Thermal baths, cathedrals that tower over the city, castles and mountain views—Budapest has now been crowned one of my new favorite places. Read more about one of the most magical places on earth (and no, it is not Disney!)

You may have wondered what’s next for me, why I’ve been slowing down my business, halting orders, dropping hints…

Well, I’m excited, scared, proud, and giddy to share (truly all the feelings) that I am heading back to Europe!

Boats floating on the canal, tons of tiny lattes, layers of clothes, bustling markets, and many pints of beer and ciders—London was a glorious trip. This month I got to travel across the world for a short week to visit my best friend who is currently studying Law in London. I’m so immensely grateful for those special high school friends who you grow with over the years and grateful to call Ciara a lifelong friend. We got to catch up with our own lives while diving into the hidden gems and not-so-hidden gems of London. Below are some of my favorite noteworthy pieces of the trip.

Palm Beach Culture was so kind as to send me for a little vacay to the Palm Beaches last weekend. Here, I was able to experience so many arts and cultural experiences. I had to put the itinerary together so that you can experience this beautiful city as well!

Our trip to Washington was sweet and lovely. I’m going to make a list of the highlights and best places to make your trip just as wonderful!

Having a week filled with work, anxiety, and some bad news—I was in need of a change of position. Easily enough, my two incredible roommates, convinced me to spontaneously fly with them to Chicago.

Of course I couldn’t say no.

There were moments I struggled with my own comfort zone. Struggling moments that could be as simple as speaking a language I didn’t know (even though I was terrified of butchering the words). Yet I found ways to push through my comfort zone and expand my boundaries. My everyday tendencies had the most impact in the end, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.

My bus arrived late that night, so my friend I made in Prague, picked me up late and took me to see the Brandenburg Gate, which was illuminated with a warm glow against the dark night. It was raining but since we were the only ones there, it felt a bit magical.

I landed in Rome on Good Friday. Kristen and I had plans to go to the passing of the crosses, yet by the time we reached it, the crowd was already piling out. The nuns we passed still had their candles clutched between their fingers. The “cake building”, also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele, was illuminated against the deep navy blue night sky, with the moon shining brightly in the back.

Some stranger rolled down his window and yells in a thick Norwegian accent, “SHELBY!?” Gier, our Airbnb host, was one of the most charismatic people in Oslo. He greeted us eagerly, took our bulky luggage into his tiny car, and drove us to our apartment for the weekend. Mind you, when I say tiny—my cheek was practically pressed against the window.

We explored more around Old Town, and ended up getting raspberry hot wine which was too strong for my liking, so we had to treat the drink like a shot. We got into a great conversation so continued the night with two bags of lays chips and another bottle of wine, and then lounged around in our Airbnb, laughing, while FaceTiming our friends.

From chasing after a bus back to Prague, yodeling in the Austrian mountains, to eating our entire weight in gelato—Vienna and Salzburg left me with great memories.