Editor’s Note: As someone who loves to travel – whether it is halfway across the world or just a town over – I figured Earth month would be the perfect time to begin sharing some of my adventures with you. I may share past trips or ones I am still unpacking from, but I hope that this series inspires you to explore our beautiful planet as much as you can. x 

Over Easter weekend, we ended up in Charleston, South Carolina for our very first family reunion. I was thrilled to visit a new state {state #32 for me, which means I’ve been to more countries – 33 so far – than states in the US!}, especially one that I had read so much about in history books. We managed to visit the Boone Hall Plantation in the nearby town of Mount Pleasant, which was a somber and educational experience. For instance, they found a receipt in the house from the 1800s where a woman was purchased for breeding purposes for ~$900. In today’s prices, a human being would have been bought for ~$30,000, or the cost of a car. On a happier note, the Avenue of the Oaks that welcomes you onto the property was by far the most magical part of my trip, and I was happy that the family who own the property have only had it since the last century {and thus not profiting from slavery, and once again from visitors who want to learn about this atrocious time in American history}.

We also managed to explore King Street {I adored the adorable shops and cafes that lined the streets}, visit the Charleston Market {where we saw beautiful work from many local artists and creators}, go on a nighttime ghost tour of the city, explore the famous Pineapple Fountain, walk around Rainbow Row {my favorite part of the city}, wander around The Battery {from where you could see Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie}, and see The Dock Street Theater {which was the first theater that was made solely for theatrical performances}.

While the weather was incredibly unpredictable during our visit – it was blazing hot one day, rainy and ice cold the next – I felt really fortunate to visit Charles Town, a.k.a. Charleston {originally named after King Charles II} this spring. The city is quaint and historic, the people are so polite that it’s clear that southern hospitality runs in their blood, and the food {vegan cuisine that rivals LA’s – and questions if the city of angels truly is the mecca for plant-based food, pizza slices that are literally the size of your arm, and tea lattes that were so delicious, I would often have two or three a day} was incredible. If Charleston isn’t on your bucket list yet, I hope this inspires you to reconsider. And if you have been to, or live in, Charles Town, I’d love to know, what is your favorite thing about the city?

x Paris