Stress mounting. Anxiety building. Brain turning to mush. The other day it dawned on me – I haven’t felt this much stress since two months before my wedding four years ago. Some of it is self-prescribed (condo hunting right before we leave, really?), some of it is unavoidable and cultural (taking care of my parents during surgeries and broken bones), and then there’s work (drowning in it as I take on two roles in an understaffed department), the biggest cause of my immediate angst and newly formed habit of night time teeth grinding.

Travelling to new places, experiencing new cultures and taking a step back to celebrate the year’s successes is a great way to refresh the mind and body which I hope to achieve while away. Yet, I struggled with my decision on where to travel next, adding on additional stress. The stress of EVERYTHING has killed the joy before we even leave.

When I choose places to visit – it has to feel right. Do I go somewhere in South America where I’ve never been – new continent, more research, expensive options? But I miss India. Peru? But it’s rainy season. I really want to go to Israel and Jordan too. I have three weeks – where do I go?

Yup, it’s a first world problem, people. Maybe I just need to spin a globe and point my finger or throw a dart at a map. Is the world becoming smaller or have I travelled too much lately? All I know is, whichever place I would pick – had to feel right. We finally came to a decision – after I came home one night, exhausted and looking to get some relaxation out of this trip.

Here is our 3 Week Itinerary and by the looks of it, it may not seem all that relaxing (especially with an over 20 hour flight), but it’s all in how you spend your time. During the first half of our trip, we are staying put in one city before hopping around. Hopefully, I will get excited soon???

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – 9 NIGHTS

Dubbed the Paris of South America – European with Latin Flair, Buenos Aires is known for being cosmopolitan and cultural with a killer cocktail scene in hip Palermo Soho. Street tango, architecture, grilled meats (and not getting ripped off with fake currency which is very rampant there) – is what I have to look forward to…along with unexpected experiences and adventures!

MONTEVIDEO + PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY – 5 NIGHTS

We’ll be staying in the old part of Montevideo for the night before visiting Punta del Este’s beaches – the Hamptons/Ibiza/Monaco – insert any rich, uber exclusive luxe city – of Uruguay where Argentina’s rich go to play. And we’ll be staying in a $120 hotel, not the $700 one in case you’re wondering. Let’s see if it plays up to the hype of being the underdog to Rio.

NEW YORK CITY – 4 NIGHTS

This was a last minute add on. New York during the holiday season – classic! I haven’t been to New York since I was 16 and my husband has never been. The Met, the Guggenheim and maybe a show for a short stopover before coming back home for Christmas.

Usually it takes me atleast two to three days into my vacation to fully relax. Let’s see how this trip pans out! Keep up with my adventures on Twitter and Facebook during the next three weeks as I go through the ups and downs of travel.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons.