Travel Tips & Tidbits w/Allie from Beauty & the Feast

I am so happy that Allie, from Beauty & the Feast decided to take part in this little interview! I read her "about me" section and was instantly fascinated by her travels...hope you enjoy reading about them too!

1. Tell us a little about yourself:

My name's Allie! I grew up in Texas but moved to San Diego, California for college. After I graduated, I moved to India for five months to live and teach in an orphanage and travel and it was hands down the most incredible, life-changing experience. I enjoy eating, cooking, blogging, crafting, eating, traveling and did I mention eating? I talk way too much and spend probably too much time [if it's possible] blogging and thinking about blogging. Check out beauty & the feast for my culinary and life adventures!

2. When/Why did you start blogging:

I started blogging to document my five-month trip to India and when I came back, my blog evolved into a food blog but now, it's a little bit of everything. My goal was to evolve my writing and document my trip. I never imagined that blogging would become such a huge part of my life!

3. What is your dream trip:

My dream trip pretty much changes on a monthly or bimonthly basis, but currently, I'm dying to backpack through South America. I've been to Chile and would love to go back and also see Argentina, Brazil and Peru and maybe even take a river cruise down the Amazon River.

4. Where is favorite place in the world:

That's a tough one! I'm going to have to say... a tie between San Francisco and Madrid. I hope for San Francisco to be my final destination when I settle down but I studied abroad in Madrid while in college and recently returned to visit my host family. The city is so vibrant and interesting and still feels like home. 

5. Favorite food/ where do you find it:

These questions just keep getting harder! I honestly don't know if I have one favorite food so I'll rattle off some that come to mind. I have a new obsession with mussels and my favorite place to get them is Solace and the Moonlight in Encinitas, California. I am a self-proclaimed French fry aficionado so I guess those unhealthy morsels are another favorite. I also highly enjoy plantains and black beans from my mom's kitchen (we're part Cuban), as well as s'mores which I usually make myself over a campfire or in the microwave (desperate times...)

6. Any great travel tips/ secrets?

Be open-minded and patient no matter what; it's really incredible what you'll learn if you open up your heart and mind. Take a cooking class if you enjoy the regional food... I promise you'll learn to make all of the local dishes better than any restaurant. There's no such thing as taking too many photos... you'll be happy you did! And finally, smile. No matter what language barriers you may encounter, a smile will always convey the same message.