Which literally never happens these days. I just got back from almost two weeks in Budapest and Dubrovnik, and I'm home in Seattle for 28 days straight, which I haven't had in six whole months!!!
Here’s a quick recap on my trip: in Budapest we went to a wine festival inside an actual castle, which is a sentence I still can't believe I get to say about my own life. (I did a whole carousel about this if you want the visual: [See the carousel →])
Budapest is stunning. The architecture is amazing and hands down the best part.
We also stayed at The Four Seasons which is always a treat because there are few things in life I appreciate more than a luxury hotel. And this particular Four Seasons was absolutely beautiful with the Art Nouveau architecture, which is one of my faves. You can see it here.
the view from St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest
Then we moved on to Dubrovnik in Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea (probably my favorite of all the seas…..)
The best part of that was the ocean. I got to swim nearly everyday and there were the most amazing coral reefs right off the beach where our hotel was. (I haven’t even had the chance to post those photos yet, but they’re coming!)
We took a boat out one day, and this is where it gets good.
The weather started out absolutely gorgeous. I swam in the Blue Cave, soaked up the sun, all of it. I almost never get real ocean swimming in, since I'm usually traveling in the off-season, when the water's just way too cold. This time it was warm and blue and full of fish, and that weather was absolutely everything.
And then a storm rolled in and we got stranded at this little restaurant for a few hours. So we did the only reasonable thing: ordered a few Aperol spritzes and just sat there and hung out while the rain came down. There's something so European about that, just letting a storm hold you hostage at a restaurant with a drink in hand and nowhere to be.
Brandon and I also went off for a day of wine tasting. And one of the best parts of the whole trip was just existing in the same city as my own partner for once. I'm gone so much that simply being in the same place as him felt like a small luxury…Especially when there were no dishes or laundry to do.
And here's the part that surprised me: for the first time ever, I was genuinely happy to come home.
Normally when a European trip ends, there are tears in my eyes when I have to leave and come home. This time was different. I landed in Seattle and just felt relief.
I think it's because I know what's waiting for me: 28 real days in my own bed, fall time, my own routine, and my dog Stella.
Plus, October in Seattle is absolutely beautiful. Fall is my favorite season (besides of course The Four Seasons), and I get to actually be here for it this year.
So that's the recap. Castles, a wine festival, a storm and some Aperol spritzes, time with my partner, lots of fish, swimming, and a version of me who's just really glad to be home.
I've got a lot on the calendar for these 28 days (four different speaking gigs, which is my favorite since I love getting to talk to people in person), catching up with people while I'm actually home, maybe planning a January event (TBD), a wine release party at one of our wine clubs, and pumpkin everything. I'm looking forward to every bit of it.
Home, happy, and smelling like a candle called "Autumn Something."
Until next Tuesday,
The lawyers make me include this, so here's the official business address: 600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246. In reality, I'm usually plotting your next income level from wherever the wifi is strongest.
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