Houston, we have a problem… the girls are in town!
This was one of those trips where the itinerary existed (because we were traveling with seven project managers)… but also didn’t. A little rain delay, a little go-with-the-flow, and very much let’s see where the Texas wind takes us.
Here’s how it all played out:
Day 1:
Arrive
Rental car secured (essential here)
Check in to our Airbnb
Family-style dinner at Soju + Haraoke
First night energy was high, even after the airport not having a gate for us and waiting forever for the rental car shuttle. We made it, we were together, and that’s really all that mattered.
Sunshine was back baby! After an interesting morning walk turned run and bad coffee shop experience, we got to hang out and yap around the hot tub in the sunshine. The second half of the day was pure vibes once we finally found a fun patio bar and we enjoyed ourselves over a BBQ dinner.
Day 4:
Coffee at La La Land (again, obviously)
Lunch at Cava
Walk + shops around The Heights (definitely the best area and we wished we had more time here)
The Heights was easily my favorite area. Walkable, cute shops, just a completely different feel from the rest of what we experienced.
Airbnb thoughts:
The house itself was great and fit six of us comfortably. But the neighborhood… a little questionable. One of those gentrified places where you stick out.
Weather:
Day one was rain, flooding, and a slight hit to vibes. The next two days brought sunshine, which completely shifted the energy.
Overall thoughts:
Houston was fun for the girls trip… but I don’t know if it’s a place I feel pulled to go back to. It might’ve been where we stayed, but it’s very spread out and you’re driving everywhere (like 20–40 minutes minimum no matter what).
That said I loved The Heights, Truck Yard, and La La Land.
And more than anything, I loved the reminder that the place matters less than the people you’re with.
This was actually my first trip with these girls. I had only known them through work and happy hours before, and you never really know how that’s going to translate outside of it.
But truly… some of the most genuine, kind, and caring girls. Just easy to be around, looking out for each other, making sure everyone’s good.
The kind of energy you don’t take for granted.
Give me a random city, a slightly questionable location, unpredictable weather, and the right group of girls… and somehow it still turns into a weekend you’ll talk about for a while.
Thanks for the random memories, laughs, and endless inside jokes Houston!
Traveling with family means packing not just suitcases, but also a mix of personalities, dynamics, and quirks. At first, it felt like we were still finding our rhythm, but once we settled in, the trip took on a groove of its own. Ten days was just the right amount for London and Oxford. While I loved the beauty of Oxford, my heart belongs to the city. London has a pulse that just doesn’t compare.
Day 1 – Friday: Arrival + Notting Hill
We arrived at Heathrow and took the Heathrow Express to Paddington. Pro tip: you can take a black cab or the tube from there, but the tube itself is such an easy way to travel.
Once we settled into our house for the week, our first real outing was Notting Hill — colorful streets, tote bags, quilted jackets, and those dreamy storefronts you see in movies. It was a “pinch me, I’m here” kind of afternoon. We ended the day with dinner at Sunday in Brooklyn, easing into London with good food.
Day 2 – Saturday: Westminster & Shopping
We jumped right into sightseeing with a tour of Westminster — seeing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament up close was a dream.
After lunch at a café, we stopped at Blank Street Coffee for a caffeine boost before a shopping adventure around Bond Street, Oxford Circus, and Piccadilly. London’s shopping scene is unmatched — even browsing feels like an event.
Day 3 – Sunday: Towers, Markets, Bridges
This day was stacked. We started with breakfast at Mulberries (our fave cafe) before heading to Tower Bridge for sightseeing and a tour then walking across to the Tower of London and Crown Jewels.
After seeing these sites, we wandered through Borough Market for lunch (a food lover’s dream – get the chocolate covered strawberries) and spent the afternoon at Camden Market. The markets are busy, eclectic, and full of personality — just like London itself.
Day 4 – Monday: Buckingham, Windsor & Soho Nights
This was an early start: up at 6:30 AM for a Buckingham and Windsor Palace tours.
Later, we explored Soho, shopped, and had dinner at Dishoom — one of those meals you keep thinking about later. We capped off the night with drinks at Gordon’s Wine Bar, London’s oldest wine bar. Dark, cave-like, and buzzing with energy — this ended up being my favorite food-and-drink memory of the whole trip.
Day 5 – Tuesday: Marylebone, Parks, & Notting Hill Again
Breakfast at The Monocle Café started the day right, followed by coffee at Boxcar and browsing Marylebone High Street. Sézane, Caroline Gardner, Daunt Books, and Le Labo (get the London perfume) — this neighborhood stole my heart.
We strolled past Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, taking in greenery and quiet moments before heading back to Notting Hill for another dose of charm. Lunch at Farm Girl, wandering Westbourne Grove, and later dinner at The Ned, a stunning historic bank building turned dining spot, made this day feel like the perfect blend of city bustle and cozy escapes.
Day 6 – Wednesday: To Oxford (Woodstock)
We left London and moved into the countryside, staying at a cozy house in Woodstock. The vibe shifted immediately — slower, more local, surrounded by history.
We explored Woodstock, grabbed coffee at Missing Bean, had wine at The Tipsy Palace, and dinner at Brothertons Brasserie. After the fast pace of London, this felt grounding and calm.
Day 7 – Thursday: Walking Oxford
Our walking tour with an Oxford alum went through the Covered Market, Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Libraries, Hertford Bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs. The mix of students, history, and architecture made Oxford feel alive.
Lunch at the a local pub, then climbing St Mary’s Tower for views of the Radcliffe Camera was another standout.
We ended with book browsing at Blackwell’s before dinner at The Ivy.
Day 8 – Friday: Cirencester & Bibury
A countryside day trip! Cirencester was full of charming shops — I picked up a new sheep fur and found a lovely little organic skincare shop. Bibury was as picturesque as the photos suggest. Arlington Row looked like something straight from a postcard. To be honest, 30 minutes was enough there, but it was worth the stop.
We wrapped the day with tapas and wine at the local tavern — one of those slow, cozy evenings where nothing is rushed.
Day 9 – Saturday: Blenheim & Woodstock
We walked through Blenheim Palace and Park, then back to Woodstock for coffee and crepes at the High Street Cafe. The countryside rhythm had set in, and the day was more about wandering than ticking off lists.
Day 10 – Sunday: Home Again
Time to head back. The trip felt full but not overwhelming — a balance of city buzz, countryside calm, and family moments that became inside jokes (like my grandma unknowingly wearing my mom’s shoes for an entire day).
Reflections & Takeaways
London reaffirmed itself as one of my favorite cities — Marylebone and Notting Hill charmed me most, Gordon’s Wine Bar won my heart, and the Tube was the unsung hero of the trip. My biggest regret was not staying closer to the city and not catching a West End show. Next time, those are at the top of the list.
Oxford and the Cotswolds brought slower, cozier moments. Woodstock felt wonderfully local, Bibury looked like a fairytale, and Cirencester surprised me with its shops.
Traveling with family always brings a mix of chaos and closeness, but it’s those quirks — like the shoe swap mishap — that make the memories even sweeter. Ten days was just enough, and if I had to pick one favorite: it’s London, always London.
Copenhagen, Denmark wasn’t even on my radar until just 20 days before setting out on my first solo international trip. Less than two months ago, a significant change in my life completely altered my summer travel plans. Determined to embrace adventure and not let these changes deter me, I decided to have my European girl summer—solo.
In light of a big life change, a solo trip to Europe seemed like the perfect way to heal and find myself again. I wanted to prove to myself that I was independent and capable of figuring things out on my own.
After researching various destinations, constantly checking Delta flight deals, and reassuring my mom about the safety of solo travel, I chose Copenhagen.
… and that was the best decision, at the perfect time.
Apart from a brief bout of food poisoning, everything on this trip went smoothly. It almost felt too easy. Copenhagen was the perfect destination for a solo trip.
“I had one intention for this spontaneous trip. Find cafes to sip coffee, write, and heal. The trip exceeded my expectations in the most wild, unexplainable way. I made new connections, met people who taught me big lessons and reminded me that life goes on and has a funny way of working out. It’s funny what happens when you let go of control and go with the flow and pull of the universe. Keep going, keep healing, life indeed does go on. Trust your journey; it’s going to work out in the wildest ways.”
AboutCopenhagen
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is known for its vibrant neighborhoods, safety, and commitment to sustainability. It’s a city where modernity meets historic charm, offering a perfect blend of cultural experiences and green living. At the heart of Copenhagen’s appeal is the concept of “hygge,” a unique Danish term that embodies coziness, comfort, and a sense of contentment. Whether you’re enjoying a warm coffee in a cozy cafe or strolling through its picturesque streets, Copenhagen invites you to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures.
My Itinerary
Day 0: Travel Day
– Flight: Overnight flight to CPH Airport, approximately 7 hours from JFK.
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Exploration
– Arrival: Landed in Copenhagen around 11 a.m., cleared customs, and took the metro to Rådhuspladsen.
– Check-In: CitizenM hotel, located next to City Hall Square. Early check-in was smooth.
– Coffee & Lunch: Ø12 Coffee & Eatery for an Americano and avocado toast with a poached egg.
– Explore: Walked around City Hall Square and shopped along Strøget.
– Wine: Melo Wine Bar for a relaxing evening. Great service.
– Dinner: Met a friend from the plane and his cousin at Restaurant Karla for Danish food.
Day 2: Central Copenhagen
– Coffee & Breakfast: Quick stop at Buka for coffee and yogurt. Not my favorite coffee, but easy and quick.
– Walking Tour: Grand Tour of Copenhagen, a free walking tour starting from Rådhuspladsen and ending at Royal Palace of Amalienborg. About 2.5 hours, good way to see the city.
– Second Coffee: Hans Coffee, a mid-tour break. Great place near Strøget.
– Explore: Walked through Nyhavn, known for its colorful houses and lively atmosphere.
– Lunch: Broens Food Market for a variety of local dishes. Many options. I tried the smørrebrød, open faced sandwich.
– Swim: lsland Brygges Harbour Baths, a highlight of the trip. Swim in pools filled with Baltic Sea waters and hang out with the locals.
– Dinner & Activity: Visited Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Grabbed dinner at Tivoli Food Hall, but I’m not sure I recommend it since I ended up getting food poisoning from my meal.
– Nightcap: Enjoyed a glass of wine at the hotel bar and rooftop.
Day 3: City Center
– Morning Coffee: Democratic Coffee for a strong start to the day. I woke up with food poisoning, so I took it slow with food.
– Explore: Took the metro to Christianshavn, checked out the GANNI Postmodern store, and went to the top of Church of Our Savior. A tall climb to the top and a bit scary, but worth the views.
– Morning Coffee: Hans Coffee, my second favorite coffee shop.
– Explore: Vesterbro, Meatpacking District, Prolog Coffee Bar, and Fisketorvet Mall. Ride the metro one more stop to Fredericksburg and check out the gardens.
– Dinner: Ride the 2A bus to Reffen for street food and harbor views.
Day 6: Wrap Up
– Coffee: Another visit to Coffee Collective for their exceptional filter coffee.
– Breakfast: Quick yogurt from Buka.
– Checkout: Packed up, checked out, and took the metro back to the airport.
Accommodations
I stayed at CitizenM, which provided a small yet functional room, typical for Europe. Its central location near the city center and shopping area was perfect. The hotel had a fun, funky vibe, and the staff was accommodating.
Transportation
Copenhagen’s public transportation is easy to navigate with three metro lines and user-friendly directions via Maps. Buy tickets, use the Copenhagen Card, or City Pass for access to all transportation. It operates on an honor system, with occasional ticket checks, I only had two ticket checks the entire week.
Tips for Tourists
– Safety: Copenhagen is very safe, though it’s always wise to stay alert.
– Cycling Culture: Bikes dominate the city, and they rarely stop for pedestrians unless at traffic lights, so be cautious.
– Traffic Rules: Pedestrians must obey traffic signals; jaywalking is not common.
– Public Transportation: The system operates largely on an honor system. Occasionally, someone will check tickets, but there’s no need to scan in or out.
– Smoking: Smoking is common throughout the city.
– Metro & Bus: The metro is straightforward, with the M3 (red line) running in a circle and other lines extending further.
– Cleanliness: While not as spotless as neighboring Sweden, Copenhagen has a charming, slightly gritty vibe.
– Payment: Cards are widely accepted, and it’s usually best to use DKK currency when paying. I never used or brought cash.
– Language: English is widely spoken, so communication is easy.
– Tipping: Tipping practices vary; it’s about 50/50, so follow your comfort level.
– Patience & Hygge: Be patient when waiting for services. Embrace the concept of hygge—relax and enjoy the moment.
– Tourist Cards: The Copenhagen Card is great for attractions and transport, while the City Pass is ideal for those focused on transportation. I got more value out of the City Pass which allowed me full access to transportation for a designated amount of hours and that was a better value for me.
– Trip Duration: Six days are ample for exploring Copenhagen, but consider adding a day for a trip to Malmö, Sweden, if you have time.
Final Thoughts
My solo trip to Copenhagen was a transformative experience. This spontaneous solo journey not only allowed me to explore a beautiful city but also provided a path for healing and self-discovery. Despite the food poisoning, I left Copenhagen feeling empowered and changed.
“This spontaneous trip, planned in under 20 days, was a testament to letting life guide and surprise me, disconnecting from routine, and continuing my healing journey. It exceeded all expectations, offering unexpected encounters and profound lessons along the way.”
Gifted with Grace 