Happy Places
Find Your Happy Place
Travel and even planning & anticipation of a trip has been found to boost happiness and increase well-being and life satisfaction. Experiencing more of the world through travel is a big aspect of pursuing happiness for me. There are certain places that bring me more happiness than others - ones deemed to be my Happy Places. In honor of International Day of Happiness, I'm sharing my "Top 10 Happy Places" that hopefully bring you happiness too!
Disney World
Disney World
It's considered the most Magical Place on Earth, Where Dreams Come True, need I say more?? It's also the world's biggest amusement park and a self-contained city twice the size of Manhattan by area. It's fun for children and adults alike and continues to evolve across its 4 main parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom. For ideas on how to have a magical trip to Disney, check out the full Disney World Guide and Gifts.
New York City
New York City
My year is not complete without at least one trip to NYC. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, all are great times to visit the largest US city that never sleeps. Walking through Central Park, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO, eating & drinking on the water, riding a ferry to Governors Island, taking in the skyline & Highline, shopping the markets, all make me happy. Ideas on where to stay, what to do, eat, drink & more are available in the NYC Guide and Gifts.
It's difficult not to love Greece. The breathtaking scenery, historic architecture, beautiful weather and refreshing food & hospitality make Greece one of my favorite countries. I've visited a few times and still want to go back for more! With thousands of islands and a large mainland, there's much to see & experience in Greece. Check out recommendations for Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & my favorite Naxos in the Greece Guide and Gifts.
Napa & Sonoma
The Napa & Sonoma Valley offers some of the prettiest landscape in the US with rolling hills, clear skies & miles of vines. It has a very calming feel that's so inviting, you may not want to leave. It became one of my favorite US destinations from the first visit and is somewhere I love to return to that makes me feel at ease. For insights on when to visit, where to stay, which wineries to visit & more, head to the Napa & Sonoma Valley Guide and Gifts.
Tulum is a delightful Bohemian wellness retreat with beautiful beaches, distinctively cool hotels, restaurants & beach clubs, and Mayan ruins, that make Tulum a special place, that I instantly fell in love with. So much so that I returned a second time the same year. It's year-round warm, mostly sunny weather, make it a perfect spot to escape the Winter Blues. Check out the Tulum Guide for ideas on where to stay, play, eat & drink, plus Gifts!
Morocco is a magical country with a stunning landscape across mountains & valleys, beaches along the Atlantic Ocean & Mediterranean Sea, and Sahara Desert. Its year-round warm weather, incredible architecture & design, and food & hospitality, make Morocco one of my other favorite countries to visit. Whether riding a camel in the Sahara Desert, shopping the souks, drinking Moroccan tea, or soaking in the ocean, Morocco provides a sense of peace & happiness. For more ideas to plan a trip, head to the Morocco Guide and Gifts.
Rhode Island, specifically Newport & Block Island, is one of my favorite places to visit in Summer for that coastal New England charm. Rhode Island transports visitors to the Gilded Age in its over-the-top historic mansions, set sail in the Sailing Capital of the World, and enjoy polo and tennis, along with 'Gansetts & stuffies on the beach along the Atlantic Ocean. For ideas on where to stay and what to do, plus more, go to the Rhode Island Guide and Gifts.
Camp Chateau
Camp Chateau is a Summer Camp for Women at a 13th century chateau in a small medieval town in the south of France. It's an opportunity to stay in the chateau, enjoy the grounds, pools & gardens, & meet women from around the world, while taking part in activities, eating French cuisine, & relaxing. After becoming a Founding Member for its inaugural year, I've had the opportunity to attend Camp Chateau each Summer and it has become one of my Happy Places. For more information, head to the Camp Chateau Guide and Gifts.
As my home city, Chicago will always be one of my Happy Places. I may be biased, but I've been to many places and Chicago is one of the best cities in the world (albeit much nicer in Summer). Chicago is a world class city with 30 miles of lakefront, a river walk, great museums, sports, parks & dining. There's a reason, Chicago was voted the Best Big City in the US in Conde Nast Traveler's World's Best Awards several years in a row. For top picks on hotels, activities, & more, head to the Chicago Guide and Gifts.
I love Palm Springs! Its beautiful weather, scenery, mid-century modern architecture & vibe, all make me very happy. It's a great retreat to relax & enjoy everything this desert oasis has to offer. Palm Springs has lots of great hotels, so I narrowed it down to a few top picks. These along with activities to enjoy the Palm Springs area beyond some time at the pool, tennis, and golf are featured in the Palm Springs Guide and Gifts.