About Maddy’s Avenue
Maddy’s Avenue is a travel and food blog for curious travelers who want to travel well, eat even better, and go beyond the must-sees.
Hi! I’m Maddy Cornelius. Travel writer, professionally trained chef, and founder of Maddy’s Avenue. Originally from Southern California, I’ve spent nearly a decade living and traveling abroad, exploring 40+ countries along the way.
I started this blog way back in 2014! Today, I share detailed travel guides, itineraries, restaurant recommendations, and original travel-inspired recipes.
Maddy’s Avenue reaches millions of readers annually, and I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with major travel brands and tourism boards around the world.
Thank you for being here. It means the world to me.
On Maddy’s Avenue, You’ll Find:
TRAVEL GUIDES: I’m all about incredible local food, getting to know different cultures, finding beautiful places to stay, and squeezing in a few outdoor adventures. You’ll find detailed travel guides, itineraries, and practical tips to help you go beyond the typical tourist spots and make the most of every trip.
RECIPES: Original (and really delicious) recipes that’ll transport you to lands far from your kitchen! My recipes are inspired by my travels and professional culinary training, with plenty of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices.
Maddy’s Travel Style
When it comes to exploring new countries, cultures, and cuisines, getting the most in-depth, authentic experience possible is always my #1 focus.
That could mean eating street food or fine dining, traveling by high-speed train or tuk-tuk, hiking all day or relaxing at a five-star resort, splashing out on a helicopter tour or a wine tasting at a beautiful château… or a combination of all of the above! (As for sticking to a budget? Never been my strong suit.)
I often spend a month (or longer!) in the destinations I write about, and I return to my favorite places again and again. After a decade abroad, I could’ve visited every country in the world… but that’s never been my goal. I’d rather get to know a place inside and out, connect with local people and cultures, and discover things I’d never find on a quick trip.
That depth of experience is what sets my blog apart. My travel guides are packed with firsthand insights, local discoveries, amazing restaurants, must-do tours, practical tips, and little details that make all the difference.
My goal? You might only have three days in a place, but I want you to benefit from the weeks or months I’ve spent getting to know it!
Maddy’s Avenue is where adventure, foodie, and affordable-luxury travel meet. Would you…?
If you answered “YES!”, you’ve come to the right place.
What Readers Say…
Maddy’s Recipes
Eating inspires my travels, and my travels inspire my cooking. (It’s a vicious cycle. I like it that way.)
I’m a professionally trained chef. In Bangkok, I earned qualifications as a Grand Master Asian Culinary Chef and a Master Thai Culinary Chef. Going to cooking school was the time of my life! I’ve also taken dozens of cooking classes in Italy, France, Portugal, Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia, and beyond.
My recipes help bring an authentic experience to your kitchen. Here, expect to find bold, bright, and balanced flavor-bomb recipes.
If you’re not afraid of trying something new, if some of your favorite ingredients include makrut lime, garlic, chili, cilantro, tamarind, galangal, cumin, and soy sauce, and if you’re willing to spend a little extra time for drool-worthy results (think steamed rice vs. pineapple and egg fried rice), you’re in the right place.
So, come with me. Cook with me. And, I promise, adventure will never be far away!
Popular Recipes
Maddy’s Story
In high school, I got my first job to pay for a school Spanish immersion trip to Argentina. Seeing Iguazú Falls completely blew my mind. And that’s where I caught the travel bug.
After that, I saved every penny to travel during school breaks. I started Maddy’s Avenue as a freshman in college in 2014, and worked three jobs during university to fund my adventures.
After graduating in 2017, I got a “big girl” marketing job and a cubicle. And almost immediately, I thought, “Nope. Absolutely not.” So I quit and took off on a six-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia with my best friend.
In 2018, I spontaneously moved to Byron Bay, Australia, without knowing a soul. I lived there for a few years, and that’s where I met my Kiwi husband, Cacey.
Now, Maddy’s Avenue is my full-time job! These days, I travel slowly, taking my time to explore, eat, take cooking courses, and get to know each place in depth.
In 2026, I’m splitting my time between Italy, France, and Mexico. In 2027, Japan and New Zealand are on the cards again…
Get to Know Maddy
Favorite Destinations:
Too many! Italy, France, New Zealand, Mexico, and Japan come to mind.
Always in My Suitcase:
Japanese chef knives and my pillow.
Things I’ll Always Splurge On:
Amazing restaurants. Wine tours. Taxis.
Coffee Order:
Oat milk flat white.
On My Bucket List:
Safari in Tanzania.
Favorite Activities:
Cooking, eating, hiking, snowboarding, yoga.
Window or Aisle?
Aisle, always.
Favorite Cuisine:
Thai food, easily. Spice level? 5/5.
Join the adventure.
Be the first to know when we publish new travel guides, itineraries, and recipes. Subscribe now and I’ll send you my Know-Before-You-Go Travel Guide for free.
Explore now…
