Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 43

I blinked and it’s already the end of January…

2022 feels like it’s racing by and I’m over here like OMG SLOW DOWN PLEASE! Do you feel the same??

I’m getting ready to set off on a short work trip to a brand new destination this week (somewhere warm thank GOD), just a few days after that Linda and I have our first international trip of the year (to a destination I know you will love), then I’m gone all of March in Palm Springs for work & my 30th. AND…well lots more exciting things to share ;) but you get the point lol.

SOOOOO needless to say, 2022 is coming in HAWT.

And in the midst of all of this my laptop is on its last legs so I’m looking at an unexpected $3,500+ work investment (pray for me hahaha). The joys of entrepreneurship!

Now before this email goes totally off the rails, I’m excited to share the video I put together from my little social media retreat in the woods with Getaway House! SO many of you asked about this trip that I felt like the easiest thing to do was make a video.

I cover everything from:

• What I packed

• How I spent my time

• If I felt safe all by myself

• How on earth I managed to start a campfire all by myself lol

• And if I’d recommend this style of trip to YOU

YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW!

Oh & when you’re ready to book, here’s $25 off!

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

IN TRAVEL

1. Get Paid to Stay at Marriott Bonvoy Hotels Around the World for a Year - You can bet your bottom dollar I’m submitting my application for this ;) Anyone up for a bit of friendly competition?!?!

2. Buying travel Insurance is becoming just as important as booking your hotel & flights these days. Check out this one destination that is requiring all travelers have a policy before visiting starting next month.

3. HUGE CRUISE NEWS - CDC Says COVID Protocols Are Now Optional for Cruise Lines

4. Good news Delta Loyal crew - The Airline Says “Passengers Can Use Travel Vouchers Through 2024”

5. The Global Supply-Chain Crisis Is Hitting Hotels Where It Hurts Most - From shampoo to Champagne, properties worldwide are scrambling to secure guest essentials. NOT THE CHAMPAGNEEEEEE

6. After a Pandemic Slump, the Hunt for Truffles Is On Once Again - So….anyone want to go to Tuscany and hunt for truffles with me?!

7. Vegan Travel: It’s Not Fringe Anymore - From Mexico to Greece, plant-centric hotels, restaurants and tours are on the rise.

I’M HOSTING A LIVE CLOSET SALE WITH AT ONE BOUTIQUE TUESDAY 2/1 AT 5:30 P.M. CST

I haven’t hosted a sale since September (GASP!) & I’m ready to CLEAR SH*T OUT! There will be a mix of winter and spring/summer pieces and some shoes and accessories. Everything will be fixed prices and sizes xs-m, 4-8, 27-28, a few size 9 shoes. A portion of the proceeds will be going to charity & I’m thinking the first hour will be DEEP discounts ;)

If you want to shop, all you have to do is click here to register!

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. THE PERFUME COLLECTOR - If you’re in need of a good book to transport yourself to 1950s Paris - this is it. Grace Monroe, who receives an unexpected inheritance from a complete stranger, Madame Eva d’Orsey, and is drawn to uncover the identity of her mysterious benefactor. The book weaves through the decades, from 1920s New York to Monte Carlo, to 1950s Paris, and London. The story Grace uncovers is that of an extraordinary woman who inspired one of Paris’s greatest perfumers. I’m almost finished reading and it’s exceptional.

2. CUSTOM COMFIES - It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with Alice & Wonder (one of my fav Chicago boutiques) and this weekend only they’re offering custom chain-stitching on sweatshirts and their Mad Hatter Beanies. I essentially live in loungewear at home and when I’m traveling so I treated myself to this sweatshirt that says Abroad. Today is the last day to order so check them out if you want to twin with me.

HAPPY ENDING

AIRBNB WANTS TO HELP YOU MOVE TO ITALY…UMMM CAN SOMEONE PLEASE APPLY FOR THIS SO I CAN LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU?!?!

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 42

MY MOST PRODUCTIVE WEEK EVER.

Happy Sunday friend! Today is the last day of my new year social media cleanse and WOW I have so many thoughts.

1. If you’ve never taken the time to get off social media for an extended period of time DO IT

2. A part of me would like to extend this detox and take the whole month off lol

3. But another (BIGGER) part of me misses connecting with my community on a regular basis and Instagram is my favorite way to do that

4. OMG I’ve been so much more focused and productive…

5. Boundaries and limits on your app usage are HUGE

While social media is a massive part of my life and business, I have noticed (and maybe you have too) that I get sucked in so easily and fall down the rabbit hole which totally disrupts the flow of my day.

So taking this break to majorly focus on my goals, plans and work for 2022 was truly transformative. And now, I’m going to try and figure out how to set boundaries so that I can have a healthy balance of using social for work and for fun, but also get my sh*t done lol.

When I figure out that hack, I’ll let you know haha.

The other thing that has been truly game changing for my daily productivity has been dialing up my morning routine. I'm almost finished reading The Miracle Morning and the tips in this book are HUGE for anyone who’s looking to uplevel any aspect of their life & get more out of their day (even if you’re not a morning person).

I’ve been waking up at 6 a.m. (no snoozing), meditating with my Peloton app, journaling, working out and reading just 10 pages of whatever book I’m reading every morning and at the end of this week, no lie I’ve never felt more productive.

My days feel focused, my to-do list gets checked off and I have so much more clarity and energy. If any of that sounds like something you’d want - READ THIS BOOK.

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

IN TRAVEL

1. The annual New York Times list of 52 Places to travel in 2022 is out, but this year it’s different than ever before. This year’s list features destinations where travelers can use their travel dollars to be a part of the solution to problems such as over tourism & climate change. There are many destinations on this list that are unfamiliar to me

2. Amid Air Rage Incidents, Should In-Flight Alcohol Service End for Good?

3. Can you guess which country has The Most Powerful Passport in the World?

4. Americans can get free at-home COVID-19 tests soon — but they won’t work for travel

5. The Best Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

6. So, Now Do I Need Trip Insurance?

7. International travelers catch a break as FDA extends expiration date for at-home COVID-19 test

LAST CALL!

CLICK TO SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered to win a $25 gift card to the small biz of their choice (heck maybe I’ll pick a few winners if I’m feeling funky ;)

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. BOOK OF THE WEEK: I’m holding strong with my intention to read/listen to one book a week in 2022. Here’s what I’ve been reading:

   1. THE MIRACLE MORNING: This past week I’ve been more productive than I’ve been in quite some time and the only thing that I’ve been doing differently is waking up at 6 a.m. (not touching the snooze button) and practicing some of the super simple techniques detailed in this game changing book. It was recommended to me by my gal Glo Atanmo and it’s for anyone who wants to get more out of their days & achieve their biggest goals (yes, even people who hate mornings…)

2. RECHARGEABLE LIGHTER - These eco-friendly lighters are designed to last forever, and perfectly suited for candle-lit nights, barbecues, campfires, and more.

3. STATEMENT SANDALS - I’m headed somewhere warm at the end of the month and I think something sparkly or fluffy will add a little spring in my step. I’ve linked some of the ones I’ve got my eyes on below.

   1. FLUFFY JEFFREY CAMPBELL SLIDES (I got the pink, duh)

   2. THE PERFECT COLORFUL TRAVEL SANDAL

   3. GOLDEN MULE

   4. STAPLE SPLURGE

   5. BOHO SLIDES

HAPPY ENDING

I’m glad I’m not the only one who goes to Target needing paperclips and leaves Target spending $234 dollars haha.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?

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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. 41

HELLO FROM CIVILIZATION!!

Happy New Year and happy first Abroad in Your Inbox of 2022!! I hope you’re having a FABULOUS start to the new year and OMG, we have SO much to catch up on!! I’m in the midst of a social media detox and I just returned from the most incredible retreat in the woods (no cell service, Wi-Fi, NOTHING). When I say I feel like an entirely new human, I’m not exaggerating (more on this in a second).

But since I took my break from this newsletter to enjoy the holidays with my family, I’ve gotta admit, I’ve missed our weekly chats here on Abroad in Your Inbox!

Speaking of which, it’s been one whole year since I started this weekly newsletter (woahhh) & I would LOVE to hear what you think of Abroad in Your Inbox. Is it helpful, is there a better time to send you emails, is there something you’d like to see in here that I’m not sharing, etc. This is your chance to help me make this newsletter even more beneficial to YOU!

CLICK TO SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON ABROAD IN YOUR INBOX

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered to win a $25 gift card to the small biz of their choice (heck maybe I’ll pick a few winners if I’m feeling funky ;)

OKAY…back to this whole getaway in the woods…

IDK how you feel about this time of year, but I LOVE the feeling of a fresh start, setting intentions, and planning the new year. But after the INSANITY of 2021 and the race to the finish line that was December 2021, I knew I needed to make myself COMPLETELY unavailable for a hot second, to breathe, reflect, re-charge, and intention set for 2022.

Enter, Getaway House.

They’re these tiny, minimalist cabins located 2 hours from various major cities in the US, created for the sole purpose of giving you a retreat to escape, disconnect and recharge. I’ve wanted to try these after I saw my gal pal Glo Atanmo do her own version of this retreat in 2020. And let me tell you, this was one of the best gifts I could have given myself and my business in 2022.

I’ll be putting a full video review together over on my YouTube next Sunday with my thoughts, what I brought, etc. so that if you’re considering doing something similar (HIGHLY recommend) you’ll feel totally prepared.

Until then, if you’re like, I’m ready I need this now, I’ve got a code that takes $25 off your first stay - (I found their mid-week rates totally reasonable) and I’d suggest staying a minimum of 2 nights, although I think when I do this again I’ll book 3 because I could have used that extra day.

Outside of that, I’m just excited for all the exciting things 2022 has in store. I’m spending this upcoming week mapping out my travel and work schedule for 2022, creating some biz plans and goals and just soaking up the last moments of peace before I dive back into social media :)

I know this was an aggressively long intro but, I’ve missed ya and you know me…I’ve got a lot to say (I get it from Linda 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

IN TRAVEL

1. Planning an escape for next month? Here are “The Best Places to Travel in February” Linda and I are actually planning to visit one of these destinations next month and I was SO excited to see it on the list. Any guesses?!

2. Science Says You Should Mute Those Work Emails on Vacation - and as someone who did this on my recent escape to the woods, I FULLY agree.

3. How Women Are Spending on Travel Right Now - a fun fact I learned from this article, we travel more often than our male counterparts, accounting for 56 percent of leisure travelers (YOU GO GIRLS!)

4. Now U.S. Citizens Won’t Need to Register to Travel to Europe Until 2023

5. Over the holidays we saw crazy amounts of flights canceled or delayed due to COVID or unpredictable weather. Here’s what to do if your flight is delayed or canceled

LINKS I’M LOVING

1. What’s Your Word of the Year? This article goes into the value of this word exercise and how it can help you focus on the things that are most meaningful to you and the positive changes you’d like to make in your life, no matter what 2022 has in store.

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. BOOK(S) OF THE WEEK: One of my intentions for 2022 is to read/listen to one book a week. And since my time away from social I’ve magically had a lot more free time so I’ve been devouring LOTS of fabulous books. Here’s what I’ve been reading:

   1. The Obstacle is the Way: I discovered Ryan Holiday through the Skinny Confidential Podcast and this book is the NUMBER ONE book I’ve been recommending to well, literally all the important people in my life. I love how he draws on the learnings of the stoics and uses some of the most well-known leaders, business owners, icons in history to talk about how to turn troubles into triumphs.

   2. Stillness is the Key: Since finishing The Obstacle is the Way, I decided to get my hands on the boxed set of Holiday’s most popular books which includes: Stillness is the Key. This is the book that I read while on my Getaway and it couldn’t have been more perfect for that moment. It’s all about how vital cultivating stillness is and how we can cultivate it in our own lives today.

   3. Essentialism: If you’ve ever felt overcommitted, stretched too thin, or find yourself being busy but not actually getting anything done, you need to read this book.

2. SETTING INTENTIONS: I made a point to be VERY specific when creating my vision board for 2021 and when looking at it before the end of last year I was blown away by how many things had actually come to be. If you’re still in need of creating this year’s vision board, watch this reel that walks you through my exact process. I also really loved this On Purpose Podcast Episode that breaks down 7 ways to manifest results in 2022.

3. WHAT TO WATCH RIGHT NOW:

   1. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts HBO Max (I cried within the first 7 min)

   2. The new season of Emily in Paris. Is it basic? Yes. Is it still fabulous and worth the mental check out and beautiful French locations? 1,000%. PS - here’s the quaint and colorful town the producers selected as their South of France filming location.

IN THE NEWS

Breaking news: I was quoted in the New York Times and they mentioned Gals Abroad Getaways!!! Click here to read the article.

Eeeekkk, whether you’ve been following along for years, or maybe this article is the reason you find yourself here now, I just have to say thank you for your constant support. 2021 was one of the most incredible years of my travel career and after the extreme lows of 2020, I’m just beyond grateful to see the return of travel (no matter how bumpy & complicated it may be).

While the quote was small, this was a HUGE win for me, especially as a journalist, and because I believe the New York Times to be one of THE most important journalism institutions we have to this date.

PRO-TIP: Get a travel credit card

I’ve been chatting with the gals joining our France trip and some of them are in the market for new travel credit cards and I’ve been pointing them to this Points Guy article. It’s a thorough breakdown of the best travel credit cards and what you get with each.

I personally use and LOVE the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card because I get 3x the points on travel & dining and a $300 travel credit every year. If you want to avoid foreign transaction fees while traveling abroad and you’re responsible about paying your card off, looking into a travel credit card is a super smart move.

HAPPY ENDING

Me when I looked at my texts, inbox, and missed calls upon returning from my disconnected retreat in the woods LOL.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 40

GOING OUT WITH A BANG!

The last Abroad in Your inbox of 2021!!

I started this newsletter at the top of the year honestly as a way to keep myself & YOU informed on the ever-changing travel industry. Countries opening, countries closing, COVID test requirements, new airline cleaning policies, how to plan a trip abroad in 2021, best places to travel…the list goes on.

I’ve also used this space to share exciting life updates, the things I’m currently obsessed with and videos that are making me smile.

My only hope is that at the end of the day, this newsletter has brought you some value, kept you up to date on the most important travel news stories & will continue to be a trusted resource for you as we move into 2022. I also hope that if you love travel, as much as I do, it’s helped inspire you to explore some of the destinations I’ve shared in this weekly newsletter.

I truly believe there’s NOTHING better than a personal recommendation (of any kind) and I’ve always wanted Alle Abroad to feel like an ever-growing list of recommendations from a friend.

2021 has truly been beyond my wildest dreams in every sense. From launching Gals Abroad Getaways, to shooing the pilot of our mom-daughter travel show to simply being able to travel internationally and do my job once again. The amount of gratitude I feel closing out this year is more than words can describe.

I’m going to be taking some time off to reset, reflect and use these next two weeks between Christmas and New Years Day to set my intentions and plot out my plan for total world domination in 2022 (or just a really successful, travel-filled year lol).

I want to wish you the very happiest of holidays and I hope that all your hopes, dreams and goals for 2022 are realized. I’ll see you next year!

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO REQUEST TO REGISTER FOR THE PARIS & LOIRE VALLEY TRIP!

ONE QUICK IMPORTANT NOTE:

We still have two solo gals who are looking for a roommate! Linda & I have spoken with both of them and they are so sweet, kind & really eager to have a gal pal join them on this adventure!

• One of them is only doing the Paris portion of the trip

• The other is only doing the Loire Valley portion.

As always, you can find all the trip details + the link to request to register right here.

If you think you might be interested in joining there are still some spots available & if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out!

TRAVEL

1. Biden Signs Order That Will Allow Online U.S. Passport Renewal

2. There’s a new way to get through TSA screening faster. But do you need it?

3. The 8 best places to visit in January

4. How a pilot shortage could leave travelers with higher fares and fewer options

5. Is Travel Better Without Your Phone?

6. Omicron Travel Bans Take Huge Toll on South African Safaris

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

CHARLESTON

My gals and I are wrapping up our little vacation and since it might be a min before I put together a full destination guide, I wanted to share some of my favorites from this trip.

WHERE TO STAY:

We found the most charming Airbnb that was FULL of color and style, and just a block or two off of King street, and it was PERFECT for our stay. We came to learn that the company that runs this Airbnb has a BUNCH of other properties throughout Charleston that are INCREDIBLY cute & chic. You can check out their website here.

WHERE TO EAT:

1. LEON’S - get their fried oyster sandwich

2. HUSK - go for dinner and stay for a drink at their bar

3. OBSTINATE DAUGHTER - This restaurant on Sullivan’s Island is a MUST

4. THE ORDINARY - if oysters are your thing - GO HERE - it’s in an old bank!

5. CAMELLIA’S - their pink afternoon tea room is such a vibe

6. HARKIN - great for grab and go coffee and pastries or stay and relax, either way the smells in here are out of this world

WHERE TO DRINK:

1. BIN 152 - the oldest wine bar in Charleston

2. VINTAGE LOUNGE - GREAT wine bar - but they also have a killer espresso martini

3. HONEY HIVE - love this concept - desserts & drinks

4. THE ROOFTOP BAR AT THE VENDUE - perfect for sunset cocktails and great views of the city

5. THE COMMODORE - go for live music and dancing

WHAT TO DO:

1. HIRE A CHARLESTON BIKE TAXI TO TAKE YOU AROUND THE BATTERY & HOMES SOUTH OF BROAD

2. SHOP ON KING STREET (Ibu Movement, Love Shack Fancy, & Hampden Clothing were some of my favs)

3. CHECK OUT THE SHOPS ON SPRING STREET BETWEEN KING & ST. PHILIP STREET (The Tiny tassel & Harper Hartford Boutique are INCREDIBLE)

4. GET A MASSAGE AT THE DEWBERRY SPA

5. HEAD TO SULLIVAN’S BEACH

6. MAKE YOUR OWN WALKING TOUR TO CHECK OUT ALL THE GORGEOUS HOMES SOUTH OF BROAD

ALLE ABROAD X THE SPIRITUAL JOURNALIST

I am BEYOND impressed with my gal pal Olivia DeGennaro’s new live podcast: The Spiritual Journalist. We met when I was working as a reporter at my very first TV station out of college. She has since left the local TV news industry and launched this new show & business that is centered around her passion for astrology.

I am always SO happy to see my fellow former TV news gals breaking out of the industry to carve their own path and Olivia has done so SO beautifully. Check out our interview about how I left TV news to start a career as a freelance show host & learn a little more about why I wanted to start Gals Abroad Getaways.

If you’d prefer to listen in podcast form, here’s the link :)

HAPPY ENDING AKA A VIDEO THAT MADE ME LOL

I NEARLY SPIT OUT MY WATER LAUGHING AT THIS VIDEO OF AN “INFLUENCER COACH” DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 39

OMG WHAT DID I JUST DO…

I would not describe myself as rustic, outdoorsy or really any person who could survive outside for extended periods of time…So I’m not exactly sure what I was thinking when I booked a tiny cabin in the woods in the middle of nowhere with no cell service, wifi or really anything for miles around me…

But that my friend is how I plan to spend the first 3 days of 2022. ALONE. No phone. No internet. No distractions.

Oddly, I’m REALLY excited to travel in a way that feels utterly different than what I’m used to.

And here’s the honesty of the situation. I’m burnt out. 2021 was INCREDIBLE in every sense of the word but OMG I need a minute to be utterly alone and reset.

I’m really honest…I don’t think there’s been a stretch of more than 2 days in the past 10 years where I’ve been without a phone, internet, or feeling the need to document & share my life.

I want to know what it feels like to be alone with my own thoughts, not distracted, not obligated to respond or share, just to simply BE.

I haven’t decided exactly what books I’m bringing, how I’ll use the time or what I’ll do, but ultimately I’m just excited to start the new year in a completely new way.

I can’t wait to tell you what I think after I return but I’m planning to take at least the first week of 2022 completely off of social. I feel like I need to get back to creativity, get inspired and recharge. I think we all deserve that in the new year.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Here’s why it’s still easy to meet 1-day testing for entry to US — even in the middle of nowhere

2. How the Polar Bear Capital of the World Is Dealing With Climate Change

3. The Best U.S. Cities to Visit at Christmas

4. How to Find the Best Destinations for LGBTQ+ Travelers

5. Where To Do Holiday Stuff Around Chicago

6. Your Face Is, or Will Be, Your Boarding Pass

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER - GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERYONE

1. GIFTS FOR MOM

   1. Uncommon Goods experiences - from flower arranging to tarot card reading these virtual experiences are the PERFECT unique gift (good for dads too!) I’ve got my eyes on this cocktails in Paris one because one can never be too prepared for an upcoming trip ;)

   2. Storyworth - I gave this to Linda and Mark last year and it was such a fun unique gift. They get an email each week asking them fun questions (you can customize!) and then at the end of the year they bind the questions into a book for them to keep!

2. GIFTS FOR DAD

   1. Scotch infused toothpicks - Mark I hope you’re not reading this cause you’re getting these this year

   2. Masterclass - I’ve personally always been interested in trying this and now they’re doing a buy one get one free deal. So double the gift-giving potential and I hear that Hillary’s class is brilliant.

3. GIFTS FOR TRAVEL LOVERS

   1. Away luggage - the best suitcases in the game (when you click the link it gives you $20 off)

   2. Travel scented candles - Notting Hill is my fav scent

   3. $$$ towards travel - that’s what I’m asking for this year. Maybe you can put yours towards a trip to Paris or the Loire Valley ;)

4. GIFTS FOR PETS

   1. Cat Taco Truck - My cats were OBSESSED with these cardboard houses. We have a TON of them and they’re always sleeping in there. The best $25 I’ve ever spent.

   2. Personalized Dog Collar - I’ll admit I’m a bit lost on the dog front, but these look lovely and I love Mark & Graham.

5. GIFTS FOR GAL PALS

   1. Rent the Runway subscription - (use code RTRALLEP to get 40% off two months of Rent the Runways 8 or 16 item memberships)

   2. P + P Creative Club Happy Mail Box - I just joined and every month you’re shipped a box of fabulous treats from amazing businesses like Draper James, Estelle Colored Glass, Lele Sadoughi & other incredible small businesses you need to know about. Each box is valued at at least $200 (often much more).

HAPPY ENDING - THIS WEEK IS FEEL-GOOD TRAVEL

THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIDEOS I’VE SEEN THIS WEEK AND IT GAVE ME ALL THE WINTER WONDERLAND TRAVEL VIBES.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 38

HOLIDAY THINGS

The holidays always make me feel two very different things:

1. Like I want to do ALL the festive, fun holiday activities with the people I love most.

2. The overwhelming desire to curl up in my cozy bed with a cup of coffee, the books I’ve never made time to read and stay there until the new year.

It’s a funny thing being an extroverted introvert this time of year…Do you ever feel this split of wanting both to surround yourself with people but at the same time be left alone for days on end? I wish that we had two Decembers so I could have equal time to do both haha. Or maybe just a month in between December and January? IDK just something that’s been on my mind lately.

Speaking of holiday things, this week was FULL of them. I spent last Sunday at a boozy holiday afternoon tea at Pendry Chicago (highly recommend), earlier this week Linda and I made the pilgrimage back to the Deer Path Inn for their Home Alone inspired Lost in Lake Forest Suite Experience (EPIC), oh and my holiday cards were delivered (they honestly can’t top last year’s quarantine bingo but I tried lol).

So now that I’ve done the very bare minimum of holiday festivities this past week, this week, I think I will focus on curling up and not leaving the house. It’s called balance ;)

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

GALS ABROAD GETAWAYS REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW!!! AND WE’VE EXPANDED BEYOND JUST MOMS AND DAUGHTERS!

Just a heads up that registration for our very first Gals Abroad Getaways trip to Paris & the Loire Valley opens tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. EXCLUSIVELY to my Gals Abroad newsletter (one week before the link is shared anywhere else).

We’ve decided to open the trip beyond just moms and daughters because so many of you expressed interest in attending with your sisters, friends, cousins or just coming solo. Linda and I firmly believe this trip can be experienced with any important woman in your life (or with some fabulous galpals you just met).

We only have 14 spots so if you’d like to snag one of them before they fill up, CLICK HERE to make sure you’re signed up for that list.

TRAVEL

1. How to determine your testing window for returning to the US

   1. Here are the self-testing kits Linda and I use to return home that are approved for travel. You can also watch this video to learn how they work and how easy they are to use!

2. 6 Perfect Winter Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

3. 51 Things in Europe that Every Traveler Needs to Experience (I’ve experienced 12 which I figure is pretty good - but the cheese cave in Bordeaux is now at the top of my must-visit list!)

4. European-Style Christmas Markets Right Here in the States

5. The 22 Best Places to Go in 2022

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. BOOZY AFTERNOON TEA AT PENDRY CHICAGO - if you’re looking for a fun Sunday activity in between Holiday shopping or just an excuse to gather with your gal pals. You’ve gotta check out the Pendry’s new afternoon tea. It’s only on Sunday’s and it’s not at all your traditional stuffy afternoon tea. Think fun modern music, cocktails made with tea & unique spins on classic tea treats.

2. MINTED HOLIDAY CARDS - I mentioned in my last newsletter that I hadn’t ordered my holiday cards and I was STRESSIN so I took advantage of Minted’s Cyber Monday sales and ordered my cards and they arrived yesterday - SO FAST RIGHT? But here’s what I loved best, Minted lets you input addresses and save them to your address book so they are the ones to print the address on the envelopes, not you. And get this, it’s totally free! (maybe other services do this too but I just LOVED that). Maybe you’ve already done your holiday cards this year but if you’re thinking about this for next year I HIGHLY recommend.

HOME ALONE AT THE DEER PATH INN

Earlier this week Linda and I took a trip out to Lake Forest to have a little staycation at the Deer Path Inn and enjoy their “Lost in Lake Forest” suite experience, inspired by Home Alone. Fun fact, the Home Alone house is just 25 min away from the Deer Path Inn. The experience was FILLED with fun nostalgic touches and in true Deer Path Inn style, it was totally over the top.

You walk into their Cornwall suite and candy is covering every inch of the sitting room, there are these incredible holiday cocktails, you get your own DPI bathrobe to wear and take home with you and of course, you have your own in-room screening of Home Alone. It was so much fun and if you want to experience it for yourself you can call the front desk & book it between now and Jan, 2nd.

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HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

OMG HAVE YOU SEEN THE CHANEL ADVENT CALENDAR DRAMA?!?! $825 FOR THIS?!?!?! I’M SHOOKITH TO MY CORE….but also lol.

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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. 37

SHOPPED OUT OR JUST GETTING STARTED?

Has your inbox been FLOODED?! LIKE WOAH. I have to say I kinda love this time of year because it’s a great reminder for me to unsubscribe from all the random newsletters I’ve signed up for throughout the year LOL (anyone else using this time to do a massive cleanup of their inbox?!).

That being said, I must admit I’m incredibly behind in ALL things holiday…My holiday cards haven’t been ordered, gift guides are probs not happening & I haven’t even begun to think about shopping for gifts…but every time Black Friday and Cyber Monday rolls around I can’t help but get sucked into all the savings (impulse shopper that I am…)

So I’m doing just a bit of shopping tonight and tomorrow and wanted to share some deals I’ve found while poking around on the interwebs & some of my tried and true go to gifts in case you need a little inspo (even for yourself).

Outside of shopping, I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my Paris & Loire Valley trip in between rewatching Downton Abbey from the beginning (a new holiday tradition I HIGHLY recommend)

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

MY HOLIDAY SHOPPING PICKS

I wanted to round up some of the things I’m shopping for this weekend + some of the goodies I’m loving & gifting this year!

COZY CHICAGO SWEATER - I have been living in this SUPER soft Alice & Wonder Chicago sweater (ps everything is 20% off right now) and their holiday selection of gifts is unmatched! Also I think you might love their Mad Hatter beanies.

RENT THE RUNWAY - Get 40% off 2 months of any of Rent the Runway membership (8 item plans or higher) using my code RTRALLEP This would be a great gift for yourself or a gal pal!

ANYTHING ANTHROPOLOGIE - This is one of my holiday gifting go-to websites and everything is 30% off including the iconic Primrose Mirror (what I use on my vanity), my signature Capri Blue Fir & Firewood Glass Candle and this 2022 World Traveler calendar.

THERAGUN - I got Marky Mark (my dad) one of these for his b-day and he LOVES it. Also, the one I got him is $100 off right now which I’m pissed about because I paid full price lol.

RAYBAN SUNNIES - I saw that Amazon is doing 30% off select Rayban sunglasses including my favorite style!

MY FAVORITE JEANS - My fav 90s style high rise AGOLDE jeans are 20% off on ShopBop - run don’t walk I live in them.

CITIZEN WATCHES - earlier this week I shared that I’ve partnered with Citizen to share what brings light into my world & support their sustainable #mylight campaign. I just checked their website and they’re offering 15% off sitewide. This is the style of watch I have and it pairs so well with all my bracelets.

UGG SLIPPERS - idk about you but I feel like all I wear these days are slippers and these hot pink UGGs are 22% off and come in a bunch of colors!

GALS ABROAD GETAWAYS DEETS RELEASED TOMORROW!!!

Just a heads up that ALL the details for my Mother-Daughter Gals Abroad Getaways trip to Paris & the Loire Valley will be released tomorrow morning via the Gals Abroad newsletter! If you want to get the scoop on the inaugural trip CLICK HERE to make sure you’re signed up for that list.

TRAVEL

1. 10 incredible hotels for a dreamy winter vacation

2. The Best Countries in the World

3. Can I Still Travel to Europe? Your Virus Restriction Questions, Answered

4. The EU wants to add a 9-month limit to vaccine eligibility for entry

5. WHO urges restraint on travel bans as alarming new variant is spotted

6. Black Friday deal roundup: flights, car rentals, luggage and more - many of these deals are still running through Monday!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

I wanted to share a few of my favorite travel gifts that will make any travel lover smile this holiday season. I recorded the video last year but the recs 100% still stand up! Check the description for all the links!

Also, small biz Saturday was yesterday and I sure do hope that we all make an effort to shop small as much as possible this holiday season. Click here to check out my favorite small businesses to shop this year.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

This girl is hilarious and her rendition of hometown holiday conversations at the local watering hole on Blackout Wednesday was SPOT ON.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?

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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. 36

UM…HOW IS IT ALREADY THANKSGIVING?!

IDK if anyone feels this way, but the holidays REALLY crept up on me this year… I think it’s just NOW hitting me that Thanksgiving is this week…I feel like I have been so focused on work, travel & launching these Gals Abroad Getaway trips that I’ve been immune to literally ALL the signs that it’s THAT TIME OF YEAR (not even the holiday Starbucks cups have phased me lol).

All of this to say that I think I’m gonna be phoning it in this holiday season…Even as I say that the enneagram 3 in me is like “yeah right…” BUT I’m really gonna try not to run myself ragged with obligations, events, photoshoots, and just all around doing THE MOST. Does anyone else always seem to overcommit this time of year?!

And here’s the craziest thing I think I’m going to do **gasp** I’m going to take the whole time between Christmas and New Years OFF, followed by ***maybe*** a nice month-long social media detox in January. Doesn’t that sound lovely?!

I know there are fellow entrepreneurs, biz owners, and self-proclaimed workaholics who read this newsletter and I hope that we can all collectively release a bit of death grip on control and give ourselves permission to FULLY take a break this year {I’m certainly going to try to…}. So, here’s to a happy, healthy & boundary-filled 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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Traveling for Thanksgiving? Expect Congested Roads and Crowded Airports

2. India opens borders to vaccinated foreign tourists

3. Where Should You Travel This Holiday Season?

4. How This Island Destination Became the Most Vaccinated Place in the U.S.

5. I Need a Solo Trip. How Do I Tell My Partner?

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. THE ENNEAGRAM TEST - earlier this week my gal pal Kelly Golightly (follow her) and I decided to retake our enneagram tests because well…who doesn’t love a personality test haha. We did this one which unfortunately isn’t free BUT it gives you SUPER in-depth results which I felt were creepy spot on. Also, there’s a code (ONLINE10) that takes $10 off so the test is $9. If you’ve never taken the test DO IT. It’s super interesting to learn a little bit more about how you tick.

2. ALL OF THE ALICE & WONDER HOLIDAY GOODIES - if you’ve been here for a min you know how much I LOVE my local Chicago boutique Alice & Wonder and their holiday merch is always ON POINT. They just dropped some epic sweatshirts + all their regular holiday goodies (mugs, ornaments, cards, little gifts) and they’re all so reasonably priced & shipping is always super fast. I’ve already got this hat & this epic NSYNC holiday T-shirt in my cart.

HOLIDAY SZN THINGS

The holiday shopping season is upon us (whether we like it or not…). Last year I was SO happy to see just how many people made a HUGE effort to support and shop small as much as possible. This Saturday is Small Biz Saturday, so I figured I’d re-share the video I created last year featuring my favorite Chicago small businesses to give you some ideas on where you might want to consider shopping this holiday season.

And if you don’t live in Chicago - many of these shops are online & I have an even bigger list that you can check out here that features even more of my favorite small businesses not just in Chicago.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

This video calling out people’s airport LEWKS is spot on and has me LOLING hard.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 35

IS TRAVEL BACK?!?

It sure feels that way! I’m writing this newsletter from the coffee shop at the Kimpton Rowan hotel in Palm Springs which is smack dab in the heart of downtown and I’m looking out the window and it is BUMPING…I’m back in the desert for some more work with Visit Greater Palm Springs and let me tell you this town is alive. Hotels are at capacity, the airport is busy & it kinda feels like EVERYONE is here.

A part of me is SO happy to see this return to travel - especially for a destination that’s so dear to me. But another part of me feels a little apprehensive about the upcoming holiday travel season and what it could mean for the current state of the pandemic. I hope that everyone who was unable to see loved ones last holiday season is able to do so safely but at the same time, I’m worried that airports are going to be CrAzY tOwN.

I mean just this past 2 weeks alone, Linda has gotten TONS of holiday travel requests from families and couples wanting to JUST GET OUT OF HERE. Which I totally get and has me thinking…should I go somewhere for NYE?!

SPEAKING OF UPCOMING TRAVEL…

Tomorrow morning I am FINALLY announcing where we’re traveling for the very first Gals Abroad Getaway (EEEEEKKK OMG IT’S REALLY REAL!!). So if you want to know where we’re going & get exclusive access to book before anyone else, CLICK HERE to add your name to my Gals Abroad Getaways Newsletter.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Best Places to Travel in December - I’ll be going to one of these destinations with my gal pals and I’m THRILLED to see it’s on this list!

2. With Tears, Hugs and Balloons, U.S. Allows Vaccinated Foreign Travelers to Enter

3. Working from anywhere just got easier with Airbnb’s new features

4. Uber's Newest Features Make Airport Pickups Easier

5. As Vaccinated Tourists Plan Trips Again, Adventure Travel Is Booming

6. COP26 nears conclusion with mixed signals and frustration

HAPPENING IN CHICAGO!

Remember my gal pal Caroline Conner of Wine Dine Caroline (We partnered last holiday season on a cheese board-making class)?! She’s my fabulous wine expert gal pal who lives in Lyon France and she’s going to be in Chicago for Thanksgiving & will be hosting some FABULOUS events in downtown! I’ll be there and I wanted to share it with any of my fellow Chicago gals who love their wine & support small female-owned businesses.

Here’s the deets:

• BottlesUp! Ladies' Night Featuring Caroline Conner

• Monday, November 22nd, 6-8pm CT

• 3164 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

• $10

• On Sunday, November 28th Caroline will be leading a two-hour wine tasting and pairing experience! (more deets linked below)

• CLICK HERE TO BOOK AT TICKET

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: On Purpose with Jay Shetty - this podcast has been SO helpful to me in so many aspects of my business, life and personal relationships. From building confidence to figuring out how to use your time wisely and even some of the big mistakes we make when dating - he covers it ALL. Plus each week he brings on a new guest everyone from Mel Robbins to Jane Goodall and the interviews are fantastic. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a new podcast.

2. CURRENTLY SHOPPING FOR: ALL THE CANDLES LOL. Anthropologie has my favorite candles discounted (plus other entertaining essentials) and you better believe I am stocking up right now.

3. SHOPPING SMALL: The holiday shopping season is upon us once again and I hope that we all can make an effort to support our small, local businesses once again this year. I am re-sharing the list I put together last holiday season that featured some of my favorite small businesses.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

Idk why I think it’s so funny but I always die laughing at travel influencers/bloggers/creators who share videos of them skipping around in whatever destination they’re visiting (also like…guilty…sometimes). So this reel had me rolling on the floor and also wanting to put my spin on it too hahaha.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?

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

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 34

I HAVE SO MANY NERVOUS BUTTERFLIES…

Because I am (FINALLY) ready to launch my Gals Abroad Getaways group trips… EEEEEKKKKKK OMG OMG OMG!

If you’ve been following me for at least the past year you know that I’ve been teasing (and teasing…LOL) that these group trips are about to launch…Well after months of planning, scouting trips, pouring over itineraries, working through logistics, and too many “idk WTF I’m doing tears…” etc. I will be launching these trips this holiday season!!!!

Now, if you’re new around here and thinking what is this girl talking about, let me explain:

Gals Abroad Getaways are Mother-Daughter & Gal Pal group trips for luxury-loving independent women created & hosted by yours truly.

These trips are designed to get you where you want to go NOW, with a group of women who will quickly become your #GalsAbroad (see what I did there) so you can leave the planning & details to us (hiiii me, Linda & our incredible travel agency Scorby Travel & cruise) so that all you have to do is say is SIGN ME UP!

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT I WANT TO TELL YOU BUT HERE’S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: If you want to know more about who these trips are for, what they’re going to look like & most importantly where to go to sign up, you NEED to be on my Gals Abroad Getaways newsletter. This is the ONLY place where I will be releasing details about the trips & the ONLY place where you will be able to access the sign-up form.

SO - if you don’t want to miss out on these FABULOUS group trips that I’m putting together - I need you to CLICK THIS LINK - and drop your email.

This is just my way of making sure that I’m only emailing the people who are interested in group trips & not bombarding this weekly newsletter with details about trips when you’re like hey…I’m just here for travel news & tips - COOL COOL?

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. 4 Experts on Making More Conscious Travel Choices

2. Here’s how you can still save on holiday travel

3. What I Learned While Traveling With a Visual Disability

4. 7 Small Towns in the U.S. That Are Secret Food Destinations

5. 3 tips to avoid gate-checking a bag on your next flight

6. Israel Opens to Vaccinated International Travelers

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. GETTING MY SH*T TOGETHER BEFORE I TURN 30 - This week was full of adult stuff and honestly I feel like I have a good ole adult hangover from all the adulting. I’m having my fertility health tested with Ova Egg Freezing and I just met with a financial advisor to get my monies in order. We are doing ALL THE THINGS! And if you’re like me and money, investing, stocks, etc stresses you out… start by listening to this podcast. I’ve found it super helpful and informative.

2. ROSE MARY - Chicagoans listen up, if you’ve never tried Croatian food I need you to add Rose Mary to your list. I have a feeling you might not have any idea what Croatian food technically is (don’t worry I didn’t either until I visited Croatia) but trust me is so yummy. I was able to snag a reservation a few months back and finally went last week with Linda. This review does a great job breaking down the dishes. But I HIGHLY recommend getting the Cevapi, Beef Burek & the cacio e pepe (which is so good I wanted to take a bath in it.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

Honestly, if you’re not following Luke Cook (the HOTTIE who played the devil in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix) you need to fix that right now. He’s ALWAYS my go to for a good giggle on IG. This reel had me cackling the other day hahaha.

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?

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

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

Abroad in Your Inbox Vol. 33

SORRY FOR GHOSTING…

I’ve been a bit MIA since I returned from Palm Springs… and if I’m honest I’ve been in a bit of a funk for a few months now. I shared a little bit about how I’ve been feeling lately in this IG post and I have to admit, I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who’s been feeling a little off.

It’s weird because when I look back at these past few months - getting to host the BNP Paribas Open, returning to work with Visit Greater Palm Springs, hosting conventions, traveling across Europe to create videos, filming a TV show pilot, etc. ALL of these things have been HUGE career wins for me. And I’m immensely grateful for ALL of what 2021 has given me. But for some strange reason, right now all I feel is just feel BLAH & like I want to sleep for 37 hours.

And listen, the last thing I want to do is to complain to you. But I look at Abroad in Your Inbox as my way of doing a little weekly check-in with you - and being 100% honest about what’s going on in my life. I’ve found that social media can look like one big highlight reel of the best and prettiest parts of our lives. But if we really want to connect on a deeper level - which I aim to do with this community - sharing the not-so-shiny parts usually winds up connecting us more than ever.

So if you’ve been feeling off or lacking motivation lately - please know you’re not alone.

And if you’re like me and you can’t help but take action when you feel out of sorts, I’m sharing what I’ll be doing for the next 90 days later in this post which will hopefully get me back on track and ready to kick a$$ in 2022.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Vaccinated travelers from abroad can enter the U.S. on Nov. 8

2. Singapore and Thailand Are Opening to U.S. Travelers—What to Know About Southeast Asia Travel

3. Condé Nast Traveler tapped some of the smartest, savviest, and most plugged-in people in 100 different countries to give their local recs - you need to check out these guides

4. United Just Added a Ton of New International Flights for 2022

5. How Early Should You Get to the Airport, Really?

6. Should I Get a COVID-19 Booster Before I Travel?

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. MY 90 DAY NEW YEAR - Idk if you know this but I LOVE a to-do list. I make one every morning and DELIGHT in the feeling of checking things off {sometimes I add things to the list that are SUPER insignificant just so I can easily check them off…I’m insane I know}. Recently I’ve been feeling a little unmotivated, lost, and sort of like I’m coasting. And whenever I feel this way I look to the people I admire most in the entrepreneurship space - enter Glo Atanmo’s 90 Day New Year Challenge. It’s essentially a list of small things you can do every day to gear up for the new year and feel ready, inspired and excited to kick ass in 2022. I started the challenge yesterday and if you’ve been in a funk lately, need a little kick in the pants or just want to start 2022 strong - check this out.

WHERE TO TRAVEL IN THE US THIS FALL

If you're wondering where to travel in the US this fall, I put together a list of the 12 best US fall destinations to visit last year, but it still holds up in 2021. Linda and I split our picks across 4 different regions of the country so that no matter where you're at, hopefully, one of the regions we've recommended is close to home and perfect for a little road trip.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

I’m dying at this girl who goes IN on a TikTok dance at a pumpkin patch complete with tripod and assists from a dedicated partner - now this is the kind of commitment we all need…HAHAHAHA

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?

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

Adventure Awaits!

xx Allecat

Abroad in Your Inbox 32

ON MY WAY TO TENNIS PARADISE!

Do you remember where you were when the gravity of the pandemic hit you?

I do. Vividly. I was wandering around an empty Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2020 just one day after the tournament was officially canceled. The entire place was set up and ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans. Rows upon rows of food and shopping booths, massive stadiums meant to hold thousands, happy videos of the players waving on screens to be seen by no one. This place that is usually thought of as “tennis paradise” was suddenly a ghost town.

Despite the tournament being canceled, my crew and I had been kept on to try and make some videos to be used once the tournament was rescheduled but I couldn’t help shake the weird feeling of WTF is going on. At that time we all assumed this thing would last a month or so…HA.

Since then, I watched as all my work POOF disappeared in the blink of an eye. My friends who I worked this event with suddenly out of work. No travel + no live events + no work in my world.

Now, a year and a half later, the team and I are returning to the desert and I can’t help but get a little emotional thinking about the full circle moment this marks. The entire crew, players, and anyone who attends will be vaccinated. We have found a way to once again do our jobs in the safest way possible right now. I’m not naive to think that there might not be breakthroughs but I’m just feeling beyond lucky that the jobs I looked forward to working each year are coming back.

I’ll be working once again as a host & emcee entertaining fans, interviewing players and creating videos with an incredible crew. I’ll be sure to share as much as I can on IG stories when I have a free second because no joke these are 12-14 hour days and I kinda run around like a crazy person.

Most of all I’m just so excited to be back in Palm Springs, employed, and getting to see and work with my dear friends. Life is truly SO good. Thank you for following along on the journey because man, it’s been a wild few years…

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Australia to Lift 18-Month COVID-19 Travel Ban Next Month

2. 13 Scenic Fall Foliage Trips That Aren't in New England

3. Download and Buckle Up—These Are the Best Podcasts for Your Next Road Trip

4. Canada Has Reopened to U.S. Travelers—Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Visiting

5. Now Is the Time to Book a Rental Car for the Holidays

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

• FAV PURCHASE - I’ll be honest, I’m not one to invest in expensive sneakers but in preparation for the tournament, I thought I’d see if spending a little extra $$ meant more comfort. In the case of my new sneakers - it does. Plus I found them 61% off at Nordstrom Rack. They feel like walking on clouds and have this cushy pillow on the back of them that I wish every pair of gym shoes had. If you’re looking for the perfect long day shoe - these are them.

• FAV READ - if there’s one thing I know I need to work on it’s my negotiation skills. I’m really no good at it and honestly, it’s one of the most important parts of my job. A friend suggested this book that she said changed the entire way she negotiates I knew I had to read it. It’s written by a former international hostage negotiator for the FBI - so you know the advice is legit. Read it if you’re needing to get better at your negotiating skills in the bedroom or in the boardroom.

TOP 15 THINGS TO DO IN STOWE

Wondering what's the best fall destination in the US? It's hands down Stowe, Vermont. And tonight I'm sharing my top 15 FAVORITE things to do, see & experience in the "Color Capital of Fall". This recent trip out east was the PERFECT way to kick off my favorite season & the leaves were just starting to pop while I was there so they should be at their peak in a matter of days at this point. I hope this video inspires you to visit this charming town or helps you as your planning your adventure.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

This guy whose entire TikTok is him impersonating his cat gives me life hahaha - especially him in the suitcase.

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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. 31

DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS?!

The US is lifting its travel ban in November!! The NY Times reported on Monday, the White House announced that come November, it will lift the ban on most travelers from the European Union, China, Iran, South Africa, Brazil and India, as long as they can show proof of vaccination and a negative coronavirus test. THIS IS HUGE NEWS!

This ban has separated families for 18 months since March 2020. This will be a game-changer for friends, families, and the economy. If you want more details on how this will all work - check out the article linked above.

My take on the matter - it’s about time…I’ve felt that it’s been really pretty unfair that Americans have been able to travel to Europe & other countries for leisure while the same privileges have not been extended to foreign travelers who want to visit the US.

While there are still significant hurdles to overcome, this news gives me hope that we are moving forward rather than backward.

RECENT TRAVELS

Coming off of a week in Vermont, I can’t help but compare this road trip to the one Linda and I took last year. The differences were significant. Last year only certain states in New England were allowing out of region visitors & there were MANY questions surrounding whether restaurants, attractions or even hotels would be open.

Thankfully, this trip to Stowe felt as close to “normal” as possible. Aside from the ever-present request to wear masks (a reality I think we’re all going to have to come to terms with lasting longer than anticipated) the travel experience felt oddly uneventful. You could eat indoors or outdoors, every attraction we wanted to visit was open, fellow travelers were respectful and there was never a point in time where I felt uncomfortable or unsafe.

There was so much uncertainty last year that I understand why SO many people were hesitant to hit the road or take to the skies. But as someone who has traveled extensively both internationally and domestically this year, I’ve gotta say, if you’re vaccinated and feel comfortable - it’s time to get back to it.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

HEADS UP! I’m hosting a live Instagram closet sale with At One Boutique this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. CST!

It’s been a minute since I’ve hosted a sale & I’m ready to CLEAR SH*T OUT! There will be fall pieces and some summer for my California friends. Everything will be $15-$50 and sizes s-m, 4-8, 27-28, a few size 9 shoes and some accessories.

If you want to shop, all you have to do is click here to register!

TRAVEL

1. The U.S. Is Lifting Travel Restrictions for Visitors. What Do the New Rules Mean?

2. 16 Fall Road Trip Ideas Throughout the U.S.

3. Here’s why you should lock in your fall travel plans now

4. You’ll soon be able to add digital vaccine cards to Apple’s mobile Wallet

5. Learning to Travel With Long COVID

6. Cheap Airfare Tricks That Experts Swear By

7. I didn’t get my French health pass in time for my trip — here’s what happened

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. COLORFUL DISPOSABLE MASKS - since we’re fully back to wearing masks again here in IL I’ve restocked my supply of these colorful masks. I get asked about where I got them all the time so I figured I’d share the link here :) Cause if we’re wearing em, then might as well make it fun!

2. THE PERFECT FALL MOTO JACKET - the weather has FINALLY become that perfect crisp fall weather I look forward to every year. I always think that a moto jacket is the best staple piece to have for fall and this BLANKNYC one is by far the best piece to keep in constant rotation this szn.

3. CURRENTLY READING - IDK if any of you are fans of the How I Built This Pod but I just downloaded Guy Raz’s How I Built This audiobook and its fascinating. I find it so relatable to hear how some of the greatest entrepreneurs to date got their start and the path & missteps they had along the way. HIGHLY recommend, especially if you’re a fellow biz owner charting their own path.

WHERE TO NEXT?

The leaves are starting to change here in Chicago & fall finally feels like it’s arrived. This season always flies by too fast so if you want to make the most of it & also do ALL the fun fall things in Chicago - check out this video I put together last year of my fav fall activities - there’s some fun off the beaten path suggestions in there to keep things exciting ;)

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

This dog running headfirst into a pile of leaves is EXACTLY how I feel about fall finally arriving lol.

WHO RELATES?!

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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. 30

HELLO FROM STOWE, VT!

Have you heard of this PERFECT fall destination?! Fun fact, Stowe is often referred to as the fall Color Capital of the US and it is consistently ranked one of the top places to see beautiful fall foliage this time of year!

I am SO excited to be back and working with Go Stowe to show you some of the BEST things to do this time of year (keep your eyes on my IG the next few days if you’re in need of some fall trip inspo). We are here right at the very start of the leaves changing (which I’m kinda bummed that we’re not at peak color) BUT the good news is for any of you who might be visiting, leaf color will be at its peak in the next few weeks. Impromptu road trip?! YES PLZ.

This destination holds a special place in mine and Linda’s heart because it was part of the last big trip we took together before I moved out to California to start my career as a TV news reporter (will be sharing more of that story this week).

Until then, put Stowe at the top of your radar for where you need to visit to see fall foliage. Plus, if you love the Sound of Music, Ben & Jerry’s & apple cider doughnuts - I think you’re going to REALLY love Stowe (context coming to an IG near you 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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Best Places to Travel in November

2. 6 Ways to Tame Airline Nightmares

3. Why TikTok Could Change How We Explore the World

4. 5 destinations that are ideal for solo pandemic travel

5. Netherlands Drops Quarantine for Vaccinated U.S. Travelers

6. Get the Best Rates on Your Hotel Room With These Simple Tips

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. ALL THE FALL RENTALS - I feel like I am a bit premature on renting ALL the fall outfits haha (the weather is still so warm at home) but I’m trying to soak it all in before I head to Palm Springs and have 100 degree temps every day lol. I rented this EPIC AMUR sweater dress from Rent the Runway that I’m seriously going to have separation anxiety from when it has to go back. PS - you can use code RTRALLEP to get 40% off two months of an 8 or 16 item plan.

2. HALLOWEEN CAT HOUSE - If you saw my IG stories over Labor Day Weekend you saw the plethora of cat-scratching houses we have at the house. The cats are obsessed with their taco truck & meow yacht houses lol so Target came out with their Halloween line, I had to get them the pirate ship (although I think it’s gonna be a pain in the ass to build lol)

WHERE TO NEXT?

FINALLY, IT’S HERE! My Paros guide is LIVE! Paros is by far the coolest island in Greece and I fell in love with its laid-back vibes, delicious cuisine, and turquoise blue waters. In this video, I'm sharing the top 10 things you need to do when you visit Paros. Watch & save this for when you’re ready to visit!

And if you want to know what it’s like to travel to Greece right now, watch this video.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

HONESTLY, THIS IS THE HALLOWEEN CONTENT I NEED RIGHT NOW HAHAHA

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 29

IT’S A BIG DAY TODAY…

It’s Mama Linda’s bday!! My travel partner in crime and the queen of feeding stray cats around the world is one year older today and if you want to wish Linda a happy b-day yourself, you can head to this post right here!

This past week I’ve been a lil all over the place. I’m finalizing my work and travel schedule for the end of 2021 and I’m excited to be visiting some old and new spots here in the US. Linda and I are about to head out on a fall road trip at the end of the week and will be working with the tourism board of one of our FAVORITE destinations to peep some leaves.

Will share where we’re headed on IG this week and of course share ALL the recs with the homies.

After that trip, I’ll be making the pilgrimage back to Palm Springs to host the BNP Paribas Open in October (YAY!!!) and spend some time on my travel series with Visit GPS and catch up with all my old pals. I’ve got a few more little work trips here and there for the rest of the year but will primarily be spending the rest of the year at home working on our mom-daughter group trips & show.

IDK if you feel this way but where the heck did the year 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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. 8 European cities that are best experienced in the fall

2. Spain Closes To Unvaccinated U.S. Travelers Following Netherlands, Norway, Italy And Others

3. France bans unvaccinated American travelers

4. Fines for refusing to wear a mask on a plane will double, Biden says

5. Which Vaccine Passport App Should I Use?

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. ROADTRIPPERS.COM - I shared this website in my Travel Tip Tuesday post last week (peep my highlights) but this is a fantastic resource for planning any road trip, especially if you want to discover cool spots along your journey. I’ve been using this to plan our upcoming trip and just discovered there’s this beautiful castle along our drive that I would have NEVER known about had I not used this site.

2. LEARNING HOW TO READ TAROT CARDS - So, I’ve decided I need more hobbies that have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with work or travel cause like #worklifebalance. I’ve always LOVED having my tarot cards read and have kinda dabbled with learning in the past. But the other day I came across this incredibly beautiful set of cards and decided to fully commit to learning. PS - I was nervous that I shouldn’t have bought them for myself because apparently, that’s taboo but this article dispels that myth. Also here’s an article that tells you how to get started in case you’re interested too!

AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE!

Friends, I swear I will have new YouTube videos from my summer travels out this week. Work has just been a bit cray cray and usually, the first thing to drop off is editing youtube videos. So until I get my act together I wanted to share some of my Chicago recs because as summer comes to a close we only have a few more weeks of nice weather to truly soak up the beauty of our city.

So here’s a little breakdown of some of my favorite neighborhoods in the city and what to do in each!!

PS make sure to check out my more in-depth Chicago neighborhood guides here.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

A Harry Potter TikTok dance to WAP is what we all needed right now.

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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. 28

I’M IN ENERGY-SAVING MODE RN

OOOOOOOO man, I feel like I can safely say I made the MOST of Shot Girl Summer 2021. From filming a TV show pilot, to traveling throughout Europe for nearly a month & wrapping up hosting a 3-day travel conference as the “Chief Fun Officer” - let me just say that I feel like I FULLY made up for last summer’s lack of work/travel plans. Does anyone else feel SO exhausted after being around humans for extended periods of time now?! Or just me??

NEEDLESS TO SAY… MAMA NEEDS A NAP {or twenty} LOL

It’s crazy to admit as someone who LOVES travel, but I’m actually kind of excited that aside from one short {and very fall focused} trip next month, I’ll mostly be home & spending all my waking hours working on my 2022 Gals Abroad Group Trips & gearing up for a month-long work trip to Palm Springs in October {eeeeekkk}.

I know I’ve said this a bunch already but I’m BEYOND grateful to see my hosting work FINALLY start to return. And I can’t wait to once again work with two of my FAVORITE / OG clients in Palm Springs in October {more on that soon}.

Until then, I’m planning to really soak up all things Chicago this next month and immediately trade in my bathing suits for fall boots and sweater weather 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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

IT’S LIVE!!!!

Friends - I’m so excited to share the first video that Linda and I shot in Budapest & on the AmaMagna with the insanely talented Wilbert Cheng last month!! It made it’s debut at ASTA’s Global Convention this week in front of hundreds of travel professionals but I’m even more excited to share it with you!

This video was a culmination of weeks of hard work, LONG shoot days and honestly a lot of unknowns with the current state of travel right now. BUT I am BEYOND proud of how it turned out and even more honored that I had Linda by my side. Check it out and cheers to more work like this very soon ;)

THE LATEST

CALLING ALL CHICAGO GALS! Heads up that tomorrow from 5:30 - 8 p.m. I’ll be co-hosting a closet sale with 7 other Chicago bloggers at The Studio Chicago! There will be clothes that range from size 0-20 and shoes size 6-9.5! Prices will start at just $10!

The sale is FREE to attend and will be such a fun way to connect IRL & score some incredible pieces at great prices. All you have to do is RSVP to attend! I hope to see you there!

TRAVEL

1. E.U. Set to Propose Travel Restrictions on U.S. Visitors

2. Some Hotels Are Mandating Vaccines. Will Others Follow?

3. 5 Airlines with Premium Economy Cabins Worth Splurging On

4. You will need a ticket to enter the Italian city of Venice next summer

5. 11 must-do activities when visiting Chicago

6. 50+ BEST CHICAGO PATIOS - if you’re anything like me you’re trying to soak up every last bit of summer that you can {even though it’s been disgustingly humid out as of late} Regardless, I loved that fellow Chicago gal Jess Keys put together a list of the 50 best Chicago patios according to her readers!

7. How to Combat the End of Summer Slump - a great bit of advice for anyone feeling the August blues

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. AT HOME COVID TESTS - Listen…I feel like COVID is gonna be a reality we have to figure out how to live with for, well…a while. And when it comes to returning home to the US from abroad, finding a COVID test can sometimes be a hassle. So Linda and I used these Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag At-Home Test Kits before coming home from Paris and couldn’t have had an easier & seamless experience. These are one of the few (if only) self test kits approved for travel home & it literally takes less than 30 min to complete. They come in packs of 6 for $150 and you can share them with 2 other people.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

IF YOU NEED A GOOD LAUGH FOLLOW THIS HUMAN RIGHT NOW - HE PERFECTLY SUMS UP HOW I FEEL ABOUT ALL THINGS HOMEGOODS AND ICED COFFEE

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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. 27

OMGGGGGGG I’M KINDA NERVOUS!!

Tomorrow I’m getting back in the saddle! It’s been a year and a half since I’ve been on stage speaking in front of hundreds of people and FINALLY tomorrow I’m dusting off my mic & putting on my emcee hat once again.

For the next three days, I’m going to be the “Chief Fun Officer” at ASTA’s Global Convention! I’ll be speaking, hosting and interviewing attendees, speakers, and some of the biggest travel players in the game. AND this is where we will be officially debuting the video we filmed in Europe a few weeks ago.

While I LOVE working on camera creating travel videos and series, there’s something about hosting live events that lights me up. And hosting conferences, panels and events via zoom just ain’t it anymore…

That being said, it’s been a minute since I’ve been in front of this big of a crowd and I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little part of me that was like “do I remember how to do this?!”

But despite that little nervous voice inside my head, I’m so excited and beyond grateful to be able to once again do one of the jobs that truly brings me so much joy and to see the travel industry begin to gather once again.

I’ll be popping some BTS videos from the event on my IG stories so keep an eye out over there if you’re interested to see what IRL events look like nowadays.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Once Again, Travelers Ask: ‘Should I Cancel My Trip?’

2. The Organizations Aiding Afghans and How Americans Can Help

3. U.S. Passport Renewals Are Taking Months—Here's What to Know

4. The Best Places to Travel in October

5. Summer Was Europe’s Slowest Travel Season in Recent History

6. 6 Tour Companies Dedicated to Travelers with Disabilities

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. FAV PURCHASE - guys I have a new favorite house/life/everything shoe haha. I found these incredible sandals when I was shopping in Paris that come in a million colors and are made from recycled PVC and smell like bubble gum (yes they really are scented and it’s amazing hahaha). You need to get yourself a pair ASAP I’m already eyeing my second pair RN.

2. FAV LISTEN - I’ve mentioned it before but I’ll say it again, NPR’s Life Kit Podcast has ALL the answers to the most random questions you have, with advice from experts in bite-sized podcast episodes. Seriously subscribe RN. I recently have loved the Smart Investing Tips For Beginners, 4 Tips For Cleaning Up Your Social Media Diet, and How To Use Less Plastic episodes.

CURRENTLY IN MY CART

WATCH THIS!

Okay okay okay, I know…it’s not even LDW yet and I’m already talking about fall…BUT hear me out. If you’re thinking of a little road trip action this year {might be a solid option since it’s flexible & who knows what Delta will be doing…} Linda and I put together a list of our favorite fall destinations across the country. We filmed this last year but the recs still hold up ;)

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

Me when anyone asks me if I’m dating or settling down soon (lolzzzzz)…and also this

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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. 26

I HONESTLY COULD SEE MYSELF LIVING HERE FOREVER…

Hello from our new chateau home for the night - if you want to see where Linda and I are slumming it this evening ;) check out tonight’s IG post… Sometimes I honestly pinch myself that this is my job…

Since we’ve been in the Loire Valley, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with this region of France. Similar to London and the Cotswolds - I feel as if many American tourists myopically focus on Paris when they visit France and neglect to consider visiting other charming parts of the country. Which is a HUGE tragedy because the Loire Valley (and many other regions) is just such a perfect complement to the hustle and bustle of Paris.

This is one of the major reasons I want to include the Loire Valley in my mother-daughter group trip to France next year (click here if you want to know more details when it launches).

If you’re unfamiliar, the Loire Valley is one of France’s famous wine regions and also the place where you will find the largest concentration of chateaux in the world (seriously there’s some 300 along a 175 mile stretch along the Loire River). If you want to feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to see how fabulously the French aristocracy lived centuries ago, this is where you need to go. Oh, and the wine is fantastic as well.

This trip has been massively important as I plan my first ever group trip & all I keep saying to myself is “I CAN’T WAIT TO PLAN THIS FOR MY GALS!” - so if you want to get a little sneak peek at what’s in store for you if you join us next year, make sure you’re keeping your eyes on my stories!

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

THERE’S STILL TIME!!

Shot Girl Summer 21 is not over yet lol. A few of you have asked if you can still buy merch and OF COURSE, YOU CAN! Dropping the link to my shop right here & coming up with some fresh ideas for new merch later this year ;)

ANDDDD don’t forget to keep tagging me and sharing when you wear your merch!! I can’t wait to see you representing out in these streets!!!

THE FRENCH SECTION

1. Top 10 Chateaux in the Loire Valley

2. The Beginner's Guide to Drinking French Wine

3. 34 Best Things to Do in Paris

4. Why You Should Visit the Loire Valley

TRAVEL

1. What you need to know about CDC approved at home COVID tests for travel - I just used one and the entire process was SO simple

2. Should I Mask? Can I Travel? What About Hugs? How Delta Is Changing Advice for the Vaccinated

3. Canada will mandate COVID-19 vaccine for air and rail travel

4. If your travel plans weren’t already uncertain, now Mother Nature is fighting your vacation

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. GO TO TRAVEL HAT: I got a lot of questions about my hats on this trip so I figured I’d share. It’s pretty simple - I NEVER travel without a hat and my go-to is usually the Lack of Color rancher and/or the Lack of Color Rivera Cap (I linked these on Amazon to save you the $30 shipping if you buy direct from Lack of Color in OZ)

2. CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: The Glo Show’s recent episode about how to prep for a speech/talk / public speaking. I’m gearing up to speak at the ASTA Global Convention next week as their in-house “Chief Fun Officer” and it will be the first time I’m on a big stage in front of hundreds of people in maybe 2 years…So I’m a bit rusty and I figured any tips from Queen Glo (who just recently shared the stage with Tony Robins) couldn’t hurt. Plus her podcast is EPIC and jam-packed with loads of useful info for biz owners and high achievers.

CURRENTLY IN MY CART

THANK YOU FOR 1K!!

Almost exactly a year ago today I re-launched my Youtube Channel. I had ZERO expectations or even a clue as to what I was doing. I only knew that I wanted to talk about travel & share any tips that might be useful to you as the world tried to wrap its mind around a global pandemic and it was truly unclear when we would be able to safely travel again.

I opened my youtube the other day to respond to a comment (which honestly I neglect often…) and I was shocked to see that I had hit 1K subscribers !! One of my goals when I started creating videos last year was to hit 1K a year after I re-launched and to see that I achieved that is A HUGE WIN for me.

To all of you that have watched, commented, shared, liked, and HOPEFULLY found value in these videos, I am truly grateful. You would be blown away to know the amount of time and effort it takes to create these videos and knowing that they are providing you value makes it all worth it.

I just got the most incredible email the other day for a travel opportunity that I can’t wait to share and the only reason this person found me was from my Youtube - SO I share this so say that if there’s something you’ve wanted to start, launch or create - DO IT. It’s not too late to start and it’s important to get your reps in now before there’s an audience, before the stakes are high so that when your people show up (which they will) you’ll be ready because you’ve already put in the time and the effort before anyone was watching.

Here’s a throwback to the video I re-launched my channel with last summer (lolz)

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

I don’t want to watch anyone make guacamole any other way after watching this…hahahhahah

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 25

BONJOUR DE PARIS!!!

AHHHHHH!!! Linda and I are in the city of lights! I haven’t been to Paris since 2013 when I was a broke as a joke college student traveling with my BFF post-study abroad and I have to say that I’m THRILLED to have a do-over!

The reason Linda and I are here is to kinda-sorta play first-time tourist while we plan my very first Mother-Daughter Gals Abroad Getaway trip to France next year (I guess I’m announcing that RN lol). We are scoping out hotels, tours, restaurants, exclusive experiences & even meeting with some French aristocracy to see if we can borrow a chateau for a few nights stay ;) (seriously…think French Downton Abbey vibes) This trip is going to be unlike ANYTHING you could book for yourself & will be full of quintessentially extra, epic and off the beaten path experiences.

Keep your eyes on my IG stories and page to get some sneak peeks of what you can expect from this trip. NOTHING is final or official yet BUT we want to make sure we are first and foremost experiencing everything for ourselves before we even think about putting these trips together for YOU.

BUT if you think you might be interested in learning more about this trip or other mother-daughter or gal pal group trips, make sure you are signed up for my Gals Abroad newsletter (it’s separate from the Abroad in Your Inbox newsletter). This one is where I’ll announce trips, discounts, and deets on any and all group trips. Click here to put your name on the list.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. Is It Safe to Plan International Fall Travel Right Now?

2. How To Support Efforts To Tackle The Turkey & Greece Wildfires

3. Ways to Support Small Businesses When You Travel

4. 6 Tips for Starting out as a Digital Nomad

5. What Do Cabin Crew Really Think of Their Uniforms?

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. A NICE A$$ PAIR OF TRAVEL PJS - Truly fam, there’s really nothing better and these are my favs: a satin pair & this Show Me Your Mumu set

2. SLEEP - and honestly I need so much of it RN that I’m keeping this email short and sweet.

CURRENTLY IN MY CART

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

Honestly, I’ve never felt more seen…ANYONE ELSE?!!?!?

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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. 24

HELLO FROM THE DANUBE!

Linda and I have been filming in Europe for a week now and WOAH has it been wild and crazy. 4 hours of sleep, waking up with the sun, shooting until nighttime, and repeating it all again the next day. It’s funny when you’re actually doing the THING you’ve dreamed about for YEARS, you forget to eat, sleep or even take a moment to breathe lol.

Working with the insanely talented @wilbyyyy and our partners at ASTA and Visit Hungary has truly made this whole filming process such a treat - and you guys…these videos…I feel like we’re making a feature film rather than a travel series haha. {seriously check out Wilbert’s YouTube channel to see the types of films he creates they are INSANE}

This is the first time I’m having a bit of a moment to myself to write down and reflect on the past few days. We’re about to get on a river cruise down the Danube on the AmaMaga for the next 7 days passing through Slovakia, Austria and ending in Germany. And while our filming schedule is tight, I’m going to try and share as much as I can on IG so make sure you’re keeping an eye over there if you think you’d like to visit these countries or try a river cruise someday.

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 & make you giggle {because what’s the point if we can’t laugh!?}

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

THE LATEST

TRAVEL

1. THE UK WILL SOON BE OPEN TO FULLY VAXXED AMERICANS - here’s what you need to know

2. U.S. to Keep International Travel Bans in Place Amid Variant Concerns

3. UNESCO Adds 33 New Sites to Its 2021 World Heritage List

4. 63 Recipes That Will Transport You to Every Corner of the Globe

5. The Travel Agent Is Back. Here’s Why You Need One

CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER

1. FAV PURCHASE - I bought this $32 dress in 3 different colors and styles and I’ve been wearing it on repeat in Europe. It gives me flouncy milkmaid sound of music vibes and I am HERE for it lol. Plus the price is unbeatable.

2. THE ONE TECHY THING I NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT - It’s under $40 and you will be thanking me for years to come.

CURRENTLY IN MY CART

WATCH THIS…

This is one of my favorite videos that my new pal Wilbert shot when he was in Morocco. I truly can’t tell you how lucky I feel to be able to work with such incredibly talented & NICE people. I wanted to share because so many of you have LOVED the clips of his that I’ve shared on my stories during this trip so I thought I’d give you a little taste of what’s to come from the videos we’re creating.

HAPPY ENDING (AKA SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY THIS WEEK)

THIS TICKLED ME…..THAT’S ALL

WANT TO GET ALL THESE GOODIES 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!