At the end of every year, I like to put together a post looking back on my . I’ve usually centered these posts around fashion and my personal style mantras. This year, I wanted to do something different. I realized that while fashion remained important to me, travel really defined my year. Looking back on 2019, it was the best travel destinations that stood out.
Because I spent so much time traveling and planning a wedding in 2019, a lot of these travel destinations have yet to make it to the blog. BUT don’t expect that trend to carry into 2020.
This year, I am planning on shifting my focus to plus size and LGBTQ travel content. I will still continue to bring you plus size fashion and personal styles posts – that will not change! As this post will hopefully evidence, I already do quite a bit of travel. I plan on sharing that part of my life more.
Without further adieu, let me share how 2019 was one of my most memorable yet through the lens of my best travel destinations!
1. Detroit, MI – Bombshell Bridal Boutique
My first trip in 2019 was to just out of Detroit. My bridesmaids and I trekked from Ohio in a massive snow storm.
Despite the snow and the cold, we had so much fun being able to all pick out dresses in the same boutique. I cannot stress the importance of making sure you find a bridal boutique that is inclusive for plus size bridesmaids and those who wear sizes 12 and below as well.
2. Los Angeles, CA – Absolut Vodka Shoot
I was sitting at my cubicle the moment I found out that I had been selected as a model for Absolut Vodka’s 2019 Pride Campaign. I knew that this moment could change my career. It was my first LGBTQ+ focused campaign. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, we re-created one of the first Pride parades.
I got the chance to meet some amazing creatives such as Amanda Lepore, Sasha Velour, EJ Johnson, Alexandra Gray, Jason A Rodriguez, Victoria Cruz and so many more! The legendary photographer David LaChapelle shot this campaign on location in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Cars honked as we chanted “Gay is Good” dressed in full Stonewall-era costumes.
Side note, I stayed at the and I would definitely recommend for a cute boutique-style hotel.
3. Boston, MA
Truthfully, I didn’t see much of Boston beyond the airport and the traffic. My husband and I went for a friend’s wedding in Worcester the first week of May. Their wedding was really special with a lot of thoughtful handmade details.
My husband was the Bride’s best man so I got to witness so many of the day’s beautiful and intimate moments. Although I didn’t see much of Boston itself, the trip reminded me that I need to plan a trip to see the city!
With our own wedding around the corner, this wedding was a good reminder to us to focus on what really matters!
4. Midwest Prides – Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus and Cincinnati
For the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, I knew that I wanted to go to as many celebrations of Pride as possible. I started with my first weekend in my hometown of Cleveland with my husband.
I traveled next to Pittsburgh’s Pride with my best friend.
Then I achieved one of my major life goals – I marched in the Columbus Pride Parade with Lane Bryant.
My last Midwest Pride took me to Cincinnati, a city I hadn’t visited since I was a kid.
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati both claimed to be the largest prides in the Midwest. I’m pretty sure that Chicago holds that title and definitely remains my favorite Pride. But I would definitely make my way back to Cincinnati’s Pride again!
Going to four Midwest Prides meant that I needed a lot outfits to wear. I rounded up my best plus size Pride outfit ideas on my YouTube.
5. New York City, NY – World Pride 2019
Of all of the 2019 Pride festivities, I knew I needed to get to New York City where it all began. My husband and I traveled together to New York for World Pride 2019. Our first stop when we arrived was The Stonewall Inn. We wore the Legendary Leaders tee from Alt Pronouns that pays tribute to LGBTQ pioneers Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie & Miss Major.
Our first official NYC Pride 2019 activity was a rooftop party with Absolut Vodka. It was here that I meant some of my favorite fellow LGBTQ bloggers and influencers: , Gabi and Shanna of , , and
Next, we had the opportunity to be a part of LGBTQ+ history as we traveled through the streets of New York in the Absolut Vodka float.
6. Las Vegas, NV – Bachelorette Party
My bridesmaids and I traveled to sunny Las Vegas for a rainbow-themed bachelorette party. We saw a lot of sights including the Neon Sign Museum, Drag Brunch, and the High Roller.
The highlight for me was definitely our photoshoot in the desert and at the rooftop pool at Planet Hollywood.
Talk about EPIC!
You can see more of what we got into on my Las Vegas Bachelorette Party over on my YouTube!
7. Atlanta, GA – The TCF Style Expo
This year marked the five-year anniversary of The TCF Style Expo. I have been to every single one. I went first as a vendor then as a speaker and the past three years as a brand ambassador for .
While in Atlanta, I linked up with my fellow plus size bloggers and to create an editorial shoot with photographer
Not to overuse the word BUT the results were truly epic. Expect a full round up of these images soon.
8. Bethany Beach, DL
My parents invited me on a trip with them to Bethany Beach as a pre-wedding gift. It was designed to be relaxing. We went to the beach everyday, walked the boardwalk, and ate the best crab ever!
9. Hendersonville, NC – Fat Camp
I traveled to Hendersonville, North Carolina to speak at . It’s a body positive camp put together by Annette Richmond of Fat Girls Traveling. It was truly life-changing to be surrounded by fellow fat babes having important conversations and having fun!
10. New York City, NY – New York Fashion Week
For the third year in a row, I walked in dapperQ’s New York Fashion Week runway show held at the Brooklyn Museum. This year I walked with gender neutral underwear brand, TomboyX.
11. London, England – Honeymoon Stop 1
I am working on a detailed post on planning your own honeymoon. I still don’t know how we pulled off planning our own wedding and our honeymoon at the same time but we did! We flew from Cleveland to New York then straight to London!
We saw a lot of the best travel destinations in London including the London Eye, Camden Market, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace.
We also took a short train ride out to the set of Harry Potter! My husband is a big fan of the franchise and this was the main reason we went to London. It did not disappoint.
12. Paris, France – Honeymoon Stop 2
Paris is the perfect honeymoon travel destination. We did a and went on a
We also went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and ate crepes as we watched the Eiffel Tower light up at night.
13. Tropea, Italy – Honeymoon Stop 3
It’s hard to top Italy as a best travel destination for me and Tropea did not disappoint. It’s a quaint beach town in Southern Italy.
The water is crystal clear and in early October, the weather was beautiful! We mostly relaxed at the beach and walked through the cobblestone streets.
We also completed an authentic Italian cooking class! I may be biased because we cooked it but I swear, this was the best pasta I’ve ever had!
14. Milan, Italy – Honeymoon Stop 4
We only spent one day in Milan which was only enough time to get a taste of what the city had to offer. Of all the cities I’ve been to in Italy, Milan had the most international feel. At times, I felt more like I was in New York than Italy.
15. Getaway House – Pittsburgh + Cleveland
I knew that our honeymoon would be more exhausting than relaxing. We had nine flights in 12 days and we can back exhausted.
Luckily, I had planned us a trip to location. It’s about an hour and a half from Cleveland. The little cabin is a minimalist dream. With no cell service, this was the perfect retreat for us to connect with nature (and each other).
Use code ALYSSE25 to get $25 off your booking.
16. Portland, OR – Knockout PDX
Many of my 2019 travel destinations were not places I visited for the first time. Portland was an exception! It had been on my list of U.S. travel destinations and it did not disappoint.
I went for , a body positive fashion show. I also had some of the best meals and got to visit the Nike Headquarters in Beaverton.
17. Chicago, IL – Girls Weekend
I planned a weekend trip to Chicago to spend with my mom, aunts and cousin. My aunt surprised us by booking a giant suite at the Magnificent Mile Hilton for us to all stay together. It was gorgeous.
My cousin and I talked our aunt and Moms into going to the . They didn’t quite get it but they were good sports!
We did a wine tasting at Eatly that turned into us spending all afternoon there. It was a refreshing weekend with family.
18. San Juan, Puerto Rico – Winter Pride Fest
Discover Puerto Rico invited myself and a few other LGBTQ+ travel bloggers to visit Puerto Rico during their first Winter Pride Fest. I am forever saying that we need more celebrations of Pride outside of June.
In addition to Winter Pride Fest, we got to see so much of the island. From zip-lining and ATV riding to drag burlesque and making cocktails at the Bacardi HQ, I completely fell in love with Puerto Rico.
This trip really solidified my desire to chase my true dream of travel blogging.
19. Nashville, TN
My husband and I decided to spend our first Christmas as a married couple exploring a new city. We picked Nashville because neither of us had been there as adults.
The city had a lot of fun things to do for the holidays. We saw the decorations at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention City. We also really enjoyed the lights at GLOW Nashville.
So there you have it – 2o19 through the miles on my car, passport stamps and memories I’ll never forget.
Where would you like to see me go in 2020?
Also, if there’s a specific travel destination that you know well and can cover from a plus size and/or LGBTQ+ perspective, I would love to have you guest blog about it!