Skip to content
  • Home
  • AboutExpand
    • About
    • Contact
  • DestinationsExpand
    • All Destinations
    • AsiaExpand
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Central AmericaExpand
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Nicaragua
    • EuropeExpand
      • Eastern EuropeExpand
        • Czech Republic
        • Greece
        • Hungary
      • Northern EuropeExpand
        • Denmark
        • Iceland
        • Norway
        • Sweden
      • Western EuropeExpand
        • Belgium
        • England
        • France
        • Germany
        • Italy
        • Luxembourg
        • Netherlands
        • Portugal
        • Scotland
        • Switzerland
    • North AmericaExpand
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • United StatesExpand
        • California
        • Hawaii
        • Louisiana
        • New York
    • OceaniaExpand
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • South AmericaExpand
      • Colombia
      • Peru
  • Italy
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube Email
Maddy's Avenue
Maddy's Avenue

Hello! I'm Maddy.

  • Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily + Must-Know Tips
    Europe | Italy | Western Europe Travel Guides

    Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily + Must-Know Tips

    Letโ€™s face the facts: Palermo, Sicily is loud, dirty, colorful, and chaotic. And it has nothing to do with the beachy, spritzy, relaxing Sicilian vacation youโ€™re probably picturing.  But for…

    Read More Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily + Must-Know TipsContinue

  • How to Visit St. Markโ€™s Basilica & Dogeโ€™s Palace in Venice, Italy
    Europe | Italy | Western Europe Travel Guides

    How to Visit St. Markโ€™s Basilica & Dogeโ€™s Palace in Venice, Italy

    Visiting Venice for the first time? Obviously, wandering the canals, eating cicchetti, and taking a gondola ride are your non-negotiables. But if you ask me, St. Markโ€™s Basilica and Dogeโ€™s…

    Read More How to Visit St. Markโ€™s Basilica & Dogeโ€™s Palace in Venice, ItalyContinue

  • Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto: Best Wine Tour + DIY Options
    Europe | Portugal Travel Guides | Western Europe Travel Guides

    Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto: Best Wine Tour + DIY Options

    If youโ€™re wondering whether a wine-splashed Douro Valley day trip is worth squeezing into your Porto itinerary, my answer is an easy yes. World-famous Port wines, mineral-rich Douro wines, hearty…

    Read More Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto: Best Wine Tour + DIY OptionsContinue

  • 17 Incredible Things to Do in Siena, Italy + Helpful Tips
    Europe | Italy | Western Europe Travel Guides

    17 Incredible Things to Do in Siena, Italy + Helpful Tips

    If youโ€™re traveling through Tuscany and skip Siena, youโ€™re seriously missing out. From visiting the magnificent Duomo di Siena to wandering the Piazza del Campo, there are so many incredible…

    Read More 17 Incredible Things to Do in Siena, Italy + Helpful TipsContinue

  • Visiting the Vatican: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to Avoid
    Europe | Italy | Western Europe Travel Guides

    Visiting the Vatican: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to Avoid

    If visiting Vatican City โ€“ and taking a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peterโ€™s Basilica โ€“ is on your Rome itinerary, this guide is for you. …

    Read More Visiting the Vatican: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to AvoidContinue

  • Visiting the Colosseum: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to Avoid
    Europe | Italy | Western Europe Travel Guides

    Visiting the Colosseum: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to Avoid

    Visiting the Colosseum is a must on every first-timer's Rome itinerary. But without a solid plan, it can easily become one of the most disappointing experiences of your trip.  These…

    Read More Visiting the Colosseum: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to AvoidContinue

  • Where to Stay in Prague: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels in Prague
    Czech Republic Travel Guides | Eastern Europe Travel Guides | Europe

    Where to Stay in Prague: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels in Prague

    Choosing where to stay in Prague matters more than you think. With its gothic spires, grand castle, and quaint cobblestone lanes, Prague looks like a fairytale. But the neighborhood and…

    Read More Where to Stay in Prague: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels in PragueContinue

  • A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Budapest
    Eastern Europe Travel Guides | Europe | Foodie Guides | Hungary Travel Guides

    A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Budapest

    If youโ€™re planning a trip to Hungaryโ€™s capital and wondering where to eat in Budapest, let me save you the research spiral. This guide covers all the best restaurants in…

    Read More A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in BudapestContinue

  • One Day in Milan: The Perfect Milan Itinerary for First-Timers
    Europe | Italy | Western Europe Travel Guides

    One Day in Milan: The Perfect Milan Itinerary for First-Timers

    Milan buzzes with style, world-class design, cutting-edge culture, unforgettable food, and some of the most iconic architecture in Italy. If you skip spending one day in Milan, you'll miss an…

    Read More One Day in Milan: The Perfect Milan Itinerary for First-TimersContinue

Hey there!

Maddy's Avenue is here to inspire you to live a bold life: to discover yourself and the world around you at greater depths โ€“ one forkful, or one plane ticket, at a time. Learn more here...

Instagram Facebook Pinterest YouTube Email

Travel

  • All Destinations
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • Costa Rica
  • Asia
  • Central America
  • Europe
  • North America

Recipes

  • Recipes
  • Asian-Inspired Recipes
  • Italian Recipes
  • Indian Recipes
  • Mexican Recipes
  • Thai Recipes
Affiliate disclosure:

Maddy's Avenue shares affiliate links to recommend products we love and earn commissions from purchases you make. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more here...

2025 travel recap โœˆ๏ธโœจ 346 days abroad. 7 countrie 2025 travel recap โœˆ๏ธโœจ

346 days abroad. 7 countries. 4 continents. A lot of incredible food. And countless unforgettable adventures. 

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Rang in the New Year in Zurich
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Spent 3 months snowboarding, slurping ramen, and eating sushi in Japan
๐Ÿœ Explored Bangkok and Chiang Mai
๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ Lived the slow beach life in Hoi An
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ Became a Master Thai Culinary Chef & a Grand Master of Asian Cuisine in Bangkok
๐Ÿ˜ Celebrated our 1st anniversary at the @anantara_goldentriangle
๐ŸŒด Relaxed by the beach in Bali
๐Ÿ” Had the best time everrrr in Queenstown
โ„๏ธ Spent Christmas with the fam in Oregon

Grateful. Tired. And so inspired. Hereโ€™s to 2026! ๐Ÿฅ‚

#travelwrapped #2025wrapped #2025recap
A few more pics from our little adventure wedding A few more pics from our little adventure wedding in Banff National Park. โ„๏ธ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿค

Itโ€™s been a month(ish), and I still canโ€™t put the experience into proper sentences. So Iโ€™ll just string some words together and call it a dayโ€ฆ Our day. 

October 1st. Surprise snow. Last-minute minute location change. Always an adventure. Bow Lake. Holding back tears. Fireball. Umbrellas. Family. Beautiful words by officiant @marriedbycole. Big smiles. Freezing hands. Laughter. A lot of it. Actual tears. The snow stopped! Haikus. Promises. Magical views. Mr. and Mrs. Wet blue suede heels. Frozen toes. Hiking boots and wool socks. Full-blast car heater. Thank God. Crampons. Mini-hike. Bright blue Peyto Lake. The smell of the pines. We did it! Letโ€™s eat. 

Thank you @abbyplusdave for capturing our day so perfectly.
Adventuring together, for life. โ„๏ธ๐Ÿค October 1st, Adventuring together, for life. โ„๏ธ๐Ÿค

October 1st, 2024 | Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Canada

#banffnationalpark #banffwedding #banff #albertacanada #bowlake #weddingday #adventurewedding
Before @tbexevents officially kicked off, @visitan Before @tbexevents officially kicked off, @visitanchorage #hosted me on the most breathtaking bucket list experience: hiking on the Matanuska Glacier in the Chugach Mountains with @greatlandadventures.

Crampons on, we tramped along the ice, exploring just a fraction of this impressive 27-mile-long, 4-mile-wide glacier.

Beyond the epic views, tasting the purest, most delicious glacial water everrrr was a highlight.

Fun fact: According to our @greatlandadventures guide, the Chugach is the most glaciated mountain range in the world, with more than 10,000 glaciers! ๐Ÿคฏ

This experience was a 10/10. Would you hike on a glacier?! โ„๏ธโœจ
Exploring Alaska in the fall was a dream! ๐Ÿ๐ŸซŽ The Exploring Alaska in the fall was a dream! ๐Ÿ๐ŸซŽ

The 49th State has been on my bucket list for foreverrr so I jumped at the chance to attend @tbexevents #hosted by @visitanchorage and @travelalaska a few weeks ago!

With the expert local hiking guides from @reveltreksandtours (and new travel blogging friends!), I had the most epic time hiking in Chugach State Park and Hatcher Pass, kayaking and hiking around Eklutna Lake with @lifetimeadventuresak, foraging for wild berries, craft beer-tasting at @bleeding_heart_brewery, and learning about Alaskaโ€™s indigenous cultures.

Our amazing farm-to-table meal at @featherandflour was an absolute highlight too. 

We stayed in the coziest cabins at @bluewaterbasecamp - the most peaceful place to unwind (and try to spot the northern lights!) after adventure-packed days in the wilderness. Owners, Teal and Russ, even shared freshly hunted moose steaks with us as we sat around the campfire trading travel tales (this is such an honor, since moose can only be hunted and shared - youโ€™ll never see it on a restaurant menu!). 

Have you been to Anchorage before?! From glacier-hiking and kayaking to visiting indigenous cultural centers and spotting wild moose and bears, thereโ€™s so much to discoverโ€ฆ I already canโ€™t wait to go back!

#tbexanchorage #visitanchorage #anchorage #travelalaska 

P.S. Thanks @sydneybrowntravels @valerievalise @glam_journey_ for starring in my video โœจ
Welcome to paradise in Southern Creteโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ทโœจ ๐Ÿ“Sfaki Welcome to paradise in Southern Creteโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ทโœจ

๐Ÿ“Sfakiรก (Chora Sfakion), Crete, Greece 

I just spent two weeks on Crete (the largest Greek island) and stumbled upon a hidden gem: the remote coastal village of Sfakiรก. 

In Chania, before we set off, the rental car shop worker told us, โ€œYou havenโ€™t been to Crete unless you visit Sfakiรก.โ€ While a restauranteur (of the best restaurant in Chania, IMO, @toantikristo) said, โ€œAs you drive through the mountains, think of me, remember my words. Roll the windows down and smell the wild oregano on the warm sea air.โ€ 

Clearly, we were onto something good...

We spent three nights at a beautiful boutique hotel (Eleana Nature & Art). Lazed the days away at the beaches in Sfakiรก - as well as in Loutro and at Sweetwater Beach (both reachable only via boat or hiking). Swam in some of the brightest azure waters Iโ€™ve ever seen. Sipped Aperol spritzes. And dined on allll the Cretan salads, Sfakian pies, and fresh seafood - from whole-grilled snapper to marinated octopus salad. It was bliss. 

Visiting Crete? Add this peaceful beach village to your list!

According to locals, itโ€™s only ever busy in July and August.
Letโ€™s call this one โ€œBTS: My life as a full-time t Letโ€™s call this one โ€œBTS: My life as a full-time travel blogger (on a 9-month Instagram hiatus)โ€.

Oh hi! ๐Ÿ‘‹ Itโ€™s like I blinked and almost a year has passed since I posted on here. Time to catch up! Hereโ€™s a 30-second peek into life lately, includingโ€ฆ

- Living in Oaxaca City as a digital nomad (again!)
- Exploring the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
- Saying โ€œyes!โ€ atop Royโ€™s Peak at sunrise in New Zealand ๐Ÿ’
- Embarking on two South Island Great Walks (Abel Tasman & Kepler) 
- Spending a month in my old hometown: Byron Bay, Australia
- Wining and dining across 9 regions of Italy over 2ish months
- Discovering the most breathtaking, remote beaches in Crete
- Spending time with family in California, the PNW, and New Zealand

Iโ€™m spending the summer in Bend, Oregon - smashing out work, and Instagram videos, apparently! - before another year of non-stop adventures across Canada, Europe, Japan, and beyond! 

Where are you off to this summer? โœจ
Last weekโ€™s hiking trip to Mammoth was a little sn Last weekโ€™s hiking trip to Mammoth was a little snowier - and a whole lot more beautiful - than expected โ„๏ธ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿ˜

Hereโ€™s your sign to plan a trip to Mammoth Lakes, California!

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, Disclosures

© 2026 Maddy's Avenue ยท Theme by 17th Avenue

Scroll to top
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
  • Destinations
    • All Destinations
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Nicaragua
    • Europe
      • Eastern Europe
        • Czech Republic
        • Greece
        • Hungary
      • Northern Europe
        • Denmark
        • Iceland
        • Norway
        • Sweden
      • Western Europe
        • Belgium
        • England
        • France
        • Germany
        • Italy
        • Luxembourg
        • Netherlands
        • Portugal
        • Scotland
        • Switzerland
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • United States
        • California
        • Hawaii
        • Louisiana
        • New York
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Colombia
      • Peru
  • Italy
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
Instagram Pinterest Facebook YouTube Email
What are you looking for?
Search