Boise had me at hello. It’s probably one of the most delightfully surprising destinations I’ve ever visited. It’s full of local charm while having a cosmopolitan feel.

Read about my latest trip to Denver. The capital city of the state of Colorado might not be the most popular choice for a weekend trip. But as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, the “Mile High City” has more than plenty of outdoor activities to offer. It’s also surprising, with a lively downtown area and multiple culinary offerings.

For our first vacation since moving to San Francisco, we opted for the Caribbean, more precisely: Puerto Rico. As a U.S. territory, Isla Verde offers a great scope of accessibility and comprehensible entry restrictions (during the pandemic), and with every large airline offering direct flights from their hubs in the South East, we took the opportunity to combine the vacation with not only one, but two city trips.

Our first approach to Texas was Austin, where we spent three days / three nights at before heading to Puerto Rico. The city is known for its outstanding food scene and great live music venues but also for its general weirdness. Read more about my places to stay, my favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, and what else to do in Austin in my Travel Diary.