Cruising down the canals in a gondola, conversing in Spanish over lomo saltado, and relaxing at a luxury resort over tropical cocktails. No, we did not jet set to multiple in countries.

All of this and more can be found just 20 minutes from Dallas in Irving, Texas! As one of the most diverse zip codes in America, Irving makes the perfect weekend getaway for anyone wanting an international trip without the flight. Skip the plane ticket and splurge on the experience…

Gondola Cruise

Enjoy an intimate evening of wine, Italian singing, and a private romantic gondola cruise as if you are cruising down Venice canals in Las Colinas. At Gondola Adventures you can bring a bottle of wine or dinner and sail away along the Irving canals while the sun sets on a romantic evening. Gondola Adventures offers everything from an authentic rowing-style gondola to an ornate crystal swan. The best part is you don’t have to deal with massive crowds or a 12-hour flight to experience this.

Self-Guided International Food Tour

Hit up three countries in one day with this self-guided food tour. These unassuming restaurants are sure to expand your palette a spare your pocket.

Appetizer: Share a plate of Lomo Saltado at El Tesoro, a Peruvian restaurant. While there, don’t be afraid to practice your Spanish!

Main Course: At Everest, sample authentic Nepalese dishes such as tash, momo and palua.

Dessert: Indulge in some sweet empanadas at Empa Mundo. Don’t forget to try the sweet guava and cheese.

And, if you’re looking for a romantic dinner check out Boi Na Braza, a fresh Brazilian steakhouse with mouthwatering steaks. For a sweet treat choose the Braza Batida, a condensed milk cocktail.

Luxury Resort

In Irving you can relax poolside while sipping on tropical drinks, indulge in an alpine arnica deep tissue massage, and participate in an aerial yoga class all at the Four Seasons Resort & Club. This five-star resort has everything you need in one place. You might not even realize you only drove a short distance to get to this luxury resort

Catch a Live Concert

Pop. Rock. Country. The Toyota Music Factory has it all from major headlines to up-and-coming stars. This world-class music destination brings musicians from all over and you’re sure to find your next jam! In addition to concerts, the Toyota Music Factory also hosts special events like salsa classes and free music at the Pavilion.

Step Back in Time at the Ruth Paine House Museum

Ruth Paine welcomes us into her house to share the history leading up to the day of the assassination of President Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald stayed at Ruth Paine’s house the night before the assassination, where we gain further insights into the history and timeline of that day.

Play Some Jukebox Hits at a ‘50s Diner

Although originally a drugstore, Big State Fountain Grill has been around since the ‘50s and the residents still come by for old-school milkshakes and gifts that take them back to their childhood. Experience part of this charm by walking up to the counter, ordering a classic cheeseburger and playing some good tunes from the jukebox in the corner.

Jessica Serna is a Texas-based travel blogger whose goal is to encourage readers to get out and explore. Inspired by her time in Spain, Jessica fell in love with the travel lifestyle and wanted to have those same weekend adventures back home in Texas. She started My Curly Adventures to inspire others to spend money on experiences, not plane tickets. She launched her Texas Travel series in summer 2018 to highlight all there is to do in this great state.