By Taylor Swift
Hey there, it’s Taylor — and today, I’m stepping away from the stage and into the skies to take you on a journey around the world. Touring has given me the incredible opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful places on this planet — and let me tell you, it’s been more than just sold-out shows and backstage passes.
I’ve danced under the Northern Lights in Iceland, gotten lost in the alleyways of Paris, sung along with street musicians in Tokyo, watched sunsets over Santorini, and sipped espresso like a local in Rome. But it’s not all about the glamor. Traveling has grounded me, inspired songs, opened my heart, and helped me rediscover the magic of simply being human.
So here’s a heartfelt blog — no scripts, no team writing this — just me and my thoughts, sharing what I loved, what I learned, and what I’ll never forget. Let’s go.
1. Nashville to New York – Home Always Finds Me
Let’s start where it all began.
Nashville – My Creative Birthplace
This city is where Taylor Swift became Taylor Swift. Every street here hums with melodies. I still remember walking through Music Row, clutching my guitar, dreaming big. The songwriting sessions, open-mic nights at The Bluebird Café, and afternoons spent journaling by the Cumberland River — Nashville gave me roots.
Even today, I return here when I need to reconnect with my creative self. Favorite places?
- Pancake Pantry (yes, still the best breakfast),
- 12 South neighborhood for boutique shopping,
- and my secret spot: the Shelby Bottoms Greenway for a quiet walk or bike ride.
New York City – Where I Found Freedom
When I moved to New York in 2014, it marked a new era for me. 1989 was born here, and so was a different version of Taylor — freer, bolder.
I fell in love with:
- Central Park in the fall (I mean, how could you not?),
- Getting lost in Strand Bookstore for hours,
- And evenings in SoHo, sipping chai at Cha Cha Matcha.
New York makes you feel like anything is possible. It’s messy, fast, unforgiving — but also magical.
2. Paris – The City That Feels Like a Song
There’s a reason Begin Again and Paris exist in my discography. This city has always had a cinematic grip on my imagination.
First Stop: The Seine
On my last trip, I spent an entire day walking along the Seine River, just taking it all in — the bouquinistes, the lovers on bridges, the pastel skies over Notre-Dame.
Best Coffee: Café de Flore
A little cliché? Maybe. But sipping coffee at Café de Flore while scribbling lyrics felt like something out of a dream.
Hidden Gem: Rue Cremieux
This rainbow-colored street is not on every tourist’s radar, but it’s become one of my favorite selfie spots (and a quiet place for thinking too).
3. Tokyo – My Love Letter to the Future
If Paris is poetry, Tokyo is electricity.
Touring Japan is a thrill. The fans here are respectful, passionate, and warm in the most touching ways. But beyond the music, Tokyo enchanted me with its balance of serenity and neon chaos.
Must-Visit: Shibuya Crossing
It’s the most famous intersection in the world, and yet, when you’re in the middle of it, there’s a strange calmness — like you’re part of something bigger.
Cultural Experience: Meiji Shrine
Walking through the torii gates, surrounded by tall trees and silence — it was spiritual.
Food Moment: Sushi Dai at Tsukiji Market
The line was so long, but the omakase experience was worth every second. I even tried sea urchin (wasn’t my favorite, but hey, when in Japan…).
4. Iceland – Where Nature Humbled Me
If there’s one place that shook me to my core — it’s Iceland.
Northern Lights in Thingvellir
We got lucky with a clear night. As the sky danced in greens and purples, I just stood there, tears in my eyes, wrapped in a blanket and awe.
Blue Lagoon
Sure, it’s touristy. But after back-to-back tour dates, that warm geothermal water felt like a full-body reset.
Reykjavik Nights
We played a pop-up acoustic set in a small café downtown. About 50 people. No lights, no stage — just music and connection.
5. Italy – Romance, Pasta, and Florence at Midnight
I spent a few weeks off the grid in Tuscany, working on lyrics that eventually shaped Lover. Italy brings out the romantic in me.
Florence – City of Art
Uffizi Gallery, yes. But also gelato on the Ponte Vecchio, sketching ideas in a journal at Boboli Gardens, and midnight walks with the city lights shimmering like candlelight.
Rome – Grand and Chaotic
From the Colosseum to Trastevere, Rome is beautiful in its imperfections. I remember writing verses while watching a street performer sing Perfect on a broken guitar.
Venice – A Love That Floats
I once got lost in Venice for six hours. No GPS. Just instinct. Found a tiny art shop where I bought a watercolor painting of a gondola. It now hangs in my Nashville studio.
6. Santorini – Sunsets and Silence
In 2021, I needed space. I flew to Greece. No glam, no entourage. Just me, books, my notebook, and the Aegean Sea.
Oia Sunsets
They really are the most beautiful in the world. Each night, I’d sit on the white-washed rooftop of my Airbnb, sipping local wine and just watching time slow down.
Inspiration in the Stillness
This trip reminded me that you don’t always need movement to move forward. Some lyrics for Midnights started here.
7. London – A Second Home and a Past Love
You probably know — London’s played a big role in my life.
Notting Hill and Rainy Days
I love browsing antique bookstores here. There’s one near Portobello Road that always has the best poetry collections.
Highgate Park
My go-to for journaling. Quiet, green, and full of old souls and stories.
Cafés and Conversations
I once met a fan at Fernandez & Wells who shared how All Too Well helped her through grief. We cried together. That’s the magic of music — it finds you wherever you are.
8. Sydney – Summer Shows and Ocean Vibes
Australia is always a tour highlight. The energy is insane. But beyond the stage…
Bondi Beach Mornings
Waking up early, grabbing an iced coffee, and walking the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail — pure bliss.
Kangaroo Encounters
Yes, I fed one. Yes, I was nervous. Yes, I have a million selfies.
Sydney Harbour
Performed under fireworks with the Sydney Opera House in the background — unforgettable.
🌍 Lessons from the Road
After traveling to over 40 countries, here’s what I’ve learned:
- The world is smaller than you think, but deeper than you know.
- Kindness is a universal language.
- You can be homesick for places you’ve never lived.
- You don’t need a perfect itinerary. You just need presence.
Final Thoughts
Travel isn’t just about Instagram photos or luxury stays. It’s about moments — real, raw, and rare. It’s the quiet streets of Paris at dawn, the buzz of Tokyo at night, the taste of homemade pasta in a Tuscan kitchen, and the feeling of sand between your toes in Bondi.
These journeys didn’t just shape songs — they shaped me. So wherever you are, I hope this blog inspires you to chase your own adventures. You don’t need fame or fortune to travel — just curiosity, openness, and a little courage.
With love (and a suitcase always half-packed),
— Taylor
