20 Blog Posts To Read If You Need a Mental Escape Right Now

Raise your hand if you’re feeling anywhere from “slightly” to “completely” overwhelmed by the state of the world right now, or are one COVID-19 news update away from a mental breakdown 🙋🏼

Honestly, I am! Over the weekend we flew from San Jose (which is now under “shelter in place” orders) to Austin, where gatherings of 10+ people have been banned and bars and restaurants are closed until May.

I won’t lie—arriving here with zero groceries, emergency supplies, toilet paper (!!!) or personal belongings was pretty nerve-wracking for me. I truly wasn’t sure what to expect.

Coordinating a cross-country move is stressful in the best of times, but moving during a pandemic—when it seems like the whole world is going crazy—has really triggered my anxiety.

Fortunately, things are going just fine. The local grocery stores have plenty of food, and our jobs are stable and allow us to work from home. My heart is broken for the millions of Americans who will suffer financially from this crisis, and I know how lucky we are to be in our position.

To calm my own nerves, I’ve been re-reading some of my blog posts about my favorite destinations…and let me tell y’all, there is POWER in taking a mental escape.

It’s refreshing to be reminded of the beauty of the world, and to focus my mental energy on something other than this pandemic. 

I’ve actually promised myself that I’m not going to check the new AT ALL today. I’ll find out what I’ve missed tomorrow—but today, I’m daydreaming my way to somewhere beautiful and relaxing.

For anyone who is in the same boat, I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite blog posts to help you make a mental escape. Pick a topic that calls out to you, and let yourself be carried away to a far-off destination…

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Whimsical Getaways

Fantasy filming locations, unusual accommodations, epicenters of history and culture…for one reason or another, these destinations are among the dreamiest places I’ve ever visited. What I wouldn’t give to be sipping wine in a treehouse or giving my best Daenerys Targaryen impression right now!

1. The Treehouse of Your Childhood Dreams: Glamping on a Northern California Vineyard

I’ve slept in my fair share of imaginative accommodations over the years, but my stay in a treehouse in the Santa Cruz Mountains most closely resembled the ultimate “secret treehouse hideaway” fantasy from my younger years…plus some amazing views (and wine!).

2. If You’re a Bird, I’m a Bird! “Glamping” in the Twig Hut at Treebones Big Sur

Imagine waking up in a nest-like structure perched among the forested hills of Big Sur. Smooth, woven branches and twigs hold the nest in place, sheltering you from the elements. On one side, the branches splay out to reveal a circular opening, from which you can see striking views of the wild California coast…

3. Quest for the Iron Throne: Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Croatia

Although Game of Thrones filming locations are scattered – quite literally! – across the globe, Croatia has a very high concentration of them, making it one of the best places for fans to visit. We visited destinations like the city of Meereen, Qarth, and King’s Landing.

4. Temples and Tea in Hangzhou: Uncovering China’s Ancient Culture

Hangzhou has flourished for thousands upon thousands of years; it has seen entire centuries-long dynasties rise and fall, and stood strong as major cultural and historical moments came to pass. And over the years, it has attracted the attention and praise of countless emperors, leaders, explorers, artists, writers, and merchants from various eras for its immense cultural significance and natural beauty.

5. Gorgeous Guanajuato: Discovering the Soul of Mexico’s Colonial Heartland

The architecture here is among the most beautiful and elegant I’ve seen in all of Mexico, and the atmosphere is joyful and energetic. An abundance of bars and restaurants – many with outdoor seating – surround the plaza, and mariachi bands play to the enthusiastic applause of Mexican and international tourists alike.

6. Christmas at Hogwarts: Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter 

Cobblestone streets and pointed roofs piled high with snow. Frothy butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Fizzing Whizzbees, and pumpkin pasties from Honeydukes. The frog choir belting out festive songs into the chilly winter air. This is Christmas at Hogwarts.

7. Day Trip to Tequila: A Tasting Among Mexico’s Blue Agave Fields

The teeny town of Tequila – which sits nestled among the blue agave fields in the state of Jalisco – is almost exactly the type of place you’d imagine it to be: vibrant, celebratory, laid-back…and yes, with more than enough tequila to go around.

Lesser-Known Destinations

Well-known landmarks and must-visit cities are usually popular for a good reason. That said, I love seeking out under-the-radar destinations to sprinkle into my itineraries. These quiet, lesser-known hidden gems usually end up becoming the highlight of every trip!

8. The Ultimate Huahine Travel Guide

We fell in step with the slow pace of life on Huahine from day one: morning bike rides through coconut plantations, mid-day hammock naps, afternoon swims in the ocean, sunset cocktails by the water, falling asleep with the windows open when the stars come out…

9. The Charming Hilltop Towns of Green Istria, Croatia

The Istrian Peninsula is hands-down one of the most charming regions I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The sprawling landscape is rugged and captivating, dotted with wineries and olive groves, and the handful of hilltop towns are filled with charming stone alleyways, 12th century bell towers, and cozy wine cellars.

10. Tepoztlán: Off the Beaten Path in a Mountainous Pueblo Mágico

Imagine a breathtakingly beautiful faraway land where lush jungles and jagged mountains cradle a small, lost-in-time town. An ancient pyramid stands guard on one of the cliffs overlooking the town of just 15,000 people, and in the city center below, a handful of cobblestone streets merge into a bustling traditional town square…

11. Taking it Easy in Salento, Colombia

Situated in the hills of Colombia’s coffee growing region, Salento boasts a population of less than 10,000 and more charm per square inch than most towns could ever dream of achieving. As you stroll along Salento’s narrow stone streets, take note of the colorful old buildings, rolling green mountain landscapes, and easygoing vibe.

12. One Perfect Day in Pescadero, California

Pescadero is a historic farming and ranching community nestled along the Northern California coast, just north of Santa Cruz and south of Half Moon Bay. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, with a population of less than 650 people and a history stretching back to the 1850s.

13. Oysters, Wine, and Medieval Walls on Croatia’s Peljesac Peninsula

As we climb the city’s ancient stone walls, we gaze down at the landscape below: a handful of small red-roofed villages nestled between the rolling, stony hills and the sapphire blue sea, with salt flats and oyster farms sprinkled across the shimmering water and vineyards dotted throughout the land.

Heartfelt Travel Tales

Every now and then, I like to toss aside my “itinerary master crafter” hat and replace it with my “starstruck world traveler” hat. On these occasions, I skip my usual round-ups of must-see sights and carefully planned itineraries, and instead wax poetic about the destinations that have captured my heart.

14. Gaudi & The Gothic Quarter: Four Blissful Days in Barcelona

We find ourselves on the Passeig del Born – a charming, leafy avenue lined with restaurants and bars – before wandering into a small plaza. Here, we’re greeted by the sight of an imposing Catalan Gothic church – the Santa Maria Del Mar. We seek refuge inside the medieval era cathedral, breathing in the dusty air and admiring the majestic columns and rainbow of stained glass windows…

15. Finding My Home Away From Home: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Although I originally planned to stay only two or three nights in Santa Cruz, I knew after my first night there that I wasn’t going to be ready to leave any time soon. And it wasn’t just the hostel and the people there; it was the lake itself. It’s hard to describe, but looking out at Lake Atitlan, I felt almost a mystical pull towards it. It was unlike any lake I’d ever seen. It was surreal.

16. Dear Palomino, Colombia: You’re Perfect, Never Change

As the cab whipped down the two-lane highway, I noticed that the mountains were becoming gradually taller, and that the scenery was becoming greener and more lush. The humid, tropical breeze that streamed in through the cracked car windows felt amazing on my flushed skin, and I felt surprisingly content with the dried sweat on my skin, the bleeding mosquito bites on my calves, and the caked mud on my hiking boots. From one adventure to the next…

17. Stories from Shanghai: The Best of the City in 4 Vignettes

I inhale, tasting the smog and the dampness in the air as we make our way through Shanghai’s Old City. It’s Sunday, and the crowds have reached their full level of chaos and madness. Weaving through the bustling streets – feeling the thick, humid air around us and trying to bump sweaty shoulders with as few people as possible – it’s easy to overlook the ornate Chinese architecture that surrounds us…

18. First Impressions of Granada, Nicaragua

Granada is everything that I hoped to find in a colonial Central American city. It’s colorful and charming, with painted walls and cobblestone streets, and the palm trees and balmy air give the city a tropical and extremely Latin vibe. It’s vibrant and bustling, full of street vendors, motorbikes and pedestrians–exactly the type of city I’m drawn to.

19. Jewels of San Miguel: Staying in a Charming Hillside Casita

The Jewels are a collection of three absolutely stunning casitas nestled against the steep hillsides above San Miguel de Allende: Topaz, Opal, and Ruby. What initially sold me on Casita Ruby was its stunning, spacious private terrace. From its strategic position on the hillside, you can see all the way down into the valley below, where San Miguel de Allende’s maze of colorful streets intersect and collide.

20. High in the Mountains of Colombia: A Stay at Casa Elemento

When I hopped off the bike, brushing the caked mud off the bottom of my calves, I looked around at my new surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief – and not just because I was grateful to be done with my long day of travel. More importantly than that, I knew I had just arrived at a place where I was going to feel very much at home.

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Real talk: How are y’all doing today?