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A Weekend Away In...
Mexico
Turkey
Japan
Italy
USA
Latvia
Blog
Join My Mailing List!
Contact Me
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6 Florence Cocktail Week Bars to Know (and What to Drink at Each)
Bethany Platanella 4/14/26 Bethany Platanella 4/14/26

6 Florence Cocktail Week Bars to Know (and What to Drink at Each)

In Florence for Cocktail Week? Discover six Florence Cocktail Week bars to visit now, and exactly what to drink at each.

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5 Best Boutique Hotels in Mexico City (That I've Personally Visited)
Bethany Platanella 4/7/26 Bethany Platanella 4/7/26

5 Best Boutique Hotels in Mexico City (That I've Personally Visited)

I toured over 15 boutique hotels in Mexico City, here are the five that stood out.

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La Gemma Florence Review: A 3‑Day Luxury Stay in the Heart of the City
Bethany Platanella 3/12/26 Bethany Platanella 3/12/26

La Gemma Florence Review: A 3‑Day Luxury Stay in the Heart of the City

How one luxury hotel changed the way I viewed Florence.

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My real life weekend away in Guatemala
Bethany Platanella 1/8/26 Bethany Platanella 1/8/26

My real life weekend away in Guatemala

My Unexpected Journey through the High Sierra Mountains of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.

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10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Cancún: Beyond the Beach Resorts (2025 Guide)
Bethany Platanella 6/21/25 Bethany Platanella 6/21/25

10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Cancún: Beyond the Beach Resorts (2025 Guide)

A 2025 guide to 10 unforgettable things to do in Cancún — beyond the Hotel Zone.

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72 hours in Tepoztlán: A weekend itinerary for food, culture & adventure
Bethany Platanella 6/3/25 Bethany Platanella 6/3/25

72 hours in Tepoztlán: A weekend itinerary for food, culture & adventure

The ultimate guide to 72 hours in Tepoztlán, the Pueblo Mágico just 2 hours from Mexico City.

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The best weekend getaways from Mexico City: 4 destinations for 2025
Bethany Platanella 6/1/25 Bethany Platanella 6/1/25

The best weekend getaways from Mexico City: 4 destinations for 2025

My 4 favorite weekend escapes from Mexico City in 3.5 hours or less.

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12 simple ways to treat yourself today.
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

12 simple ways to treat yourself today.

Sometimes self-love just means flowers and a really good cookie (or 3).

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I will remember this one thing from Art Week in Mexico City.
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

I will remember this one thing from Art Week in Mexico City.

Anything can be whatever you want it to be.

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I took a ginger-turmeric shot every morning for two weeks and…
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

I took a ginger-turmeric shot every morning for two weeks and…

A smoothie a day keeps the doctor away.

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Do you know the words to this famous prayer?
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

Do you know the words to this famous prayer?

The Mexican Maldives.

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One thing I heard this week that I can’t stop thinking about
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

One thing I heard this week that I can’t stop thinking about

And here I thought only fairies and goddesses lived forever.

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Which of these things do you need?
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

Which of these things do you need?

Check out my bundle of three how-to booklets!

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Open ONLY if you’re ready for the truth…
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

Open ONLY if you’re ready for the truth…

I mean really, could I honestly risk leaving this beauty withering away in a closet somewhere?

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12 things I always pack…
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

12 things I always pack…

I also like to match my luggage.

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How to make Friday night the best night of the week
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

How to make Friday night the best night of the week

You can also design salads by color — like this orange-inspired salad.

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How to plan your own 5-day renewal retreat.
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

How to plan your own 5-day renewal retreat.

Mexico’s rainy season is a retreat-lover’s paradise.

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Is that a tassel I see?
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

Is that a tassel I see?

Hey Queen E…is that a tassel I see?

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Things you can buy on the beach in Sinaloa.
Bethany Platanella 2/20/25 Bethany Platanella 2/20/25

Things you can buy on the beach in Sinaloa.

Sun, sea, and Banda behind me.

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A writer’s life in black and white.
Bethany Platanella 7/12/24 Bethany Platanella 7/12/24

A writer’s life in black and white.

A rainy Mexico City doesn’t look so bad in black and white.

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