ECUADOR'S CAPITAL CITY, QUITO, IS LOCATED HIGH IN THE ANDES (2,850M ABOVE SEA LEVEL), SQUEEZED BETWEEN MOUNTAIN PEAKS WITH HILLS OF GREENERY. I LOVED EXPLORING MY MOTHER'S HOME COUNTRY; THE MONUMENTS AND 17TH-CENTURY ARCHITECTURAL FACADES, PICTURESQUE PLAZAS AND MAGNIFICENT CHURCHES. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN SOUTH AMERICA, DEFINITELY A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT! 

Where To Stay:

Surrounded by mountains, Quito is comprised of five different zones. Generally, tourism tends to be centralized in the north, around Parque El Ejido and areas such as La Mariscal. However, the historical center is based in the south in the Old Town with the three large squares of Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza San Francisco, and Plaza Santo Domingo.

WHERE I ATE:

• Q Restaurant 

• Zinc Gastro Bar

• Urko Cocina Local

WHat I Did: 

• Teleferiqo: ride up the volcano, see Quito from above

• Mitad Del Mundo: Quito's middle of the world

• Plaza Foch: hip bar district

• La Platea: artsy food truck chill spot

• Hop On/Off bus: hit all the historic spots of Quito at once

Wearing: J.O.A Top | F21 Pants | Nasty Gal Shoes

Wearing: Bar III Dress | Cult Gaia Bag

Wearing: Nasty Gal Dress | Stella McCartney Heals Similar

I've been too busy lately to focus on writing. Part of that busy schedule included a fun getaway to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Guys - as I've said before "busy" should also include something you want to do. Block out everything else and plan something for yourself. My little trip was full of colorful walls, amazing company, polka dots and flowy dresses. 

IT TAKES VIRTUALLY NO EFFORT TO BURN OUT AFTER A SINGLE DAY IN LAS VEGAS, WHERE EXTRAVAGANCE ISN’T AN EXTRA—IT’S EXPECTED! PACE YOUR PERFECT THREE-DAY TRIP WITH A BALANCE OF INDULGENCE AND EXPLORATION, AND YOU WON’T FEEL LIKE YOU MISSED ANYTHING ON YOUR PLANE RIDE HOME TO REALITY. THE PERFECT VACATION IN VEGAS COMBINES INCREDIBLE ATTRACTIONS LIKE FINE DINING, SOME SOFT ADVENTURE, AND A FEW WAYS TO TAKE IN THOSE INCREDIBLE DESERT VIEWS.

Vegas has its reputation and for the longest time I really thought I'd hate it. I had studied Robert Venturi's architectural analysis of Las Vegas, but never visited, and I didn't plan to. But that's no way to think, so I gave Vegas a shot and I actually ended up enjoying my time. 

DRIVE ABOUT 100 MILES NORTHWEST OF ORLANDO ON I-75 TO THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE AND YOU'LL FIND DEVIL'S DEN SPRING, ONE OF THE MOST PREHISTORIC PLACES IN THE US. WHILE FLORIDA IS FAMOUS FOR IT'S BEACHY COASTS, IT ALSO BOASTS OVER 900 FRESHWATER SPRINGS. DEVIL'S DEN SPRING IS A COOL LITTLE DESTINATION PERFECT FOR A SPONTANEOUS ROAD TRIP TO VISIT.

Unlike most itineraries on my site, this post is a one-day activity. If you happen to be near Orlando or you live in Miami, Gainesville, etc. and need a spontaneous day trip with friends — Devil's Den is a must-see hidden treasure. It's right smack in the middle of nowhere (no offense to Williston, FL)— you really need to go there on purpose, you're not likely to pass it on the way going somewhere. 

Devil’s Den is also called a karst window, a phenomenon that happens naturally when a roof covering an underground river collapses, exposing the waters underneath to the open. A strange name honestly, but Devil's Den gets its name from the steam that would rise from the den on cool winter mornings. The temperature of the water remains around 72 degrees all year round, making for great steamy displays in the cooler months. Oddly enough I was still cold when I jumped in, but you get used to it and the views from the water are well worth it! The sunnier the better, you'll understand what I mean because photos don't do this place justice. The way the water glistens as its hit by sunlight through the top of the cave is phenomenal.