Sitting atop one of the highest look-out points in the city of Victoria, the strikingly beautiful Craigdarroch Castle is easy to spot from miles away. Its soaring cone topped tower, majestic roof line and beautiful natural rock walls make this Victorian mansion a gem in the world of architecture. If you take the pedestrian route, […]
Breathing in the fresh air . . . warm sunshine on your face . . . sounds of children playing. Phoenix has phenomenal weather this time of year. It’s sunny, clear, and warm during the day and slightly chilly in the evenings. It’s a great time for being outside and enjoying our phenomenal climate. It’s […]
Oh, the joys of riding in a convertible! A Sedona Jeep tour fills the bill. It brings back feelings of being a kid again, living footloose and carefree. Riding with the top down . . . gentle breezes through your hair . . . sunshine on your face. . . nothing but blue sky overhead. […]
Venice is one unique city. Busy canals filled with gondolas and water taxis. The Byzantine design adds mystique to this affluent and prestigious community. St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice is, by far, one of the most revered buildings in the city. This elegant structure symbolizes Venetian wealth, prestige, and power, and continues to be a […]
Brunch is a favorite meal and not just because of the food. It is a weekend pursuit. It’s fun to try new places, new recipes, and different neighborhoods. If you’re visiting or just looking for a different place to go, here are five of our favorite places to find brunch in Central Phoenix. The Vig This […]
The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are some of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy. However, if you want to do more than just scratch the surface, take a few thousand pictures, and be completely overwhelmed at the sight of so many famous masterpieces, consider scheduling a guided Vatican Tour. WHY HIRE […]
Fresh, clean country air with just a hint of pine and mesquite . . . peaceful sounds of the slow moving river . . . the vibrant orange Arizona sunset . . . . wildlife along the river’s edge. The rhythmic clickety-clack of a slow-moving historic train. The Verde Canyon Railroad carries passengers through one […]
From our vantage point in Wengen, the Jungfrau Range is a lot to take in. It’s a dramatic backdrop, especially today. The billowy white clouds float effortlessly in the bright blue sky, allowing an occasional glimpse of the tops of some of Switzerland’s highest and most rugged peaks. The Classic Swiss Village of Wengen Wengen […]
Ever since I watched one of Rick Steve’s programs on Italy and he talked about climbing the dome in Florence, Italy, I decided it was something that I wanted to do. Before his program, I didn’t even know that it was something that people could do. While in Florence, I got the chance. Florence has the […]
I’ve always heard that travel expands our horizons. I believe that’s true. Travel makes us appreciate what we have. It allows us to learn about traditions and lifestyles different from our own. We get to see spectacular landscapes, historical landmarks, and inspiring architectures that we’ve only read about. But, as soon as you get off […]
Everyone should have the opportunity to visit Switzerland at least once while traveling the Alps! It’s sure to be one of the best experiences of a lifetime! My family and I had our first opportunity to hike, climb, explore, and take in the spectacular beauty of the Swiss Alps. This was one of the places I’ve […]
Many of the blog articles for this website are about places to see and things to do in Arizona and New Mexico. So why, I have to ask myself, have I never written an article on the Heard Museum let alone the Hoop Dancing Championship at The Heard Museum? Because, until recently, I had never […]
Let’s face it. Phoenix has great climate, expertly groomed golf courses, world-famous spas and resorts, trendy shopping, and chef-inspired dining. Any one of these attributes explains why it’s one of America’s favorite cities. But in just a few weeks, we will once again host the Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix ! The city has been busy making sure […]
Recently, I had the privilege of guest posting on one of my favorite travel websites, Explore River Cruises. In my article, titled, “Places to See on a Rhine River Cruise,” I described our experience of cruising down the Rhine River from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For us, it was the most interesting, scenic, […]
Have you ever just wanted to get away and do something out of the ordinary? Save money and free up your lifestyle? That’s what has been hitting us lately. We have been looking for ways to minimize, simplify, and have more fun — without having to worry about the house, our jobs, or anything else […]
Every year, we spend at least two months with family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The photographic architecture, crisp clean air, strikingly bright blue skies, earthy smells of lavender and sage, and, of course, the Balloon Fiesta make this one of our favorite destination spots in the Great Southwest. But let’s not forget that one of […]
As the summer season winds down, most people are taking last minute family excursions. And many of them are planning a trip to the 43rd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. The dates for the event this year are Saturday, October 4th, through Sunday, October 12th. This hot air ballooning event is one of the […]
Heavenly smells of fresh-baked pastries wafting from the kitchen . . . the soft sounds of wind chimes in the garden . . . Victorian inspired cabinetry stocked with flowery dishes and graceful teapots. Guests lingering over morsels of goodness served on tiered china trays, each bite prepared according to preferences. The St. James Tearoom […]
“Paris is always a good idea.” -Audrey Hepburn #tripquotes pic.twitter.com/E7GnirQgaT — TripAdvisor (@TripAdvisor) June 24, 2014
The scene is quite tranquil . . . the soft sounds of birds chirping . . . red plumed quail scampering across the path . . . cottonwood leaves fluttering in the breeze . . . beautiful blooming cacti. All experienced while biking the Bosque in Albuquerque. The Bosque is a Spanish word meaning “woodlands” […]