Some places linger in your memory long after the trip is over, towns that feel like more than a destination, but a glimpse into a life you might live if you stayed. For me, these places aren’t just stops on a map; they’re communities that made me pause and think, I could live here. Maybe it’s the smell of salt in the air, the way the sunset colors the sky, or the sense of belonging in a small-town café. These towns each hold a little piece of my heart, and if I could, I’d pac

I didn’t go to San Sebastián planning to learn how to surf. That was not part of the plan. The plan was food, ocean views, wandering the city, and pretending I was going to “take it slow.” And then I got to Zurriola Beach. Watched surfers make it look way too easy. Then booked a surf lesson. Why San Sebastián Is a Great Place to Learn Surfing San Sebastián sits on Spain’s northern coast in the Basque Country, and it has a very specific kind of energy: relaxed, coastal, and qu

Fall has always been my favorite season. Maybe it's the cooler mornings, the leaves finally starting to change, or the excuse to make another cup of coffee, but everything just feels a little calmer this time of year. I find myself spending less time rushing from one thing to the next and more time enjoying the little moments that make autumn feel like, well... autumn. This is my cozy fall routine, filled with warm coffee, homemade baking, and weekends spent wandering apple o

Before we jump into this blog post, I just wanted to say thank you for being here. This marks my 100th blog post, and I honestly couldn't have reached this milestone without all of you. If you've been following along since the beginning, thank you for your support over the last four years. And if you're new here, welcome! I'm so happy you found Seven Seas and Winter Trees. If you enjoy travel stories, destination guides, and a little bit of adventure, I'd love for you to subs

Some trips are fun because they are relaxing, and some trips stay with you because they pushed you in a new way. My trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida was definitely the second kind. This was my first real dive trip, the trip where I finished my SDI scuba certification, and the first time I traveled solo for something that felt this big to me. I stayed across the street from the ocean, spent my days diving, and worked with Scuba Network to finish my certification. It was exciti

Spring travel has a way of shifting how I see the world and myself. It is not about racing to tick off famous landmarks or chasing the perfect itinerary. Instead, it invites a slower, more mindful approach to exploring. The quiet destinations, early spring blooms, and even muddy trails offer a perspective that summer trips rarely do. This reflective travel essay shares my insights on spring hiking, sunrise hikes, and the subtle lessons found in transitional seasons. If you ha

I used to think the only real way to travel was to go big. For years, my adventures were defined by long-haul flights, bucket-list destinations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I’d spend months planning, saving up, and counting down the days until I could finally pack my bags and jet off for two weeks somewhere exotic and far away. It felt like the ultimate reward for working hard, a way to “live my best life” and make memories that would last a lifetime. I have so many f

Camping under the starry skies, surrounded by nature's tranquility, is something every traveler yearns for. The rustic charm of Maple Grove Hot Springs in Idaho offers an unparalleled experience of relaxation and connection with the natural world. To book, visit their website here. 2025 Updates! Maple Grove Hot Springs just keeps getting better—on my recent visit, I got to experience a few new additions that made the trip even more magical. Their brand-new sauna is an absolut

There's something extraordinary about returning to your hometown; for me, that means a weekend in the vibrant and bustling city of New York. It seems rare to meet people who grew up in the city, and I could go on and on about the amazing parts of growing up here. From iconic neighborhoods like TriBeCa, where I grew up, to the abundance of beautiful parks, there's always something new to discover in the city that never sleeps. One of the highlights of my weekend was re-explori

Welcome to Part 2 of my Chengdu, China blog! If you haven't read Part 1 yet, you can read it here! In Part 1, I talked about my first impressions of Chengdu, the incredible Sichuan food, and the biggest culture shocks I experienced when I first arrived in China. While the food was one of my favorite parts of my time abroad, there was so much more to discover. Living in Chengdu gave me the opportunity to see everyday life in China, explore places I never could have seen on a s

Taking cruise ships around the Caribbean is something I thought I would never do. It is not on my list of wants, however, the opportunity arose to join some people on one, with no cost to me. I couldn't pass up a free chance to experience living in what seemed like a floating apartment building. The Boat These ships are so massive you can't tell you are out to sea. This thing had water slides, multiple pools, and hot tubs. There was a casino, kids gaming area, childcare, ente

Roatan Honduras is a place where I never thought I would travel, especially not to scuba dive. An opportunity for a dive trip arose with my diving group. I looked it up on the map and saw that it was this tiny island off the coast of Central America. There was only one flight in a week, when we were going, so the plane tickets were a little pricy. Traveling To Roatan It was reasonably easy to travel to Roatan. I took a connecting flight straight from Atlanta, GA, to Roatan. T

Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay Jamaica The whole nine when it comes to a resort experience. We stayed in the Romeo and Juliet suite, with the butler service. I would have loved to stay in an overwater bungalow, but it was not in our budget. I booked everything through the Sandals website, including our flights. After we landed, we gave in our PCR test and took our temperatures. We went to a waiting area for sandals only, where we got snacks and a drink. Remember, Sand

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have traveled to Cuba. Visiting Cuba as an American isn't as straightforward as traveling to many other Caribbean destinations, so the opportunity felt especially special. I had always imagined what the island would be like from movies and documentaries, but nothing prepared me for seeing it in person. When my scuba diving group planned a trip to Cuba, I couldn't pass up the chance. Flying to Mexico was relatively smooth, and from the

Traveling to China is an experience I'll never forget. While I was in college, I had the opportunity to spend the summer living in Chengdu, China, through a study abroad program where I studied International Business and Coding. Before arriving, I intentionally wanted to travel somewhere completely different from what I was used to. I wanted to experience a culture where I knew very little about the customs, daily life, or even the language. Looking back, I couldn't have pick