Banff has been high on my bucket list for quite some time and I finally went! Lake Louise is the most famous attraction, but there is so much more to Banff. I spent four full days at Banff and Jasper National Parks hiking, camping, canoeing, and doing other outdoor activities. In total, I completed five hikes and saw five lakes.

​Mexico City is massive with so much to do! It’s likely not possible to see everything in one visit, but you can at least plan on hitting up the major areas. I was in Mexico City in March and took about two days to see most of the attractions on my list. It’s totally doable to follow this itinerary while maintaining a leisurely pace for a weekend in Mexico City.

​Teotihuacan was one of the largest cities in the ancient world and today it is best known for its pyramids. A trip to Mexico City wouldn’t be complete without seeing Teotihuacan. Located just ~30 miles northeast of Mexico City, Teotihuacan is easily accessible by public transportation or Uber and is doable in less than a day. It’s definitely worth visiting if you’re ever in Mexico City.

​In late-October / early-November last year, I spent eight days on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico attending Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, climbing the ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá, sunbathing on the beautiful beaches, and searching for the most authentic Mexican tacos. I traveled from Cancun to Playa del Carmen to Merida and met super friendly locals and foreigners, learned about the country’s rich history and culture, and did not miss a day without eating ceviche. 

​Until recently, my knowledge of Cuba has been scarce and mainly came from history textbooks I had read in high school. However, I have heard great things about Cuban culture seen photos of Cuba, but it seemed so distant because of the embargo and the sour US-Cuba relationship. So when President Obama opened up travel to the island county last year, Cuba became a top travel destination for me.