Picture this: strapping out of your ski boots, enjoying a long hot shower, then heading back up the Highlands Gondola to be greeted by a warm sleigh ride up to Zephyr Lodge. There, levity and laughter await at a farm table with stunning views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada. A monthly affair throughout the winter season, Northstar’s Mountain Table Dinner Series combines the talents of the head chef at the resort with a local Northern California winery. The result? A five-course dinner with five wine pairings. And all was well with the world.

The evening Nick and I attended the dinner happened to be St. Patrick’s Day and spirits were high— both those of our moods and the pour of each wine from Merryvale Vineyards. These were no mere tastings, but generous pours that had barely been half consumed when the next wine and food pairing came along. If you’re picturing a casual gala where you walk away at the end of the night (or should I say sleigh away) with phone numbers from new friends and a fresh appreciation for Merlot then you’re not far off.

If you’re like me, you may not immediately associate fine dining with skiing, but Northstar is changing that perception with offerings such as the Mountain Table Dinner. Nick and I were impressed with the thoughtful pairings — the food truly brought out the wine, and the wine the food. The grilled lamb chop with the unexpected addition of mole was my personal favorite course (paired with the 2014 Carneros Merlot, also excellent) and my favorite wine was the 2013 Merryvale Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (paired with a prawn cocktail, pictured). The evening began with murmuring of conversation and clinking of glasses, live music in the background, and ended with new friends and roars of laughter throughout the hallway, the Milky Way beckoning to us from the night sky outside.

Perhaps one of the best parts of this series is that Northstar donates a portion of their proceeds to Project MANA to help mitigate hunger in the Lake Tahoe basin. The other best part has to be the sleigh ride (affixed to the back of a snowcat) back down the mountain after dinner concludes. My only complaint? That the Mountain Table Dinner Series isn’t offered year-round. Be sure to keep an eye on the schedule this next winter season and book your tickets in advance for an evening unlike any other in the Lake Tahoe basin. Bon appétit!

Please note: I am a paid ambassador with Northstar California Resort this winter season. All opinions expressed are my own.

I recently spent a week in Bavaria (Munich + Salzburg) and Bohemia (mostly Prague) with Nick to celebrate both our 30th birthdays. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the conversations we had there. It seems like just a moment ago we were sitting in the Hemingway Bar enjoying phenomenal absinthe cocktails chatting about our goals for this new decade of life (start businesses, make cash monies, get more involved in church). I love how travel forces you to slow down and be present. My favorite memories are always made while traveling — every trip is special for different reasons, and our week in Bavaria and Bohemia was no different.

It was cold while we were there, often dropping below freezing, yet still sunny and gorgeous. We caught trains, booked last minute 14th century Airbnbs that looked like castles, ate schnitzels and drank wine. Our favorite spots were Hallstatt, Austria — the oldest salt mining town in the world — and the bone ossuary an hour outside of Prague decorated with 70,000 human skeletons (creepier than the bones was the sketchy train ride there). You can find my detailed guide on the whole trip up on the Teva blog here, but I decided to jot out a few tips to keep in mind when planning your next European escape:

1. Go In The Off Season

Prices are obviously going to be far cheaper in the off season (aka anytime but summer) but perhaps more importantly, you'll miss the crowds. Think: better views, shorter lines, longer tours. It's the best.

2. Wear Layers

If you're anything like me, packing before a big trip is the. most. stressful. But it doesn't have to be! Plan out your outfits ahead of time, reusing accessories and jeans. I wore leggings and tights under my pants every day so I could stay warm while still looking fly. A solid pair of black gloves is a must, and you probably won't wear as much jewelry as you think. Bring a purse you can wear and don't have to hold so your hands are free for ice cream cones or beer... or maybe that's just me.

3. Document, But Don't Over-Document

When traveling, I only shoot on my Sony A6300 — if you're looking for the perfect travel camera, I highly recommend checking out out the Sony Alpha series! It's small and lightweight enough that I actually bring it everywhere and am able to capture those special moments. The key is to not over-shoot as that just means more photos to go through later. I was in Europe for 7 days and came away with around 500 amazing photos, which is about 70 photos a day. Don't be shy about asking strangers to take your picture, either!

4. Keep The Maps App Open

Obviously while traveling, if you don't have an international plan you'll have to keep your phone on airplane mode throughout the duration of your trip. Connecting to Wifi in your hotel room and various cafés is be a great way to keep in touch with the outside world, but how do you navigate through 12th century cobblestone streets and dimly lit bars? Here's a trick: know where you're going ahead of time, and keep your Maps app open on your phone when you leave Wifi. Even if you're on airplane mode, the app will still track where you're going. This has been a lifesaver for me on recent trips! Of course, you can always carry a paper map too, but that doesn't beat having your phone track your location.

5. Embrace The Local Culture

There's definitely something to be said for visiting the most touristed spots — after all, there has to be a good reason they became famous in the first place — but finding the authentic modern culture of wherever you're visiting can be just as fascinating as learning about the ancient culture. This includes trying the local beer and food, but also includes learning a few words in a new language. It's okay to ask locals if they speak English, but don't be afraid to try and communicate in their tongue first!

Bratwurst and coffee, skeleton keys and tulips, mountains and castles... here's my photo story of some favorite images from our magical escape to Bavaria and Bohemia:

Do you have plans to visit Europe this year? If so, where? Let me know in a comment below!