Ali on the GO

Not every trip needs to include my cute toddler. ALL you need is well thought out dates, free time and a kick ass grandma! This next trip to Paris, the city of love and romance was sans kids! After an 11-hour flight I arrived in Paris to meet my boyfriend who was coming from Saudi Arabia! Yes, Arabia! We started our journey near the Eiffel tower and soaked up the town for 3 days. Walking everywhere is easy as pie as well as allows for better integration with the local life.

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We were able to enjoy a tour of the Louvre to visit the very admired Mona Lisa, which most say is so small. Conversely, we felt as though it was larger than everyone said. From enjoying late light crepes and wine to local markets its easy to get lost in city streets and feel like a true Parisian. Two amazing restaurants that always stand out when I visit Paris are Lauduree where you can find the best scrambled eggs and macaroons. Also a new favorite is Angelina https://www.angelina-paris.fr/en/home. I’ve never had richest chocolate milk or better looking pastries!

The next very eventful four days of our trip was located in the Moulin Rouge district which at first was very overwhelming and seemed sleazy. Once we dug deeper and walked farther we found the wall of love. As we walked up the hill we reached a beautiful basilica surrounded by artists displaying their portraits, original artwork and sketches. You grab a mulled wine or beer and keep exploring!

Mama’s Who Travel

Finding the time to take a shower can be a challenge as a single mom but better yet getting bags packed, children ready and jet off to a far away destination. This year I was able to get away for a whole ten days in the wonderful European land of Italy. We reached two cities and a whole new perspective on travel. Here is a snippet of the trip.

Our first stop on this adventure was the beautiful Florence, Italy. Florence, which is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo which is a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome the towers over the heart of the city. This is a great place for shopping both high end and local gems. The eateries range from Michelin star to local cuisine nestled in the streets. The hotel we resides at was the luxurious Villa Cora http://www.villacora.it/en/index.php which is walking distance from the cities main streets. We indulged at restaurants like Osteria which is traditional Italian style meal but most famous for its local infusions and explosions of flavor. Then also a panini on the street which can always satisfy the swift traveler. Finishing up that portion of our adventure with a wine tasting at a country winery in the Tuscan region called Casa Emma.

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This brings us to the second portion of the travel. We jetted off to a beach town in Italy called Sicily which is actually a city that my ancestors once lived. Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot.” Its rich history is reflected in sites like the Valley of the Temples, Doric-style Greek temples and a former royal chapel in capital city Palermo. Upon arrival we drove to our thought to be destination to find the resort in ruins. It had flooded in storm a few days prior and was not accepting any guests. Fortunate for internet and maps we were able to route ourselves to safely to a hotel hours away. At that time of night Sicily is officially shut down, we learned that the hard way. Making the best of the situation we were able to enjoy beach front walks, friendly locals and even some high adventure. The trip ended with a hike through the preserved Renaissance town of Segesta which is an ancient city dated back to over 2500 years old. The views on the top of the mountain were breathtaking.

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“I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met.”

Now that I have you captivated, let’s talk a little bit about who I am. I’m 28 years old mom who grew up in the South Bay, specifically Torrance, Ca. I am a born and bred beach girl. Think of me as a girly girl with a side of adventure! From a very young age travel became an integral part of my life. From family camping trips, road trips and more, I learned quickly the world is a lot larger that we think. With working as an executive assistant a large part of my job is to travel, heck yeah! Am I right?!

After having my son and finding myself in a single mother situation I realized I can’t just STOP traveling. It has become an obsession, a stress reliever and a joy maker! So that’s just what I did! Work hard to make the money to take my son and I on trips (with family and friends of course!) From memories to photographs and the pure love of seeking new energies here you can a take a peek into my travel experiences and location tips!