Would You Travel Alone?

I would and I did! I was 17 the first time I went to the US on my own. This time though I went to the UK and Spain.

As I sit comfortably at the airport waiting to board the plane that will take me back home I can honestly say I love traveling.

From the "What if I made a trip?" part to the going back home flight, I truly enjoy every bit of it. Actually one of my happy places is the airport. Yup, dreaded by many loved by few. I'm one of the lucky few! I absolutely enjoy the airport experience. I always want to arrive early so that I can relax, have a cup of coffee, and finally, la pièce de résistance: explore the duty free shop!

Today I savoured the “happy place” like never before. I left the hotel at 6 pm and although my flght leaves at 11:50 pm, I went straight to the airport. Ahh... those hours flew by. I'm about to board the plane any minute now. 

I've had enough time for perfume testing and chocolate buying. I also had a heavenly coffee + donut combo. 

But enough about my happy place. Let's talk about traveling solo.

Why Travel Alone?

1) It's liberating. 

You can literally do whatever you want. After all, there's only you there, so you better do that which only you feel like doing! Like visiting the Goop store in Notting Hill...

Literally, you can walk around Notting Hill streets all day long if you feel so inclined.

Or spend a whole afternoon learning how each and every painting came to be at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

Or just listen to live street music 🎼in Barcelona's Gothic Neighborhood.

2) It's empowering. 

You are in charge of what, when, where, and how regarding absolutely every single event during that trip. Empowerment and responsibilities go hand in hand though, meaning there's nobody there to remind you of important check out times, flights and hotel reservations. Totally doable if you ask me. Just keep good track of those specific things and problem solved.

Did you arrive on a Kings Day in Barcelona and the taxi cannot reach your hotel because streets are closed and there's people everywhere watching the Parade? You walk baby...yes with all the luggage. 

But then again, keep in mind that on the plus side you can take the ultimate #ootd photo at Kensington Palace without potentially being frowned upon by fellow family members...

3) Adapt, learn, and evolve. 

Challenges, unforseen circumstances or last minute changes can happen. A great way to learn and improve. 

If you tend to be more of an extrovert you might feel a bit lonely at times but you can always hire a guided tour, meet fellow travelers and chat away. Regardless of where you go I'm pretty sure you'll find a wide array of tour modalities available.

4) No need to plan too much or follow a schedule. 

Just wake up, and ask yourself what you feel like doing that day over breakfast. "Yourself" can be very kind with you and will do whatever you prefer. 

Me: "I should go to Harrods".
Also me: "Definitely, Harrods it is!"

I didn't have to even make a point of it being decorated for Christmas or anything of the sort. 

5) Know thyself. 

You learn a lot about YOU while traveling solo. You discover what you really enjoy sans the kids, husband, significant others, etc.

Have you ever traveled alone?

P.S. This is me and myself in Barcelona talking about traveling alone and about my interview with Balance Psychologies. The Interview will be a three video series coming up next week on my YouTube channel! Please do subscribe so you don't miss this series. It's going to be awesome.

Beautiful (and quiet?) Buenos Aires

Last Saturday I attended a conference in the heart of the city of Buenos Aires, a few blocks away from the Obelisco, and I can safely say I'm back in love with my city.

What usually puts me off about downtown is that it's excessively busy. 

However, this conference, which of course I'll tell you all about in an upcoming blog post, was held on a Saturday, and since Argentina is a Catholic country, December 8 is a Holiday: day of the Immaculate Conception. I'd never seen Buenos Aires City so quiet!

I still can't believe there weren't any cars in these pics! 

Anyways...I just wanted to report that Buenos Aires is looking especially nice these days in case you ever want to venture into visiting these southern lands.

Have a great week!

Alina

P.S. Street Style...Buenos Aires and Walking in the Little Paris of Buenos Aires

Winter Break in Las Leñas, Argentina

My two boys and I just came back from our vacation in Las Leñas, Mendoza, Argentina. 

I filmed a little vlog while we were there, somewhere in between snowboarding lessons and snowball fights. I think that the structure of a "What I Ate Wednesday" brings the perfect excuse for vlogging. Plus I was staying at a hotel that had a great cuisine so I felt like I had to document it.

Helsinki Grill & Bar made our trip a lot more enjoyable. The food is really delicious there, and I fully recommend this place if you ever visit Las Leñas in Argentina. Just don't forget to order tiramisu for dessert! 

I hope you enjoy the video, and the view!

Meeting my Spanish Family for the First Time

A couple of years ago my dad received a phone call from Spain. At the time, he was on vacation in one of Argentina's most beautiful Provinces, Córdoba, completely unaware of the emotionally charged news that this phone call had in store for him. 

He soon found out that his grandfather's nieces and nephews were tracing the family tree trying to reach the lost uncle's offspring who had emigrated from Puente del Congosto, Spain to Argentina in search of greener pastures during a very harsh post war period. 

As for those brothers and sisters, who stayed in Spain, they never stopped missing the long gone sibling, so they made a point of finding us! 

Soon after that phone call, my parents flew to Salamanca, Spain, to meet my father's newly found family. After assessing physical and personality related similarities over big laughs and seriously amazing food, they became very close in a matter of days.  

A few years passed since then, and now, I had the opportunity to meet them as well. So you can imagine my excitement when I met my relatives there. 

My thoughts and glimpses of this gorgeous place are in the following vlog. 




Have you got relatives living in different countries than your own?

Beautiful Hotel in The Italian Alpes - HOTEL HERMITAGE CERVINIA

*That's me taking a pic of my boys playing in the snow. Thanks for taking this picture dad! You've always had my back.

During my stay in Breuil-Cervinia, I felt like being in a magical place. After all, this is what we want all vacations to feel like, right?

This was the case. Everything turned out more than fine.

Breuil-Cervinia

The place is really a ski paradise. The best snow everyday, all the time. The atmosphere is lovely, relaxed, family oriented, and cool.

The most perfect snow was always there for skiers to enjoy in the gorgeous Alpes. 

The Hotel

Oh! Where to begin...

What stroke me as interesting and cool at the same time, was the combination of cozy cabin vibe with modern luxury, all in one. 

You get the mountain warmth in the lobby and common facilities while your room is modern and with everything, and I mean everything you could possibly need to make your stay comfortable and fun.

What's most special about the Hermitage Cervinia is that the owners make a point of supervising everything, which is quite a unique thing, considering this is not a bed and breakfast.

It is actually a luxury hotel with a cuisine that has nothing to envy 3 Michelin star restaurants. It's even better, if you add to the equation the kindness, friendliness, and professionalism of the headwaiter, and waiters.

  
The Chef makes delicious top quality dishes. Food was amazing, to say the 
least.

Rooms are spacious, super clean and modern. You'll see everything in the video.

My family and I had such a lovely time there. Definitely a hotel and place to recommend, and that I hope I can return to some day. 

The Most Beautiful Bookshop in The World

Last week was the last week of our Winter holidays, and I wanted to take my boys to a special place here in Buenos Aires. I wanted them to see what the city they were born in has to offer. 

Although it can be challenging to compete with iPads and Play Stations, at the age of 11 and soon-to-be 13, my idea to visit this bookstore ended up being a good one. They really liked it.

It's all in this short video, enjoy!




P.S. Yes it is the most beautiful bookshop in the world, and no, I'm not biased...(may be a little bit?) The grandiosity and charm of this bookshop is due to the fact that it was built in a former theater! 

Alina

A Four Minute Stroll Around Buenos Aires

Hi!  I had this footage of Buenos Aires stored in my computer decided that it would be a great way for you to see what it's like down here in the Southern Hemisphere!

I hope you like it. 


Alina