Abroad in Your Inbox 85

LET’S CHAT ABOUT EUROPE TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS…

So, since the last time we talked a few things have happened.

1. Gals Abroad Getaways sold out our 2023 fall trip to Italy in a matter of days [so excited & humbled by this]

2. I booked a last-minute gig that has me traveling back to my happy place [Palm Springs] for a week next month

3. Europe announced that Americans will now need a ‘Visa’ to visit Europe in 2024

Here’s the jist:

This new regulation is called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The new system is set to launch early 2024 and will require all visitors who currently travel to Europe visa-free, (US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), to apply for travel authorization and receive approval prior to their departure.

Here’s why you shouldn’t panic:

• Most applicants will be granted travel authorization within the hour, but the process could take up to 96 hours

• It should take less than 10 minutes to fill out

• It costs 7 euro

• US passport holders are still allowed to stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For any stay longer than 90 days, a special visa is required.

Don’t forget to check your privilege.

Americans have LONG enjoyed the privilege of having one of the most powerful passports in the world (we’re ranked number 8 if you were curious) and currently enjoy visa-free access to 184 destinations worldwide. It’s important to understand that this is not the case for many other passport holders & common practice for many countries around the world.

And let’s be real, are you going to let a little 10 minute application stand between you and your Aperol Spritz in Italy next year?! I think not.

Alle’s A-List: July

Rounded up all my favorite things from the past month. Everything from my new favorite self care activity & the book that’s inspiring me to figure out my finances to my new favorite lunch recipe & the GREATEST dupes I’ve found on Amazon.

read the list

I have a new favorite skincare line!

Friends, I’ve been testing out pretty much the entire lineup of Bubble skincare products and I’m super impressed. Skincare routines intimidate me. I need an easy step-by-step process so I know exactly what to do and in what order - THIS IS THAT. I also love that these products come at a reasonable price point too!

I rounded up all my favorites at the link below!

check em out

I added new items to my Poshmark!

I am on a mission to purge my closet and I just added some brand new items to my Poshmark. If you want to snag some fun summer pieces [many that have only been worn once or are NWT] at major discounts - click the link below.

SHOP MY CLOSET

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS:

• Is it time to start buying airline tickets for winter holiday travel to lock in a decent price? - READ THIS.

• How Do They Clean Those Airplane Blankets, Really?

• In Search of a Crowd-Free Summer Getaway? Try These 6 Hotels.

• How simple luggage trackers became the hottest travel accessory - but seriously, you need some.

• How to travel more sustainably

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

1. This SweetGreen Guacamole Greens Salad Recipe - I made this Saturday and OMG so good. Pro-tip I use rotisserie chicken and it’s super yummy

2. Literally any of these salad dressings (Cilantro Lime & Greek are my current go-to’s)

3. Loving having these smoothies in the a.m. in the summer months. Super easy & delicious! {ps - when you click this link you get $40 off your order}

4. ALL THE BARBIE COLLABS [I can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet - going next weekend!] HERE’S SOME OF MY FAVS

   1. These epic pool floats - the swan is of course my favorite!

   2. This bathmat - so close to buying it haha

   3. This iconic workout set

   4. This cozy Barefoot Dreams robe

   5. These super cute bracelets

HAPPY ENDING

This video by my friend Mercedes is blowing up on TikTok and it has me cackling hahahahahahaa.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox 84

HEY, WHAT’S UP, HELLO!

I hope you’re having a FABULOUS summer so far (can you believe we’re already half way through July?!)

It’s been a minute since we’ve caught up like this! Since I returned from Morocco & Spain I’ve been working non-stop finalizing details for our final Gals Abroad Getaways trip of 2023, working on my first E-book, planning some upcoming Gals Abroad Gatherings, catching up with friends & attempting to cross off EVERYTHING that’s been on my to-do list for the last 6 months (lol).

If that sounds like a lot, it is haha. I’m notorious for trying to do ALL THE THINGS anytime I’m home for an extended period of time. I look at it as my opportunity to plot, plan and play. Starting next month my travel schedule ramps up for the rest of the year and I know this is one of the last times I’ll be able to get still & really FOCUS.

HERE’S THE LATEST

I’ve been really leaning into TikTok & sharing some different content over there that you won’t find on my Instagram. I’m starting a series called Millennial Musings that I think you might relate to if you were born between 1981-1996 lol.

• Sharing my Natural Deodorant Routine

• Did my Natural Deodorant work in the Sahara Desert…

• My new Saturday Night Routine

• Oh and here’s the video that just recently went viral - the comments section had my heart bursting!

Over on Instagram I’ve been sharing some Styling tips & bringing back one of my favorite series “Travel Stereotypes”

• Travel Stereotypes: Airport Edition

• 8 Tips for Visiting the Amalfi Coast

• How to make 10 outfits from 5 Rent the Runway rentals - PS if you want 40% off two months my code is RTRALLEP

• Here’s 6 ways to style a silk scarf - this is by far the most versatile travel accessory

• How to make a top out of a silk scarf using just a necklace

  • Oh and if you’re looking for the perfect silk scarf to replicate some of these looks, I’ve rounded up my picks at various different price points here!

The Gals are going to Italy

If you want to travel with Gals Abroad Getaways in 2023, you have one last chance!

We’re headed to Rome & Tuscany this fall & the details drop TOMORROW (7/17) - make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter so you don’t miss the announcement (it’s different than this newsletter).

This trip is for any gal who loves indulging in delicious food & wine and soaking up the rich history of two of Italy’s most iconic destinations. We’ll be touring Rome in vintage Fiat 500s, tasting the BEST pasta and wine, taking day trips to Florence & small Tuscan towns & staying in the most beautiful 5-star luxury hotels (and so much more!).

join the list

Going to Greece?

If you’re planning a trip to Greece (or traveling with us on our Gals Abroad Getaways Greece trip in September) I’ve put together the ultimate packing list & outfit inspiration guide!

It has everything from my favorite swimwear brands, the best beach bags & TONS of outfit inspiration!

CHECK IT OUT

My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

My favorite brand of beach bag is on sale!! Plus some of my favorite skincare products, candles & shoes are in the sale.

You can shop the sale starting on the 17th!

here's my picks

I added new items to my Poshmark!

I am on a mission to purge my closet and I just added some brand new items to my Poshmark. If you want to snag some fun summer pieces [many that have only been worn once or are NWT] at major discounts - click the link below.

shop here

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS:

• THE BEST NEWS! - Airfares tumble, helping bring down overall inflation

• This Is the Best Country for Expats to Live and Work Abroad

• Which Airlines’ Business Class Is Worth the Upgrade? Our Editors Tested Them Out

• Are Gifts Really Necessary When It’s a Destination Wedding?

• The 36 Most Beautiful Places in Italy

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

• These Gucci Mule dupes - You guys…I just got these on Prime Day and I’m already planning to buy them in 2 other colors. Even though Prime day is over they’re still a really great price & shockingly good quality.

• My new favorite brand of colorful skincare products - currently loving their gel cleanser, their makeup remover, daily moisturizer, daily toner, their acne spot treatment & their mineral sunscreen

• Silk Scarves - the BEST & most versatile travel accessory because you can wear them as tops, in your hair, on your beach bag, as a cover-up, and of course as an actual scarf. Here’s a round-up of my favorites

• Getting my Finances in order - this book has a tip a day and makes it WAY less intimidating

• This very flattering Amazon workout set that’s less than $25

• The BEST travel shoe - These are finally back in stock and I’m not kidding they are SO comfortable

• The CUTEST bag for Vacay

• I shared this hat on my stories a few weeks ago and 100 of you bought it haha. It truly is the BEST summer travel straw hat & the company that makes it also makes my favorite beach bags!

• The $30 beach bag from Target that I’m SHOCKED has not sold out yet (comes in 3 different sayings and colors)

• My favorite summer lip color

HAPPY ENDING

Basically me. LOVING being abroad while also missing Chipotle haha. I will never forget going out of my way when I was living in London to find a Chipotle abroad…We did and it was, well, not the same haha (probably cause there weren’t any horrible chemicals in it).

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in your Inbox 83

AND OFF WE GO TO MOROCCO!

After MONTHS of planning and prepping, Linda and I are headed to Morocco to host 14 women in some of the most epic destinations in Morocco. From the Sahara Desert & Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains and Chefchaouen, we’re about to embark on a whirlwind journey.

One of the things we hear time and time again from our gals is how going on a trip with Gals Abroad Getaways opens up destinations that might otherwise be places they wouldn’t travel to on their own. One of the most rewarding parts of this business is knowing that Linda and I can be even just a small part in helping women achieve their travel goals & visit destinations that for whatever reason felt unapproachable before.

I can’t wait to take you all along with us on this journey and if you want to watch it all unfold - make sure you’re following Gals Abroad Getaways on Instagram.

Outside of Gals Abroad Getaways, Linda and I will be rounding out the trip in the south of Spain and Mallorca for a, wait for it…an actual vacation, WOW what a concept. So if anyone has been to this part of the world and has any recs hit me up!

HERE’S THE LATEST

The Gals are going to Italy

If you want to travel with Gals Abroad Getaways in 2023, you have one last chance!

We’re headed to Rome & Tuscany this fall & if you’d like to know when the details drop - make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter (it’s different than this newsletter).

This trip is for any gal who loves indulging in delicious food & wine, getting off the beaten path to truffle hunt, and soaking up the rich history of two of Italy’s most iconic destinations. We’ll be touring Rome in vintage Fiat 500s, tasting the BEST pasta and wine, taking day trips to Florence & small Tuscan towns & staying in the most beautiful 5-star luxury hotels (and so much more!).

click to join the list

30+ Products Women Should Always Travel with

After traveling to 40 countries and starting my Gals Abroad Getaways group trips, I think it’s safe to say I’m an expert in knowing what you need to bring on a trip.

I’ve been on every type of trip you can imagine, from exploring the various corners of India to island hopping in Greece. On each of those journies, I’ve learned some valuable lessons on what are truly essential items to pack that I hope will be helpful to you.

check out the list

Last call to shop my closet

I am on a mission to purge my closet and after last week I listed more items on Poshmark. This is my last call before we leave for Morocco & Spain for the next month (I’ll only be shipping Monday). SO if you want to snag some fun summer pieces [many that have only been worn once or are NWT] at major discounts - click the link below.

shop here

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. With TSA's New Bag Scanners, You Won't Need to Remove Liquids or Electronics to Get Through Security

2. Apple’s TSA-approved digital ID is now live in 4 states, coming soon to many more

3. 5 Royal Palaces Where You Can Spend the Night

4. The 10 best road trips to take with your family this summer

5. Why Flight Attendants Don’t Help You with Your Bags

6. A List of Historic, Weird, and Totally Fascinating Places to Stop on a Road Trip Across the US

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

1. I’ve been getting a lot of compliments on my new frames - I recently got glasses & the company that makes my favorite sunglasses also has the BEST frames.

2. I’ve been documenting my natural deodorant journey and I truly cannot believe I’m saying this but I think I found a magical unlock. It’s a 3 step process and I’ve found that if I wash with this bar of soap daily & do this mask 1-2 times per week, when I wear the natural deodorant my sweat doesn’t smell (which was my issue every other time I’ve used natural deo. If you want to try this 3-step process out - the brand I’m using sells the products in a set at a discount!

3. These candles remind me of the Amalfi Coast

4. I found the perfect summer backpack - perfect for traveling & trips to the pool/beach

5. I usually am not a reality TV girlie but I just binged the entire new series of Selling Sunset on Netflix yesterday and it was such a good guilty pleasure - if you’re into it I highly recommend it.

6. I am loving this silicone makeup brush holder, it prevents my makeup brushes from getting my bags dirty when I’m traveling

7. As you might have seen, I recently broke up with my make up remover wipes and have since upgraded to this LUXE new way to remove my makeup - EVERY beauty influencer swears by it and I gotta say, I really am loving the upgrade. I always recommend ordering travel size of products you’re testing out to make sure you like it before you fully commit.

8. If you’re looking for the perfect white linen summer shorts - these are it. And they’re made by my favorite brand.

9. I found this perfect pair of chunky gold hoops that won’t break the bank!

10. One of my favorite online brands just dropped their summer collection - and I have a code that will give you 20% off everything [ALLE20]

HAPPY ENDING

I saw my friend Jess share this account earlier today and I was DYING because it’s so accurate. Then I went on a deep rabbit hole watching their antics and I’ve decided it’s now my favorite IG account right now.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in you Inbox 82

WOW, LONG TIME NO TALK…

Where to even begin to catch you up on the last month and a half…?!!

Let me give you the cliff notes version:

1. Mine and Linda’s 3-week Southern Italy research trip was truly BEYOND words amazing. I still have so much to share and I’ll be compiling it all into some YouTube videos, blog posts & of course more Instagram reels - here’s the latest if you’re curious about what I thought of all the places we visited.

2. We’re putting the finishing touches on our final Gals Abroad Getaways trip of 2023 to Rome & Tuscany & if you want to be the first to know about it make sure you’re subscribed to that newsletter HERE

3. I bounced back from Italy and almost immediately down to Puerto Rico to return as the Chief Fun Officer for the American Society of Travel Advisors Global Convention - here’s what that actually means

4. I celebrated my 31st birthday [a month after the fact lol] with some of my favorite humans & they humored me by making this reel lol

5. I’m about to take 14 women to Morocco for our very first Gals Abroad Getaways trip of 2023 - make sure you’re following us on our Instagram to get some BTS from that trip

6. The video series for Visit Greater Palm Springs I produced and hosted this January is FINALLY live and I’m so proud of how it turned out. You can watch the entire series here.

7. And May 31st will mark my 5-year anniversary of leaving TV news and starting on my entrepreneurship journey - WOW. Currently working on creating an E-book compiling my best bits of advice and lessons from that time if anyone else is thinking about starting out on their own journey.

So um yeah, ya girl has been busy haha. All that said, I do plan to get back to being more consistent with these newsletters so that we can have our weekly check-ins.

Until then, keep your eyes on your inbox because over the next few weeks, I’ll be dropping some new blog posts & guides aimed at helping your plan your next trip to Italy. Plus I’ll be peppering in some general travel tips to help you feel as prepared as possible for your next adventure [no matter where that might be].

SPEAKING OF…

The Best Towns to Explore in Puglia.

If you’re considering a trip to Puglia but you’re not sure where to start, here’s a short list of my favorite towns to explore in the region.

Puglia used to be considered “under the radar” to most foreign tourists, but now it has quickly become the new summer hot spot in Italy, for a good reason. With its labyrinthine towns and plethora of beaches plus a never-ending list of luxury hotels & Masseria sure to rival any other popular destination in Italy, Puglia has entered the big leagues.

click to read

Shop My Closet!

I just listed a TON of summer items on Poshmark and I’ll be shipping this week only before I leave for Morocco. SO if you want to snag some fun summer pieces [many that have only been worn once or are NWT] at major discounts - click the link below.

CHECK OUT MY POSHMARK

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Cash for Delayed or Canceled Flights? What to Know About Biden’s Plan. - If a proposed federal rule takes effect, airlines will have to pay passengers for meals, hotels, ground transportation and lost time if the disruption was caused by the carrier [ABOUT DAMN TIME]

2. An Air Traffic Controller Shortage Is Forcing Airlines to Cut Back on Summer Flights

3. Is Antarctica Getting Too Popular for Its Own Good?

4. You Can Book a Hot Air Balloon Ride to the Edge of Space in 2024 for $133,000 - would you book it?! It’s a hard no for me, fun fact: I’m terrified of outer space haha.

5. SERIOUSLY, if you don’t have Global Entry yet, it’s finally time - here’s how to apply.

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

1. The new season of Queer Eye on Netflix just dropped and the first episode had me feeling all sorts of warm fuzzies. This is truly the BEST feel good show.

2. Hotel Lobby Candles new Amalfi Coast collection - I ordered both scents and can’t wait for them to arrive!

3. This button up dress will now be my new summer travel uniform - it’s currently on sale and comes in a few different colors

4. My favorite summer travel shoes - I just ordered them in gold and I stand by the fact that you can walk for HOURS in them

5. I’m in the process of switching to natural deodorant and omg I don’t want to jinx it but I think this time I FINALLY found a process that works for me. I’ve been using this soap every day in the shower under my arms, detoxing with this 1-2 times a week with this and using this daily and honestly….it’s really working but I need to test it out longer. The thing I’m doing differently this time is utilizing that soap & detoxifier. I was using only the deodorant before and not really getting all the bad stuff out of my pits - hence why I probably smelled so bad hahaha.

HAPPY ENDING

Today is Mother’s Day, so to all the moms out there - this one’s for you lol.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in your Inbox 81

BON VOYAGE I’M OFF TO ITALY (well almost)!!!

Linda and I are headed to Italy on Wednesday, which just so happens to be my 31st birthday (I am crossing all my fingers and toes that my Premiere Platinum status pulls through and the United upgrades waitlist I’m currently on magically clears so that Linda and I can fly Polaris Biz to Rome hahaha). That’s truly all I want for my birthday.

Anyways, these past 10 days have been a whirlwind since I returned from Palm Springs. I launched our second 2023 Gals Abroad Getaways trip to Greece (ps - we have some spots left and tonight is the last chance to take advantage of our early bird pricing) and outside of preparing for our Morocco trip in May, I’ve spent every waking moment planning for our Italy trip.

Seriously if you have ever wanted to visit Puglia, Sicily, or the Amalfi Coast, you’re going to want to keep your eyes on my IG cause we are doing ALL THE THINGS.

PS - we’ll be in Rome for one day (and doing something totally Lizzie McGuire) but if Rome is on your list you should definitely watch this video!

So naturally, because my world has been 24/7 nonstop thinking about travel, I figured I would share 10 of my tried and true travel essentials that you can get on Amazon that will be a total game-changer for you.

MY TOP 10 AMAZON TRAVEL ESSENTIALS YOU NEED FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

This Voltage Converter & International Travel Adapter

I’ve traveled all around the world with this gadget. This is truly the BEST thing you could invest in. I can plug in my phone and computer charger plus my camera charger, airpods USB, apple watch USB, etc all at the same time.

shop

Airfly for wireless headphones

If you use any sort of wireless headphones on a flight & are constantly bummed when you can’t use them to watch inflight movies, this is the ULTIMATE travel gadget. It lets you connect your wireless headphones to the screen!

shop

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

You guys know that my kryptonite is crying babies on a flight. My Apple Airpods Pro just weren’t cutting it anymore and after I sat behind a screaming baby on my last time, I decided it was time to level up.

These are my new baby crying proof headphones and what I will be wearing on my upcoming flight to Rome and sleeping like a baby (see what I did there haha).

SHOP

2 in 1 travel blanket & pillow

I decided that until I can afford to fly business class exclusively, I’m going to upgrade my economy experience with this plush pillow/blanket. You guys this is SO easy to travel with and it slides over your carry-on!

shop

The best travel eyemask (especially if you have lash extensions)

Save your beautiful lashes gals! This feels like a cloud on your face and is perfect for hotel rooms that don’t have black out curtains or on planes.

shop

For everyone who has all the drinks

I’ve been in too many situations where I do not have enough hands to carry my iced coffee and water bottle. This is the BEST solution.

shop

3 in one charger

This is perfect to charge your phone, AirPods, and apple watch on long haul flights or in destination.

shop

These low sugar hydration packets

These have saved me countless times when I’ve had a bit too many drinks the night before, on flights or when I’ve visiting hot and dry destinations and want to make sure I’m staying hydrated.

shop

Apple Airtags

These are the new travel essential. I would not travel without these (especially if I am checking a bag, which I always am). They give you real-time updates to help you keep track of, well, whatever you want to track (your bag, suitcase, purse, etc).

shop

iPhone tray table mount

Stop using the barf bag to rig something to hold up your iPhone when you’re watching TV shows and movies on your flight (seriously I’m so tired of travel bloggers telling you to do this haha). Use this instead.

shop

LOVE SHOPPING ON AMAZON?

Gals Abroad Getaways Greece 2023

The gals are returning to Greece in September 2023! Join us on a fabulous adventure to Athens, Paros, and Santorini, and for those who choose to join, Mykonos!

EARLY BIRD PRICING IS OPEN EXCLUSIVELY TO OUR NEWSLETTER UNTIL EOD TODAY (3/26)

learn more

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Start booking your summer trips now — here’s why

2. And if you’re looking for a bit of help booking your summer travel plans, watch this

3. These 15 Women Are Changing The Way We Travel

4. Say Goodbye to Daily Hotel Room Cleaning

5. Is It Worth Flying First or Premium Class on a Budget Airline? We Decided to Find Out

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

1. NEW VICI SPRING COLLECTION - PS they are offering 25% off site wide until EOD 3/26

2. PETAL & PUP - Their new spring line is super cute and I’m taking a few of these piece to Italy with me. Use code ALLE20 for 20% off

3. I FOUND MY NEW COMFY SUMMER TRAVEL SHOE

HAPPY ENDING

This video would be me if I ever was a celebrity hahahaha.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in your Inbox 80

WHY THE HECK DID I EVER MOVE AWAY FROM PALM SPRINGS?!

It’s a question I always ask myself anytime I return to Chicago after any trip to my former home (Palm Springs). For anyone not in the know, I lived in Palm Springs from 2014 - 2018 and I honestly can’t say enough amazing things about this magical destination. I could go on and on about the history, culture, art, architecture, and welcoming community.

So as soon as I stepped out into the 20-degree frigid air after landing at O’Hare yesterday I found myself asking, what am I doing here?! I say this only jokingly because I do adore Chicago but it’s this never-ending winter that really grinds my gears.

Anyways, SO MUCH to catch you up on since the last time we chatted.

WHERE TO NEXT?!

I’m home for the next few days before I run away from the cold again (lol). This time it’s to a destination I know you’ll be interested in learning about - ITALY. More specifically - Puglia, Sicily & the Amalfi Coast!

Linda and I are headed there to do one of our scouting trips Since nearly 65% of all of her clients are interested in visiting these regions & I’m considering hosting a Gals Abroad Getaway trip or two to these parts of the world, we had to get over there ASAP. Plus with all the attention Sicily is getting after White Lotus, I had to go see what all the fuss is all about.

We’re going to be there for 3 weeks and switching hotels almost every night haha so needless to say this is very much NOT a vacation but OMG wait till you see some of the properties we are visiting.

TIPS FOR VISITING THE AMALFI COAST

PRO TIP 1: Visiting this part of Italy at this time is going to be the BEST time to go if you’re looking to avoid crowds and keep your budget low (the same can be said for the beginning of October). That said April can be a bit overcast with temps in the 60s so if you’re looking for the hot summer sun…you won’t get that at this time of year.

PRO TIP 2: If you want to visit any of these regions of the world, the more lead time in planning you can give yourself, the better. Linda would say give yourself at least a year (especially if you’re looking to visit in the height of season) because these destinations book up VERY fast.

PRO TIP 3: Book with a travel advisor to get complimentary room upgrades and included breakfast. While finding a “deal” in this part of the world is nearly impossible, there are ways to stretch your dollars in different ways and a travel advisor can help you do that. If you want to connect with Linda to plan your next trip - click here.

Gals Abroad Getaways Greece 2023

The gals are returning to Greece in September 2023! Join us on a fabulous adventure to Athens, Paros, and Santorini, and for those who choose to join, Mykonos!

REGISTRATION REQUESTS & EARLY BIRD PRICING OPEN EXCLUSIVELY TO OUR NEWSLETTER MONDAY 3/20!

learn more

MY PALM SPRINGS HIT LIST

It’s been a minute since I updated my Palm Springs Destination Guide. While there are still some tried and true recs in there, I wanted to share some of my recent discoveries in case you’re planning a trip there sometime soon!

WHERE TO EAT

1. Porta Via [Palm Desert] - Hands down my new favorite spot in Palm Desert on El Paseo. Get their Pota Via sushi roll & their butternut squash ravioli. Yes they do sushi and pasta and knock both out of the park.

2. Cali Rosina [Old Town La Quinta] - I say with absolute certainty that they have the BEST avocado toast I have ever had in my entire life. Also for any matcha fans, this is where they do it right.

3. Paul Bar [Palm Springs] - Do not judge a book by its cover here, trust me. They have the BEST curry I have ever had in my life & they do a very interesting spin on a sidecar (it comes frozen). PS they don’t take reservations and you’re gonna have to wait in line but trust me, it’s worth it.

4. Boozehounds [Palm Springs] - you truly cannot go wrong with this spot for ANY meal but my fav is brunch and you should absolutely eat outside (ps their whole concept is that you can bring your dog which I think is the cutest thing ever).

5. Bootlegger Tiki [Palm Springs] - You won’t find more creative & expertly crafted tiki cocktails anywhere else. Put this on your must-visit list.

WHAT TO DO

1. GO VINTAGE SHOPPING - My favorite spot in Palm Springs is The Frippery and in Palm Desert, I adore The Fine Art of Design.

2. VISIT THE INDIAN CANYONS - This is one of my favorite places to get off the grid and into nature. There’s an oasis, waterfalls & if you want to really go big, head to Smoke Tree Stables to ride up the canyons on horseback (it’s EPIC).

3. SELF-GUIDED BIKE TOUR - rent Bikes from Bike Palm Springs and then head to the Old Las Palmas neighborhood to have yourself a classic Palm Springs Door tour (Bike has an amazing map).

4. HAVE A SPA DAY - There is truly no comparison to what Two Bunch Palms Offers in terms of serenity and centuries-old geothermal spring water. I also adore the spa at Parker Palm Springs (aka the Palm Springs Yacht Club) as well as the Omni Rancho Las Palmas.

5. TAKE A WALKING TOUR OF THE OLD HOLLYWOOD NEIGHBORHOODS - The Palm Springs historical society offers some really fun tours - you can find them all listed here.

WHERE TO STAY

1. POPPY VACATION RENTALS - I’ve been working with this LOVELY vacation rental company that’s been in the desert for MANY years & I think their properties are so well designed.

2. AVANT STAY - Another GREAT option for vacation rentals (especially in the high desert)

3. THE SANDS HOTEL & SPA - This has been one of my favorite hotels since the moment it opened. The aesthetics are amazing and their onsite restaurant, the Pink Cabana, is a MUST visit even if you don’t stay there. Just be aware that this hotel is in Indian Wells and not Palm Springs.

4. PARKER PALM SPRINGS - A true Palm Springs classic. Everything about this property is iconic - PS Gene Autry & Merve Griffen both owned this property before it was purchased by Mr. Parker and turned into the hotel we know today.

5. LA SERENA VILLAS - Another one of my favorite properties, this chic spot is right in the heart of downtown which makes it the perfect place to base yourself if hanging in Palm Springs proper is your priority. Plus their onsite restaurant Azucar is super yummy too!

If you want more Palm Springs recs, watch the video below (an oldie but a goodie) and check out my Visit Greater Palm Springs Dining Guide.

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Can ChatGPT Plan Your Vacation? Here’s What to Know About A.I. and Travel.

2. Would you spend $30,000 to travel the world for a year on a boat?

3. The Case For Traveling Slower—And Deeper

4. This ‘White Lotus’ Palazzo Is Now Available to Rent on Airbnb

5. What Causes Turbulence on Flights?

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

1. THIS SUIT - It’s on sale, so comfortable and comes in a bunch of colors (here’s the matching pants & top)

2. THIS PHONE CASE - all the players at the BNP are gifted with these and I truly can tell you this is the BEST phone case for travel hands down.

3. THIS CAFTAN - So fun for vacay and so comfy

4. THIS SUNSCREEN - is the only brand I wear.

HAPPY ENDING

This reel is TOTALLY me on any beach vacation haha.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in your Inbox 79

MY 2023 STATE OF THE TRAVEL UNION

Hehe, idk if that title rolls off the tongue but, you get where I’m going.

Earlier this week I shared on my @galsabroadgetaways page the drastic differences between 2022 travel & what we can expect in 2023.

Cliff notes version: demand for travel continues to skyrocket, which means two things as it relates to you:

1. Waiting until the last minute to book your trip is truly no longer an option (if you want decent prices & availability at hotels, restaurants & experiences)

2. As demand increases, so do prices

My intention here is not to be all doomsday and scare you. That said, my intent is to share a few ways in which you can adjust your expectations and habits so that you can get to where you want to go this year and beyond without wanting to stab your eyeballs out & blow your budget.

NUMBER 1: Do not use 2022 pricing as a barometer for what you can expect to pay in 2023.

Listen, I’m no economic expert but I think we are all aware of the impacts inflation has had on our economy and the travel industry is certainly not immune. Due to rising fuel costs, labor shortages and the dreaded I word (inflation), the cost of travel, like basically everything else right now, will be higher in 2023.

Keep in mind that in 2022, many places were still just opening up and trying to rebound after the pandemic. They were eager to give desirable pricing simply to fill rooms. But now that the world is back open (yay!) they are making up for lost time and business as well as inflation and their prices will reflect that. You can expect to see this, especially with hotels, Airbnbs, flights, and rental car prices.

Here are some articles to back up what I just shared:

• The era of hotel bargains is over, Hilton CEO suggests

• Airbnb nightly rates shot up 36% in 3 years

NUMBER 2: Work with a travel advisor

If the thought of planning your next trip is daunting & you want to make sure you get the most for your money, I always suggest working with a travel advisor. Obviously, I’m biased but if you want to understand the MANY reasons why it’s advantageous to work with one, watch the video below.

NUMBER 3: Go with a group

This is one of the many reasons why traveling with Gals Abroad Getaways is ideal (if group travel is something you’d consider). When you have a group (typically that’s 10 or more people) you are able to garner more desirable rates from hotels, experiences, etc. The more people you have in the group, the better the pricing.

On top of that, and I’m speaking about Gals Abroad Getaways specifically, because of our incredible partnerships in the destinations we plan trips to, we can get even better pricing (than standard group rates) & extra perks that you might otherwise pay for.

If you’d like to learn more about Gals Abroad Getaways click here.

And to see where we are planning to travel at the end of 2023 & to express interest, sign up for our newsletter.

NUMBER 4: Give yourself as much time as possible

In a perfect world, you should give yourself 9-12 months to plan your international trip. Obviously, we don’t live in a perfect world but have this in the back of your mind. When it comes to high seasons like Spring Break, summer & holiday season, for optimal availability and pricing I recommend planning 12 months in advance (this timeline could vary depending on the destination). For example, if you wanted to go on safari, you’d want even more than 12 months to plan.

Am I saying you can’t book an international trip a few weeks before you go, no. But you need to adjust your expectations when it comes to how much you will spend and what is available. To be blunt, when it comes to Greece & Italy especially, best of luck to you if you want to book that a month out….

NUMBER 5: Understand that the “New Normal” in travel is that there is no “Normal”

But don’t let that scare you. If you are armed with helpful and accurate information (hiiiii that’s what I’m here for) & give yourself enough lead time to plan the trip of your dreams (again hiiiiii what I’m here for) travel in 2023 doesn’t have to be overwhelming or daunting.

Much like everything in life, we have to evolve with the times and getting stuck on “well this was how things used to be” won’t help you get any closer to getting where you want to go.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

Want to make new travel lovin gal pals?

This month Gals Abroad Getaways launched our first Gals Abroad Gathering at Frankfort Candle Company. We brought together 14 amazing women for an afternoon of candle making, mixing and mingling, supporting small businesses and celebrating our love for travel and our desire to create new friendships with like-minded women.

Click here to see what our first event was all about

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Travel Predictions: What To Expect When Traveling In 2023 - It’s an older article from December but I feel like it really illustrates the points I was making above and how to make travel in 2023 work for you.

2. Saudi Arabia Is Investing Big in Tourism. What Does Life Look Like for Locals? - an interesting and positive read about the new future for women in Saudi Arabia and the efforts the country is making to attract tourists.

3. One Solo Trip This Year Will Help Ease Loneliness - as a firm believer in solo travel, this article really spoke to me.

4. 9 Mesmerizing Indoor Gardens Around the World - I recently visited two of these and can honestly say they were the highlights of my trip.

5. The Toughest Reservations In Chicago Right Now (And How To Get Them)

6. The Home of ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ the Palais Garnier in Paris, Is Now on Airbnb for One Night Only - it was so cool to see some of the spots we brought our Gals Abroad in Paris group to are now available to book for an overnight stay!

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

The wellness book is changing the way I eat.

I professed my love for Kelly LeVeque on my IG stories this week lol. I’ve been trying her super-filling smoothies every morning and can confirm they are delicious and keep me full for 4-6 hours. I learned all this by reading her books which I highly recommend if you are looking for a simple, easy-to-implement, fact-based way to live your healthiest life.

BODY LOVE is her first book and teaches you about the foundation & then BODY LOVE EVERY DAY gets specific on how to implement her tips into your life in a few different 21-day plans.

BUY THE BOOK

1. Don’t sleep on this classic clothing brand - I’ll be honest I wrote them off for years but after a recent purchase of this EPIC lemon lime-colored suit I’m back on the bandwagon and if you too are looking for some solid staple pieces check them out.

2. One of my FAVORITE restaurant groups in Europe is Big Mamma (the owners of Pink Mama in Paris which is where I love to take our Gals Abroad) - if you’ve been lucky enough to dine there then I hope you tried their Mafaldine al Tartufo pasta - and if you haven’t (yet) I just came across an article that has the recipe so you can make it at home - BOOM.

3. I love this site and I just got a code [ALLE20] that takes 20% off your order. I would order this dress that is super flattering & comes in a few different colors. I also just peeped their resort line which has some pieces that would be perfect for our Gals Abroad Getaways 2023 destinations.

HAPPY ENDING

If you are still loling and slightly confused by Rihanna’s Super Bowl backup dancers - you should watch this video for a good giggle

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox 78

I HAVE DECIDED THAT FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF SELF LOVE

Whether you’re in a relationship, a situationship, looking for your lobster, or you’re just a happily single gal like me, I feel that too much pressure surrounds Valentine’s Day. It’s the one holiday that SCREAMS - “ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP OR NOT?!”.

Which for some people can leave you feeling some type of way and in a few short days our timelines, screens, TVs, etc. will be flooded with relationship reminders.

So this year, I’m suggesting we change the narrative and flip this holiday on its head.

I’m claiming that Feb should be the month of self-love where you focus on yourself, treat yourself, invest in yourself & make sure that you love yourself first before anyone else can.

This goes for EVERYONE regardless if you have someone to enjoy Feb. 14 with or not.

I’m tired of the narrative that you need to be with another person to feel complete. To me, a partner is a nice to have, an added bonus but not the be all end all. That said I know I might have a very different perspective on love than others. But what I think we can all agree on is that or order to accept the love of others, we need to show ourselves love first.

That’s why I wanted to put together a quick list of some of my favorite ways to love on myself in case you’re looking to do the same:

1. Treat yourself to a fabulous dinner - I just had the YUMMIEST meal at this perfectly pink Parisian restaurant in Chicago that I’m shocked is still kind of flying under the radar - you need to book a dinner here (before it gets tough to get a reso)

2. Expand your gal pal circle - On Feb. 12th at 11 a.m. I’m hosting my very first Gals Abroad Gathering! It’s an intimate candle-making workshop at Frankfort Candle Company. There will be light bites, wine & time to mix and mingle with new travel-loving gal pals from my Gals Abroad Getaways community (we only have a few tickets left).

3. Book a Getaway House - this is the perfect solo escape to reconnect to nature, your goals & get some space away from emails, your phone and that never-ending to-do list. Click here to learn more and click here & use code ALLEPIERCE for $25 off

4. Upgrade your closet - there’s truly nothing better than new looks that you can rent & swap for new looks. Use my code RTRALLEP for 40% off two months of Rent the Runway

5. Snap some fun photos of yourself - My pals at the Studio Chi are hosting an open house for anyone to come and take photos next weekend in front of their Valentine’s Day sets.

6. Book a trip or Gals Abroad Getaway - No better time than now to start planning your next adventure. And I’ve got some exciting new destination announcements coming up for Gals Abroad Getaways this month. Make sure you’re on our newsletter so you don’t miss them. Or reach out to Linda directly to book a bespoke trip.

7. Get a massage or beauty treatment - this reminds me I need to book my botox appointment lol. I highly recommend going to Aire Ancient Baths if you’re looking to really have a boujee spa day experience.

8. Binge your favorite TV show or have a movie marathon - What I’m loving lately is: You People & the Pamela Anderson doc on Netflix as well as a classic that I never get sick of binging: Gilmore Girls

9. Schedule some time with those who you love most - I love randomly surprising my friends, Linda or anyone I love with little gifts or love notes. Sometimes self love looks like loving on others.

10. Buy something you’ve had your eyes on but you’ve held off on buying - In January I put a lot of items I was thinking about buying into a little notes folder on my phone. If I still wanted that thing at the end of 30 days I would treat myself to 1 item. Here’s what I’m treating myself to: this rainbow sweater & skirt set.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

join us for our first gals abroad gathering

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate Galentine’s Day & looking to make some new gal pals, join us on Feb 12th for an intimate candle-making workshop at Frankfort Candle Company. Click here for details & to snag a ticket (we only have a few left!)

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Travel to the U.K. Will Soon Require an Online Permit and Fee

2. 8 Places Across the U.S. That Illuminate Black History

3. The 36 Most Beautiful Places in Italy - I’ve been lucky enough to visit 10 - click to see how many you’ve checked off. And if your answer is none, I might have a solution for you later this year ;)

4. Does Anyone Actually Enjoy Group Travel? - CLEARLY, I have opinions here haha but I think this was such an interesting read because honestly, group travel is NOT for everyone. And knowing what category you fall into before you book a group trip is essential.

5. Read this if you’re just getting started with points, miles and travel credit cards

6. The Mental Health Benefits of Travel

7. February Horoscope 2023: Why This Month Is Ideal for Beach Getaways and Group Trips

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH:

1. This body suit is giving major Carrie Bradshaw energy and comes in a bunch of colors

2. This Tone it Up Vanilla Protein Powder I’ve been putting in my favorite Daily Harvest smoothies (ps you gotta try Daily Harvest click here for $65 off your first box).

3. I just started reading Spare by Prince Harry and dayummmmm it’s good. Highly recommend getting it on Audible cause he reads it.

HAPPY ENDING

You would not believe how many people have sent me this photo haha. And honestly, I think it’s SPOT on.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 75

HOW DID WE SURVIVE THE FIRST WEEK OF 2023?!

Are we thriving or just barely surviving?!

Not to brag…but this week has been insanely productive for me. Truth be told I have been that obnoxious person that was emailing people between Christmas and NYE and of course even on Jan 2nd (yikes lol). I did have a good reason though… I’m currently producing a series of social media videos for the Greater Palm Springs CVB in just a few weeks and had to set up a bajillion shoots and hire extras. So I give myself a pass haha— YAY SUNSHINE!!!

Okay now back to the question above…if you’re sitting here reading this like OMG I haven’t even thought about my goals/intentions for 2023 let alone started a vision board, don’t worry it’s not too late.

I’m a firm believer that you can set goals at any time of the year (my favorite time is in the first few weeks of January) but you do what works best for you.

Over the years I’ve poured over countless self-improvement/productivity/entrepreneurship/manifesting books, blogs, podcasts, etc. to come up with my own method for creating a realistic road map for the year ahead. And now I’ve finally put my methods into one blog post that will hopefully be helpful to you.

CLICK HERE FOR MY 14+ TIPS TO SET YOU UP FOR YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Inside you’ll find the exact questions I ask myself in my yearly audit, my secret weapon for starting my year on the right foot, some books I read at the beginning of every year and A LOT more.

***one caveat*** I am not a professional self-help guru, nor am I trying to be. I’m just sharing what works for me. Take what you like and leave what you don’t.

Most importantly I hope you feel as excited and positive about 2023 as I do! There is so much to look forward to and I look forward to our weekly check-ins every Sunday.

OOOOOO and before you scroll away don’t forget to take the survey to let me know what you want to see more of & less of from Abroad in Your Inbox.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. 17 Travel Trends You'll See in 2023, According to our Editors and Contributors

2. Kids Kicking Your Airline Seat? Here’s How to Handle It Politely—and Effectively—According to Flight Attendants

3. January 2023 Horoscope: The Best and Worst Times to Book Travel This Month, According to Your Sign

4. Southwest Is Giving 25,000 Miles to Those With Holiday Flight Disruptions. Is It Enough?

5. In a sea of checked bags, the $29 Apple AirTag is my holiday hero - GET A SET HERE.

CHICAGO THINGS

One of my intentions this year is to go on a little adventure each week. I’ve had this as a goal for the last two years but every year have fallen short. I’m so good at being a tourist everywhere but my hometown. This year I’m changing that. So for all my Chicago peeps, this is where I’ll be sharing new discoveries, restaurant reviews, and hidden gems.

Hey, maybe I’ll do this for cities I visit around the world….hmmmm LMK if you like this idea!

1. Chicago’s New Restaurant Openings

2. One of my intentions this year is to get back into taking dance classes and if you’d like to do that too this might be a good place to start.

3. The Best Chicago Coffee Shops For Getting Work Done

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH: MY TOP FAV BOOKS FOR SUCCESS

1. I read this book at the top of every year

2. If you want to build better habits that will last - READ THIS

3. If you want to get more done in a day - READ THIS

4. If your life feels chaotic and out of control - READ THIS

5. If you want to travel the world but need inspiration - READ THIS

6. If your intention is to journal more in 2023 - YOU NEED THIS (this is the journal I used to start my practice)

7. If you need to get your home organized - READ THIS

8. If you want to read a powerful, thought-provoking, somewhat controversial book - READ THIS

9. If you want to get better at negotiating - READ THIS

10. If you want to stop putting things off - READ THIS

11. If you want to get better with money - READ THIS

12. If you want to be inspired - READ THIS

13. If you want to live your best life - READ THIS

LMK what you think about “Abroad in Your Inbox”

I’m always looking for ways to improve & make this newsletter more helpful & interesting to you.

Take a few minutes to let me know what you want to see more or less of on here & you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card to the small business of your choice!

TAKE THE SURVEY

HAPPY ENDING

This is the section where I share a funny video that made me giggle this week.

This one pretty much sums up how I think we all felt returning to work this week lol.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 74

HELLO FROM MIAMI!!

I was at a Christmas party the other night and someone said “your travel schedule is giving me whiplash” and honestly I can’t say I disagree haha. The other night I fully fell asleep with my head on my desk at 5 p.m. because my body still thinks I’m in Singapore. This jetlag is NO JOKE.

Now, for the next few days, I’ll be on a very short trip to Key West, the Bahamas and Miami with Virgin Voyages. I’m on this cruise with Linda to check it out for clients & possibly for future Gals Abroad Getaways trips (they have a Spain and South of France itinerary that I’ve got my eyes on).

I’ll be completely honest, I’m not the biggest fan of cruises but I’m REALLY intrigued by this brand and how it’s really going above and beyond to be the opposite of a typical cruise. I’ve heard that the food (which is normally mediocre at best on many ships) is DELICIOUS, the entertainment is top-notch (my gal pal is actually one of the main performers) and the vibes are definitely party-focused.

As per usual I’ll be sharing on my IG so keep an eye there if you’re interested in possibly traveling with Virgin Voyages.

ALSO - just a heads up we’ve got some exciting details dropping this week about our first Gals Abroad Getaways trip of 2023 - make sure you’re on our newsletter so you don’t miss the announcement!

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. You’ll No Longer Need to Show TSA Your Boarding Pass at These Airports

2. Last-minute tips for locking in airline elite status - I currently find myself in this position so this article was super helpful - there’s also one that’s specific to United.

3. The 30 Best Winter Escapes

4. The Quiet Power of Visiting a Place Again (and Again)

5. These Alaska Destinations Give You the Best Chance of Glimpsing the Northern Lights

6. Hydrogen-Powered Ships Are Coming. How Green Is Your Cruise?

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH (LAST-MINUTE GIFTS)

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT IS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS…And as usual, I’m doing last-minute shopping and I have to imagine that I can’t be the only one in this position. So I’ve pulled some of my tried and true gift ideas for everyone on your list that you can find on Amazon (thank you 2-day Prime shipping!!!)

1. For the travel lover - This book of 1,000 bucket list ideas is sure to spark some serious wanderlust. I reference it any time I want some new ideas on where to go next.

2. For the aspiring mixologist - I have this exact set and I love it. Also I think these stunning glasses would pair perfectly with it

3. For the wine lover - I have one of these and they are so chic and practical that any wine lover will love one.

4. For the frequent traveler & music lover - these are totally worth the splurge for the most sound proof flight you’ve ever taken

5. For the sunlover - this is my go to sun hat from my favorite brand (but with Amazon fast shipping)

6. For the homebody who dreams of travel - these coffee table books will spark wanderlust in anyone

7. For the wine lover (pt. 2) - I’ve had my eyes on these glasses for years and I think they would make the perfect gift for the color lover in your life

8. For the cozy homebody - this throw is incredibly soft, at a great price point and comes in a bunch of colors

9. For the aspiring chef who also likes to be healthy - I swear by the salad recipes in this book

10. For the hustler - this book was truly such a game changing read for me this year that I’m gifting it to all the entrepreneurs in my life

11. For the ones who love deep conversations - here’s a deck of cards to spark some new conversation topics.

12. For the coffee lover - we just bought one of these machines and I feel like I’m in Paris sipping a coffee at a fabulous cafe when I drink from it.

13. For the person who’s always watching movies on the plane - They need this handy gadget so they can watch their favorite show or movies on the plane without having to hold their phone the entire time.

SOME OTHER EASY GIFT IDEAS THAT REQUIRE NO SHIPPING AT ALL

A Gals Abroad Getaways Trip

I can’t think of a better gift to give than the gift of travel. If you or someone you love is looking to see the world with fellow like-minded women in 2023 and beyond give them the gift of a Gals Abroad Getaway (or offer to pay for a portion of their trip)

Every Christmas I ask my parents for one thing, money to put towards a future trip and this could be the year you do the same!

CLICK TO KNOW WHEN WE LAUNCH OUR 2023 DESTINATIONS

A Rent the Runway Subscription

I’ve been using Rent the Runway since my TV news days (2016) and I swear by it for EVERY aspect of my life but especially for my travels. I love that no matter where I’m going I can rent outfits for the occasion rather than buying a new outfit.

I’ve saved more than 100K using this service (what I would have spent if I purchased all the clothes I’ve rented) and I feel like this is the new way to enjoy fashion.

PS as always I have a code (RTRALLEP) that takes 40% off two months of your subscription (that takes an 8-item plan down to $86 per month)!

sign up

Give the gift of travel

If there’s someone in your life {maybe you} who is itching to plan their next trip, but overwhelmed by the task, let me suggest purchasing a gift certificate to my mom’s travel agency, Scorby Travel & Cruise.

You can totally customize the amount and can be put towards any adventure in the future! Email scorbytravel@gmail.com to purchase your gift certificate!

Click here to read about why I think hiring a travel advisor to plan your next adventure is essential.

PLAN A TRIP WITH LINDA

HAPPY ENDING

This is the most hilarious interpretive dance video of our common notification sounds

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 73

GREETINGS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA!!!

If Singapore was not on your must-visit list I need you to add it ASAP! I’ve been here for the last week and have fallen head over heels for this immaculate, safe, futuristic city/state.

Let me back up and catch you up to speed.

I am here on this trip entirely thanks to Singapore Airlines & TravelCon. I won 2 Premium Economy tickets in 2019 when I attended the conference and took this photo at the airline’s photobooth - you can check out the entire story on my Singapore IG story highlight. This trip was supposed to happen in 2020 and as most pandemic travel stories go…we had to postpone (thank you Singapore Airlines for still honoring our tickets!!).

Now, more than 3 years later this trip finally happened and OMG I am obsessed with this destination!!

This was by far one of the longest direct flights I have ever taken - 17 + hours but shockingly - the flight was truly not that bad (said from a Premium Economy Seat lol). The jetlag however is a whole other story lol.

Immediately upon arrival the airport blew me away with how efficient & streamlined the immigration and baggage collection process was. Heck, even the bathrooms smelled like the inside of a Parisian perfume shop. You already know about the amazing Jewel (the waterfall in the airport) and the many futuristic sites in Singapore - the Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands hotel - but what truly captivated me was th melting pot of cultures that make up this tiny country.

One of the best ways to grasp all the different communities that make up Singapore (in my opinion) would be through a food tour - and this half-day tour was truly the BEST way to see and understand the many cultures that make Singapore what it is. ALSO - you have to watch me eat the world’s smelliest fruit haha this video is going viral on my feed and I tend to think this might have something to do with it.

All in all this trip has been incredible and there’s still so much I have yet to share but the best place to watch it all is of course on my Instagram.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. The E.U. Will Allow Phone Calls on Planes in 2023—But Is That a Good Thing?

2. The 8 Best Destinations for Your Next Winter Getaway

3. You’ve Got to Be Kidding! Real ID Deadline for Domestic Fliers Is Extended. Again.

4. Accessing Airport Lounges Is About to Get a Lot Harder

5. The 23 Best Places to Go in 2023

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH (the things i’m traveling with)

1. This neck fan has truly been the MVP of this entire trip. If your travel plans include going anywhere warm anytime soon, I HIGHLY recommend getting yourself one of these.

2. My favorite travel moisturizer to slather on after a long flight

3. The under-eye patches that help me feel like human again when I’m super jet-lagged.

4. I never ever get on a plane without these.

5. My luggage line of choice - click here for $20 off

6. This incredibly comfortable shirt & pant set is perfect for extremely LONG flights.

7. You can never have too many of these.

8. I broke up with my old power bank and use one of these instead and I love how convenient it is.

9. The shoes I’ve been wearing this whole time

10. And most importantly the one thing I never forget on any long-haul flight.

Check out all my gift guides

This year I’ve put together gift guides for travel lovers, your cat (and cat people) & compiled a list of all of mine and Linda’s favorite things which can really be gifted to anyone special in your life (aka our mom daughter gift guide). And I updated my small biz holiday guide to include some new brands I’m loving this year.

So if you’re looking for some unique gift ideas for everyone on your list check out my 2022 gift guide section!

check them out

HAPPY ENDING

If you’re looking for the best financial tip this holiday season - watch this…lol

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 72

LET ME TRY AND BREAK THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING MADNESS WITH A LITTLE NOTE ON MANIFESTING.

I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude, goals, and manifesting lately. I always feel reflective this time of year but something feels a little different this time. One of the things I’ve realized is how often I forget to celebrate my big and small wins throughout the year.

You too?

As I’m writing this email I’ve just returned from Jamaica where my team and I got to shoot content for a major travel booking platform. The content will be owned exclusively by them and it’s one of the highest-paying content creation jobs I’ve landed this year. I was able to bring my bestie/manager & hire an incredibly talented photographer/videographer with that generous budget and it truly still feels a little surreal that I’m landing these jobs.

After the struggles of watching all my work dry up in the blink of an eye in 2020, filing unemployment and a cruise ship size of self-doubt, I truly didn’t know when and if this current reality would ever materialize.

But one of the things I did CONSISTENTLY (I clearly had lots of time) throughout 2020 was gratitude journal, meditate and manifest. And one of my biggest goals for myself was to work with people I love and admire and partner with travel brands looking to tell creative stories.

And BOOM here we are.

I share this not to brag but to show that if it’s possible for me, it can be possible for you too.

Enter gratitude and manifestation.

1. If you’re totally new to manifesting and want some simple methods for getting started listen to this

2. When you’re ready to take your manifesting to the next level - read/listen to this book

3. And if you’re into making vision boards for manifesting (trust me it works) - here’s my step-by-step process

4. And because NYE is right around the corner (I can’t believe I just wrote that) one of the BIGGEST ways I manifest and goal set for the new year is by going off the grid, removing distractions and getting inspired. To learn more about my process & where I go to be fully(ish) off the grid click here

I think that it’s so easy to get caught up in the holiday shuffle that we forget to take time to intention set for the new year and really take some time this next month to dream big and think of what you’d like your 2023 to look like.

I hope this is helpful and I hope with every part of me that you get all that you dream of and more. You deserve it.

Okay, wow I just felt like Oprah there haha. Now let’s get to the travel stuff.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Your Ultimate Guide to Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals in 2022

2. How Hybrid Work Is Impacting Holiday Travel This Year

3. The Democratization of Airport Lounges - No longer just for the flying elite, these havens from chaos are easier to get into now, with the crowds to prove it.

4. 9 Beautiful Castles in America That You Can Visit

5. Why Airlines Are Saying Goodbye to Regional Airports

CYBER WEEKEND DEALS (sorry couldn’t totally abstain from including them haha)

All the sales worth shopping for Cyber Monday

The holiday shopping season is in full swing & the online shopping deals have started earlier than ever and #tbh it can all feel a bit overwhelming to sort through it all.

Lucky for you, you’ve got me to help you determine which sales are worth your time and dolla dolla bills.

Here’s a list of some of the best Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals taking place in 2022.

CLICK TO READ

CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH THESE SALES:

Here’s some standouts I’ve already shopped:

1. AWAY: Buy any two suitcases to save $50, or any three to save $100*. All colors, sizes, and styles are included. Only through 11/28.

2. WALKS TOURS (I LOVE this tour company and book their tours often): 25% off all tours and experiences world wide with code: BFRIDAY2022 now until December 6th. Click here to get the discount & if you want to see the pasta making classes we took in Rome with Walks click here.

3. NESPRESSO: Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine & Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine are both on sale and I just bought the VertuoPlus!

4. BAUBLE BAR: 30% off sitewide with code BB30 (now you can get that custom necklace & phone case I’m obsessed with - I ordered the purple one for my new iPhone)

5. SUMMERSALT use code THANKFUL for 60% off sitewide (IMO this suit is perfect on all body types and so comfortable)

6. TSC SHOP: 30% off kits and 25% off everything else (this is the company that makes the ice roller I use every morning and if you’re looking for the ultimate face life without the surgery - you need this bundle)

7. THERAGUN: We got my dad one of these a few years ago and he swears by it and I steal it when I’m super sore from a Peloton workout. This one is $100 off!

8. SAM EDELMAN: 35% off sitewide with code PRESENT35 (I love these fun holiday heels I have them in two colors and styles)

9. HOTEL LOBBY CANDLE: They’re selling all 3 of their holiday candles at a discount!

10. HILL HOUSE HOME: (home of the iconic nap dress) 30% off with code 30FORYOU

Check out all my gift guides

This year I’ve put together gift guides for travel lovers, your cat (and cat people) & compiled a list of all of mine and Linda’s favorite things which can really be gifted to anyone special in your life (aka our mom daughter gift guide). And I updated my small biz holiday guide to include some new brands I’m loving this year.

So if you’re looking for some unique gift ideas for everyone on your list check out my 2022 gift guide section!

CHECK THEM OUT

HAPPY ENDING

My one big tip to help you survive your family this holiday season ;)

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 71

TIS THE SEASON FOR GIFT GUIDES!!

It seems like the holidays arrive earlier and earlier each year bringing along with them the crazed gift-buying frenzy which we can all get swept up in if we aren't intentional with our purchases.

Gift-giving is truly an art form in my book and it’s my love language so consider me an expert in this subject. Let me help you find the most meaningful and unique gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL MY GIFT GUIDES

2022 Mother-Daughter Gift Guide

50+ Alle & Linda approved gift ideas. This list of unique gifts for women is a mix of items we’ve gifted others + things Linda and I have received or personally own.

From coffee table books depicting your favorite destination to a robe you’re going to want to live in, these memorable gifts are guaranteed to leave an impression on even the toughest ladies to find a gift for.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT

The #GalsAbroad Gift Guide

For the travel lover in your life (even if that’s you) I’ve spent the last several years basically being a human guinea pig for all the latest and greatest travel goodies. Testing these items on the road and recommending all the products I never travel without or my favorite travel beauty goods.

From a travel-sized sound machine to the most comfortable travel lounge sets and PJs these travel-themed gifts will make any travel lover want to pack their bags on the spot and head out on their next great adventure!

click to read the guide

DON’T FORGET TO SHOP SMALL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Follow me to five of my favorite Chicago small business to shop at when buying gifts for loved ones this year.

PS I shot this in 2020 but the businesses are still my favorite & ready to welcome you! They are all online so if you’d like to support but don’t live in the area, I’ve linked their websites in the description of the Youtube video!

PPS here’s a list of even more of my favorite small businesses to support this holiday season.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. How to Get a Passport Fast—Even in 24 Hours

2. Are You Ready for Your Face to Be the Only Travel Document You Need?

3. The 8 best destinations to visit in December

4. Frontier Airlines increases price of unlimited all-you-can-fly pass, international destinations now included

5. The Best Places to Honeymoon All Year Long

6. These European Countries Are Offering Free Public Transport to Help Combat Air Pollution

HAPPY ENDING

Ever seen a bunch of croissants stuffed into a very expensive suitcase?! Watch this lol.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 70

A LIFE UPDATE…

Surprise!! I’m home from Morocco (even though it doesn’t look that way from IG haha). I still have SO much to share but just in case you missed them, here’s my mini guide to Marrakech, Chefchaouen & a tour of our beautiful hotel in Fes.

I’m home for the next week where I have grand plans of getting my life all squared away, working like a crazy lady to catch up on all the things, and unpacking my suitcases only to repack them right up because….I’m gone again haha.

In less than a week I head out on a VERY exciting work trip to a country I’ve never visited before & I get to bring along a fantastic photographer who you may know and love + my manager!! This trip is a HUGE win for me this year as it’s my biggest contracted creator job of 2022. We’ll be creating content exclusively for a huge company which essentially entails taking photos & making reels in a tropical destination for a week when it’s freezing at home - WHAT IS LIFE?!?

So as I’m gearing up for the holidays, LOTS of travel to close out 2022 (two more big trips coming up in December) & re-grouping from a month abroad, I wanted to share a few random things I’m loving because I have a feeling you’ll love them too.

RANDOM THINGS I’M LOVING LATELY:

• I was over at a friend’s house the other night and she was telling me how she’s discovered she’s allergic to alcohol (RIP wine tastings) and I told her that recently I’ve been seeing all of these non-alcoholic beverages ALL OVER social media. I found this awesome review by wirecutter of some of the best brands in case you too are sober-curious.

• I just got the iPhone 14 Pro Max and of course need a new case & I’m VERY into these personalized ones.

• I think I found my soulmate after watching this video lol

• I can’t stop burning this holiday candle - it’s by my favorite brand & they have so many amazing holiday scents + they’re a small woman-owned business.

• I always was skeptical about mobile hotspots actually being worth it while traveling but bought this one for Morocco and the service was PERFECT - a great option if you don’t want to do an international calling plan.

• I’m currently obsessed with all things feathers right now which I think are the new sequins - click here for affordable feather fashion options for your holiday szn lewks. Oh and also, you need these feather heels.

• If you’ve ever considered trying Rent the Runway, the holiday season is the perfect time to test out the service, especially with all the events you’re going to need outfits for. As always I have a code for 40% off two months: RTRALLEP

• The number one thing I NEVER regret booking when I travel

• And if you’re looking for something festive and fun for the holidays you need to check out this holiday shop - I bought this sweater (which is currently waitlisted) and I’m obsessed but there are so many other cute options too.

• This is a VERY IMPORTANT reminder to all my fellow entrepreneurs & creatives going into 2023.

PS if you liked this style of news letter will you hit reply and LMK?! Always looking for ways to improve and be helpful to you!

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. 10 festive destinations for the holiday season

2. 15 Over-the-Top Honeymoon Suites, From Maui to Puglia - email Linda (LAPscorbytravel@gmail.com) if you’re looking to book any of them ;)

3. These Are the Trending Destinations U.S. Travelers Are Booking for 2023

4. Is Your Hotel Really Eco-Friendly? Here’s How to Tell.

5. Planning to Fly? You’ll Need This ID

ALLE’S A-LIST

1. I WANTED TO SHOUT OUT ALL OF THE BRANDS GALS ABROAD GETAWAYS PARTNERED WITH FOR OUR GREECE GOODIE BAGS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU’LL LOVE THESE BRANDS AND GOODIES TOO (PEEP THE PHOTOS BELOW)

ETTIKA

I absolutely adore this jewelry brand. We gifted the gals these all-knowing eye gold necklaces which will pair perfectly with their other dainty gold jewelry as well as be a reminder of their trip to Greece. But even if you’re not into the evil eye vibe, you HAVE to check out their dainty jewelry. I’ve got some AMAZING staple pieces from them that I wear almost every day.

shop now

BAN.DO

I’ve been a customer for YEARS and essentially, every cute graphic tee, passport cover etc. I’ve owned has probably come from them. Looking for whimsical, colorful and fun, well anything? Ban.do is your spot.

PS - they’re having a flash sale right now!

BUY IT NOW!

SUPERGOOP!

A GREAT clean beauty product that WORKS. This stuff is nuts because it literally feels like nothing when you put it on. Say goodbye to gloopy sunscreen that never seems to sink in. SUPERGOOP! has TONS of amazing products, even a sunscreen for your part!

I also love their re-setting powder so that you can apply it throughout the day if you get shiny!

buy them now

BLAKE’S SEED BASED

All my rice crispy treat fans RUN to stock up on these. They are vegan, allergy-friendly and Chicago based!

buy here

SABINA FENN

is an incredibly talented artist that depicts some of my favorite destinations around the world in her gorgeous watercolor art prints.

CLICK TO SHOP

LIL BUCKS

These superfood clusters are the perfect grab-and-go travel snack and also so perfect in your morning yogurt bowl.

CHECK THEM OUT

WIPEYS

I learned about this travel, toxic-free, biodegradable wet wipe company during the panini and never looked back. Their jet packs offer wipes for your face, surfaces, tech, and hands and are essential travel items.

CHECK THEM OUT

TIMESHIFTER

This is one of the greatest travel tools you can use to help you beat jetlag (it’s so legit astronauts use it). Essentially, it gives you a personalized plan based on your international flights with recommendations on how to combat the impacts of jetlag.

check it out

HAPPY ENDING

This video perfectly sums up how I’m feeling after a month abroad hahaha.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 69

LONG TIME NO TALK FRIEND…

Where the heck to even begin lol.

Since we last emailed, Linda and I have successfully hosted our second Gals Abroad Getaways trip to Greece with 17 incredible women who I feel SO lucky to have gotten to know and share so many amazing memories with. We strolled through the winding streets in small villages, swam in crystal clear blue water, took over a bar that exclusively played ABBA, Cher, Madonna and all the greatest pop hits & closed out each night with incredible sunsets before sitting down to enjoy delicious food and amazing conversation.

There were so many points along this journey where I had to pinch myself because I couldn’t believe that this crazy idea of mine to host group trips for women was working out better than I could have ever imagined.

The best part about this trip was how easily these gals bonded. I felt like a proud mom at many points along the way when I heard them laughing, scheduling time to hang by the pool and promising to plan trips to visit each other in their respective cities. This was always my biggest hope and goal for these trips and to see it come to life is beyond my wildest dreams.

I’m still catching up on sharing all the content I captured from our time in Greece over on my Instagram so check it out if you want to see what we got up to and get a feel for what Gals Abroad Getaways are all about.

Right now though, I’m emailing you from…MOROCCO!!

Linda and I headed directly there after wrapping up our trip so that we could do a bit of scouting for a future Gals Abroad Getaways trip!

This is my second time in the country and I’m SO excited to dive DEEP into this destination. We are here for 2 weeks and we are doing ALL THE THINGS. Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains and what I’m really most excited about - The Sahara Desert.

This trip is NONSTOP and we are visiting countless Riads, camps, resorts, and sites in order to determine what to include on a future Gals Abroad Getaways trip to Morocco.

We are still very much in the initial planning stages but I PROMISE you there will be some exciting announcements next month as it relates to 2023 destinations. So if you’d like to be the first to know when we announce new trips, be sure to get on the Gals Abroad Getaways Newsletter.

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR PHOTOS FROM OUR TOUR AND WINE TASTING ON SANTORINI

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. The 32 Most Haunted Places in America - I’ve been to four, how many have you been to?!

2. Take this photo next time you check a bag

3. Goodbye Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Hello, Luxury Bus?

4. And just because I can’t get enough Halloween-themed travel articles haha here’s the 43 Most Haunted Places in the World, from Japanese Castles to Underwater Graveyards and 44 Haunted Hotels Around the World You Can Stay At—If You Dare

5. The 8 best destinations to visit in November

6. How to Avoid Getting Sick During Holiday Travel

ALLE’S A-LIST

Chase Sapphire Reserve Is Offering Its Highest Welcome Bonus Since 2016

I've had my Chase Sapphire Reserve card since 2018 and I can't say enough about it. The $300 annual travel, the Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit, 3X the points on travel, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, the list goes on. And now they’re offering 80,000 bonus points instead of 60,000 when you sign up - JUMP ON IT.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE BONUS

SOME TRAVEL ESSENTIALS I’M RELYING ON DURING MY MONTH ABROAD

1. This itty bitty travel journal that I am attempting to write in every day just to jot down different things so I don’t forget little moments that happened each day

2. This self-cleaning water bottle has been great for making sure my water is as clean as possible - especially in Morocco

3. These PJs can double as something to wear out on the town which is great when it comes to maximizing space in your suitcase - robe & nightgown

4. This travel backpack is made out of water bottles and I LOVE how spacious it is!

5. The supplements I take to stay healthy while constantly on the go

6. My trusty travel trip-pod & remote control

7. This wifi hotspot device that I’ve been using on long drives through Morocco

8. These body wipes are essential for a quick freshen-up on the go when you don’t have time for a shower

9. I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of people using the airplane barf bag to rig their phone up so you can watch shows hands-free. If you’d rather not have craft time on the plane, you can use this instead haha.

10. And just some fun fabulous shoes I wanted to treat myself to ;)

HAPPY ENDING

This might be the most fabulous Halloween content I have ever seen.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 68

I LEAVE FOR A MONTH ABROAD THIS WEEK - EEEEKKKKK!!!

It feels like the race to the finish line over here haha. To say this summer has been a busy one is the wildest understatement as the travel world is rebounding like crazy, ESPECIALLY in Europe.

Bookings for travel in 2022 are surpassing 2019 levels, at least for our travel agency, but I think this is a trend we’re seeing across the industry - ps if you’re thinking about traveling in 2023, now would be the time to hire a travel agent ;)

Linda and I couldn’t be more grateful for this fact but it’s been a few weeks of up at 5:30 a.m. work till 11:30 p.m. and then do it all again haha.

That said, we are about to take 17 women with us to Greece for our second Gals Abroad Getaways trip of 2022 and I am ecstatic (be sure you’re following @galsabroadgetaways on IG to follow along on the trip).

After that, we’re headed somewhere warm, dry & totally different than Greece for the rest of October to scout for a future Gals Abroad Getaway trip - being mysterious just for the heck of it haha.

We are going to be announcing some new 2023 destinations in November when we return so if you’re at all interested in joining us, be sure to get your email on our Gals Abroad Getaways Newsletter (different than this newsletter).

In preparation for this month-long trip, I wanted to share some of the ways I get ready for any international trip in case knowing this process might be helpful to you!

SOME OF THE WAYS I MAKE SURE I’M PREPARED FOR MY INTERNATIONAL TRIP

1. Make sure my passport is valid 6 months after my return date, check the expiration dates of my Global Entry & get an international driver’s license renewed if I’ll be driving

2. Put together a preliminary itinerary & begin to research experiences, restaurants, bars etc.

3. Research entry/visa/health requirements and submit any necessary forms

4. Create an Instagram save folder full of photo and video inspiration for that destination

5. Plan outfits on a rolling rack (this is the one I use) - trust me this is a game changer - and order anything I’m missing that’s specific to the destination (aka hiking boots, etc)

6. Learn some basic phrases & start to play with Duolingo

7. Print important docs as backups (photo of my passport goes in each suitcase in case it’s lost and I need to prove that I’m the owner)

8. Watch movies & read books that take place in the destination I’m traveling to

9. Put my itinerary into my Timeshifter app to start shifting to my new time zone

10. Set intentions for the trip in my travel journal & get excited for what’s to come!

Hopefully, this list is helpful to you as you’re thinking about your next trip (this is very basic but I can do a longer post on this if you’re interested - reply to this email and LMK!)

And if you are thinking about traveling soon & would like to hire Linda to plan your travels - CLICK HERE or join us on a Gals Abroad Getaways trip!

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. The Impact of Hurricane Fiona on Puerto Rico—and How to Help

2. Holiday airfare expected to spike soon: What to know if you haven’t booked yet

3. Why the new iPhone 14 Pro is a game changer for travelers - I’ve already ordered mine and upgraded to the giant new storage plan haha.

4. Everyone on this Southwest Airlines flight got a ukulele and lessons on how to play it - honestly would not be down for this and that’s why I don’t fly Southwest haha.

5. Japan to (Finally) Fully Reopen to Independent Travelers

6. Richard Branson Is Designing The Future Of Travel - I loved this video and I might have something exciting cooking up with this company coming up so I’m doing a bit of research ;)

AND JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO SHARE

1. How to do nothing - something I am VERY bad at

2. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month - The Best Mexican Restaurants In Chicago

3. Fall Is the Season for Building Mindfulness and Resilience

MY ROME DESTINATION GUIDE IS LIVE ON YOUTUBE (finally…lol)

If you’re planning a trip to Rome now, or in the future, check out my top 10 things to do in Rome guide & save it for when you visit. I was BLOWN away by Rome when we visited earlier this year. And if I’m being 100% honest it was a city I had written off before we visited as MEH I’ll see it someday. I couldn’t have been happier to be so wrong and now feel SO STRONGLY that if you are visiting Italy you need to devote at least 3-4 days in this city.

ALLE’S A-LIST

Hotel Lobby Candle

I have found my new favorite candle company & I know you’re going to love them too. HLC was created by Lindsay Silberman who is a travel journalist/blogger & started this company in 2020 when we were all desperately missing travel.

Inspired by the delicious scents pumping through the many of the luxury hotels she’s visited in her travels, these candles are the BEST gift for any travel lover (or heck just to gift yourself).

SHOP HERE

My go-to hair ties

These are the only hair ties I wear. I work out in them, sleep in them, style my hair with them, you get it. They’re great and they come in a bunch of shapes, sizes, and colors.

They’re running a promo on their site right now so check them out if you’re ready to break up with your old hair ties.

shop here

HAPPY ENDING

I found my new favorite Instagram account - watch for an immediate mood boost!

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 67

LIFE HAS BEEN BANANAS LATELY…in the best way

The weather has been beautiful, new and exciting work opportunities are popping up out of nowhere and OMG did you see that United followed me?!?! LOL, I can’t pretend that I didn’t have a major freakout. I’m also gearing up for our second Gals Abroad Getaways trip to Greece (make sure you’re following us on IG to watch all the behind-the-scenes) & immediately afterward Linda and I are going to scout a new destination for a Gals Abroad Getaways trip - keeping it a surprise for now ;) but I know you’ll be pumped when you find out where we’re headed.

All in all, we will be gone for an entire month, and preparing for these long trips is always a bit of a dance while managing other projects, clients, and life on the move.

That said, I’ve been doing massive amounts of research for this destination (I visited back in 2013 but only skimmed the surface) and this trip will be a proper DEEP dive and I can’t wait to take you along with us.

But before I get ahead of myself, I am so excited for this group of gals to experience Greece the way Linda and I know and love it (and with fewer crowds) Have you seen those videos of Greece this summer - YIKES - shoulder season or bust friends I’ve been saying it for YEARS.

In preparation for these trips, I’ve been planning out all my content, batching some reels & putting the finishing touches on my Rome Video Guide (dropping on YT next week) so lots of exciting things to look forward to on the socials. But until then, here are some travel tips & guides to hold you over.

• Here’s 7 ways to get airport lounge access

• The behind-the-scenes of planning a Gals Abroad Getaway

• Top 5 beauty products I never travel without

• Why you should hire a travel advisor

• Oh and you also won’t believe what happened when I was filming this week’s tipsy travel tips lol

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Good News for Weary Travelers: Online Passport Renewal Is Coming Your Way - THIS IS GONNA BE HUGE

2. United and Emirates Strike Code-Share Deal—What That Means for Travelers

3. FAA administrator 'guardedly optimistic' air traffic control hiccups are over

4. As More Airlines Drop Masks, These Remaining Carriers Still Require Them

5. Heathrow reveals 15% of scheduled flights will be affected by queen’s funeral Monday

ALLE’S A-LIST

Trina Turk’s Out of Office Line

Ever since I lived in Palm Springs and got to interview Trina Turk when I worked at KESQ I’ve been a fan of the brand. There’s something so whimsical and sunny about Trina’s clothes & they’re incredibly well made.

I recently learned about their new travel focused line of clothes & of course couldn’t be more in love. I have this top & skirt (pictured) and will be taking them to Greece with me and they couldn’t be more comfy - honestly feels like pajamas and looks so chic.

The whole like is done in a similar style & if you’re traveling somewhere warm in the near future you gotta check it out.

shop the line here

SOME OTHER FAVORITES:

• MY TWO IN ONE SUNSCREEN AND MOISTURIZER - this is my favorite sunscreen brand and I love that it kills two birds with one stone in my morning makeup routine.

• LUGGAGE TRACKING DEVICE - If you are traveling anywhere these days, honestly, these are essential. They tell you their exact location and I put them in my backpack, luggage and purse when traveling (buy the 4 pack you’ll thank me later)

• YOU NEED THESE COLORFUL & CUSTOMIZABLE TRAVEL POUCHES - they come in so many shapes and sizes & even have backpacks, totes & duffle bags!

• THE CBD ROLL ON THAT CALMS ME DOWN - I’m testing out some new CBD products from a friend’s farm in NYC and I gotta say when I was having a major freakout the other day (stress man) this was a nice tool to turn to and I found that it helped to stop the doom spiral. Great for muscle pain and headaches too!

• MY NEW FAVORITE STATEMENT SHOE - these are going to be perfect for where Linda and I travel after Greece - kind of a hint but not really lol.

• FOUND A DUPE FOR MY $300 FEATHER PJS! - I went ham last night and ordered so many things with feathers lol - like this lavender dress, this set and this cute nightgown and robe which would actually be really cute for a bride

• THE BEST CARRY ON BACKPACK - everyone is raving about this carry on & I’m thinking I might get this for Greece and test it out - plus I love the color!

HAPPY ENDING

This video had me cackling so hard and also the accuracy is 100%

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Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 66

summer is slipping away

All the signs were there (pumpkin spice szn, LDW parties, the talk of summer being over) but IDK why it’s just dawning on me now that summer is almost over. I think this is something we say every year but this summer FLEW BY and I’m now scrambling to soak up every last second of summer that I can before I leave next month.

If you’re like me and find yourself wanting to make the most of the remaining warm weather, wherever you are in the world, let this be a reminder to book yourself a patio reservation somewhere fab, with someone you love (friends, family or your partner) just for fun. I recently dined at RPM Seafood for the first time and for no special occasion at all just simply to enjoy the last bits of summer and I couldn’t have been more glad that I did that.

Also to my Chicago gals, keep scrolling because there’s a F*ck it’s almost fall guide to Chicago below that I think you’ll love. OR if you’re already ready for fall frolics in Chicago, click here!

I’m in this weird limbo zone where I want summer to last forever but I also want to start my fall celebrations early since I’ll be heading to Greece in October and I feel like I will sadly miss the change of seasons this year. But that said I have some really exciting travels lined up and when everything is all locked in I can’t wait to share!

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. This New Online Tool Helps Travelers Know Their Rights During Flight Delays and Cancellations

2. Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or expert traveler

3. The Plane’s a Filthy Mess. Who’s to Blame?

4. 10 lessons summer 2022 air travel meltdowns taught us

5. The “F*ck It’s Almost Fall” Guide to Chicago

6. The Best Happy Hours In Chicago

7. How to Actually Relax on Vacation

8. See Vermont Fall Foliage in These 15 Beautiful Places

   1. Watch my Stowe guide here

How to stay healthy while traveling

No matter whether you’re trying to avoid getting a pesky cold or staying clear of COVID-19, this post covers all my best tips for staying healthy while you’re on the move.

I’ve been traveling almost full-time since 2018 and there are some specific tips I’ve picked up that help me stay healthy when I’m on back-to-back work trips, trying to make sure I don’t lose my voice before a speaking gig or traveling for months on end.

click here to read

Greece Packing Guide

No matter if you have a trip planned to Greece now or in the future, I’ve put together a post that goes through all of my suggestions on what a gal should pack on a trip to Greece.

Everything from my staple pieces to suggestions on the best things to put in your toiletry bag.

click here to read

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. I found a new pair of compression socks that I LOVE I’ve always been looking for some more “stylish” options and these are the best I’ve found - yet.

2. I made the mistake of clicking on an Instagram ad for hydration packets and I discovered these. I’ve always used liquid IV but then I saw all the sugar - YIKES. Now I’ve ordered these and I’m really impressed with the flavors and the fact that there’s wayyyyy less sugar.

3. I bought a new pair of cool girl shoes that I’ve been seeing the Gen Z gals wear (I saw them all over the US Open) and I’m interested to see if I can pull them off haha.

4. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this…but I have finally cracked and started watching the RHO franchise…I’ve been a longtime holdout on this reality series but I had to start watching because of the Dubai spin off. I gotta say the show is an absolute sh*t show and I hate all the yelling and dumb drama but I love the extra and extravagance and of course all the Dubai sites.

HAPPY ENDING

This is literally me on any long-haul flight - you too???

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 65

I’M HOSTING THE US OPEN!

EEEEEKKKK! I am just now realizing that I really haven’t shared this news with anyone outside of my close friends and family, and honestly I’m still kind of pinching myself about it.

Working as a host at the US Open has been a goal of mine ever since I started working in the tennis world. For those who might be unaware (don’t worry I totally was before I worked at the BNP Paribas Open lol), in the tennis world there are what’s called Grand Slam Tournaments and there are 4 of them - Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open and the US Open. These are the biggest tournaments in the sport and the US Open is the final of the tournaments in the calendar year.

Basically it’s my job to have fun with fans and play these crazy games with them. Like you know all those games Jimmy Fallon and Ellen play with their guests on their shows? That’s what I’ll be doing haha.

And if that wasn’t cool enough, want to know something I’m kinda freaking out about (all my Peloton fans are gonna freak) - the host of one of the shows I’m working on is freaking ALLY LOVE!!!!! You guys I’m not kidding when I say I’m the world’s biggest Ally Love fan and I’m dyingggggg because they’re making a segment for the two of us called Alley Ooops to run all of our bloopers throughout the week hahahaa.

Oh and did you hear the news that Serena Williams is retiring after the US Open?! The energy is going to be electric with her there and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to be there to watch her play for the final time (even though I feel like she might one day come out of retirement because I just can’t believe that it will be over for her!!).

Anyways, I’m thrilled but I’m also SUPER nervous because well, fun fact about me…I love to overthink and worry about things I’ve never done before haha (I should probably work on this).

Okay, BRB boarding my flight to NYC!

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. The Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S.

2. Why Hotels Should Get Rid of the Front Desk

3. How to Find Affordable Rental Cars as Prices Spike

4. Why We Should Apply the Hawaiian Mindset of ‘Mālama’ to All Our Travels

5. It’s a Brave New World for Cities

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. The Monday Swimwear 60% off summer sale - I went ham for my trip to Greece.

2. This linen top and shorts set on Amazon - It comes in a bunch of colors and a few styles all under $25

3. The book I currently can’t put down - if you loved “The Woman in Cabin 10” then you need to read this. Such a fabulous book to take with you on your next trip!

TIME TO START PLANNING YOUR FALL TRAVELS

Listen up my “Summer foreverrrrrrrr” friends….fall is coming in HAWT and this year is going to be the year that you finally make all your fall road trip dreams come true. So I wanted to share one of my favorite destinations in the USA to catch some fall colors and soak up some of those Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow vibes. Check out my Stowe Travel Guide & LMK if you’ve ever been!

HAPPY ENDING

My friend’s mom sent this to me and said this is what she thinks I will be like at 75 and I couldn’t help but think she’s 100% right haha.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 64

WHY TRAVEL ADVISORS ARE GAME CHANGERS

I often am asked a lot of questions when it comes to both mine and Linda’s work in the travel industry.

• What is a travel advisor?

• Do they even still exist?

• How much does it cost to work with an advisor?

• How do travel advisors make money?

The list goes on and on. And I understand why there might be so many questions because there is a bit of mystery surrounding this industry SO I figured it was about time to record a video answering ALL of your biggest questions.

We talk about how working with an advisor saves you HOURS of time. We compare the cost of an advisor to Expedia & Hotels.com & Linda talks about how she got into this industry and how you can too.

Oh and we talk about the one question you should NEVER ask a travel advisor lol.

I’ve sectioned this video up by question so that you can jump around to the areas that interest you most but think of this more like a long-form podcast so maybe watch or listen to this when you’re cooking dinner, getting ready or doing chores because it’s pretty in-depth.

We leave no stone unturned and if you have any questions please drop them in the comments of the video!

I am so glad to be sharing this video today because I’m leaving on Tuesday to once again work with the American Society of Travel Advisors as their Chief Fun Officer at the Global Convention taking place in San Francisco this week.

I cannot say enough about the value of travel advisors in this post-pandemic travel world and I’m so beyond grateful to be able to use my platform to spread the word and help you understand why working with an advisor might be something you should consider.

IF YOU’RE NEW HERE, HEY!!! Abroad in Your Inbox is a weekly collection of news articles, blog posts, products, podcasts, videos & anything else that’s on the interwebs that will help you navigate this new era of travel, reignite your wanderlust, help you plan a future trip & hopefully leave you with a little smile.

{ps you can get this sent directly to your inbox if you click here}

THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

1. Why Travel Is About to Get Much Cheaper

2. U.S. Airlines Are Cutting Thousands of Fall Flights—Here's What to Know

3. What to do when an airline changes your flight

4. Tech Hacks to Make Traveling Right Now Less of a Headache

5. Kids Kicking Your Airline Seat? Here’s How to Handle It Politely—and Effectively—According to Flight Attendants

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. I caved and bought the boob tape everyone is raving about and I can confirm - IT WORKS WONDERS.

2. Cute summer sandals that are beyond fashionable & comfortable.

3. The perfect white linen button down for summer travel

4. One of the best swimsuit lines is having a 40% off sale and I’m freaking out hahaha.

HAPPY ENDING

Want to know how I really feel about these countries?! Watch this haha.

WANT ALL OF THIS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY WEEKLY ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX NEWSLETTER

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!