Fun in the Finger Lakes

Now, let’s talk about what there is to do. The Finger Lakes region is home to unique attractions that highlight its rich history and natural beauty. Located just 30 minutes south of Skaneateles in Auburn, The Harriet Tubman House is a National Historic Park and an absolute must-visit. Harriet Tubman lived here for decades, and the site offers an intimate look into her extraordinary life and work. Be sure to catch Reverend Paul’s guided tour—he’s one of the most engaging storytellers I’ve encountered. Plus, your visit supports the preservation of this important piece of American history.

Auburn offers another great stop for history buffs: the Willard Memorial Chapel. It’s the only remaining chapel interior entirely designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and stepping inside feels like entering a kaleidoscope of color and craftsmanship.

We started our trip with a visit to Valle de Cocora, and let me tell you, this is a can’t-miss destination. This iconic valley is famous for its rolling green hills and towering wax palm trees, which are Colombia’s national tree. The landscape is like something out of a fantasy novel.

There’s plenty to do in Valle de Cocora, from long hikes to shorter trails like the one we took to Bosque de las Palmas. It’s worth noting that this area is at an even higher altitude, so you’ll feel the climb if you’re coming from a low-altitude city like me. But the effort is more than worth it for the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere.

After Valle de Cocora, we headed to the nearby town of Salento for lunch at a restaurant called Donde Laurita. The food was traditional paisa cuisine—hearty, delicious, and full of flavor. Think platters of grilled meats, beans, arepas, and plantains. The menu featured a local lens with a wide variety of fried trout dishes, which is how I learned that trout was brought to Salento from Canada and has since became a culinary staple. Shout out to our very kind server, Felipe, who made us feel so welcome.

These Apps = Your Medellín BFFs

Before we get into the itinerary, let’s talk about two apps that you’ll want to have at the ready before you arrive: Uber and Rappi.

There are a few key tips to navigating Medellin. Although technically not legal in Medellín, Uber is widely available and used by both locals and tourists. The app offers two main options: ordering taxis, which are the cheapest and most straightforward, or ordering regular Ubers.If you choose a non-taxi Uber ride, be prepared for the driver to ask at least one passenger to sit in the front seat. This helps them avoid attracting attention from the police.

Both Ubers and taxis are incredibly cheap compared to U.S. rates, making them the best and most economical mode of transportation in the city. However, there are a few challenges visitors should be prepared for. Rush hour traffic can be very heavy, so plan accordingly for longer commutes.

Additionally, student protests are common in Medellín and can shut down major thoroughfares for hours at a time. If this does happen and your Uber driver tells you there’s no way he can make it to your destination, stand your ground and look at a map app to see if they’re telling you the truth. This happened to me, and I refused to get out and walk to my destination – in the rain no less – because I could clearly see another route available. It turns out, he just didn’t want to deal with the traffic jam. Relatable. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check Google Maps or Waze before heading out.

For someone like me, an outgoing introvert who rarely travels entirely alone, solo-ish travel strikes a perfect balance. I find it crucial to carve out moments to wander on my own while still cherishing the shared meals, adventures, and connections that can make travel so transformative.

Take my recent trip to Medellín, for example. I was there with family for a cousin’s wedding, but I made time to go on a group tour to Guatapé solo. And the following day, I explored theMuseo Casa de la Memoria andPlaza Minorista on my own. Those solo days allowed me to deeply engage with the city’s layered history and vibrant culture on my own terms, and also brought out my more outgoing side as I asked to sit with strangers for lunch and struck up conversations with fellow tourists on the bus.

Climbing El Peñón de Guatapé

El Peñón de Guatapé is impossible to miss. This giant rock formation towers 656 feet above the landscape, offering one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in all of Colombia.

Climbing to the top means tackling 740 steps, zigzagging up the side of the rock on a staircase that looks like it was stitched onto the stone itself. It’s a climb that will leave your legs (and lungs) burning, but the reward at the top is worth every step. In fact, my favorite part of the experience was the camaraderie of the climbers. We all cheered each other on as we paused to catch our breath, each of us huffing and puffing as we took the next step at our own pace.

Scoring a Reservation

Getting a reservation at The French Laundry can feel like trying to win the lottery. Here’s what you need to know and some tips to help make it happen:

• Reservations open on the first of each month at 10 a.m. PST for the following month. So if you want a November reservation, be ready to book on October 1.
• Everything is booked throughTock, and reservations are non-refundable—which is where the secret trick comes in.

Pro Tip: Since reservations are locked in, people who can no longer go often look for someone to transfer their booking to. There are online forums and Facebook groups where last-minute spots get rehomed. If you’ve been trying for years and keep missing out, this might be your best bet.

Cost: Expect to pay $425 per person, plus add-ons, wine, and a 20% service charge.

Tannin: The Texture in Every Sip

I first learned about tannins at Pride Mountain Vineyards, where Nicole Menetski handed us a glass of their signature Cabernet Sauvignon and asked us to pay attention to how it felt in our mouths. “Notice that drying sensation?” she said. I nodded, suddenly hyper-aware of the way the wine gripped my tongue and cheeks. “Those are the tannins.”

Tannins come from grape skins, seeds, and stems, and they create that astringent, slightly bitter, drying sensation in wine—kind of like if you’ve ever overbrewed a cup of black tea. Wines with high tannins, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Nebbiolo, tend to feel bigger, more structured, and age-worthy, while wines with low tannins, like Pinot Noir or Grenache, feel softer and more delicate.