Welcome to the adventure.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to live meaningfully, courageously, and generously. I started this blog in 2014 while writing my senior thesis in college. Over the years, it’s become a place for me to reflect and remember what I care about most.
Who we are
My name is Daisy and I’m married to Aaron. Together, we’re committed to living wholeheartedly, loving our neighbor, and finding the best food and art everywhere.
about us:
After 10+ years away, we’ve finally moved back to the SF Bay Area where we both grew up, and are excited to settle in and build our lives here. Between the two of us, we’ve also resided in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, and New Haven (CT).
We were 11 years old when we met, 18 when we fell in love and married at 23. Over the past years of deepening friendship, joining our lives together is the best decision I’ve ever made. Aaron has a PhD in Clinical Psychology an I have an MBA, and we are dedicated to doing the most we can with what we have.
I work full-time for the mental health nonprofit we co-founded, while Aaron works part-time with me and also as a licensed clinical psychologist. In our free time, we love exploring the world, amateur gardening, creating delicious food, and spending time with friends and family.
What to read next.
Check out the articles below on our favorite regions of the world. Whether you’re packing a suitcase or settling into your armchair, we want you on this journey with us.
Latin America
Travel guide to Mérida, Mexico: history, art, and swimming in cenotes
If you're looking for a special, off-the-beaten-path destination in Mexico, then Mérida in the Yucatán might be it. With a beautiful historic town, stunning local art, unique cuisine, and magical caves for swimming, Mérida makes the perfect quiet getaway. You'll be...
25 magical places to eat in Mexico City: bucket list for foodies
We might have said "Mexico City restaurants are on the rise" ten years ago and not been entirely late to the game. But today, the culinary scene in this global capital is nothing less than a mature, full-blown bonanza. And there's good news: you're invited. The fact...
How to spend 7 incredible days in Patagonia: itinerary and guide
Mountains that thunder, rivers that glow. Creaking glaciers that stretch for miles. Condors, guanacos, and flamingos that fill the sky, the earth, and the water. Patagonia is nothing short of magical. And many people would be scandalized by a trip as short as...
48 Hours in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico: full itinerary & map
Mexico's wine region, Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, is growing in popularity as it rises to the top of international lists for culinary and wine-tasting adventures. But first, a story about what brought us there. We were nearing the end of our season in...
A first-timer’s guide to Buenos Aires, Argentina
"It's like Europe!" If you've heard someone say this about Buenos Aires, they're not entirely wrong. There are beautiful buildings modeled after Paris. There are broad avenues, stunning gardens, and as colonial history would have it, many locals who can claim Italian,...
Oaxaca, Mexico: a guide to the city of delights
(Updated in 2020) This is a guide to Oaxaca City, Mexico. It's also a bit of a memoir. We spent a week there absorbing its magic, wandering its alleys, and tasting its impeccable food. I want to remember all of it. And I want you to know about it-- where to eat, stay,...
Asia
A Slow Travel Guide to Kerala, India
It calls itself "God's Own Country" for a reason. Kerala might be one of the most naturally beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Between winding backwater canals and brilliant diving kingfishers and rolling misty hills with hidden waterfalls, this Southern Indian state...
How to spend a glorious day in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, holds some of India's most famous gems. After our weeks of working and exploring in Udaipur, entering the Pink City felt like a return to something familiar, even as it was absolutely brand new to me. As part of India's popular Golden...
Our journey to India and Udaipur travel diary
My childhood dream of visiting India finally came true: the story of our travels to Udaipur, and the exquisite people we met there.
Our China Adventure: poems, gardens, and painted dreams
Our trip to China was six months ago. Yes, it's taken me this long to write and publish something about it. Lately I've found myself searching for deeper meaning as I travel, not simply wandering for wandering's sake, or for writing a useful guide. Trust me, I'm still...
Autumn In Kyoto: Where To Find The Best Foliage (with a map!)
Autumn in Kyoto is something else. Bursts of color occupy the stretch between earth and sky, spreading wide at the tops of trees, trickling down in fallen leaves, crunching beneath your feet. Having lived in New England, my expectations weren't low. But there was a...
Cambodia: Travel Guide and Photo Diary
Cambodia is a place I'll never forget. I grew up dreaming of visiting, and in April of this year, I finally did-- with two of my best girl friends from college, one of whom just finished two years with Peace Corps there. If you've ever to traveled to Southeast Asia,...
Europe
A getaway guide to Douro Valley, Portugal’s wine country
There are destinations that are worthy of a thoughtful visit once in a lifetime— and once might just be enough. And then there are places that beckon you right back, even as you depart. Douro Valley is one of those places for me. Portugal has so much to offer...
Lisbon, Portugal: a travel guide for curious wanderers
Our Lisbon Portugal travel blog with our favorite views, food recommendations, and the way to wander through the city.
Why you should visit Stockholm in the fall
Do a little research on visiting Stockholm, Sweden, and you're likely to find lots of recommendations for the summer. And it's with good reason: the Swedish capital comes alive in the summer months when days are long and the weather is warmer. But what about the fall?...
The perfect Paris weekend guide to food and frolicking
Paris, city of light. Paris, city of love. Paris, home to the world's favorite writers, designers and artists. Paris, the city we promised each other to visit once every five years to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We all (want to) have a Paris story. But visiting...
Rome off the beaten path: a wanderer’s guide to the eternal city
I love the Spanish Steps. And the Trevi Fountain. The Pantheon still takes my breath away. And the first time I sank my teeth into a delicate lasagna in the Piazza Navona, I thought I'd discovered culinary gold. Rome is where I fell in love with travel. When I was 13,...
72 hours in Barcelona: Architectural Wonderland
We had a special Barcelona experience: we were barely there for 72 hours, and spent Christmas Eve Catalonian-style. I can hardly do justice to Barcelona's highlights since we only had time for a few stops, but I was absolutely in awe with its architectural...
North America
An enchanting 2-week road trip through the American Southwest
Welcome to the mystery, the land of enchantment, the wild west. With vibrant light, flourishing wildflowers, rugged rock formations and fascinating history, the region we call the American Southwest is bound to captivate any visitor, no matter what century they visit....
The most unique things to do in Mendocino, California
Expansive bluffs that tumble into rich turquoise waters. Nearby ancient forests that tell stories of old. This is Mendocino, a wild and tranquil retreat from the Bay Area. It's an absolute delight. It's no secret that I'm in love with the California coast. Growing up...
A road trip guide to California’s gorgeous central coast
Discover California’s stunning coastline while remaining socially distanced.
How we’re spending our last summer in Connecticut (socially distanced)
When we moved to New Haven two years ago for my MBA program, we never imagined this season would end in a global crisis. Lately, the pandemic has contributed to how challenging it seems to truly close this chapter. In just a few weeks, Aaron and I will leave the East...
How to visit Banff National Park: Canadian Rockies Travel Guide & Map
I still can't believe these places are real. The Canadian Rockies hold numerous dramatic mountain landscapes and turquoise lakes that explode with color. Unsurprisingly, Banff National Park is one of the most visited parks on earth. And for good reason. The fame of...
Yosemite National Park: A Quick Guide
Yosemite National Park is iconic. It's nature's majesty on display, creation at its best, and emblematic in the world of all outdoor pursuits. Its international fame has reached the ends of the earth. Each year, more than 3 million people visit the park, and the...