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Hey Reader, I've been holding off on sending my October newsletter because I really wanted to let you know of some new guides. However, I got derailed with a busy conference week for work (which was very exciting as it was here in Kigali and I got to show my colleagues around). Their favorite places to go were Boho Lounge for the African Gastronomy menu and Repub Lounge. I also took them to the Abraham Konga Collection for shopping. Expect a Pacific guide to come out in the next month. This weekend, we are headed with some friends to climb Bisoke, one of the (apparently) more manageable volcanoes in Volcanoes National Park. I'm a little worried because it's expected to rain while we are hiking (it'll take around 5 hours), and it'll be a muddy route to the top! You can read up on some of my favorite things to do around the park. For my DC peeps, as a result of the government shutdown, many of the Smithsonian Museums are closed. If you've got friends in town or are looking for something to do, check out my new list of interesting museums in DC that aren't part of the Smithsonian. Many of them even have deals for federal workers, where entry tickets are free or reduced. Quite a few of the museums in the guide are free anyway. On my sister's last trip to Spain, she fell in love with Cadiz and talked about it so much! It backfired on her because then I asked her to write a blog so we can all take advantage of her tips. Thanks, Sitara! Offline Guide and Google Map PinsI've been adding more offline guides to my website, and I've also released some Google Map Pins for my restaurant recommendations. If you like to wander around and not plan your meal while traveling, then these pins are perfect for you. Simply look at the map (available offline as well) and see what my closest recommendation is. I’ll be updating these maps more often than the blog posts, so you’ll always have my latest recommendations on hand. 2025 Vacation Cheat SheetPlan out the rest of the year's vacays with suggestions by month!
This post may contain affiliate links US Getaway: Head to Richmond for an easy weekend getaway with great food and museums. European Getaway: Visit Germany for Oktoberfest and Black Forest towns like Freiburg, or hop across the border and head to Strasbourg in France. African Getaway: Rwanda – Visit Rwanda’s golden monkeys, go on safari, and take an epic bike ride. South Africa: It’s the perfect time to visit the jacarandas in Johannesburg. Groups like Johannesburg in Your Pocket and New in Town are offering walking tours to explore the city's best blooms. Shoulder Season in Europe: Greece – Avoid crowds and heat at the Acropolis while eating your way through Athens. African Getaway: Togo – The beginning of the dry season, explore Lomé and Wli (the highest waterfall in West Africa). South Africa: Blyde River Canyon along South Africa’s hidden Panorama Route is a 160km scenic route in the province of Mpumalanga, perfect for a week-long adventure. US: In DC, check out the latest free museum Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. Entrance is free, but you need to get a timed entry ticket (which is also available minutes before entering). The exhibits are really interesting, and there are plenty of interactive elements as well. Master planner? If you’re lucky, you'll be able to take off the time between Christmas and New Year's, giving you around 10 to 14 days (depending on your work schedule). You can really take advantage of this and visit some cool places. For a tropical holiday, spend Christmas in St. Lucia or enjoy the festive atmosphere in Colombia. Looking for adventure? Take a South African wildlife trip with a combo of Cape Town, the Garden Route, and a safari. Help me plan for 2026!What did you think of the Vacation Guide for 2025? Are the details in the emails too much, not enough? Do you just want one month ahead or a single country focus each month? I'd love your thoughts on how to approach my newsletters in 2026. Just click reply with your quick thoughts! You can keep up to date on what I'm up to on Instagram. Otherwise, see you next month! |
Each month, you’ll get travel tips, destination inspo, and the first deets on where I’ve been lately.
Hey Reader, While many parts of the world rely heavily on distinct winter and summer seasons, that really isn't the case here in Kigali. Although June through September is technically the dry season, the year-round 6:00 PM sunset doesn't exactly lend itself to those long summer nights you get elsewhere. I can't complain, though. Kigali has some of the best year-round weather in the world. Last month I hosted my very first art tour, and it was so great! We had a wonderful mix of new and...
Hey Reader, May is officially my final chill month before the summer travel madness kicks in. So this month I’m trying to take full advantage of everything Kigali has to offer. This past Sunday was Car Free Day in Kigali. Honestly, I’ve only ever made it to one before because that 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM window usually feels a bit too early for me. But a friend and I made a point to get up early this time, and we ended up clocking 9km just wandering around! It’s such a cool community experience....
Hey Reader, It’s been a minute since my last newsletter (again)! After exploring Djibouti and Addis Ababa over Christmas and NYE, I fell back into a nice routine in Kigali, attempting padel, trying out new fitness classes (seriously, don't ask about the trampoline exercise haha), and exploring the city even more. Though we’ve been here a year now, it somehow feels like both more and less time has passed. We’ve also had some great friends visit us lately, so we've been wandering around the...