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Shelli readies for exploring the Aztec Ruins

Exploring the Aztec Ruins Near Farmington, New Mexico

Exploring the Aztec Ruins, archaeologists crouch on their hands and knees in the heat of the day, delicately brushing the sand out of contours and grooves. The Aztec Ruins National Monument near Farmington, New Mexico is an ongoing archaeological dig site that dates back to the 12th century.  The unearthing process is tedious and difficult, […]

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Ron and Shelli in Venice

Boomer Tips on How to Start the Transition to Retirement

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley Like many people, my husband and I looked forward to retirement.  But the more we thought about it over the years, it was beginning to seem like more […]

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Shelli and Eiffel Tower

Paris – Climbing the Stairways of Famous Monuments

Climbing the stairways of medieval monuments has become one of our favorite ways to explore European cities.  It not only challenges us physically, but it seems to immerse us into the culture by giving us a better perspective of the history, the craftsmen, and the engineering of medieval architecture. When we visited Paris this spring, […]

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Shelli climbs the steps in Manarola, Italy

Our Trip to Italy’s Cinque Terre

Italy’s Cinque Terre on it’s Ligurian coast has been on our travel radar for several years.  Touted as having spectacular beaches and challenging hiking trails, we decided we really should see it for ourselves. This spring when we were in Turin (an overlooked but phenomenal city at the base of the Italian Alps), we hopped a […]

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Street Performer 2

Preparing for Extended Periods of Travel

It’s fun to enjoy extended periods of travel, distant countries, sightseeing historical places, and eating in Irish pubs, French cafés, and Italian pasticcerias.  The benefits of culture, history, determination, and foreign language are immeasurable. But once you’ve made the decision to go, how do you prepare for extended periods of travel? A standard suggestion for […]

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This Boulangerie Patisserie in the Village of Magny-de-Hongne is one of the best bakeries we have sampled.

From Disneyland to Champagne Country – Exploring the French Countryside

  The word “Disneyland” conjures up images of crowds of tourists, many with mouse-eared caps and fairy wands, scurrying about to get to the next amusement ride. However, it can be a great staging site for exploring the French countryside. This picturesque region of France is also a tranquil setting of swans and lily pads, […]

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Going Back in Time – a Cruise Through the Panama Canal

Standing on the front of the boat, it felt somewhat like a “Titanic” movie moment.  Arms outspread, breathing the fresh sea air, I was filled with exhilaration and excitement to be out in the water on our 300-person tour boat to see the incredible engineering marvel on our cruise through the Panama Canal. Ron had […]

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Ron & Shelli in Central America

Exploring Costa Rica’s Iconic Pacific Coastline

When we left the lush rain forest and geothermal area of Arenal to explore Costa Rica’s iconic Pacific coastline, we drove two-and-a-half hours to Liberia, the second largest city in the country and the hub for the northwestern coast.  When we reached Liberia, we exited the freeway and headed south towards the Pacific beach towns. […]

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The Avion restaurant north of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Discovering The Beauty of Central Costa Rica

The third week of our south-of-the-border adventure immersed us in the beauty of central Costa Rica. We flew Volaris Airlines from Cancun, Mexico to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.  Centrally located in the beauty of central Costa Rica, San Jose lies in a valley surrounded by dense green mountains shrouded in the mornings […]

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This Playa sign sits behind the Tequila Factory on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen – A Coastal Beach Town South of Glitzy Cancun

Playa del Carmen is a bustling little city on the Caribbean coast on the Yucatan peninsula located mid-way between Cancun and the obscure little Village of Tulum.  Playa del Carmen seems to have qualities of both. The Little, Big City and its Famous Fifth Avenue Playa is small enough to be less expensive than its […]

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La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, originally, built in the 17th century by indigenous bricklayer Zeferino Gutierrez, is the current parish church of San Miguel. This emblem of the town, with its Neo-gothic façade and towers constructed in 1890 is unique in Mexico and one of the most photographed churches in the country.

The Mexican Colonial Favorite – San Miguel de Allende

Ron and I arrived in this Mexican colonial favorite – San Miguel de Allende after a four-hour bus ride from Mexico City.  Yes, we took a double-decker cross country bus!  Public transportation in Mexico is not what you might think. Here, buses run on-time, are modern, clean, and have bathrooms.  When you purchase tickets you […]

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This lone sail boat is tied off the end of the dock in this beautiful ocean scene.

Destination:  Experiencing An Epic Latin American Adventure

Next week, Ron and I will be heading out for a Latin American adventure to experience one of our long-dreamed-about destinations in Mexico and Latin America. We’re very excited about getting away for a few weeks on a Latin American adventure and exploring the cities, rainforests, and colonial highlands of three countries, Mexico, Costa Rica, […]

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Sightseeing on a Small Group Tour through Tuscany

On our recent trip to Italy, we had the good fortune of touring several towns on a tour through Tuscany with Walks of Italy. Upon our return, Shelli penned the following article, which was published 11/15/2017 at My Itchy Travel Feet. Here is an excerpt: “Learning about secret tunnels in the heart of Florence . […]

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Prepared in the Slow Cooking Class we enjoyed at Il Fontanaro in Umbria, Italy.

Italy: Learning to Cook Slowly in Umbria

Several years ago, Shelli and I became acquainted with Walks of Italy, one of the premier tour companies available today. We have toured with them many times throughout Europe, and have always found them to be professional, knowledgeable, and fun. Last year, Loredana from Walks introduced us to the Pineli family, and Fontanaro Organic Farms, in […]

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