Last week I embarked on a truly fantastic trip over to the West Coast to spend some time in Los Angeles, where the sun shines bright, the water sparkles blue, the people-watching is first rate–and you spend at least an hour sitting in traffic every day. Needless to say, L.A. definitely has its positives and negatives when contrasted with New York, but if you’re interested in a locale with a vibrant, urban edge that still boasts proximity to the beach and a breezy sensibility, Los Angeles is your answer. And using my cheat sheet below, you can prepare yourself and … (read more).

It’s that time of year. I have made my annual pilgrimage to that little slice of beachy New England heaven known as Martha’s Vineyard, and am feeling no less blissed-out than in previous visits. We’ve posted on CassaStyle before about the island’s value as a summer getaway, and this year I’m feeling especially taken with the area’s overwhelming aesthetic charm. From sandy beaches to sprawling vistas to farmer’s markets and fresh oysters, MV has just about every detail you can imagine in an all-American warm weather destination. Let yourself get transported by our dreamy inspiration board of photos snapped during … (read more).

Larger-than-life mountains, exotic cacti flowers, beautiful Native textiles and jewelry, gourmet meals filled with robust Southwestern flavors. Does this sound intriguing to you? If so, I urge you to consider booking your next adventurous vacation to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the state’s capital and cultural hub. Known widely as “the City Different,” it’s not hard to understand how the place earned this nickname once you visit. Santa Fe possess a unique, almost spiritual, blend of properties that is humbling to be around. There’s the vast nature everywhere you look, combined with the distinct artisan crafts and jewelry in every other … (read more).

After living in Madrid for four months, I’ve accumulated quite the list of “Dos and Don’ts.” Whether you’re the casual traveler passing through, or about to embark on your own extended stay in this marvelous city, you’ll benefit from these pointers. YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO MADRID: Museums: It’s worth carving out time to visit some of the museums that partially make Madrid so grand and culturally significant. The Prado is huge so just decide a few things you might want to see there and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The Reina Sofía is also worth it and among tons of other stuff … (read more).

Next up on my Euro hit-list of fab destinations is Amsterdam. Offering way more than its shallow stereotype of red lights and otherwise illicit substances suggests, Amsterdam is an ideal locale for those who long to experience a quieter, more mellow interpretation of an urban lifestyle. A cheery, friendly population fused with historic, centuries-old architecture and city planning makes for a great playground for exploration and touring. And what’s the preferred mode of transport for said exploration? Cyclists–not cars–rule the streets here, so renting a bike is a MUST. MacBike is a very popular and reliable rental company, with its … (read more).

Mark my words: Berlin is the next big city on the rise. If you’re looking for a nucleus of fashion, culture, art and food, visit Berlin for a very pleasant surprise where you can find all this and more. I think Germany has yet to establish itself as a desirable location for tourism, especially compared to other major European destinations, but trust me, that’s not because of a lack of attractions. When in Berlin, there are tons of different lodging options. One particularly pleasantly quirky option is the Circus Hotel: a very hip, affordable hotel in Mitte, one of the … (read more).

Paris, France: it really is as magical as they say. So magical, in fact, that the thought of trying to capture the essence of this city in an online article is quite daunting. In the best way possible, all the cliches you may have in your mind about Paris can be a reality when you visit: endless street-side cafes, red wine and cheese platters everywhere with crusty baguette, gorgeous public gardens for lounging and exploring, some of the best museums in the world just a metro ride away, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, which really is as breathtaking as … (read more).

In Gaudí’s Park Güell Great food, amazing sights, extensive shopping, cosmopolitan flair with proximity to the beach—it really seems like Barcelona, Spain has it all. Although the (temporary) Madrid resident in me is pained to say it, for the vacationer looking for a bit of everything (tapas-style traveling, if you will?), it’s hard to go wrong with Barcelona. Starting with food, there’s an excellent variety of restaurants in the city, ranging from authentic Spanish tapas to elegant seafood to experimental ethnic fare. For tapas, get to Catalana early enough to get your name on the list for lunch or dinner … (read more).

Belgium: original home to Godiva Chocolatier! Magical world of fresh waffles, homemade chocolate and locally brewed beer…so goes the stereotypical description of Brussels, Belgium, the country’s capital and biggest city, as well as the de facto capital of the E.U. Well, fortunately for those who enjoy these delicious items (95% of the average population?), the Brussels stereotype is pretty accurate. Walk down the main streets of the city, especially those near the beautiful central plaza called Grand Place, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by adorable Belgian chocolate shops (almost all of which offer free samples!), tourists and locals alike laughing … (read more).

Hola, readers! I’m reporting to you from Madrid, Spain where I will be stationed for the next few months. This means new culture, new perspectives, new designs and trends, and (perhaps best of all) new traveling! I will be sharing my aventuras (adventures) with CassaStyle and first up is Segovia, Spain, an incredibly historical city north of Madrid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Segovia may have enjoyed a golden age way back at the end of the Middle Ages, but it’s definitely still worth a visit now–it’s a UNESCO-certified World Heritage City, in no small part thanks … (read more).