Finally! Travel toiletries get an upgrade!

Does your travel game need an upgrade?Do you struggle with packing toiletries?These Cadence pods may be the step up you’re looking for. For years I have been disappointed in the travel toiletry containers I have purchased. My hair gel and argan oil were absorbed into a silicone tube that was, as promised, leak-proof, but apparently…

The goodness of Guatemala…

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of my first solo international trip, when wanderlust outweighed patience. As they say, “If you always wait for the time to be perfect, you may find yourself waiting a long time.” My wanderlust has not always fit into my friends’ calendars. For years I had waited for the time…

Travel journals

Most seasoned travelers I know keep a journal of their trips. But, no two travelers journal exactly the same way. I think a traveler’s journal reveals much about the traveler. My first trip to Europe, and my first “big” tour ever was in 2005. I was a teacher, co-leading a group of teenagers on a…

The Netherlands

We are supposed to be on a plane right now. Destination: The Netherlands. But, with travel restrictions still in place, like so many others we have had to postpone until another year. So, instead of sitting at an airport departure gate, I am going through photos from my first trip to the Netherlands in 2014…

Food and memories.

I truly believe that food and memories are so intimately connected that the tastes and flavors of a good meal become snapshots in our life’s album, whether we Instagram them or not. Croque Madames and creme brulee with a Kir are Paris to me, as are rotisserie chickens and fresh produce at the street markets….

When you find Europe, and yourself, in Bruges…

In 2014, I spent a few days in Belgium. Brussels is gorgeous, that was apparent, but the vibe was decidedly American while I was there. I wanted Europe. I wanted Belgium. So, I took the train to Bruges, where I found Belgium, found Europe, and found myself. I had just spent a week traveling Germany,…

Charleston and Savannah: Two Southeast must-sees

Spanish moss, live oaks, plantations and marshes, pirate stories, slave rebellions, ghosts and great food. Do you need more reasons to visit? With 2020 clearly in the crazy lane, and travel still something for the future, I decided to take a roadtrip through my hard drive of travel photos over the years. In a post…

The 50th Anniversary Trip that was, but never written about…

In 2014, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary with their first trip to Europe, and a 10 day Viking River Cruise on the Rhine. I teased the trip in a 2014 post, but only recently realized that I had never written about it. So, why write about it now, 6 years later? Because my parents…

The Wild Atlantic Way is calling, and I must go.

Ireland. Just thinking about it, my heart rate slows, and I find myself breathing more deeply, trying to smell the salty air and peat, and craving the Atlantic breezes on my face. The Wild Atlantic Way, along the West coast of Ireland, calls to me, and I find myself planning a return next summer, wishing…

NYC, how I love thee…

I am a small town girl. But, I love New York. Each spring, I take a group of seniors to Manhattan for a whirlwind 3 day, 2 night tour. This year, we were lucky. We left the day the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Manhattan. And believe me, I was holding my breath…

Winter wanderlust setting in…

Temperatures in the single digits. Cars dirty with salt residue and road grime. Three inches of snow last night. I want to get away. But, not to a beach. Not to warmer weather. To better winter weather.

Paris never disappoints.

The skies in Paris have never disappointed me. Paris really is the “City of Light”. I’m not sure what it is, but on a sunny day the skies are the bluest blue. As the sun sets, the clouds filter light into mesmerizing patterns that bounce off of the Seine, the cobblestones. I’ve heard many say…

Worried about losing your travel docs while away?

When you travel, no matter how well you plan your trip, there are several circumstances beyond your control: Transportation strikes, especially in Europe where protesting is a sort of national sport Lost or delayed luggage Illness Pickpockets, tramps and thieves – wait… is that a Cher song? While you can’t fully protect yourself against these…

Trash + Fashion = Trashion. Barcelona’s Vaho.

Souvenirs – the things you find in tacky tourist shops. Magnets, key chains, ubiquitous t-shirts made in China. I don’t buy souvenirs. I prefer functional reminders of a trip, made locally. From the Cahors region of France, I brought back wine and a piece of pottery made by an atelier whose rustic, quaint studio was a…

A 50th Anniversary Trip… (Not Mine)

It’s true. My parents will have been married for 50 years as of next month. In their 70s, they are finally starting to work on their bucket list. Or my bucket list. Or Mom’s bucket list. My father doesn’t seem to have one. To celebrate their golden anniversary (50 is golden, right?), they are going to…