About Me

Hi! I’m Melissa, a wine-loving Connecticut native daring to become a cultured world traveler. I love to create memorable experiences through travel and new adventures.

To travel is to live.

-Hans Christian Andersen

I am from a small town where nothing exciting ever really happens. It seems like the best reason for wanting to travel, but I’ve yearned to go, anywhere, for as long as I can remember. And though I have truly come to cherish my local surroundings, I am eager to see the world.

Get to know me

I recently found myself faced with the opportunity to take a different direction in life. A direction that leads to happiness. A happiness that I gain from travel and what prompted me to create this blog. Although I am not a full-time traveler, I aim to explore the world and its many cultures. So far, I have been to five countries and a hand full of places in North America.

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list!

-Susan Sontag

The Cultured Bee is a platform where I will share much of what I enjoy, not just in daily life but during my travels as well. I’m constantly seeking out and appreciate learning about different cultures through:

• Agriculture like visiting wineries and vineyards, orchards and farms.
• Gastronomy like locally sourced meat and produce, cheese and chocolate.
• Unique accommodations like the lava stone dammuso I once stayed in.
• And, nature like parks and waterfalls.

I feel so full of joy and gratitude when I travel to a new country or even a familiar but favorite place. Having authentic and immersive experiences and learning about the local people and culture is what compels me to travel. I look forward to sharing my tips, tricks, and mishaps with the hope of inspiring you to travel often, get cultured and live happily, too!

Interesting facts:

• I was born to travel (I’m a Sagittarius).
• Melissa means “bee.”
• I am fiercely independent (working on this).
• Harry Potter fanatic, here!
• I have a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
• And an A.A.S. in Fashion Design & Merchandising (my failed backup plan).
• I started (but didn’t finish) nursing school (my first backup plan).