Hey WordPressers! How are you guys? Hope well. I’m doing great- just returned from an amazing family road trip to Folly Beach, SC- our second visit. And it was such a memorable experience!
Let’s talk about it-
First, before I jump into it- we didn’t initially plan to go on this trip but with the recent surgery my husband went through we decided last minute that a fun adventure (not in a plane) may be best. Which is funny as my husband is going to be flying to France next week for work! Lol. Well, regardless, we had a great time and would totally do it again! I love Folly Island!
Day one: Our first stop was in Washington D.C., where we spent the evening exploring the city and enjoying our favorite restaurant. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn right in Chinatown. A first for us but the perfect hotel location to walk everywhere we planned.
I love DC. It’s such a fun city -with its warm weather, friendly people, great eats and historic sites. One of the highlights for me in D.C. is dining at Jaleo, my all-time favorite restaurant. I love all things from the chef, Jose Andres, actually. Authentic Spanish food and drinks-it is a fun dining experience.
We indulged in their signature tapas, such as the patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo, and my favorite croquettas, which were all mouth-watering. My husband drank the parron of beer with lemonade, which is by far the best beer drink on the planet (I’m not a fan of beer but I will always drink this). The ambiance of the restaurant was perfect, with lively music and a warm atmosphere that made us feel right at home. It was a wonderful way to start our road trip and set the tone for the rest of the journey.
Day two: The next day, we walked over to the National Gallery of Art after breakfast. The streets were alive with hundreds of people as there was a Japanese Festival happening in the streets. We didn’t have enough time to attend, big womp, but seeing all of the Japanese art, clothing and hearing the music was an absolute feast for the eyes and ears.
The National Gallery was a first for us. We saw incredible works of art from some of the most renowned artists in the world, including paintings by Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso. Even one Da Vinci! It was a treat to be able to experience such a vast collection of masterpieces, and we left feeling inspired and amazed. And definitely ready to take on the next leg of our road trip.
After our visit to D.C., we grabbed our car to hit the road and made our way down to Raleigh, NC. Our accommodation in Raleigh was at The Longleaf Hotel, a renovated motel, was a hip and unique experience. The rooms were spacious and stylishly decorated, and we loved the retro charm of the property. The staff was incredibly welcoming, and we felt right at home during our stay. Also, it was the first stop where we pulled out our espresso machine. We bring her everywhere! Nothing like real coffee early in bed, kids.
Raleigh is a nice city to walk. Lots of historic buildings. This was our second visit, but oddly, we noticed it isn’t a typical city where there are a ton of people around or that stores stay open late, however. Is it just us or is this common place? Anyone? Anyways.
One of the highlights of our Raleigh visit was dining at St. Roch’s, a NOLA-inspired restaurant that exceeded our expectations. The seafood was fresh and flavorful, and the beignets was a standout dish. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid-back, with friendly service and a charming ambiance. Great cocktails. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at St. Roch’s and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Raleigh.
Overall, our time in DC and Raleigh was short but sweet. The National Gallery and St. Roch’s were two high points that made our nights memorable and enjoyable. We couldn’t wait to see what other adventures awaited us on our road trip to Folly Beach!
That’s days one and two so far. I’ll try to update you on the next leg of this trip soon and in one post (four nights in SC). I have pottery class to update on as well, but I may have to mash it into one post after my next class. Haha Too much going on this week and weekend!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, guys. Your interest means the world to me, and I appreciate your support more than words can express.
till next post xo
Valeria Out Loud 
You’re right about DC, it’s got lots going on and the culinary choices are amazing. The last time I was in Carolina was when we went to Outer Banks. Loved that but I also love Durham and Chapel Hill.
Outer Banks is beautiful! Would like to see Chapel Hill, Durham, and all of NC, and further South, and everywhere lol. There’s so much to see in this country, hope to get more chances to explore!
You’re right about that. We would never have to leave the country and we would never get bored.