Travel Because You Want To

As usual, I received both positive and negative replies to when I told people I was going to New York for Memorial Day Weekend.

"New York is amazing! You'll have a great time!"

"New York is so expensive. It's a waste of money for just a weekend."

"Good for you! Sounds like fun."

"Really? I would never spend all those hours flying to the other side of the country unless I was going for a longer period of time."

"Take lots of pictures! I want to hear all about it."

"You're not going for work or to visit family? Why would you go somewhere for no particular reason?"

Everyone is going to have an opinion, whether it's good or bad. The only thing that matters is what you want to do. Those slightly negative opinions might make me question my travel decisions, but my answers almost always confirm that I'm doing the right thing, especially when looking back on it.

Did I have a great time in New York? Yes! Was it expensive? Yes! But was it worth it? YES, absolutely!

I don't make a fortune by any means with my job, but I do my best to put some money aside every paycheck to put toward something I want to do. I've spent most of my extra money on travel: flights to New York, flights to visit friends... to me, it's worth it.

Everyone has different interests, and investments in "fun" things look different for everyone. Other friends may want to spend money on new designer clothes, a new TV, or bottle service at a club. That's fine! But if you'd rather spend money on travel, it's okay that you spend your money on different things than your friends.

The reason behind this post is to not feel guilty for traveling. If you want to travel, make it happen. Don't let others drag you down - you're not living their life, you're living yours. You don't need any other excuse to travel other than the fact that you want to.

The Beauty of NYC's Bryant Park

Manhattan's most famous park is Central Park, though there are many other public gardens around New York City. Bryant Park is a smaller square of bliss, surrounded by skyscrapers yet still embodying a tranquil break from the bustle. Located between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal, you're also sure to spot it if you're in that part of the neighborhood. My friend and I had a lovely break in the park, where we took photos, people watched, and relaxed on some porch swings.

Upper East Siders Only: 'Gossip Girl' Locations Tour

During my junior year of high school, I was beyond delighted to see Gossip Girl, a book series, come to life on the small screen.

Seeing S, B, N, and Lonely Boy in real life against the New York City backdrop was enough for me to convince my parents that we should take our annual vacation to the city instead of Arizona.

After a lot of persuasion they agreed, and I have been bit by NYC's bug ever since! 

Seeing as last weekend I was able to visit the city for the fifth time, I was excited to join On Location Tours for their Gossip Girl Sites Tour to scout out locations where the show was filmed.

Gossip Girl Sites Tour in New York

First, we met at The Palace Hotel to check in with our guides, Kelsey and Madeline. They were both cheery and welcoming as we checked in beside Chuck and Serena's old place of residence (The Palace Hotel):

Our tour was Saturday at 10 am and there were two coach buses - one full and one about half-full.

We would drive to different locations and watch scenes from the show that corresponded with what we were seeing in between. The tour lasted about three hours.

For some locations we would get out and have some time to explore or take photos, and for others we would just drive by them.

As we drove up 5th Avenue we discussed our favorite characters from the show and watched a few clips.

After driving by one entrance of Constance/St. Jude's, the characters' high school - filmed at Synod of Bishops Russian Church - we stopped and got out to take photos at Museum of the City of New York, which was used as the other entrance to the school!

Next, it was time for some sweets shopping, so we stopped at Dylan's Candy Bar for about half an hour - the same spot where Dan and Vanessa bought candy in a scene. ;)

After Dylan's Candy Bar we stopped at Bendel's for some headband shopping, because you know, we ALL have to channel our inner Blair Waldorf.

Bendel's is located next to Harry Winston, so we got to see -

[SPOILER ALERT - SEASON 3] 

- where Chuck picked out the gorgeous diamond engagement ring...that he held onto even when he got mugged in Prague during season three's tearful finale! :( 

Since everyone wants to be Blair Waldorf - channeling her can only go so far - we simply couldn't pass up the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The MET steps were B's "throne" in the early seasons as she, Serena, and her minions would sit and have yogurt before school.

Grand Central Terminal was one of my favorite spots because that was where the series' opening scene was filmed: after Dan and Jenny meet their dad upon arriving from a summer in Hudson, Serena is also "spotted" getting off the train. Aw, now I'm nostalgic.

We also scouted additional locations, including the New York Public Library, The Carlyle Hotel, Laduree, The Empire Hotel, and the Pulitzer Fountain.

While we had a break to check out the Empire, I was exhausted from taking a red eye flight the night before and opted for an iced coffee instead.

It was a fun way to spend a morning in New York, and I'd definitely recommend this tour for any Gossip Girl super fans!

XOXO

Tour Details

Book online here!

Cost: $43 + $2 booking fee

Runs: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; daily July - August

Meets at: 455 Madison Avenue (The Palace Hotel)

Go Seek Explore was invited to this experience as a guest of On Location Tours. Opinions are always my own.

The Time Is Now. Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do

When faced with a big decision or overwhelming goal, we tend to put it off and just keep it in the backs of our minds.

For example: me and travel hacking. I was first introduced to the concept of travel hacking by some friends/fellow travelers when I was in Italy. After Europe, they were going to move to Thailand for a few months and travel around Southeast Asia before continuing future travels.

How did they afford the flight? Well, they got it for free by putting their regular spending on a travel credit card and strategically signing up at the right times to get the best bonuses.

The first time I heard this, it blew my mind. Why didn't I do this sooner? Would I have earned enough points for a free flight by now, without even spending out of the ordinary?

It took me a year and a half to actually sign up for a travel credit card.

I had read the articles. I had heard the success stories of travel hacking. But this was something I was passive about - a pipeline goal, something I wanted to do but kept putting on the back burner, no matter how many times I put it on my to-do list.

It's been less than a week of having the credit card, though soon through regular spending I will be able to meet the sign-up bonus. The bonus includes the best part....50,000 bonus points! That's a round trip domestic flight or a one-way international ticket.

Why didn't I do this sooner? I'm always talking about taking action and going for your goals. In most cases, I practice what I preach. But for some reason, this particular goal of getting a travel card seemed extremely overwhelming.

Being overwhelmed is very common with many "big" goals, especially when they're travel-related. The best thing to do when you're faced with a big goal is to break it down into steps.

8 Essential Steps to Planning a Trip Abroad

Using SMART Goals to Take Action Toward Your Travel Dreams

Specify exactly what you want. Not: "I want to get a travel credit card," rather "I want a travel credit card with at least $xx,xxx bonus miles and no foreign transaction fees. I'm going to sign up for the card by the end of the week and put my first purchase on the card this weekend."

This can apply to anything in your life. Everyone has pipeline dreams, but by turning them into reasonable goals with a time frame we can stop dreaming and make those goals a reality. Get specific on what it is you really want and get started. Dreams don't work unless you do.

4 Amazing Day Trips From Florence, Italy

4 Amazing Day Trips From Florence, Italy

Florence is one of the most popular cities in Italy to visit. The small city provides a beautiful and fun way to experience Tuscan city life, as well as being a good base for travels around the country.

To take a break from Florence, explore some areas nearby - there is so much to see in Italy! Here are four amazing day trips from Florence:

Cinque Terre

Translated in English to "five towns," Cinque Terre is that photo you see all over Pinterest of the colorful Italian buildings built into the seaside cliffs. While here, you'll want to devote time to take the trail through all the towns, though if you're more limited on time, head to Monterosso to spend time on the beach.

Need more inspiration? Read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, one of my favorite books of all time, which is set in this part of Italy.

Travel duration from Florence: about 2.5-3 hours by train

Siena

Another Tuscan town just south of Florence, Siena will have you seeing another piece of this gorgeous region. Head to Siena on July 2 or August 16 to catch the famous yearly horse race Il Palio, or go any time of year for winding streets, fresh food, and rolling hills in the distance.

Travel duration from Florence: about 1-1.5 hours

Perugia

Perugia, Italy

This town in Umbria, a neighboring region to Florence's Tuscany, provides a fresh perspective to experiencing Italy. For those with a sweet tooth, go to Perugia during October for the annual chocolate festival.

Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor

Travel duration from Florence: about 1-1.5 hours

Rome

Take the fast train from Florence down to the Lazio region for grand, spectacular Rome. No trip to Italy is complete without seeing this historical city firsthand. While you can spend a day in Rome hitting the hotspots, you may want to extend your time into a few days or long weekend. There is so much to see and do!

9 Reasons to go to Rome During Your Trip To Italy

Travel duration from Florence: 1.5 hours (fast train) or 3 hours (regular train)

Plan Your Trip to Italy!

Traveling to Italy soon? Be sure to check out my Italy Travel Guide!

More helpful resources for planning your Italy trip:

• 10 Tips For Visiting Italy

• The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Italy

• How to Plan a Trip to Europe: Sample Europe Travel Itineraries

• How To Use Travel Adapters

23 Signs You Studied Abroad in Europe [Video]

If you studied abroad in college, chances are you likely studied in Europe, the most popular continent for Americans to go abroad.

Studying abroad is such an eye opening experience that I believe every college student should at least consider doing during their four years of university. Whether it's a program through your school, a third party provider, or through an international program at a foreign school, you are bound to have the time of your life.

I can definitely relate to all of these on this BuzzFeed video after studying in Italy in college and returning there after graduating. Watch this video to get nostalgic feels if you've already been abroad - or to get stoked for your program if you're about to head to Europe.

Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor

Rolling hills, cypress trees, and faded yellow homes with red roofs come to mind when you think of Italy - Tuscany, in particular. Tuscany is home to magnificent cities like Florence, Siena, and Bologna, though there is more to Italy than this particular area. Head out to Perugia in Umbria, Tuscany's regional neighbor, for a similar aesthetic to get away from Tuscany's crowds.

Need convincing? Here are 8 photos to do just that.

Perugia Views Italy Umbria

Perugia

Perugia, Italy

Flower Window Boxes Perugia

Perugia Italy Views of Hills

Streets of Perugia

Perguia Italia

Perugia, Umbria, Italy