Hi there, I’m Nicole. My goal in creating this travel blog, The Painted Itinerary, is to help you plan your dream vacation without the headache of decision overload by sharing the details behind my trips! I spend a lot of time researching destinations, hotels, restaurants, and more before booking – so hopefully this is a helpful resource for your next vacation. I wouldn’t call myself a budget traveler, but I do always look for the most affordable price even at luxury places.
Travel has been a part of my life since I can remember. My family often went on vacations across the United States when I was a kid, and later the trips expanded to the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia. I see now, as an adult, how fortunate I am to have had those experiences and I strive to continue exploring the world.
In college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in France for a summer and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. I flew from Florida to Europe on my own and learned to navigate a new country – this was before convenient and affordable international mobile plans. I had limited data and cell service so I truly had to learn to read a map and use the public transportation systems. Looking back, I’m grateful it happened that way because it made me a better rounded person. Traveling offers so many chances for us to learn new things about the world, but also ourselves, you just have to be open to taking it all in.
I’ve combined my passion for travel with my passion for art by recreating favorite photos from my trips. I like to paint and sometimes draw, so it seemed fitting to reminisce this way. Painting allows me to bring to life the photos from my perspective. I hope this blog inspires you to go on the many adventures awaiting you, and reflect on them in your own way.