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.
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.
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.
It’s been such a full, beautiful, and honestly busy season for our family. Andrew and I got married last September, then one month later headed off on a three-week honeymoon through Italy, which still feels like a dream. We came home, celebrated Sage turning two in January, and then jumped straight into our move to Colorado in March. It’s been one milestone after another, and for a while it felt like we were just trying to keep up. But now that we’re finally settled, everything feels calmer and more intentional—and it gave us the space to ask ourselves what we wanted next for our family.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Andrew and I recently watched The Plastic Detox on Netflix, and honestly, we were shocked by what we learned, especially about how microplastics can impact our health. We’ve always tried to be intentional with how we live. Clean beauty, sustainable products, and healthy eating have been important to both of us since we first met, so we felt like we were already doing a pretty good job. Our home was filled with non-toxic cleaning supplies, organic foods, and we avoided things like synthetic perfumes and conventional deodorants. But this documentary opened our eyes in a completely new way, and as parents, it hit even deeper.
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