To celebrate our four-year anniversary, we set sail on our first-ever cruise – a sun-soaked, adventure-packed journey through San Juan, St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten. From scuba diving beneath the Pitons in St. Lucia (yes, at a site called Superman’s Flight) to racing actual America’s Cup yachts in St. Maarten, every day delivered a new thrill. We sipped piña coladas at not one but both “birthplaces” in San Juan and explored lush island terrain by ATV in St. Kitts. There were rum tastings, hidden lobsters, VIP views from Drake’s Seat, and even a run-in with a baby monkey. Equal parts luxe and exhilarating, it was the kind of trip that leaves you sun-kissed and already dreaming of the next adventure.
In 2018, we set out on a 17-day European adventure that blended iconic cities, fairy-tale castles, scenic drives, and unforgettable experiences. Starting in London during the Royal Wedding weekend, we explored literary landmarks, historic pubs, and world-class museums before taking the Chunnel under the English Channel to Paris for romantic strolls, wine-filled days in the Loire Valley, and moonlit Eiffel Tower views. From there, we road-tripped through Southern Germany’s Romantic Road – sleeping in castles, sipping wine in Würzburg, and paragliding over Neuschwanstein – before admiring Austria’s alpine lakes like Hallstatt and embracing the Sound of Music in Salzburg. We wrapped up our whirlwind itinerary with pints in Dublin, making it the perfect mix of culture, castles, and charm.
Our days in London were a brilliant blend of history, pageantry, and classic British charm. We started at the Charles Dickens Museum, stood in awe before the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, and admired centuries of style at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A). Feeling nicely steeped in culture, we were ready for the main event: the Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan, joining the crowds near Windsor Castle for a truly once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Along the way, we stropped past some of London’s greatest hits – Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and even peeked at the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. We enjoyed an organ recital in Westminster Abbey, strolled through Leadenhall Market, and soaked up the royal vibes at Kensington Palace. A fancy afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason gave us our posh fix, while Hamlet at the Globe brought Shakespeare to life in proper dramatic fashion. We capped it all off with a mini pub crawl – including a pint at the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. With charming neighborhoods, historic pubs, and iconic sights all effortlessly connected by the Tube, London truly delivered a proper memorable adventure.
Paris was enchanting – equal parts elegance, history, and irresistible indulgence. We wandered through cobbled lanes in the Latin Quarter, raced up the Eiffel Tower for an unforgettable sunset, and soaked in masterpieces (Mona Lisa!) at the Louvre. From sipping wine along the Seine to feasting on crêpes in Montmartre, every moment was divine. After arriving by train from London through the Chunnel, we dined at a historic restaurant where Napoleon allegedly left his hat as an IOU, then walked from the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower, fully immersed in the city’s timeless charm. We explored Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur, and even visited the café from Amélie. In Montmartre, Sarah boldly tried her first beef tartare – raw 95% lean beef topped with a raw egg. One of the most magical days was a château tour through the Loire Valley, known for its vineyards and fairytale estates – we visited Chambord (the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast’s castle), Nitray, and Chenonceau, the spectacular riverside residence once home to Catherine de Medici. A dreamy excursion that perfectly capped off a city overflowing with romance and refinement.
⚾️ Baseball is Back: Cardinals Opening Day Magic in St. Louis
Baseball is back! Cardinals Opening Day is an unofficial holiday in St. Louis and filled with beloved traditions like the Budweiser Clydesdales and Hall of Famers parading around Busch Stadium. We’ve been to quite a few, but our favorite was 2006: the first game at the new stadium and our first Opening Day together. Surprises like Adam Wainwright singing the anthem in 2023 always make for a magical start to the season.
This stretch of our European journey followed the iconic Romantic Road through Bavaria, Germany – an enchanting route lined with half-timbered towns, vineyard-covered hills, medieval castles, and winding cobblestone streets. From sipping hefeweizen and eating pretzels in Heidelberg’s Altstadt, to staying in two incredible castles – Burg Hornberg, perched above a vineyard, and Burg Colmberg, a 1,000-year-old fortress – we dove headfirst into Old World charm. We explored storybook Rothenburg (so good, we visited twice!), walked the preserved medieval walls, and took the famous Night Watchman tour. We also experienced the Würzburg wine festival, zipped down the Autobahn at 185 km/h (115 mph), and wound through sleepy Bavarian villages all the way to the Bavarian Alps. The Germany leg ended on a high – literally – with a visit to the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, followed by paragliding over them and canoeing on Lake Alpsee. Whether you’re after scenic drives, historical sites, or unforgettable food and wine, this Romantic Road adventure delivers charm at every stop.
While visiting New York, we made a fun stop at Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant – a colorful, quirky spot featured in Daredevil Season 2, Episode 5 during Matt and Karen’s date night. The moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by a ceiling of glowing, over-the-top lights that feel straight out of a movie set – pure magic.
Austria brought postcard-perfect charm and musical magic to our journey. We pedaled through Salzburg on a Sound of Music bike tour, stayed the night at the home of the real-life Von Trapp family, took in mountaintop views from a fortress Mozart concert, and wandered through alpine villages with stunning lakes like Hallstatt and St. Gilgen. With crystal-clear lakes, baroque architecture, hearty alpine meals, and cozy cafés tucked into historic corners, this portion of the trip was equal parts scenic and soulful. A perfect balance of nature, history, and culture in the heart of the Alps.
We’ve visited Munich twice – at the end of a Mediterranean cruise and as part of a Europe vacation in 2018. When we spent two days in Munich, we packed in a perfect mix of history, culture, and Bavarian fun. A stop at Hofbräuhaus is a must, especially during Oktoberfest. We explored the grandeur of Schloss Herrenchiemsee (on our way from St. Gilgen) and Residenz Munich, immersing ourselves in royal history. We wandered through the English Garden and marveled at the innovations in the Deutsches Museum. We wrapped up our time in Germany with a visit to Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest brewery and the maker of Scott’s favorite beer. Check out our itinerary with tips for making the most of your Munich adventure!
Dublin was the perfect finale to our Europe trip – warm, walkable, and bursting with character. We traced literary footsteps at Trinity College, explored centuries-old distilleries, and filled our nights with music in cozy pubs across Temple Bar. With stops at iconic sites like the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, and Jameson Distillery, plus hidden gems like Simon’s Place and live traditional music, the city blended old-world charm with lively energy. Dublin welcomed us with stories, songs, and a whole lot of spirit.










