For this Travel Tuesday post I want to introduce my friend Amye! I love reading about her travels on her blog Mon Ayme and seeing all the amazing places she travels to. She is a Washington, DC based lifestyle blogger and she posts about travel and Connections on Mondays.

You can check her out on social media:

Instagram  +  Twitter  +  Bloglovin

Tell me about your early life. What do you think sparked your passion for traveling?

As I child I absolutely loved to read, above all else, and that has definitely contributed to my love for travel. In a book you can escape to an entirely different place. Through reading a lot of the classics, I followed the adventures of some incredible heroines that I am reminded of now when I go to new places in the world.

Sticking to the classics, many of which are British-based, was also one of the unspoken reasons I studied abroad in London for my first time overseas!

(Photo above is from a trip to The Tattered Cover, my favorite bookstore in Denver. I always leave extra room to bring back some treasures from an afternoon spent there!)

What is your favorite place you have traveled to?

I’ve never been very good at picking favorites. I love each of the trips I’ve been lucky enough to take for different reasons – each place has something special to reveal. Traveling for business in recent years has also opened my eyes up to the pulse of different U.S. cities, even if I don’t get time to do much exploring during those trips.

What is on your travel bucket list?

I’ve been saying Greece, among other European destinations, but other trips seem more plausible in the near future. For instance, we’re currently planning The Texas Trip 2015 as something on our U.S. bucket list. I’ve been toying with the idea of going to Japan, but also feeling like a South American destination should be on the list sooner than later (any advice there?). Really, I’ll go just about anywhere :)

I know you like to travel with your husband. What’s your dream romantic vacation?

Oh, you mean our recent trip to France? :) That 10-day trip to Paris and driving through Burgundy wine country to the French Riviera was definitely a dream-come-true. The fact that it was lavender season was just a bonus! Beautiful places, amazing food – with wine and champagne aplenty! – in one of the most romantic places on earth with my guy. Can we go back now, please? (You can read more about our Paris itinerary, hotel, and some sights here and here.)

Who is the most interesting person you have met while on the road?

Goodness, that’s definitely Yorg. I studied abroad in Dubia / Doha and we crossed paths on a cheesy dinner cruise down the river. The cruise itself is another story, but Yorg was (supposedly) this middle-aged German mogul who befriended our group since he was traveling alone. He evidently led a fabulous jetset life – he was “The Most Interesting Man” before “The Most Interesting Man” even existed, and has become a larger-than-life character in our memories.

Favorite Travel Quote?

25 minutes later she returned from Pinterest and said: Who could choose a favorite?

Eat Well, Travel Often.

Paris is always a good idea.

Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.

However you’re inspired to get going, the most important thing is to go.

What was the best meal you have eaten while traveling?

Italy is an obvious choice here, and certainly a favorite. Pizza, pasta, and all the gelato. Yes, please.

But to share something different, I’d say that the food in Iceland was surprisingly good! Seafood is common here, and lobster bisque was great from a mug at a hole-in-the-wall at the marina, or from a Zagat-rated ocean-to-table place in downtown Reykjavik.

After a day-long driving tour of the natural wonders of Iceland, I highly recommend a trip to Hamborgarafabrikkan (translation: The Hamburger Factory) – on the Icelandair flight over, watch the “behind the scenes” video of the guys that founded this place.

And finish your food journey with the most fantastic hot dog you’ve ever eaten. I’m ruined for backyard bar-b-ques forever now that I’ve had the Icelandic version. Others have attested to its greatness, and I can confirm the hype is real. I may not look thrilled in the photo below, but that’s because I hadn’t taken a bite yet. Don’t miss this one.

What is your favorite and most versatile outfit to pack in your suitcase?

A little black dress is never a bad idea to have on-hand! It’s not black, but I have this one dress that is impossible to wrinkle, always fits, and is seasonless and magically appropriate for all occasions. I’ve worn it to a wedding and out for casual drinks, and if needed I’d take a business meeting wearing this dress. It usually finds its way into my bag, especially if I’m having a tough time packing.

(some silly wedding photobooth snaps, but they showcase my travel dress! See the humiliation I’m willing to put myself through for a relevant blog photo? lol)

What do you pack in your bag that isn’t totally necessary, but you just love traveling with it?

I feel like I only pack the essentials, but I’m actually writing this from a plane where I had to gate-check my bag since it was overstuffed, so, well, I’m sure I must have some non-essentials in there…

A simple thing that I always pack, and regret when I forget to include, are socks. If you’re out doing the touristy thing all day, or traveling on business and wearing high heels, its just a little luxury to put on fresh cushiony socks when you get back to the hotel to put your feet up.

Can you give us any tips on traveling on a budget?

Pack snacks! Its great to enjoy local cuisine but no one likes a “hangry” traveler, and the options in that moment might be limited or expensive. If you’ve stocked up on granola bars, fruit snacks, and other purse-friendly food then you avoid unnecessary expense and save time to enjoy the sights, until the next meal.

Bon Voyage, mes amies! And if you’d like to follow along with my journey, visit me at Mon Amye or @amyemae on Instagram.