintly in the haze.