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Course Charted: Your Guide to Slow, Sustainable, Savvy Travel

What began as a journey half-way around the world, into the courtroom, and behind a camera has brought me here - helping you chart a course for memorable, meaningful travel...

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travel hacks

Traveling to Cinque Terre From Florence

Cinque Terre From Florence

Wondering about the best way to get to Cinque Terre from Florence? Here I’ve ranked all the options for you based on time, ease, and cost!

Categories Destinations, Europe Tags italy, travel hacks

Top 5 AirBnB Booking Strategies to Snag Your Dream Rental

Airbnb rental vernazza

In this article I share the top 5 AirBnB booking strategies that’ll have you on your way to rental bliss (and most importantly, that’ll help you avoid substandard rentals that can ruin your travels)!

Categories Travel Smarter Tags airbnb, travel hacks

5 French Riviera Transportation Options You Need to Know

French Riviera Transportation

Discover the 5 ultimate French Riviera transportation options for a smooth, memorable trip to this stunning region in the south of France! With so many ways to get around, it’s hard to know what’s right for you and your travel style. This article has you covered!

Categories Destinations, Europe Tags france, travel hacks
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Course Charted About Me

Hi! I’m Alana, a Chicago-based attorney turned travel writer, photographer, and travel-hacking expert here to help you travel smarter. Click below to learn how I escaped the 9-5 for the 24/7!

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Join the Adventure on IG!

alanainwanderland

Well that was a short rooftop szn! 😅 #Chicago m Well that was a short rooftop szn! 😅 #Chicago may be bringing the rain and cooler temps this weekend but you know how it goes in this city, we’ll be back to warm temps soon!  And with my guide to even more amazing rooftops in Chicago, you’ll be ready! You’ve been loving these best of the best roundup posts so here are 3 more rooftops you should definitely check out when the weather is right:  1️⃣ @roofonthewit — this 27th floor rooftop is serving up Neapolitan inspired pizzas made fresh in our hearth oven and viewssss for daysss!  2️⃣ @terrace16chicago — the incredible views over the Chicago River from this 16th story rooftop make up for the fact that it’s located at the Trump Hotel!  3️⃣ @jparkerchicago — for a change of scenery head to the J. Parker rooftop atop Hotel Lincoln where you’ll find the fantastic 360-degree views over the Chicago skyline and the Lincoln Park neighborhood below.  What’s your favorite rooftop in Chicago?? And if you’re really savvy when it comes to rooftops (or you’ve seen my prior posts), maybe you can guess the one in this shot? (PS, don’t forget to 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 this post for a warm sunny day!) 😎✨// #RooftopSeason #AlanaInChicago
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📍Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
I can’t wait until I’m vaccinated so I can sit I can’t wait until I’m vaccinated so I can sit this close to people again 🥲  I saw this sweet couple sitting on a bench sunning themselves by the Chicago river, and it made me realize how long it’s been since I’ve been that close to my loved ones (other than my man of course). Yes, I still have phone calls, zoom dates, and spend time with friends and family outside. But that physical proximity - like huddling close on a chilly day - has been missing since the pandemic began.  Getting vaccinated will give that back to us. I’m eagerly awaiting my turn. Are you waiting as well? Or did you already get yours?? If you need more info on vaccination availability, check out my Stories where I shared helpful links! ♥️// #VaccinesSaveLives #AlanaInChicago
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📍Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
The tulip buds have broken ground in #Chicago and The tulip buds have broken ground in #Chicago and soon all of Michigan Ave will look like a field in bloom! 🌷🌷🌷  To celebrate this sign of spring I’m sharing my TOP 5 spots (with addresses) so you can enjoy these colorful tulips in all their glory! LET’S GOOOO!!  1️⃣ 605 N Michigan Ave (pictured here)  2️⃣ 435 Michigan Ave (near Pioneer Court)  3️⃣ 875 N Michigan Ave (cool displays across from the John Hancock building)  4️⃣ Michigan Ave and Washington St (in Millennium Park)  5️⃣ State St just south of the river (don’t forget about State as you’re exploring @themagmile; it also has wonderful tulip displays!)  Who’s excited for all of these gorgeous blooms?! 🙋🏻‍♀️ If you’ve seen them before, where’s your fav spot to shoot them (in Chicago or in the world)? 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 so you don’t miss out on this year’s blooms! 🌷💕// #WorldInBloom #AlanaInChicago
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📍Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
#Chicago is an master of unpredictable weather. It #Chicago is an master of unpredictable weather. It may look like blue skies above, but this gorgeous skyline could be hiding a storm on the horizon.  Word on the street is that a storm will be rolling through this way in the afternoon so don’t let the warm temps fool ya! Who’s going to play storm chaser?? And who’s hiding at home? 🌩✨ // #ChicagoGram #AlanaInChicago
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📍Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
Sunday funday explorations always lead me to new s Sunday funday explorations always lead me to new street art finds, and this was my favorite to date — Kobra's gorgeous Vivian Maier Mural in #Chicago’s Wicker Park! 😍🎨  Located on the wall of a house at 1651 W. North Ave. this piece is dedicated to the late photographer Vivian Maier. Maier kept to herself and her stunning photography of Chicago, particularly the Rogers Park area where she lived, was not discovered until her death in 2009!  As former gallery owners, the residents at this address had “envisioned art on the side of their home for the last 20 years and had hoped an artist would have offered to create something there.” When Kobra came knocking they jumped at the chance to have this dedication mural painted on the side of their house!  If @kobrastreetart knocked on your door, would you let him paint your house?? I would in a heartbeat! 😁// #ChicagoStreetArt #AlanaInChicago  PS, 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 this post so you can find this amazing piece too!
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📍Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
Happy April 1st my friends (aka April Fools Day🤪, aka don’t trust anyone or anything day). Every year I vow that I’m going to be on guard and every year someone still pranks me. Guess I’m just too trusting! 🙈  Have you ever been pranked on April Fools? Or are you usually the one doing the pranking??  𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗽: Head to @360chicago and you can have views like this over the entire cityscape of #Chicago! My favorite time to visit is just before sunset; that way you get the best of both worlds — gorgeous golden hour tones before sunset and beautiful amber tones after sunset! 🌆 // #ChicagoGram #AlanaInChicago
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📍Chicago, USA 🇺🇸
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