Following Savannah, we trekked on to Destin, Florida. Located on Florida’s Emerald Coast in the panhandle, this seaside town is known for its white sand beaches and vibrant green waters. Destin is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico and Chochtawatchee Bay, so enjoy the lush water panoramic as you venture around. On your way to the waterfront area called HarborWalk, stop for lunch at The Shrimp Basket on Harbor Boulevard—while a little ways from the boardwalk, the prices are very reasonable for exceptionally fresh seafood. Their raw oysters were unforgettable, the popcorn shrimp was fried to perfection, and the coconut shrimp was complimented nicely with a delicious marmalade dipping sauce. As we sat there cooled by the ocean breeze while sipping every last drop of our juicy oysters, it felt like the ultimate ... read more

No other city in America has had more U.S. Presidents as residents than the quaint town of Charlottesville, Virginia. Located in the western part of the state surrounded by the scenic Shenandoah Valley, it was the home of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. With so many great minds and leaders living within its borders and the nation's top public university (University of Virginia) situated here, it's no surprise that the neuroscience research company, Lumosity, called Charlottesville the "brainiest" town in America. But forget its IQ because a stroll through "C-ville" offers more than just neurons; Monticello gives you a piece of history, Carter Mountain draws you back to nature, Foxfield brings out your inner prep, and the Corner revives your youth. Whatever piques your interest, this intimate town has it and will pull you ... read more

When Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, he landed in Santo Domingo and established the first permanent settlement in the New World. This country is now home to 10 million people with influences from their Spanish colonizers, Haitian neighbors, Taino natives, and even American occupiers during the 1920s. While the cheapest route from the U.S. is usually flying into the capital of this island nation, we arrived at POP airport in Puerto Plata at the northern coast. We had originally planned to attend a friend's wedding in Samana a few hours east of Puerto Plata. However, the long drive on undeveloped roads with poor signage deterred us from going there, so we instead chose to stay in the city. We arrived in town around midday and rather than taking the shuttles from the airport ... read more

We were eating dinner with some friends one evening and they mentioned that due to prior commitments, they would be unable to attend the Virginia Tech Football season opener in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend. Both being Hokie fans, I jokingly said that Phu and I would take their tickets. Later that night, we were discussing it and said “Why not?” Well, here are the reasons as to why it would be crazy: -Atlanta was over 500 miles from where we currently reside -We only had Friday evening thru Monday to travel -I had a huge test on the Tuesday following Labor Day weekend BUT, here are the reasons why the trip was perfectly plausible: -Phu has family in Atlanta—free housing!! -18 hours in the car would give me plenty of time to study for my ... read more

Every city has a short list of citizens it's proud to call her own, but for Barcelona, this list is a vast expanse of historic figures who have altered the landscape of humanity, particularly in the world of art and design. The likes of Pablo Picasso (arguably the most famous artist behind da Vinci and van Gogh), Antonio Gaudi (the father of Barcelona's most renown landmark, La Sagrada Familia), and Salvador Dali (the most famous Surrealist in history) have resided on these streets and left their footprints. Around every corner and down each alley, they've left their mark on the city, making Barcelona a mecca for lovers of the arts and architecture. Foreigners to Barcelona must realize that Spain comprises of many autonomous states that came together to form one nation, but each still maintains its ... read more