mindholiday: january edit
Gorgeous, cheap Moroccan riads
Hi hi! Welcome back to the the monthly MindHoliday edit, the corner of the internet where I share my newest finds and current favorites, places I’m dying to visit, and travels I’ve booked.
January was a cozy month spent in Brooklyn. I had travels to LA planned, but with the fires, it felt too risky to visit my friend, so I stayed home and donated to relief efforts instead.
I also took up scrapbook journaling my adventures, watercolor painting, and printmaking as a way to distract myself from all of the craziness in the universe that’s beyond my control.
I’ve really enjoyed the journaling so far. It serves as a good way to reminisce at the end of the month. I can’t wait to continue this for the rest of the year, especially for my travels, but I also I think it has made me appreciate all of the friend dinners, dates, and small adventures I’ve had around NYC when not traveling, and it puts into perspective how much I’ve done during the month, when sometimes it feels like I’m just working from home!
Work wise, January was MindHoliday’s busiest month to date! One of my goals this year was to plan more trips in both Africa and Oceania before the end of the year. In 2024, I focused on booking what I knew and was comfortable with — fun, thoughtful trips to Mexico and Europe. This year, I want to book the faraway places I’ve always dreamed of. Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve already crossed this goal off of my list! I’ve already planned a client trip to New Zealand, and I am currently working on planning a special 10-year anniversary trip around Morocco. I can’t wait to share all of the special spots I’m sending clients to this year!
I’m truly so excited for 2025… I have so many big plans and goals for this newsletter, lots of fun personal travels on the horizon, and so many things that I want to see and do around NYC, so stay tuned for more announcements!
Last year, I stopped posting on my own personal social media, but in the process, I realized how many clients found me through IG. I found by not posting, I was limiting myself, so mindholiday is now on Instagram! You can expect trip itineraries, hotel reviews, and more.
trips I’ve booked for myself this year
I mentioned in my 2025 travel hot list post that I have some very lofty travel ambitions this year. When I wrote this list of the places I wanted to go a few weeks ago, most of it was just me manifesting, but since dreaming I’ve finally bit the bullet and started booking things and making more concrete plans.
In February, I am bringing 30 friends and top clients to Tulum and converting Zorba Estate into MindHoliday Motel! This is partly to celebrate my 30th birthday, partly to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, and mostly because I want to show the people I love in my life what a real MindHoliday is — a true, transformative vacation rooted in self discovery, with delicious food, nature, music, and thoughtful activity curation. I’ll of course bring you all along for the ride.
In March, I’m visiting Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido for the first time. I am SO excited for this. This trip has been on my bucket list for forever, and I can’t wait to share it with you all. What’s better than a trip focused on eating, walking, and the beach?
In April, I am going back to Mexico (can you sense a theme here?) with family for a long weekend trip in Mexico City! We booked the cutest affordable Airbnb that has a hot tub and is in a perfect location. My sister-in-law has never been, and I can’t wait to show her around! I also plan on releasing an updated Mexico City guide because there are a ton of new spots I want to vet.
Over the summer, we are spending six weeks in Europe while Quinn is in sleepaway camp. It has been our dream to do this for a long time, and we have so many incredible stops on the itinerary that I am pumped about, including:
A week in London to see friends and a Rufus du Sol show (staying at this cutie Airbnb in Shoreditch)
A week of roadtripping around Slovenia and then driving to spend three days in the Dolomites (booked Forestis as a TREAT in the Dolomites but no clue where we are staying in Slovenia)
An overnight in Venice, staying at Il Palazzo
Visiting my in-laws near Nice for three days
Road tripping around Corsica for a week (nothing booked here yet and have done ZERO research)
Three days in Copenhagen, staying at Villa Copenhagen
Two days in Oslo, staying at Sommerro
Driving around the Norwegian Lofoten Islands (still need to research/book this one too)
I can’t wait to share these adventures with you all, and if you have any recommendations for Slovenia, Corsica, or Norway, please send them my way!
gorgeous, affordable moroccan riads
While doing research for the Morocco trip I’m planning, I stumbled onto soooo many gorgeous riads in Marrakech that I’m now fantasizing about staying in. Here are my favorites that I have shortlisted for when I plan my very own trip.
Riad Momo, entire house for $200/night
This gorgeous 3 bedroom riad comfortably sleeps six and comes with a private chef upon request. There’s a gorgeous courtyard, outdoor shower, and fireplace. I can imagine so many deep friend conversations being had here.
Gorgeous airbnb riad with pool, entire house starting at $250/night
Ok, I know it’s a lotttt to ask people to travel to Marrakech for a birthday party/bachelorette trip/major life event, but hear me out on this one…
This sleeps 8 people, comes with daily breakfast for the whole crew, and has a stunning pool and rooftop sun deck situation! It has multiple living rooms and a fireplace. If any of my friends are reading this, should we go??? I could read so many books here.
Maison Nalos, rooms starting at 150EUR/night per room
A gorgeous seven-bedroom riad inspired by the aesthetics of the 1970s, infused with Moroccan design principles and local artist pieces. Perfect for solo travelers or couples looking to rent a single room rather than a whole riad.
El Fenn, rooms starting at 350EUR/night
Ok, cheating as this isn’t the most affordable option compared to others, but I am positively salivating over El Fenn and I’d be remiss not to share. It’s one of the most gorgeous boutique hotels I’ve ever seen, with so many dreamy details. Stained glass! Gorgeous tiling! Dreamy bathrooms with copper claw foot tubs!
in flight entertainment
I didn’t fly anywhere this month. I was at home in NYC snuggled up, waiting for winter snow to blow over. While hunkering down, I read several books, watched way too much TV, and listened to an unbelievable DJ set. Here are my recs to make your next flight go quicker!
Reading
My Husband - A darkly humorous and obsessive portrayal of a woman consumed by her meticulous devotion to her seemingly perfect husband. I really enjoyed this but also you should read it because it was translated by my sister-in-law, Emma and she’s the best!
The Big Leap - This explores how to overcome self imposed barriers in life, which were a huge theme for me last year, and the focus of my self work in 2025. No more self sabotage!
They’re Going to Love You - A novel about a ballet dancer navigating complex family dynamics, unrequited love, and the lingering impact of betrayal, set against the backdrop of her estranged father's death and her reconciliation with her past.
Blue Sisters - Another story centered around grief, identity, and deep rooted family issues. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but it delivered on giving me a good cry.
Watching
Flow - The best animated movie I’ve ever seen in my entire life, despite having zero dialogue. Watch this with your kids, or without.
Mountain Queen - The insane life story of Lhakpa Sherpa, a woman that has summited Mount Everest 10 times while overcoming many personal hardships.
XO, Kitty - I needed something very low stakes and romcom-y to watch on the treadmill, and since starting it, I’ve been on the treadmill every single day, which seems like a win!
I’m Tim - A beautiful tribute doc on the late DJ, Avicii. I have so many good memories of blasting his music in college, and this brought back so many feelings.
Listening
Rufus du Sol Burning Man DJ set - Did I sit on my couch after gardening and watch this two hour set as if it were a movie, end to end? Yes, I did. You should too. Rufus popped off with this one and I will continue to use this as the soundtrack to my life forever and ever.
travel news
Some tips from the New York Times on how to get upgraded to first class…
Overtourism is obviously a huge problem. Efforts to curb it in popular destinations using bans, fees, and taxes have seen very limited success. Cities like Venice have introduced measures such as restricting cruise ships and increasing tourist taxes, yet visitor numbers keep growing. Norway has even pulled their tourism advertising campaigns this year. I think there needs to be a huge shift to mindful, sustainable travel ASAP. As long as cruise ships are unloading 5000 people at once on a city, the problems will continue. As long as people are traveling just to take selfies and post on social media without thinking of the consequences of oversharing, the problems will continue. We all need to be a bit more respectful and touch grass! Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how to incorporate overtourism mindfulness into trips I plan for clients, especially for trips to highly trafficked areas.
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Love your Morocco suggestions! 😍 There is one villa we love and can’t recommend enough (near Marrakech) - https://www.darlayyina.com
Just found your Substack and I’m excited to dive into all your travel recs. Slovenia is one of my favourite destinations, the nature/scenery is so stunning! I absolutely loved Hotel Majer’ca near Lake Bohinj and the Julian Alps. Wish I got to spend more time in Slovenia’s wine regions!