posts in LIFESTYLE

A Taste of Scotland & Ireland

June 23, 2025


This year for my birthday, I connected with my Scotch-Irish roots by visiting Scotland and Ireland for the first time. With only two weeks, we packed in as many castles, cows, and coastlines as possible. From the Highlands to the Cliffs of Moher, we had a true taste of Scotland and Ireland. I even got to live out my Outlander dreams:


The tour itself was booked through CIE, which is owned in part by the Irish government. I loved that almost everything was taken care of in terms of sightseeing, activities, lodging, transportation, and meals. As much as it would have been interesting to drive on the other side of the road, I fully embraced being a passenger princess while learning all about these beautiful countries - their culture, history, art, music, lore, and of course whiskey. I do wish we had more time in certain places like Inverness and the Ring of Kerry but it just means I'll have to return.


Below are the itinerary highlights and a map of the destinations as described on the CIE tour website.

map
Day 1. Glasgow: Your tour departs from your hotel at 2:00 PM on a panoramic tour of this city that flourished as a center of shipbuilding and trade in Victorian times and is now a thriving hub of culture. Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a splendid, Spanish Baroque-style building housing one of Europe’s finest art collections, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Titian, and Dali. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.

Day 2. Loch Lomond and Loch Ness: Travel alongside famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its beauty. Drive across haunting Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, admiring the wild and spectacular scenery. Continue through Fort William on to Fort Augustus. Embark on a cruise on Loch Ness before heading to Nairn.

We didn't end up seeing Nessie but we did see some highland cows (or as the Scottish say "Hairy Coos").


Day 3. Whisky tasting and St Andrews: Visit Blair Athol Distillery, founded in 1798, to discover traditional whisky production and taste a sample. Travel to St Andrews, a town rich in medieval heritage and the home of golf; take a panoramic drive and have time to explore independently. Continue on to your elegant manor house hotel outside Edinburgh; three centuries old, it’s set on 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland. Explore and dine independently this evening.


Day 4. Edinburgh Castle, City Tour & Scottish Evening: Explore the principal sights of central Edinburgh from the bustling Princes Street through the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town.” Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach several stories tall. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city on volcanic rock, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is free. Experience a lively Scottish evening with dinner and traditional entertainment. The July 29 – August 20 departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.





We missed seeing the Tattoo but will just have to come back! Edinburgh was my all time favorite city. I also loved all the Harry Potter references, since much of what inspired the story and characters can be found in the city. For example, Victoria Street inspired Diagon Alley - the street itself is laid out at an angle (aka diagonal!).


It's also here that you can find the Elephant House Cafe where J.K. Rowling first wrote the series on napkins - likely while drinking Butterscotch Beer (hence Butter Beer).


Day 5. Ferry to Ireland & Titanic Belfast: Depart Edinburgh and travel through Ayrshire and along the coast. Embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Take a panoramic drive through Belfast, seeing the highlights of this fascinating city, where the Titanic was built in the once-bustling shipyards. Visit Titanic Belfast to explore the fascinating story of the doomed ship. Then travel to Dublin, where you will enjoy free time for dinner on your own.

Day 6. Dublin Sightseeing, Christ Church Cathedral & Canal Dinner Cruise: Explore Dublin on a panoramic tour with a local guide, discovering its history and viewing its elegant Georgian buildings, Trinity College, the River Liffey, and more. Visit Christ Church Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the city for more than 1,000 years. This evening, dine on a former Guinness barge as you cruise the Grand
Canal, listening to traditional Irish music.

We had some time in between the cathedral and dinner cruise so chose to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells (a 9th century manuscript of the Four Gospels from the New Testament written in Latin and known for its beautiful illustrations Celtic knotwork) and tour the Long Hall Library (A beauty and the beast meets Harry Potter themed library. Currently the books are under restoration but some were re-shelved for our tour. Of note, the library itself will be closed in about a year for renovations that may take upwards of 10 years to complete so definitely recommend seeing now if you can).

Ignore my photoshop attempt - the library was pretty crowded so I tried to edit people in the background out and add a blur effect for the aesthetic :)
Check out my reel of Ireland for more sightseeing:

Day 7. Farmhouse Tea with Sheepdog Demonstration, Blarney Castle & Killarney: Travel through the countryside to a traditional farm, where you’ll savor tea and homemade scones and watch sheepdogs display their skills at herding sheep. Head to Blarney Castle and climb the winding stairs to kiss its famous stone, or enjoy the gardens. Move on to the lively lakeside town of Killarney, where you’ll have dinner.

I did kiss the Blarney Stone, which means I'm officially blessed with the gift of eloquence!

Day 8. Jaunting Car Ride, Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience: Step back in time as a jaunting car drives you past Ross Castle on Lough Leane. Head to the scenic Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriarty’s, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Embark on the Ring of Kerry – a winding route with breathtaking mountains and coastal views. Cross the bridge to Valentia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the life of early Christian hermits on Skellig Michael, a rocky offshore island featured in the film “Star Wars VII.” Enjoy lunch before a pause at Moll’s Gap for panoramic mountain views. Return to Killarney where the evening is free.

Day 9. Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Castle Banquet: Cross the Shannon River estuary by ferry on your way to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Take in the spectacular views from these awesome cliffs, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic. Head on to your hotel, and then in the evening, you’ll visit a genuine castle for a medieval-style feast, complete with serenading lords and ladies.

We lucked out because the weather was gorgeous, offering us a beautiful view of the Cliffs of Moher -

Day 10. Galway, Clonmacnoise & Dublin: Visit Galway for a walking tour around the city center with a local guide. Visit the picturesque monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, founded in 544 AD by Saint Ciaran. Back in Dublin, your evening is free to explore.

Of course, I had to pay homage to Ed Sheeran who used to busk in Galway -

Had one final Guinness before taking off to head back home!
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A Taste of Scotland & Ireland

Smile, You're in San Diego

November 24, 2024

Earlier this month I traveled to San Diego, California for my specialty's annual medical conference. Having been to SoCal before, I knew some of the places I wanted to re-visit in between lectures and presentations. It also helps to have family in the area :)

If you're planning to travel to San Diego, below is a list of my top five favorite spots.

Shorts by Universal Standard - my go-to apparel company for travel.
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Top 5 highlights

1. Balboa Park

We spent the day walking around the 1200 acre park, enjoying the views, touring the gardens, and learning about all of the art (it's home to 18 museums), history, and architecture.

2. San Diego Zoo

The Zoo is located in Balboa park. We didn't get to visit it this trip but I do remember going years ago and loving it! They even have giant pandas. Although nothing compares to the zoos in Australia and New Zealand.

Pandas settle in at San Diego Zoo after journey from China | See first photos

Photo credit: CBS8

2. La Jolla

This walkable cove has tons of great restaurants and boutique shops with beautiful ocean and coastline views. We went to George's At The Cove and ordered almost every seafood item on the menu.


3. Gaslamp Quarter

Known as the heart of San Diego, this downtown neighborhood is a great place for a night out with clubs, restaurants, dive-bars, and cocktail lounges. PS: no matter where you are, you cannot go wrong with Mexican food in San Diego!

4. Little Italy

On our second night, we got dinner in Little Italy at Monello's, known for their cheese wheel pasta. It was delicious! Then we went to a nearby dessert place for the traditional Italian gelato and it did not disappoint.

5. The Marina

Our hotel was right on the marina with easy access to the boardwalk and beautiful views of the sunset. It made the perfect place for a morning or afternoon run. As an aside, another popular destination is the USS Midway - a historical naval aircraft carrier along the Navy Pier.

They do say west coast is the best coast and San Diego is just one more reason for why that is true! Have you been before? Leave a comment to let me know your favorite spots!

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Smile, You're in San Diego

Miss Virginia USA Recap

August 18, 2024

Finally recapping my experience competing for Miss Virginia USA and what an adventure it has been!

From Charlottesville, Virginia to the Miss Virginia USA stage, I am so proud to have represented this city as an ambassador for women of all ages, showcasing that beauty and brains can coexist throughout our lives. Stepping back into my pageant shoes as Miss Charlottesville USA has been nothing short of amazing.


People have asked me "Why pageants?" but the real question is "Why not pageants?" Pageants are a chance for you to challenge yourself to be the best version of you both inside and out.
From public speaking, on-stage presence, networking and interview skills to community service, confidence building, and sisterhood, pageants are an opportunity for professional and personal development. They empower you to use your voice for positive change and advocate for platforms you are passionate about, inspiring others both in and outside of your community.

I'm so grateful to have brought my experiences with the Miss America Organization to the Miss USA system, channeling my energy into my platform Healthy Habits: encouraging health literacy, accuracy, and advocacy.
This led me to publish my first children's book: An Apple A Day, Unraveling Online Myths For Kids, which teaches readers about preventing the spread of misinformation, especially medical misinformation (order your copy HERE).

Miss USA in particular is focused on elevating inclusivity and diversity, having recently expanded several eligibility requirements including the lifting of age restrictions.

INTERVIEWS

The first day of Miss Virginia USA began with interviews featuring an incredible panel of judges. These interviews are only about two minutes long, which means you have to know who you are and why you are competing to your core in order to provide authentic, well-thought-out, CONCISE responses. The key is to answer the question directly, explain why with supporting remarks, and emphasize how the answer is important not just to you but to the judges, the audience, and the community at large. Think "KISSS" - Keep it Short, Sweet, and Simple.

During my interview, I spoke about my experiences as an Emergency Medical Technician, my platform Healthy Habits, my children’s book An Apple A Day, which teaches kids about preventing the spread of online misinformation, my sub-specialty of cancer rehabilitation, and my favorite: the koalas I met at a recent international medical conference I attended in Australia.

The day ended with a gala benefiting the Best Buddies charity featuring Miss USA and an Ashley Lauren Fashion Show as well as an Award Ceremony.


The best part is my friends and family got to attend as well.


PRELIMINARIES/FINALS


Miss USA is different from Miss America in that there is no talent component. Instead, it focuses more on stage presence, public speaking, elegance, and confidence. This part of the pageant includes a swimwear presentation as well as evening gown. Finals night also includes On Stage Question and of course, the crowning moment!


After trying on countless dresses, I fell head over heels for this Sherri Hill number. With its front cutout and one-shoulder long sleeve to balance the opposing slit, I felt absolutely REGAL.


I had so much fun putting my pageant walk training to the test on stage, something I've been preparing for all year. Let me just say, walking in a floor length gown with six inch heels is no joke!



While I didn’t win the crown, I did win the Miss Virginia USA Social Media Award for my online advocacy and platform Healthy Habits. I am so incredibly appreciative of this recognition. It is the first award I have ever received acknowledging all the time and energy I put into content creation and online advocacy. It means so much to me and I still cannot believe it. Hard work pays off and I cannot wait to continue growing and building my brand.

The highlight of the entire pageant weekend was sharing all of it with my friends and family who came out to cheer me on. And now I get to share it all with you readers!






Thank you to my friends and family for believing in me, to Orange Theory and Blogilates for helping me on my fitness journey, to The Bronze Collective, Axel Makeup Academy and my amazing hair/makeup artist Mirna Olivares as well as my sponsors Relax CVille and Cloud 9 for making me look and feel my best, to my coaches at Reigning Beauties, my photographer Reza, and to the FAVulous team of directors at The Fav Group who helped bring all of us pageant queens together.



Congratulations to all my pageant sisters and to our new Miss Virginia USA, Himanvi Panidepu, who absolutely SLAYED at this year's Miss USA. Excited to follow her journey promoting women in STEM while representing Virginia! And congratulations to our new Miss USA, Alma Cooper (Miss Michigan) - an army officer, data scientist, and Stanford graduate student. Best of luck competing for Miss Universe!



Of course, my journey doesn't stop here. I was recently featured in the QBN documentary Limitless on QueenBeauty.TV.




Limitless  "explores the historical context...rule changes...and spirit of Miss USA as [we] break barriers and redefine what it means to be a true pageant queen." Available for streaming online now!


And if you're interested in learning about competing in pageants, check out my blog post: How To Compete In Pageants

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Miss Virginia USA Recap
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