Choosing Travel

Okay, here we go…

Hello and welcome to my blog! There is also a fabulous Instagram account if you wish to follow along in a more visual way (shown at the bottom of this post).

Here I will be talking about my travels and my love for travel. This will include but not be limited to: all the ways I try and save money/decide where I want to splurge on a specific trip, when I dine out vs. when I grab something from a local shop on the run, my favorite places I have been so far, places still at the top of my list, how I think I should pack/how I am TRYING to pack, how I actually pack, finding the joy in the place you live, finding reasons to get out of the house, things that I love when traveling, things that were not worth the money, and my least favorite things about travel (spoiler it’s the plane). That list kept getting longer, and longer, I just kept thinking of all the things I want to share.

I hope you find it entertaining and maybe informative. If you don’t, just don’t tell me because I am fragile.

Shoutout to my coworker Jennie and my little sister Arla for pushing me here. If you hate it, feel free to also blame them- I will.

Introduction to Me

My name is Annika, I am currently in my mid 20s (give or take), living just outside of NYC with my boyfriend, one of our best friends, and Eli our pup. I am not from New York, but I have worked very hard to make my way out here. I was born in Green Bay, WI and moved throughout the Midwest growing up. I graduated high school in Missouri, started college at the University of Arkansas before transferring to Stony Brook University on Long Island.

I went to school on a scholarship for Track and Cross Country and I am still competing with hopes of being at the Olympic trials this summer. There will almost certainly be running updates in these posts. Among other things, I also love to cook and bake. I will try any new recipe offered so fire away! I also love fashion and that will surely make its way into these posts as I hope these start and center around travel, but grow to encompass my life, why travel is so important, and everything that ties in to finding what you love.

Upcoming for me

As someone who has a huge obsession with her closet, a lot of the travel content will either be about or include packing information. I don’t want to say tips, because what I do may not work for everyone or suit your specific trip. However, I will throw out a lot of packing ideas that you may or may not like (almost all of which I picked up from doing the wrong thing more than once).

I have a trip coming up next week: 8 days, 2 in Zurich, Switzerland and then 6 in Italy split between Rome and Sorrento. For the first time in my life, I am hoping to not overpack so I can bring back all the goodies. Who knows, we’ll see. I will say this, which is in line with probably every other travel blogger out there, I have NEVER needed anywhere close to all of the clothes I have packed for a vacation. My older sister likes to under pack so maybe there is something psychological there that I can blame on her.

A photo from my last trip to Italy.

What is next for the blog?

Well… I have a few posts lined up, but if you think I am missing the mark, have any questions, or want to know more about me and my travels just reach out! And Stay tuned for more!