The Scenic Route Traveler

06/12/2026

Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois is one of the most underused weekend trips from Chicago, and this is how to do it properly

We spent three days hiking Starved Rock and Wildcat Canyon, exploring Matthiessen State Park, tasting wine in an underground cave at August Hill Winery, and staying at Camp Aramoni, a luxury safari glamping property five minutes from the park with chef-made meals and 105 acres along the Vermilion River. North Utica has a small but worth-exploring downtown strip, and August Hill has a second tasting room location there as well. The whole trip is about two hours from Chicago and covers hiking, food, wine, and a lodging experience most people don’t know exists in Illinois

Tag someone you’d do this trip with

Hosted by Camp Aramoni

06/10/2026

Mallorca on the scenic route, one photo at a time

If you’re trying to understand what Mallorca actually looks like beyond the big resort areas, these photos answer that directly. The island shifts from stone villages to mountain viewpoints to coves with clear water, often within the same hour. This set gives a grounded sense of the places you pass through when you explore without a strict plan. It’s a simple way to preview the island before building your own route

Share this with someone planning a Mediterranean trip

06/08/2026

The ocean affects more of our lives than we think

Happy World Ocean Day 🌊

This year’s theme encourages people to rethink their relationship with the ocean and recognize how connected everyday life is to healthy marine ecosystems. The ocean helps regulate climate, produces much of the oxygen we breathe, and supports biodiversity around the world, yet pollution, warming waters, and habitat loss continue to threaten it. Protecting the ocean cannot just be something people talk about once a year

Share this as a reminder that protecting the ocean affects all of us

06/07/2026

Stacey King was the soundtrack of Bulls basketball for so many Chicago fans, and honestly it’s hard to imagine watching a game without hearing his voice

A few quotes Bulls fans will probably hear in their heads forever:

“Too big. Too fast. Too strong. Too good.”

“Give me the hot sauce!”

“Did you not get the memo?”

“Let me step back and kiss myself!”

“The windmill opens up the windows!”

Even through rebuilding years and difficult seasons, he still made Bulls games feel fun, familiar, and unmistakably Chicago

Save this for the Bulls fans who grew up hearing Stacey King call games

06/07/2026

A quiet, warm Chicago evening during festival season

If you’re visiting Chicago in June, evenings like this are part of the experience. The Chicago Blues Festival brings people into Grant Park just as the light softens and the city starts to slow down. It’s an easy way to see how locals use the park, how the skyline shifts at dusk, and why early summer is such a good time to explore the lakefront. For anyone planning a trip, this is the kind of moment that helps you understand the rhythm of the season

Share this with someone planning a Chicago summer trip

06/05/2026

Chicago looks better when you slow down

A lot of people think of Chicago as traffic, cold weather, or just another skyline, but the city has an incredible amount of detail once you start noticing it. The architecture changes block to block, the lakefront looks different every season, and even familiar streets can look completely new depending on the light and weather. That’s why Chicago ends up in my camera roll so often.

Tag someone who still thinks Chicago is just skyscrapers

06/05/2026

Seoul was one of those cities that kept surprising me; every neighborhood felt completely different from the last.

In this video, I'm breaking down exactly what I did over 5 days: hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, hiking Bukhansan National Park to Baegundae Peak, four different hanok villages, the Seoul City Wall Trail, a Korean skin care facial, a personal color analysis appointment, and a lot of wandering in between.

If you're planning a Seoul trip or just want to live vicariously, this one's for you. Watch here →

5 days in Seoul, South Korea: hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, hikin...

06/03/2026

A Riviera town built entirely in warm pastels

If you’re wondering what Menton actually looks like, this is the classic Riviera palette you’ve seen in photos: stacked facades in coral, ochre, and soft yellow rising above the harbor. The old town sits right on the coast, and its hillside layout gives you a clean view of the waterfront curve. It’s a straightforward stop between Nice and the Italian border, and it works well for early‑summer itineraries. This is what travelers mean when they talk about Menton’s color and light.

Share this with someone planning a France trip.

06/01/2026

A rainy summer morning from the porch

If you’re curious what a summer stay in Illinois nature actually feels like, this is it. A storm moving through the woods, canvas tents in view, and a covered porch where you can listen to the rain for a few minutes before the day starts. You still get real comfort, but with a river valley and trees instead of a parking lot. For anyone planning a Midwest weekend, these small moments are what make the trip feel like a real break

Share this with someone who loves cozy summer storms

06/01/2026

Chicago neighborhoods still know how to gather

Chicago Porchfest transformed residential streets in Lakeview into a series of small live music venues for the afternoon. Local musicians performed from front porches while people walked from block to block listening to different artists throughout the neighborhood. What stood out most was how community-driven the event felt, neighbors sitting outside together, people discovering new musicians, and entire streets slowing down for a few hours to enjoy live music during one of the first real summer weekends in Chicago. It is easily one of the more unique ways to experience the city beyond the usual festival circuit

Share this with someone you’d bring to Porchfest next summer