Stuffed Suitcase Travel

17/03/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today always makes me wish I was heading back to Ireland, a country I’ve visited more than once and never get tired of!

Here’s something most people don’t know: the first St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ parade wasn’t held in Ireland at all. It was held in Boston in 1737, started by Irish immigrants who gathered as a show of solidarity and to honor their homeland from across the ocean. Dublin didn’t hold its own parade until 1931. And today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival in the world, with over 300 landmarks lighting up green in 50 countries.

Swipe through for some of my favorite photos from my trips there.

If Ireland is on your travel list, I would love to help you plan it!

Have you been to Ireland 🇮🇪 , or is it still on your bucket list? Tell me in the comments!

06/03/2026

Once you go to Italy, a piece of your heart stays there forever 🇮🇹

I’m still thinking about my trip last October and looking forward to more Hugo Spritzes in my future!

Tell me your must-eat Italian dish or dream city destination in the comments — and if a trip is on your bucket list, I can help you make it happen 💌

03/03/2026

Monday through Sunday:
thinking about my next trip and yours.

Where are you going next?
If it’s still in the “someday” stage… let’s change that.

Tell me your next destination or your dream trip below.

03/03/2026

Monday through Sunday:
thinking about my next trip and yours.

Where are we going?
If it’s still in the “someday” stage… let’s change that.

Tell me your next destination or your dream trip below.

02/03/2026

We skipped “official” Parents Weekend… and made our own.

Instead of flying down during peak fall dates with inflated hotel prices and packed restaurants, we chose a random SoCal weekend that worked for us. Better rates, more availability, less chaos.

We also took the money we would have spent on family weekend tickets and used it for something we love… NHL hockey. Oilers vs. Kings in LA. Us cheering for Edmonton and being very confused why the arena doesn’t celebrate away goals with horns and lights. 😂

We still did all the things that matter:
✔ Walked campus
✔ Took our daughter out for fun meals
✔ Had real conversations without a packed schedule
✔ Watched an epic sunset at Santa Monica Pier

If you have a high school senior or a college kid, I’d encourage you to remember that you don’t have to follow the school’s calendar to make memories.

Plan a DIY parents weekend:
• Pick an off-peak date
• Book better flights and hotels
• Skip the structured programming
• Spend your budget on experiences your family actually loves

For us this weekend was more personal, more relaxed. And more “us.”

Empty nest doesn’t mean disconnected. It just means the travel looks a little different now.

If you’re in this season too, tell me… are you a traditional parents weekend family or would you totally do it your own way? Both are great! :)

24/02/2026

The Italian Alps are having a moment right now with the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina just wrapping up, and if watching those mountain backdrops has you dreaming about Italy, you're not alone. 🇮🇹

A Mediterranean cruise is actually a great way to get a taste of Italy (and Greece, Spain, France and more) without having to plan a dozen separate trips. But before you book, there are a few things worth knowing that most people find out the hard way.

I just wrote up an honest breakdown of 5 things to know before you book a Mediterranean cruise, including one thing that most people aren't prepared for.

If you're wondering are Mediterranean cruises worth it, here's an honest look at the pros and cons, what to expect, and whether this style of travel is right for you.

27/01/2026

Today is National Plan for Vacation Day, and it’s one of my favorite travel reminders.

Every trip in this post started the same way. Someone had an idea, a few dates in mind, and didn’t want to handle all the details alone.

Planning doesn’t have to mean spreadsheets and overwhelm. Sometimes it’s just deciding that the trip matters and letting it move from “someday” to “on the calendar.”

If you’re thinking about a trip for this year or next, today is a great day to start!

Save this post for later, or send me a DM if you want help turning your travel idea into a real plan.

Where are you thinking of going next?

18/01/2026

Flying into Seattle and heading downtown?

I just updated my step-by-step guide on how to take the train from Seattle airport to downtown Seattle, including routes, costs, and what to expect.

It’s the easiest way to skip traffic and save money.

👉 https://stuffedsuitcase.com/seattle-airport-to-downtown-seattle/

16/01/2026

2016 when instagram felt fun
let’s do that again 📸
(also did you catch that last pic? I forgot about meeting him!)

07/01/2026

If you could design the perfect travel adapter or charger, what would it do?

Vegas is always better with good people and good travel gear. I had such a fun evening with reconnecting with travel creator friends and getting a peek behind the scenes of what they’re building next.

I’ve used their international adapters for years, so being asked for input on new ideas is right up my alley. And for 2026, they’re expanding into four new regions, including the US, which means better options for travelers who hate juggling cords and converters as much as I do.

Tell me in the comments, what is the one feature you wish your current adapter had?

31/12/2025

My 2025 recap - it was an amazing year of travels with my family and friends!

❓Do you recognize any of the places in my reel?