A recap of my recent trip to Seoul, Korea through the lens of my Yashica T4 film camera. Film used - Portra400.

It was my first time in Korea and to be honest, Seoul never really intrigued me and I never once had an urge to visit this city. However, after this week long trip, I fell head over heels in love with Seoul and am itching to go back as soon as possible. From the culture to the people, to the food and the technological advances, I am now recommending everyone make a visit to Seoul any chance they get.

Known mainly for their shopping and street food, Myeongdong is always alive with tourist and locals roaming the streets in search of a good time. From cat cafes to beauty shops galore, there is literally something that will catch your eye as you walk around. While I spent less than 6 hours roaming Myeongdong, I did make it a point to do the following 5 things before I retired back to our hotel.

Encompassing 45 acres, the Fairmont Mayakoba offers 27, 710 sq. of exploration with two outdoor event lawns, 18-hole golf course, and 401 rooms/suites. There are 6 options for dining, which includes poolside and beach service, 24-hour in-room dining, and 37,000 square foot spa featuring 20 treatment rooms. There is also a mineral pool on the rooftop of the spa and they also house stingless bees. Fitness center and beauty salon are also offered on the property.

Ojai is located about 83 miles from LA, roughly an hour and half drive. It’s an easy drive and from my place (in San Gabriel), the 210 is the freeway you take most of the way, which allows you to avoid a good amount of traffic. For the last 20 minutes of the drive, you get some breathtaking views as you wind up the mountainside. Just be on the lookout for bikers.

I never had a chance to post the photos we took during our trip to Ho Chi Minh, back in October of 2017.

So, here’s a visual diary / recap of our trip to a place my parents call home.

Situated across from The Grove, Farmer’s Daughter is a boutique hotel offering a unique experience. With daily whiskey tasting hour, an on-site restaurant with amazing food, and cozy quarters to hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Melrose, it is a perfect getaway for couples and friends.

With villa rentals accommodating up to a group of 4 adults or 4 adults and 2 children, these resort residences were built to fully equip you with all your needs for a stay. Better than an Air B&B, as you don’t have to clean or cook if you don’t please, since room service is a call away and the Seasons restaurant is located on-site. With a gym and spa located on the property as well, in addition to a beautiful heated pool and kids pool, golf-course, and plenty of activities the concierge can easily arrange for you, there is no doubt that there is plenty to do for everyone.

Technology meets luxury, blended perfectly with just the right amount of world-class service at your fingertips. All the things you could ever need for the perfect getaway can be found at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. However, I have to warn you that once you check-in, you may never want to check-out.

On our second trip back to Cook Islands, we opted to stay at Nautilus Resort and Spa, after glamping with Ikurangi prior. It was nice to have the contrast between an eco retreat (from our previous trip) to something a little more luxurious.

Located right in town is Santa Ynez Inn, a luxurious Victorian styled property with a private spa. Upon checking in, you’ll be presented a Tasting Passport, which provides you complimentary tastings to over a dozen wine partners nearby. Yes, free wine tastings — I told you this is heaven for wine lovers.

KSOLE and I ended 2018 with a trip to Big Bear, just three days in the area was enough for us. While it’s a great destination for those who love to ski and snowboard, it is also a nice and relaxing getaway from the city for couples, friends, and family who don’t like snow activities. With a selection of restaurants, a handful of coffee shops, and some interesting boutiques to shop through, Big Bear certainly is a place for everyone.

Celebrity’s Edge is the newest ship and one of the largest within the brand, with 14 decks and double occupancy capacity of 2,918 — not including the 1,320 crew members. Designed by Kelly Hoppen (of Kelly Hoppen Interiors), the staterooms have bathrooms that are 10% larger and Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda is 23% larger than Solstice Class veranda staterooms.

It’s a small town about 20 minutes away from Solvang, and one that I debated on sharing because it’s such a peaceful gem. The people in this town are humble, kind, and friendly. They live a happy life, a simple one, and truth be told, there isn’t too much to do when you’re there but it’s not meant to be a crazy weekend out of town anyways.

La Peer is said to be the most luxurious of all the Kimpton hotels in the LA area, and after staying at the Everly earlier in the year, I was quite curious to compare the two. I loved the Everly and their design is still one of my favorites around town, however the moment you step into La Peer, you can see the immediate difference.

I’ve only been to NY for work so I was due for an actual trip back, and what better excuse than to go celebrate my sister’s birthday? Since it was freezing, we spent most of our time keeping warm in coffee shops and eating almost every hour.

Just 90 minutes outside of Cabo is a town that is such a hidden gem that I’m reluctant to really share it. However, to keep it to myself would be a shame as La Paz is a place that everyone should experience at least once. While Cabo is known for large resorts and a lively night scene, La Paz is the complete opposite and is best for those who want a real adventure.

There is so much to do in Bali and a week is just too short to see it all. We weren’t able to meet up with Instafriends in Canggu, we didn’t get to see the epic sunrises everyone talks about at the beaches, and we didn’t have time to squeeze in a day trip to the Lembongan Island. However, we made the most of the time we had and jammed our schedule to fit in at least 10 major activities during our trip.

After an hour and some change at the airport and another hour in traffic, we turned left into a narrow alleyway and started questioning whether the driver knew where he was going. Within a few short minutes, we arrive to a gated property and stop right in front of a lobby, where we were warmly greeted with fragrant floral lei’s and a welcome drink. We arrived, after 20+ hours of traveling; we have arrived to a place we were going to call “home” for the next few days.

The last family trip I had was during my teenage years and I think it was one of those tours from LA to Yosemite, on a bus filled with other families. I didn’t have the best time and I never wanted to go on another trip after that, however with my nephew turning 1, I knew I had to celebrate in a big way. Our family dynamics have shifted after his arrival and we are much closer now than in the last decade, so it was the perfect opportunity to go to one of my favorite cities for the weekend, San Diego. Luckily, I was able to partner up with Monarch Luxury Villas to ensure this family trip would be a success —and it was!

Kauai is the 4th largest island and is often called the Garden Island. Known for its beautiful rainforests, the Napali coast, Waimea Canyon, and 111 miles of coastline, Kauai has more accessible beaches than any of the other Hawaiian Islands. There are 8 major waterfalls on the island with Waipoo in Waimea Canyon being the highest, falling at 800 feet. If you’re looking for a place to disconnect, explore and spend the majority of the time outdoors, than look no further because Kauai is it.