Hola Tulum! A year later (that darn pandemic), we were finally able to get married and go on our honeymoon! In this post, I share the Airbnb we stayed at & damn, it was absolute perfection. I know there are SO many options to choose from on Airbnb, but this spot is truly a one of a kind!
Firstly, we wanted an intimate & private space to celebrate our wedding shoot/honeymoon for this trip. We craved a space that was aesthetically breathtaking, simple and architecturally unique all at the same time. It was important for the space to incorporate lush natural elements in a luxurious way, but also provide that cozy feel!
The moment I saw the staircases next to the 20 ft living room windows looking out to tropical trees, my heart instantly knew this was where I’d celebrate my once in a lifetime moment.This airbnb has impeccable designs in every corner, the hosts adds special touches- from fresh bouquets of flowers in every room to all the amenities you’d need. The kitchen has a reverse osmosis water filter, in house washer/dryer and effective air conditions in the rooms, safe/secure area with parking spot included. The host is extremely responsive through messaging, he was happy to coordinate, answer any questions we had, and provided very clear/detailed directions. They even arranged for a nurse to come to the home to do a private COVID-19 PCR test for us! Here is the link to the airbnb! Enjoy!!
Stuck in LA and NEED to get out of here? Wishing you were on winter wonderland trip in Finland? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a hidden gem! This location is not your typical Big Bear Mountain or Mountain High… It’s a lot more secluded, quiet and delivers just as gorgeous of a snowy backdrop view. Depending on what season you’re visiting you can expect a full on winter wonderland or a lovely camping ground during the summer. Yessss I know we are in a pandemic… BUT that should not stop you from exploring your backyard SAFELY. This is the year to spend more time and develop a stronger connection to nature.
LOCATION
Mount San Jacinto, located in Riverside county east of LA is a California state park perfect for a day or weekend getaway. It’s tucked next to Palm Spring/ Coachella Valley. The drive is relatively easy and it doesn’t get too windy. There was ice on the road, but as long as you are going slowly and carefully you should be ok. Multiple times throughout the day, there are snow plow trucks going back and forth cleaning the roads and keeping it well paved.
WHERE TO STAY
You can easily do a day trip, however there are plenty of beautiful A-Frame cabins to stay at through Airbnb or bed and breakfast!
There are plenty of pull off points to hop out and play with snow. It’s the perfect destination to social distance during this pandemic and who doesn’t love a day out playing in nature. You can make snow angels, build a snowman, do a photoshoot or have a snowball fight! In the other seasons, there’s plenty of hikes to do!
We came after a full night of snowfall and by morning, the entire mountain was covered in fresh snow. Every inch was untouched, the snow was fluffy/ clean and it was truly a winter wonderland! Bring your own food, hot cocoa/coffee and set up a cozy picnic inside the car and have a romantic day watching the snowfall!
WEATHER CONDITIONS
P.S Be mindful of the weather conditions BEFORE you start your journey here. Check the Cal Trans App or online maps for the travel restrictions here. You will see on the map that each point of destination will have a tire restriction. R2 means you can drive up in a 4 wheel drive without any chains (however you MUST carry them in the car) and R3 means chains are REQUIRED. This is for your own safety so please do your research before you put yourself in a dangerous situation.
My Instagrammable travel series is where I dive straight to the point and list out the most photogenic & memorable spots in each city I visit.
CINQUE TERRE
Enchanting, magical, the ultimate photogenic Italian dream. I don’t know about you, but I have been dreaming to see these picturesque villages all my life! These colorful coastal backdrops are all over social media, but did you know they’re actually located in different towns?
Cinque Terre consists of 5 coastal villages: Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, & Vernazza. All 5 villages are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and there is a train that runs from La Spezia that can drop you off in each town or if you like a challenge, you can spend the day hiking the trail that connects you to all 5 of them. Although each town has similarities, they have personalities of its own that make them stand out. I’ve listed them from the southernmost town to the northernmost town.
RIOMAGGIORE
Our balcony view!
Riomaggiore has a cascade of multi colored houses right on the mediteranean sea. We chose to stay in this town because of an INSANE airbnb location we discovered. Book this AIRBNB NOW. There’s no other place to stay- nothing beats it and the pictures don’t do it justice!! The airbnb is a 5 minute walk from the train station, located smack-dab on the port, yet with just enough privacy away from the crowds.
Another location to shoot is down by the rock waves. You can also capture an epic view from the fisherman’s port by walking along some rocks located at the bottom. Rocks do get slippery and waves can get intense so please go with caution.
MANAROLA
Nessun Dorma
Come to this town just so you can dine at Nessun Dorma. Sip on some yummy Aperol Spritz with a view of the picturesque cliffside homes. Make a reservation ahead of time and request for a spot with a view. Another photo spot here is down by the stone pier. Cross the ropes and wander onto the rocks. Please be careful if the tides are high!
One of the more quiet villages. The only town that cannot be accessed from the sea because it’s elevated. From the train station, you will have to take 377 steps up a steep stairway just to get to the center of the town… To be completely honest, this town does not really stand out compared to the rest because it’s one of the oldest and there’s not much development… If you’re short on time, I’d suggest skipping this town.
VERNAZZA
This town is known to be the most photographed village out of all of them. This is the spot where you see the classic #postcardgoals backdrop all over IG. If you are stopping by for a quick day trip to Cinque Terre and have to choose, I would say to choose this instagrammable spot over all the other ones! Take the hike from Vernazza to Monterosso, follow the signs, and within 5-10 minutes into the hike, you’ll see a wired fence to your left with this epic view. Please be safe and do not get too close to the edge.
Follow the blue dots! This is the path we took from the train station to the entrance of the hike! That sharp right off the main road is when you want to start timing the hike to get to the specific spot.
MONTEROSSO
It is the largest town out of the 5 and the only one with a sandy beach where you can lounge. When you’re here, make sure to visit the 14th century Church of San Giovanni Battista. The black and white striped church contrast is stunning and the gothic architecture makes it look like an ancient chic Sephora.
Church of San Giovanni Battista Address: Via Roma, 12, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy
I hope this Cinque Terre guide will help shorten your planning process and that you’re able to find these instagrammable spots the next time you visit. If you have any ideas for future blog posts, please leave a comment down below!
Sophie Lai 