My Story

Hi, I am Riley, the girl behind Traveling with Riley.  I’m slightly obsessed with traveling, enjoying fine wine & dining, my dog, seeing the best view, sunsets & sunrises, learning about new cultures, & meeting new people.  USA-based, currently been to 19 countries and working on more!  I have always dreamed of seeing the world.  I really started finding my passion for traveling when I met my now husband in 2015. Our first real trip together was to New York City.  He called me in the middle of the night (after knowing him a month) and wanted me to meet him in the city — and said my plane was leaving in a few hours!  I honestly had no idea what to think but I did it and, honestly, ever since we have been going on all kinds of trips both near and far.  I guess that’s one of the reasons that New York City will always hold a very special place in my heart.  Every chance we can get away we do (even if it’s just for 2 days, ?).   

I strive to see the world from different viewpoints.  I didn’t even realize how small my tiny bubble was until I started seeing different people, cultures, food, & architecture.  This little girl from Alabama really had no clue what all was out there, but I love learning more with every new locale visited.  I work full time in Human Resources but travel on the side and blog for fun.  This blog has been a long time coming for me, but I just honestly haven’t had the time to start something for fun (or maybe this is just an excuse ?).  

People started reaching out to me wanting to know more about places and asking advice, so I started writing itineraries & helping people which pushed me to start this.  I hope to be more helpful to people and, in doing so, I want to share everything, including, but not limited to, all my travels (both budget friendly and luxury), my favorite places, travel tips, places around the world where we have shared the most amazing food and wines, travel equipment, & fashion.  Ask me anything at all and I will be so happy to answer.  I want to get to know everyone.  I love meeting new people and maintaining relationships with people we have met around the globe.  Places we have traveled have really been eye-opening and humbled us to see things how they truly are and not just how they appear in fancy pictures…even though fancy pictures are always appealing too, of course. Anyways, hope you like my blog.