Browsing Tag

TRAVEL

AC Hotel Riga Marriott Review: Is It Worth Staying Here?

Hello from Riga! This was my very first time in Latvia, and also my first time in Riga, so choosing the right hotel felt especially important. After a smooth arrival, I checked into the AC Hotel by Marriott Riga, a centrally located property that is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. From the moment I arrived, the experience set a positive tone for my stay.

The check-in process was warm and welcoming, and the staff immediately made me feel at ease. That first impression matters, especially when you are arriving in a new country for the first time, and it is something this hotel does very well.

BOSTON

Boston Guide Update: 5 New Hotels + Restaurants to Try

Boston’s restaurant and hotel scene never sits still, and neither do I. I’m back with a fresh round of additions to my Boston Guide, including two hotels I’ve now reviewed in depth (hello, Back Bay chic and Seaport efficiency), plus a few meals that were so good I’m still thinking about them on the flight home.

If you’re planning a Boston trip and want a mix of treat-yourself spots and practical, well-located stays, this update is for you.

LIFE UPDATES

2025: A Year of Yes, Joy & Becoming – Travel, Traditions & the Magic in Between

I didn’t expect 2025 to begin surrounded by half-dressed people on the London Underground, yet there I was, unintentionally swept into the famous No Pants Tube Ride. Equal parts hilarious and mortifying, it turned out to be the perfect metaphor for the year ahead: unexpected, joyful, and a reminder not to take life quite so seriously.

Looking back now, 2025 wasn’t about ticking boxes or chasing milestones. It was about saying yes to moments, to people, to celebration, and to the kind of experiences that make a year feel full rather than fast.

TRAVEL

Visiting the Taj Mahal: A Beautiful, Practical Guide for First-Time Travelers

Some trips leave an imprint on your memory long after the suitcase has been unpacked, the passport tucked away, and life returns to its usual rhythm. Visiting the Taj Mahal was one of those moments — luminous, sweeping, unforgettable. Even now, years later, I can close my eyes and summon that first breathtaking glimpse: the perfect white marble, the quiet hum of visitors from around the world, and the feeling — unmistakable — that I was standing before one of the greatest expressions of devotion ever created.

The Savvy Bostonian smiling and pointing toward the Taj Mahal from the main viewpoint near the reflecting pool, surrounded by visitors and gardens.

I travelled to Agra in October while on a work trip to India, turning one free day into an opportunity to finally see this wonder of the world. What follows is my complete, stylish-but-practical guide — the way I would describe it to a friend over coffee, with the kind of details I wish I had known before going.

Whether you’re dreaming of India, planning a future itinerary, or traveling from your sofa with a cup of tea, I hope this brings a bit of beauty to your day.

FAB FINDS, TRAVEL

Stylish. Strong. Smart. My Honest Level8 Luggage Review

Christmas came early to The SavvyBostonian HQ! The doorbell rang, and two beautifully boxed Level8 carry-on suitcases appeared on my doorstep. It was the perfect excuse for an honest Level8 luggage review after my last carry-on lost a wheel in Birmingham.

Level8 kindly gifted me two of their best-selling models — the Luminous Textured Carry-On 20″ and the Road Runner Carry-On 20″ — to share a review here on the blog. I selected these two, as the Road Runner model has a front compartment for your laptop, while the Luminous Textured model is a similar to the carry-on that I previously had. Depending on the type of trip I’m on, I thought having one of each style carry-on would be beneficial. But, let’s get more into that in my review!

Jessica Gioglio standing with two black Level8 carry-on suitcases — the Luminous Textured and Road Runner models — for her Level8 luggage review on The SavvyBostonian blog.

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