“Juan, you’re going to London,” loosely read a meeting invite on my work email. An excitedly grateful reply ensued, followed by a question to myself — “how can I make the most of this trip?” I had to stay the weekend. I had to do the most.
“We’re sorry” money from a few complaints and “thank you” money from volunteering to stay an extra night to salvage an overbooked flight got me to London for free when I was in college. Expectations were higher this time around. Thanks, Delta.
All I needed was a place to stay, a (small) budget to burn, a local to take me on a proper night out, and the willingness to explore new places on my own. Right on, sis’.
A Tiny Bed in Big London
Location, location, location — and what a location. Four stops north of Green Park station on the Jubilee line of the underground, about twenty minutes from Buckingham Palace. I had never heard of “Swiss Cottage” before this trip, but it added a nice ring to the name of the hostel I found on Hostelworld.com. Never having stayed at a hostel before, I wondered how this 10-bed shared room situation would work. Turns out I sleep more soundly when spending only $20 a night for a bed.
Everything about Palmer’s Lodge Swiss Cottage was pleasant. The free Wi-Fi. The pristine bathrooms and showers. The monitored luggage storage room. The vibe of the crowd at the bar stumbling back into the hostel after midnight. I might never book a room at a hotel again — at least when traveling solo.
Ballin’ on a (Small) Budget
I had roughly two months to save, from the end of July till the second week of October. A few Yelp searches and my cheap hostel snatch brought me to an estimated $300 for the days I would be on my own — after business ended and leisure started. That was accounting for a couple nights out — mischief had to be managed.
Hostel: $67 after taxes and fees (three nights at $20/night)
Oyster Card (for the underground): $60 (I went all over that city)
Noms: $200 for two brunches, two dinners, one lunch, one late night recovery meal, couple o’ beer breaks, daily coffee and dessert break (hungry boy was out to play)
Nighttime activities: $70 Friday night out in Soho, Saturday night out near Trafalgar Square and in Camden, Uber back to hostel (definitely did the most)
Ghost Bus Tour: $33 for a one-hour tour (unexpectedly worth it)
Plane Ticket: priceless (work covered the airfare, but one-stop tickets for a five-day weekend in London from Atlanta to London go for as low as $585 on KAYAK Explore)
GRAND TOTAL: $430 (overbudget BUT my godmother gave me €100 as a college graduation present so I was shy of $50 overbudget)
Note: 1 U.S. dollar was worth roughly 0.78 British pounds during my trip.
Doing the Most in a Few Days
Friday
A hot date for my solo lunch in Central London.
First day off work. It was just the two of us — a small town boy and a megacity. Left the hotel I was staying at for work before noon. Headed to Swiss Cottage station to drop my luggage at the hostel.
Treated myself to lunch at Duck & Waffle. Walked all over Central London, north and south of the Thames. Met up with my friend Charley in Soho to pre-game at The Cock Tavern before cheeky mischief at Simmons Bar. Indulged on Chinese takeout from Chopstix. Crashed at Charley’s place.
Saturday
Boogieing at Made in Brasil in Camden Town with my gal pal Charley. Mischief managed.
Woke up in Balham. Walked to MILK for a delightful brunch in Charley’s neighborhood. Finally checked into the hostel after almost losing my reservation for not showing up the day before. Took a nap before exploring the Hampstead area. Satisfied my crêpe craving at La Crêperie de Hampstead. Did an unplanned pumpkin hunt at Fenton House before an unplanned trip to Camden Town. Light souvenir shopping before coffee and dessert at Caffè Nero.
Sunday
Orange blossom macaron on the Millennium Bridge moments before the TATE Modern.
In the mood for a chill solo day. Woke up in time for an early lunch at Nando’s near King’s Cross Station. Explored Platform 9 ¾ before walking across to St. Pancra’s Station.
Pit stop at Ladurée for much needed macarons. Tube ride to St. Paul’s Cathedral — absolutely breathtaking from inside. Stroll through Millennium Bridge, past the giant Harry Potter wands, on the way to TATE Modern. Three hour stay at the museum, featuring rooftop views and sunset brews. Table for one at The Grazing Goat. Early night in to prepare for the flight back home.
This weekend getaway made the world feel so small. I felt exhilarated and energized at all times. Being alone in a foreign environment got me closer to myself, bringing to my eyes my true essence — the ideas and behaviors that make me who I am. This brief immersion into the multicultural and globalized nature of London’s past and present reminded me that no matter how small I might be in this world, I should always dare to dream as big as my heart desires.
It was the Thursday before MLK weekend this year and I had no plans for the holiday — unacceptable. After a few texts to a few friends across the country, my destination was set. My friend Lia and Washington D.C. awaited. But how would I get there from Atlanta when it was too late for cheap flights and too far for my old car?
Everything fell into place when I heard a friend say “we’re driving to Philadelphia this weekend,” to which I replied, “can you drop me off near Arlington in Alexandria?” Within half an hour, I had a place and a ride. Go Juan.
And let me tell you — my first trip to the nation’s capital did not disappoint.
The Itinerary
Friday: Get to work two hours early. Leave the office around 4:30 P.M. Overnight drive to Philadelphia with a stop in Alexandria.
Saturday: Arrive in Arlington around 3:30 A.M. “Sleep” before brunch and a full day of sightseeing in D.C. Night out in the town.
Sunday: Brunch in Arlington. Chill day at home. Karaoke and video games with the gals.
Monday: Coffee and cupcakes in Georgetown. Early lunch in Old Town Alexandria. Pick up at 10:30 A.M. Drive back to Atlanta.
Budget
I decided to “splurge” a bit on this trip, so I set aside $200 for the long weekend.
Gas: $35 for a tank of gas (four of us carpooled, each person filled up once)
Food and beverage: $160 (two road meals, two brunches, one lunch, two coffee breaks, one night out, one night in)
Bike rental: $16 (took two bikes all over the National Mall)
Metro pass: $5 (roundtrip from Arlington to Washington)
Ubers: $30 (from the White House to Arlington and from Arlington to the club)
GRAND TOTAL = $246 (mildly over budget, but worth it)
Activites
Drive-by night tour of Arlington
Lia and her roommate Reggie were kind enough to take the scenic route back home so I could see the Arlington National Cemetery and the D.C. skyline from across the Potomac on our late night drive from Alexandria.
Brunch at Firefly
Chic restaurant in the city serving carafes of mimosa for $15? We’ll take two! I can still taste the delectable eggs Benedict with prosciutto I had. Perfect way to set the mood for this full day of exploring.
Bike ride around the National Mall
Dressed to the tens in fabulous winter clothes on baby blue rental bikes looked so wanderlust-y we were basically a Pinterest post. Best way to explore the National Mall and its surrounding areas.
Getting cultured at the National Gallery Did you know most museums in the capital have free admission? We took our time to explore this enormous gallery, where I found several paintings by my favorite Impressionist artist, Georges Seurat.
Hot cocoa and pastries at PAUL
The hot cocoa and the pastries were beyond, and the decor made this spot feel like a modern Parisian café — très chic. Much needed stop in the freezing winter weather on our way to the White House.
Walk around the White House
Timing was ideal for me to visit the outside of the White House as Trump was away in Florida for the weekend. Having no chance of running into him kept me at ease, though I can’t deny feeling a bit jealous of the view from his room.
Love notes written with the condensation from the dance floor.
Night out at Nellie’s Sport Bar
Our attempt at a bar crawl turned into a lit night at Nellie’s. The small outdoors area felt like a freezer but the inside felt more like a sauna with all the heat we crazy kids were leaving on the dance floor.
Brunch at Tupelo Honey in Arlington
I can’t believe I ate half a fried chicken. And drank several drinks. Everything was so good. I felt like the guy in those old Alka-seltzer commercials saying “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” We spent a solid four hours here.
Champagne and video games at home
It saddens me to admit that the only champagne we found at the nearest liquor store was Trump champagne. It saddens me even more to admit that we bought it and actually enjoyed it. Not bad, Trump.
Cupcakes and coffee at Baked & Wired
Stupid good cupcakes. Like HELLO, Georgetown. Bacon maple syrup flapjack happiness in my mouth with yummy coffee was all I needed so start my last day in the DMV area.
Nando’s hands down serves the best chicken in the world.
Lunch at Nando’s PERi-PERi in Alexandria
My mouth is watering as I write about this. Chicago and the D.C. area are the only two places in the United States that are home to Nando’s. This was a must-visit on my list for this trip, and the life-changing chicken I had did not disappoint.
Relfections
America is beautiful and its capital is one of its best features. No matter the length of your trip or the stops you make, you are sure to come back inspired and cultured after a stay in the capital. Be sure to bring cute clothes and chic walking shoes, keeping the weather in mind as the seasons can be intense in this area.
Despite the quick planning and the unforgiving cold weather, this weekend was exactly what I needed to get back into the groove of life after the holidays. There is so much to see in the Washington metropolitan area that one weekend is not enough. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly destination, find a cheap flight and a cheap Airbnb and you’ll be set — here’s a chic apartment near Capitol Hill for under $90 a night. There are plenty of activities to do and plenty of delicious restaurants, both for reasonable prices.
When it came time for my friend Cheralynn to pick a school for her graduate program, we started day dreaming of what was to come. Would we keep on slaying the scene in Atlanta while she attended Emory University? Or would we venture on the road trip of a lifetime across the United States to move her all the way to her new life at U.C. Berkeley?
It saddened me a bit when I heard she picked the latter, but my blues were gone as soon as we realized we could visit the Grand Canyon on her move to California. At that point, our life-changing cross-country journey couldn’t come soon enough. Though the planning started late and the excitement kept building up, we were able to pull off a nearly impeccable execution.
The “Planning”
There were many variables affecting the length and number of stops during this trip: how many days I could get off work, how far we were willing to drive at once, how early we could leave the Atlanta area, and so on. And let’s be clear, Cheralynn was also moving during this trip, which meant we had most of her life and her precious cat Felix in the car with us. Challenge accepted.
The Itinerary
Friday: Regular day at the office before a brief 13-hour overnight drive from Atlanta to Oklahoma City.
Saturday: Breakfast in Oklahoma City. Sightseeing around the city and drumming in front of the Oklahoma River. Much needed rest at the Renaissance Waterford Oklahoma City.
Sunday: 11 hour drive to our first hiking spot in Arizona, the Painted Desert. There we would camp overnight, though we ended up having a drone follow us into the open field we were camping at, so we jumped ship and opted for a night at the pet-friendly Motel 6 in Holbrook.
Tuesday: Hike to Roaring Springs on the North Kaibab trail down the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Camping at North Rim campground.
Wednesday: Drive to Horseshoe Bend before heading south to the Phoenix area. Pit stop in Flagstaff to pick up Felix from the pet kennel and to get lunch. Quick nap and dinner in Phoenix before my redeye flight back to Atlanta.
Camping Reservations
All campgrounds in the Grand Canyon run out of spots very quickly and as early as six months in advance. I was lucky enough to find a campsite for our second night in the Grand Canyon a couple weeks before we set sail, but we still got all the way there convinced we would have to spend our first night at the North Rim in Cheralynn’s tiny Ford Fiesta. Luckily, we were pointed to a free dispersed campsite thirteen miles off the road, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.
Time Zones
We had a very short amount of time to cross the country but still wanted to maximize every second of this trip. Timing our travel times was crucial for us to accomplish this, and we had many time zones to account for. We lost an hour going from Eastern time to Central time, but the real confusion happened going back and forth between Navajo daylight savings time at our dispersed campsite and Arizona’s standard time at the Grand Canyon. The timing was complex and we usually ran behind schedule, but we crushed it nonetheless.
Special Considerations
Need I remind everyone we were traveling with a cat? Preparing for this trip was no easy task. Thankfully, I was not the one having to move my entire existence from coast to coast, so Cheralynn took care of all the major details, shipping most of her belongings beforehand so we could focus on transporting only the essentials for our trip.
What to Pack
For the humans:
Refillable water bottles and three jugs of water in case of an emergency
We were planning on visiting remote places, so we stocked up on water from the beginning in case we couldn’t find a place to fill up in time.
Two bottles of Pedialyte in case of dehydration
We drank the first bottle little by little before and after our first hikes at the Petrified Forest, but we brought a full bottle with us when we hiked down the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Healthy snacks and nourishing nonperishable food
Cheralynn is vegan and I was an omnivore back then, but we agreed on healthy road food like avocados, bananas, mixed nuts, granola, single-serving boxes of almond milk, canned beans, canned corn, peach salsa, etc.
Lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint essential oils
Need to sleep? Lavender. Need to stay alert? Peppermint. Got an itch? Lemongrass. Embrace your inner hippie on the way to the Canyon.
All the coffee in the world
Coffee is almost a given necessity on road trips, but don’t rely on gas stations for coffee. We brought our own ground coffee to brew fresh joe in Mason jars while camping. How Pinterest-y of us, amirite?!
Printed maps of hiking trails
What’s a good hiking trip if you don’t escape all cellular connections to establish a stronger connection with your inner self? Self-awareness is imperative, but directions are more reliable coming from a National Geographic waterproof, tear-resistant map than coming “from within.”
Short-sleeve, breathable summer clothes and long-sleeve, cozy winter clothes
Planning the fashions for this trip was kinda tricky. We knew we’d be hiking in deserts in 100+ degree heat, but we also knew temperatures would go as low as the high forties at night. We had to pack light, but you know we packed smart.
Plenty of high SPF unblock
The sun is no joke in the Arizona heat, and malignant melanoma is something we should all be avoiding. Block them rays, honey!
For the precious kitten:
ScoopFree disposable, foldable litter box and odor-blocking cat litter
Confession time: we sneaked Felix into a non-pet-friendly hotel in Oklahoma City. Having a foldable litter box that collapsed into something that looked like a pizza box was imperative to spending the night with him at the hotel. Good thing Petco sells the combo package for under $20!
Ark Naturals Happy Camper treats infused with soothing valerian Though Felix was the sweetest, chillest of kitties, we took all necessary measures to keep him relaxed during the trip, especially when we had to put him in a backpack carrier during our brief hiking and sightseeing stops.
AntTech pet traveler backpack carrier (a.k.a. the Catpack)
This thing was a hit. It’s not often you get to hike next to someone and suddenly hear the most adorable meowing coming from a spaceship-looking backpack!
Kitty toys and blankets for maximum lounging
Ensuring Felix had the most comfortable space to make him feel at ease was pinnacle to the success of this trip.
West African djembes
I consider myself lucky that my friend is a certified West African drumming instructor, so we happened to have two drums for much needed soul liberation across America
GoPro Hero 4 Silver
There’s a lot to see and remember at the Petrified Forest and at the Grand Canyon, so we opted for a GoPro on a head strap to safely capture every hiking memory in 4K definition
South African dashiki
These loose, long shirts were designed for long days out in the desert heat under unforgiving rays of sun — they also happen to be beautifully decorated
Business casual clothes for work after taking my redeye back to Atlanta
Yes, I did that, and I looked great at work the day after the trip despite my sleep deprivation and physical fatigue
The Grand Canyon
The drive arriving to the Grand Canyon was mesmerizing. The boulders, the mountains, the sky, the views. Everything looked incredible.
Cheralynn and I are always looking for a more exclusive, less touristy experience when we go on hiking trips, so we decided to visit the North Rim instead of the more popular South Rim. The road into the North Rim was much longer than we expected, so we began panicking over running out of gas twenty miles after passing the gas station near Marble Canyon. Thankfully, we made it to the Jacob Lake gas station in time.
Once we got to the North Rim, we looked for any available campsites just to find we were out of luck. However, the camping gods were on our side and the very kind DeMotte campground hostess pointed us to a stunningly beautiful dispersed campsite at Saddle Mountain Overlook — note that this is a primitive campsite with no facilities and no running water. We had to drive roughly 13 miles on an open road, which felt like ages in a tiny Ford Fiesta. All our troubles were worthwhile once we got to the campsite, where the views and the silence were exactly what we were looking for. Although we had to wake up at 3:30 a.m. to make our way to the North Rim for our hike, we stayed up late enough to socialize with our campsite neighbors, Chris and Chris, sharing snacks and drumming around the fire.
After an early morning, we were beyond ready for our hike. Cheralynn suggested the North Kaibab Trail, where we did a 4.7 mile hike to Roaring Springs, the water source for all drinking water pumped anywhere in the Grand Canyon. This gorgeous spot is a piece of heaven on earth, and the trail leading to it offers breathtaking views of the canyon. There we spent about five hours playing like children in the water and walking over mossy rocks, picnicking and napping on a boulder under a tree before heading back up the same trail as soon as the sun hid behind the opposite side of the canyon.
After hiking nearly 10 miles in the desert, our bodies were about ready to give up. We finished our Pedialyte and drank all the water we could find back at the top. Then we ate about a ton of pizza and ice cream before heading to our reserved campsite at the North Rim campground.
The Trek Back
Our second morning in the Grand Canyon was very brief. We packed everything up and headed north to Horseshoe Bend before beginning our final drive to Tempe — a town right next to Phoenix. After a quick stop in Flagstaff to pick up Felix and to get some lunch, we kept going to Cheralynn’s sister’s place near Arizona State University in Tempe. There I took a quick power nap on her living room floor before showering and getting myself prepared for a redeye flight back to Atlanta, just in time for a regular Thursday at work.
Though I was exhausted and I had to fly economy all night, I kept on reminding myself that at least I was flying Delta — I could have been flying Spirit.
This whole experience was as exhausting as it was cathartic. Every second of it was worth every effort before, during, and after the trip, even the times we spent in the car wishing the roads would shorten so we would get there sooner. The main takeaway from this trip was the realization that we must go back to the Grand Canyon to explore it fully — there is just too much to see in and around that area!
No matter where you’d like to go or how long you have to travel, always remember that, if you stay realistic with what you can accomplish, any trip is possible when you have the right intentions and the right mindset.
There was a time in which Colombia had a less than desirable reputation. But despite what you’ve heard about its past, the country has undergone a political, economic, and social revival in the last couple decades that has made it a very attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. Whether you’re seeking adventures in the Amazon rainforest, trying to escape to a remote beach, or craving a cosmopolitan experience, Colombia has a spot for you. But before you reach your destination, your first stop will most likely be the capital — Bogotá.
Nicknamed “the Athens of South America,” Bogotá’s educational institutions have shaped most of the brightest minds in the Republic, so it’s no surprise that the people, along with the city’s history and culture, make it one of my favorite cities to visit. Though I could go on and on about everything I love about this beautiful metropolis, here are my top three reasons why everyone must visit Bogotá.
1. The Food
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I actively encourage myself to indulge in all traditional meals and treats from my motherland whenever I’m in Bogotá. Arepas, tamales, empanadas, hot chocolate with melted cheese inside, and freshly brewed Colombian coffee. Bogotan breakfasts never disappoint. If I’m really lucky, my aunt Nury will invite me over for lunch so I can feast on several helpings of ajiaco, a succulently creamy chicken and potato soup served with rice, avocado, heavy cream and capers — an undeniable staple of Bogotan cuisine. And if I get my way, dinner is out at my favorite local restaurant, Crepes & Waffles, or at any food stand on the streets where gigantic hot dogs with crazy toppings are sold.
Even beyond the dinner table, pastries and snacks are sure to hit all the right spots. Choclitos, De Todito, and Mama-ia chocolate-covered, caramel-filled brownies are just a few of my favorite snacks. And local pastries like pan de yuca, pastel de pollo and mojicón con queso y arequipe always make my heart skip a beat. So much yum yum for everyone’s tum tums.
2. The Museums
A country with a history as rich and diverse as that of Colombia is sure to have some of the most fascinating museums in the world. The museums in Bogotá are no exception to this rule.
Grownups might find a fascination for the Botero Museum, an old colonial house showcasing over a hundred pieces authored by world-renowned Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero, whose signature style “Boterismo” can be easily spotted on all his paintings and sculptures around the world. Younger crowds might be more enthusiastic to spend a day at Maloka, an interactive museum that invites visitors to experience the wonders of science and technology.
But the whole family is sure to enjoy a day at the Museum of Gold, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, featuring vast selections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts and indigenous pottery and objects. No matter your taste, Bogotá has a museum to feed your curiosity.
3. The Nightlife
There is never a time in which there is nothing to do in Bogotá. By day and by night, the city stays thriving.
If you’re looking for a low-key night out with friends, go out to a groovy neighborhood bar with Colombian-inspired cocktails and live music like El Anónimo in the Suba neighborhood or drink your way through one of the nicest neighborhoods in town at a bar strip known as La Zona T. If you’re like me and you’re always looking to bust some wild moves on a dance floor, head to Bungalow for an upscale nightclub experience.
But if you’re feeling truly edgy and beyond ready for a long night of unexpected fun, spend the night at Theatrón, an old theatre turned into a gay dance club with 13 different dance floors. No matter your music taste, this place has at least one dance floor where you can live your best life. Disclaimer: you might see more than
When you’re planning your next vacation, imagine yourself exploring a global city atop the Andes mountains in the middle of a richly biodiverse country among visitors and residents from all corners of Colombia and the world. Whether you stay for a single night or for a while, Bogotá is sure to leave you wanting more no matter what you do. As we say in Colombia, the only risk in visiting is wanting to stay.
As per usual when traveling with my friend Cheralynn, our plans to visit Napa came into discussion less than 24 hours before the trip. As per usual when traveling with my friend Cheralynn, we killed it.
It took only a few minutes of searching for deals on Groupon and sorting through reviews and locations on Google Maps to devise a comprehensive three-stop wine tasting tour — for under $30 a person. And of course, what is a DIY tour without a little DIY competition? That’s why we developed our very own scoring model to determine which of our three stops offers the best wine tasting experience overall.
The Itinerary
Whoever sits in the passenger seat of Cheralynn’s car during a road trip bears the responsibility of calling places and planning the day — this is why I always volunteer to drive. After several calls with very kind people, our day was set:
1. Heitz Wine Cellar Free tasting, choose two wines from a list of three
2. Rutherford Ranch Winery $35 chocolate and wine pairing for two, four wines and four pieces of chocolate
After passionate discourse over several glasses of wine, we concluded there are four criteria that determine the quality of a wine tasting: the venue’s wedding worthiness, the wine’s tastiness, the overall learning experience, and the bang for our buck.
The three wineries we visited scored all over the scale:
Heitz Wine Cellar Free tasting, choose two wines from a list of three
This first spot was magical. While the staff was rather unbothered by our presence, the two wines we tasted were absolutely delectable. And the views of the vineyard with the Northern California mountains in the background made the whole experience breathtaking. The lady pouring our wine didn’t care enough to give us any significant background into the wines we were tasting, so we read their descriptions on the menu and left the rest to our imaginations. Overall, this was definitely a stop worth making.
Rutherford Ranch Winery $35 chocolate and wine pairing for two, four wines and four pieces of chocolate
This was undoubtedly the winner. For starters, we found a deal Groupon, so for only $35, the two of us got to taste four delicious wines paired with four chocolates that were specifically crafted for each wine. While the view from the tasting room is not quite as breathtaking as it is at Heitz, Rutherford Ranch has several venues that look ideal for weddings — we weighed those into its final score. Plus, our insightful sommelier gave us a bonus round of Cabernet Sauvignon, so it’s no surprise this was our favorite stop on the tour.
Coming from a non-wine-connoisseur like myself, this might sound slightly unfounded, but the experience at Sutter Home Winery was just a step above the taste of its most popular wines — just “meh.” Not remarkable, simply acceptable. The free tasting includes all the brands we knew and loved as college students, so we opted for the $5 premium wine tasting. The “better” wines were okay, but we got good insight into their origins, which, along with the delicious snacks available for sampling, brought this place’s final score slightly above zero.
Reflections
We strongly recommend not leaving your planning to the very last minute. Get on Groupon and on Google Maps and start looking for deals to redeem and brainstorming for wineries to visit. But even with our last minute planning, we were still able to visit three wineries for under $30 each.
Paying full price for wine tastings can hurt any budget, but you don’t have to hurt your wallet to live it up in Napa. You’re guaranteed to have a good time even if you get there with no plans — there are plenty of wineries with free tastings all over town. Be sure to bring good food and better snacks for a full day of activities, and don’t forget to make time for sightseeing stops through the vineyards and around downtown. Happy wining!
FROM TAMPA TO [ ] 