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Patty Vila

@pattyvilamedia

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Travel is my passion, storytelling is my purpose. Edward R. Murrow recipient, University of Michigan Fellow
📪[email protected]

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Safari. South Africa 🇿🇦 by @pattyvilamedia

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3 days ago

Rainbow Magic Cape Town taken in Cape Town, South Africa by @pattyvilamedia

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14 days ago

Good morning ☀️ from Cape Town

When I saw the sunrise from my hotel window, I ran outside to capture these pics!

Golden skies, peaceful mornings, and views that just make you pause for a moment. This is your reminder that sometimes the most beautiful moments are the quiet ones.

South Africa, you are very special to me! 🇿🇦 taken in Cape Town, South Africa by @pattyvilamedia

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20 days ago

A golden day in Dahlonega, Georgia!

Started the day with a beautiful hike around Lake Zwerner, taking in the forested hills, and fresh North Georgia mountain air. The loop is about 3.3 miles, making it the perfect way to get some steps in while enjoying the scenery. 🥾🌲🏞️

Cousin Tony and I headed into town for lunch and, of course, ice cream at Connie’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop. This ice cream parlor was established in 2001.

After lunch we spent the afternoon wandering around historic downtown Dahlonega and the Public Square, browsing the shops, admiring the historic buildings, and soaking up the small-town charm. 🏛️🛍️

Some fun facts about Dahlonega:
✨ Dahlonega was the site of one of the first major gold rushes in the United States, beginning in 1829.
✨ The name “Dahlonega” comes from a Cherokee word associated with gold or “yellow money.”
✨ The historic courthouse on the square was built in 1836 and now houses the Dahlonega Gold Museum.
✨ A U.S. Branch Mint operated in Dahlonega from 1838 to 1861.
✨ Gold from Dahlonega and Lumpkin County was eventually used to gild Georgia’s State Capitol dome in Atlanta! 🪙✨

From hiking trails to ice cream and a historic town square, Dahlonega turned out to be the perfect mix of nature, history, food, and small-town Georgia charm.

📍 Dahlonega, Georgia
🥾 Lake Zwerner
🍦 Connie’s Ice Cream
🏛️ Historic Dahlonega Square

Ended the night with a Amaretto in hand watching @karaandnate on YouTube.

@exploregeorgia
@discover.dahlonega
@exploregeorgia
@conniesicecream
@dahlonegasocial

#Dahlonega #DahlonegaGeorgia #NorthGeorgia #GeorgiaTravel taken in Dahlonega, Georgia by @pattyvilamedia

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a month ago

Such a fun day at The Painted Horse Winery & Vineyard with my cousin Tony!

We spent the day tasting some great wines, enjoying a delicious lunch, soaking up the beautiful vineyard views, and of course stomping grapes!

Some fun facts!
22-acre estate in Milton, Georgia.
3 acres are currently under vines.
It was founded and built by Pamela Borgel, who the winery identifies as the first woman in Georgia to build a farm winery from the ground up on her own. She broke ground on the first vineyard in 2017 using her grandfather’s 1950 Ford 8N tractor.

Painted Horse began producing wine in 2019, making it Milton's founding winery and Fulton County's first farm winery. They currently produce approximately 12,000 bottles a year. 🍷🐎

@visitgeorgia

#CousinTime #FamilyMemories #PaintedHorseWinery #WineTasting #GrapeStomping by @pattyvilamedia

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a month ago

Escape to Luxury!
The Ultimate Carillon Miami Spa Experience.

Fun fact: Carillon's thermal experience is designed around European hydrotherapy traditions, so the idea is to move between different hot, warm and cold environments rather than simply sit in one sauna.

🧖 It is huge: The spa and wellness facility covers about 70,000 square feet, making it one of the largest spa facilities on the Eastern Seaboard.
🌊 It is right on Miami Beach, at 6801 Collins Avenue, with views of the Atlantic Ocean.
🔥 It has a thermal circuit with different hot and cold experiences, including a Finnish sauna, crystal steam room, herbal laconium, vitality tub and thermal loungers.
🧊 It has an igloo! The spa has a cooling room using cold air, menthol, mint and eucalyptus.
🌧️ Its showers imitate weather: Some experiential showers recreate things like a Caribbean monsoon, Atlantic storm and polar mist.
💆 It offers traditional spa treatments such as massages and facials, but also newer wellness experiences such as cryotherapy and infrared treatments.
🧘 Fitness is a big part of the resort, with more than 75 group fitness classes per week.
🧗 There is even a two-story indoor rock-climbing wall as part of its fitness facilities.
🏨 The spa is part of Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, a beachfront wellness-focused resort rather than a standalone day spa.

#miami #miamibeach #sun #spa #luxury taken in Carillon Miami Wellness Resort by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago

25 years later, and here I am again.

Back at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town for afternoon tea a place I first visited 25 years ago. Some places stay with you, and returning after all these years makes the experience even more special.

Delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, beautiful pastries, and of course, endless cups of perfectly brewed tea.
🍰🥪🫖

A little nostalgia, a lot of indulgence, and the simple pleasure of slowing down and enjoying the moment. 💕🇿🇦

Here’s to memories made, memories revisited, and the magic of coming back.

#MountNelson #CapeTown #AfternoonTea #25YearsLater #FullCircleMoment taken in High tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago

A little piece of paradise in Cape Town.

Wandering through the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and the breathtaking backdrop of Table Mountain. 🌺⛰️

A place where nature feels endless, every path leads to something beautiful, and you can’t help but slow down and take it all in. 💚

📍 Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦

#Kirstenbosch #KirstenboschGardens #CapeTown #CapeTownSouthAfrica #SouthAfrica taken in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago

Travel is my passion, and storytelling is my purpose. I’m an Edward R. Murrow recipient, University of Michigan Fellow, and healthcare advocate committed to connecting people, ideas, and communities through meaningful conversations and experiences.

I believe travel opens the mind, journalism gives a voice to important stories, and healthcare advocacy reminds us that every statistic represents a person, a family, and a life.

My journey has taken me across communities and cultures, always with curiosity, compassion, and a desire to learn.

I love discovering new places, meeting remarkable people, sharing great food and recipes, and finding the stories behind the destinations. Whether exploring a new city, enjoying a memorable meal, or engaging in conversations about healthcare and society, I’m inspired by the people and experiences that make our world richer.

Proud of the recognition represented by the Edward R. Murrow Award and grateful for the opportunities provided through the University of Michigan Fellowship, I continue to believe in the power of storytelling to inform, connect, and create positive change.

This space is where those passions come together: travel, storytelling, food, healthcare, and the people who make every journey worthwhile.

🌎 Travel | 📰 Storytelling | 🎓 Michigan Fellow |
🏆 Edward R. Murrow Recipient | ❤️ Healthcare Advocate | 🍴 Food & Recipes

Always curious. Always learning. Always looking for the next story, destination, and meaningful connection. taken in Miami, Florida by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago

A Grain Silo Turned Into A Museum!

Visiting the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa!

Once a 1920s concrete grain silo with 42 towering storage tubes, this remarkable building has been transformed into the world's largest museum dedicated to contemporary African art.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the century-old industrial structure was reimagined into one of South Africa's most iconic cultural landmarks, blending history, architecture, and creativity. A 100 year old building proving that great design can give new life to the past.

#ZeitzMOCAA #CapeTown #AfricanArt #ContemporaryArt #TravelSouthAfrica taken in Cape Town, South Africa by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago

Table Mountain we meet again after twenty-five years. It truly is a unforgettable experience visiting Table Mountain! The breathtaking views, fresh mountain air, and incredible scenery made it a day to remember. Cape Town truly looks magical from above. ❤️🇿🇦

Table Mountain was recognized as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. It won the global poll organized by the New7Wonders Foundation and was officially inaugurated in 2012.

@tablemountainca
@visit.capetown__
@_visit.africa_

#TableMountain #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #TravelMemories #Adventure by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago

Art, canals, cobblestone streets, bicycles, and, of course, Dutch cheese. 🧀

Back in Amsterdam for the second time, and somehow this city feels just as magical as I remembered. Spent the day at the Moco Museum admiring the work of some of my favorite artists, including Banksy and Warhol.

Afterward, I wandered through the charming streets and along the iconic canals, taking in the historic architecture, endless bikes, and picture-perfect views around every corner. Amsterdam truly has a way of making even the simplest moments feel unforgettable.

And naturally, I couldn’t leave without bringing a little piece of Amsterdam home with me authentic Dutch cheese! 🧀❤️

Until next time, Amsterdam.

@visit.amsterdam
@visit__amsterdam
@amsterdam.explores
@amsterdamcheesecompany

#amsterdam #travel #solotravel #insta #netherlands taken in Amsterdam by @pattyvilamedia

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2 months ago