Sometimes, the best trips are the ones where you don’t do much at all. That was exactly the case for my recent weekend in Gainesville—a simple, no-pressure getaway where I focused on rest, work, and, of course, good food.

Where I Stayed 🏡

✔ Hotel Eleo – Comfortable, quiet, and perfect for a reset. The on-site restaurant was cheffing it up, and the complimentary valet had me feeling fancy on a budget. The room was less than $250 a night, so basically, I got my boujee vibes without the boujee price tag.

Where I Ate 🍽️

✔ Florida Room – I ordered two Bellinis (because balance), featuring peach purée and Prosecco—aka my favorite wine. For the main event, I had the Loco Moco, which is usually a hamburger patty with a sunny-side-up egg, brown mushroom gravy, and green onions over rice.

But, because I live for customization, I got my eggs scrambled and the gravy on the side. The result? Pure perfection. Being able to control the gravy-to-rice ratio was an elite experience.

✔ Covey Kitchen and Cocktails – This was right on time because I did not feel like leaving the hotel. I started with their chicken noodle soup, which was giving "your grandma loves you," and then had the salmon with whipped mashed potatoes and broccolini.

The portioning was just right, the service was immaculate, and I got to eat outside by the pond with waterfalls—10/10, would do again.

✔ The Flying Biscuit – I later found out this is a franchise (so y’all might have one near you), but let’s talk about the "Biscuit Glitter." Pretty sure it was just sugar, but whatever magic dust they sprinkled on it took my taste buds to the moon.

I had the Southern Scramble—three scrambled eggs with spicy vegan collard greens, onions, and yellow cheddar cheese. I skipped the bacon, but I did get their hot sauce on the side. Whoever decided that collard greens and eggs belong together deserves a raise because that flavor combo? Elite. Definitely need to hit another location soon.

What I Did

Honestly? Not much. Some work, some good food, and a whole lot of rest. And that’s exactly what I needed.

💡 Why Slow Travel & Restful Trips Matter

Not every trip has to be packed with activities. Sometimes, just changing your environment, slowing down, and giving yourself a break is the best thing you can do. Gainesville was the perfect spot for that.

Need a restful weekend but don’t feel like planning it? Let me do the work for you! Check out my custom 3-day itineraries service → HERE!

​
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​