Travel

Santa Fe Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay, & Play

By Esperanza on May 26, 2026

Santa Fe, Santa Fe Travel guide, travel guide, New Mexico, travel, Santa Fe travel guide, boutiques, shops where to shop in Santa Fe, Santa Fe boutiques, Santa Fe shops, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations, Santa Fe restaurants, restaurant guides, Santa Fe hotel.

Our spontaneous 2-day trip to Santa Fe with my husband and toddler turned out to be the perfect little getaway to a city that had been on my bucket list for years. Known for its rich history, adobe architecture, and thriving art scene, Santa Fe completely charmed us with its creative energy and laid-back Southwestern vibe. From exploring Canyon Road’s art galleries and unique boutiques to finally visiting the iconic Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, every part of the trip felt inspiring — and the incredible food made it even better.

Leave a comment

Taormina, Sicily: A Postcard-Perfect Stop on Our Italy Honeymoon

By Esperanza on May 24, 2026

Taormina, Sicily, Italy, Italy travel, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, mommy blogger, honeymoon, honeymoon trip, Italy trip, family trip, mom style, honeymoon style, dad style, baby boy style, European style, vintage style.

Our time in Sicily came toward the end of our three-week honeymoon trip through Italy with our toddler, and it ended up being one of the most memorable stops of the entire trip. We took a ferry from Calabria to Sicily with our rental car and drove to our beautiful boutique hotel, Donna Carmela, just outside of Catania. Since we only had one full day to explore, we decided to spend it in Taormina, and I’m so glad we did. The entire town felt like something straight out of a postcard, with its hilltop views, charming streets, and classic Sicilian atmosphere.

Leave a comment

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

3 Cute Boutiques To Shop At In Santa Fe, New Mexico

By Esperanza on

Santa Fe, New Mexico, travel, Santa Fe travel guide, boutiques, shops where to shop in Santa Fe, Santa Fe boutiques, Santa Fe shops, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations.

Santa Fe is a great town for wandering. Between the adobe architecture, endless art galleries, thoughtfully curated boutiques, and incredible food, every corner of the city felt inspiring in its own way. We spent most of our time slowly exploring local shops, discovering beautiful art, and stumbling upon places that made us want to stay a little longer. Here are a few of the spots that stood out most during our trip.

Leave a comment

Puglia, Italy | Travel

A Luxury Agriturismo Stay in Southern Italy

By Esperanza on May 23, 2026

Puglia, southern Italy, Tenuta Negroamaro, agritourismo, agritourismo hotel, agritourism, hotel stay, boutique hotel, hotel review, luxury hotel, Italy travel, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, mommy blogger, honeymoon, honeymoon trip, Italy trip, family trip, mom style, honeymoon style, dad style, baby boy style, European style, vintage style.

During our fall honeymoon trip through Italy, we spent two unforgettable nights at Tenuta Negroamaro in the heart of Puglia. Arriving during the off-season meant we had the entire property almost completely to ourselves, which somehow made the experience feel even more intimate and magical. Rainy skies settled over the countryside during our stay, but instead of taking away from the experience, the weather wrapped everything in a quiet, cozy charm. Between the warm hospitality, thoughtful boutique hotel touches, and the stunning interiors designed by a London-based interior designer, it quickly became one of the most memorable stays of our trip.

Leave a comment

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

5 Cute Restaurants We Loved in Santa Fe, NM

By Esperanza on May 4, 2026

Santa Fe, New Mexico, travel, Santa Fe travel guide, restaurant guide, where to eat in Santa Fe, Santa Fe coffee shops, Santa Fe restaurants, family travel, family blogger, travel blogger, family style, travel style, The Urban Darling, travel destinations.

Santa Fe has a way of pulling you in. Between the adobe architecture, vibrant art scene, and endless sunshine, it’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and savor everything, especially the food. On a recent two-day trip, my husband, our toddler, and I made it a point to find spots that were not only delicious but also welcoming and full of charm. We ended up discovering five places that felt just right. Cute, memorable, and perfect for a little family adventure.

2 Comments

Ostuni, Italy | Travel

Wandering the White City: A Quick Stop in Ostuni, Italy

By Esperanza on April 28, 2026

Ostuni, Puglia, Italy, Southern Italy, Italy travel, slow travel, travel guide, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, honeymoon, Newlyweds, toddler parents, travel style, family style, coffee shop, Sponda, lifestyle shop.

The drive from Matera into Puglia felt like a shift into a slower, softer kind of travel. On our honeymoon road trip through southern Italy, with our toddler along for the adventure, we made a quick stop in Ostuni, the famous “White City.” Set up on a hill and surrounded by olive groves, the whole town seems to glow. The whitewashed buildings aren’t just beautiful, they were historically painted with lime to reflect the heat and even help protect against disease. We didn’t have much time, but it didn’t take long to see why people love it here.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Travel

Our Family Stay At El Rey Court In Santa Fe, NM

By Esperanza on April 25, 2026

Santa Fe, Santa Fe travel, Santa Fe hotel, New Mexico, New Mexico travel, boutique hotel, hotel review, hotel stay, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, travel recommendations, hotel, El Rey Court, travel style, family style, hotel style, hotel design, Southwestern style.

There’s something special about packing up the car on a whim and heading somewhere new, especially as a family. Our spontaneous trip to Santa Fe turned into one of those unexpectedly perfect getaways—equal parts adventure and relaxation. From the moment we arrived at El Rey Court, we felt like we had discovered a place that truly captured the spirit of the Southwest while still being welcoming and comfortable for traveling with a toddler.

Alberobello, Italy | Travel

Visiting the Fairytale Town of Alberobello in Puglia, Italy

By Esperanza on April 20, 2026

Some of the most memorable moments from our honeymoon in Italy came from the unplanned stops along the way. While driving from Matera to the coast of Puglia, we mapped out a few towns to visit, hoping to experience a little more of the region beyond our final destination. One of those stops was Alberobello—a place I had seen photos of before and knew I didn’t want to miss. Even though it was just a quick stop, it ended up being one of the most charming and memorable parts of our entire drive.

Phoenix, Arizona, USA | Travel

5 Cute Spots I’ve Visited Recently In Phoenix, AZ

By Esperanza on April 19, 2026

Phoenix, Phoenix coffee, Phoenix restaurants, Phoenix spots, Phoenix coffee shops, coffee shops, restaurants, foodie guide, restaurant guide, travel guide, travel blogger, The Urban Darling.

Living in Phoenix, I’ve definitely figured out what I like when it comes to going out: if it’s not cute, aesthetic, and actually has good food or coffee, I’m probably not going. Lately, I’ve been trying a mix of newer spots and long-awaited ones with friends and family, and a few have really stood out. These are all places I’ve personally been to recently—and would genuinely go back to.

Matera, Italy | Travel

Matera: Italy’s Underrated Ancient City We Didn’t Expect to Love

By Esperanza on April 15, 2026

Matera, Italy, Basilicata, Southern Italy, Unesco Heritage Site, travel guide, Caveoso district, Sassi di Matera, family travel, travel blogger, family blogger, honeymoon, Newlyweds, toddler parents.

Our time in Matera was one of the most memorable stops of our trip. We spent 2 1/2 days in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, arriving with high expectations after seeing it on so many travel lists and photos over the years. There was always something intriguing about its ancient cave dwellings and dramatic hillside setting, and we were genuinely excited to finally experience it for ourselves. What we didn’t expect, however, was how quickly we would fall in love with it. From the moment we arrived, Matera felt unlike anywhere else we had ever been, both raw and beautiful in a way that immediately stayed with us.