Hello, I'm Marie!

As the granddaughter of Italian immigrants, I inherited a love for fashion, food, and travel. I find beauty in the simplest of things, whether it’s a meal, a destination, or a piece of architecture. My grandparents may have passed down the travel gene, as they journeyed to America in the 1920s.

My travels have taken me to many places, where I have witnessed the unadorned beauty of the Tuscan countryside, the arrondissements of Paris, and Gaudí’s cathedral in Barcelona, among others. Closer to the road less traveled, I’ve explored the hilltowns of Puglia, the Adriatic coast of Hvar, the fjords of Bergen, the markets of Southern France, the streets of Buenos Aires, the soul of Cape Town and the craft towns of Japan. For me, travel is education. It satisfies my intellectual curiosity and prompts me to seek out more destinations, cultures, and experiences.

Freedom Always Blog is where I share that curiosity — the hidden gems, the local makers, the markets and meals that don’t make the highlight reels. I believe the best travel is slow, intentional, and almost always off the beaten path. I split my time between the DMV area and Southern California, and I always have a destination on my calendar. Travel nourishes my mind, body, and soul — and I’m glad you’re here for it.