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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ron and I just finished a short stay in Mexico City where we attended an International Living conference. It’s easy to see why the conference was held here because Mexico City is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. The conference was packed with information and we enjoyed visiting with many of […]
Umbria: A Family Escape in the Heart of Italy If you’ve ever wanted to discover the heart and soul of Italy outside of its splendid cities, a family escape in Umbria is for you. Like its more famous neighbor, Tuscany, this agricultural region of central Italy is also dotted with Etruscan ruins, iconic hillside villages, […]
The fresh, cool sea breezes on our faces . . . the tinkling bell sounds warning pedestrians of oncoming bicycles . . . the buttery smell of waffles baking in the open-air markets. Welcome to Amsterdam – Venice to the North, one of the most diverse cities in the world. Amsterdam was our final destination […]
Arresting mountains, an abundance of activities, and a wide range of hotel offerings make the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps a must do for the world traveler. Here one can capture the vision of soaring Swiss Alps, the smell of fresh air and the enchanting sounds of cowbells and alphorns. Hotel Edelweiss is located in […]
Cruising historic castles, vibrant scenery, comfortable lodging and mind-blowing excursions, all included as you float the Middle Rhine River through Germany. For the novice and seasoned traveler, we recommend the Historic Castles of the Middle Rhine River. A holiday you will remember. The video highlighted here, was captured on the Rhine Getaway which voyages between […]
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 […]
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 […]
A charming eatery located in an historical neighborhood . . . Victorian gardens with lots of relaxed seating and high-top patio furniture . . . delicious organic and farm-fresh cuisine. The Vig at Fillmore in downtown Phoenix is a great local eatery that is just a little different from the norm. It’s delightful and trendy […]
There are so many great places to see and so many things to do in the Phoenix area. And, one place that we’ve always loved to go to is Cave Creek. Cave Creek, Arizona is a small town nestled near the foothills of one of Arizona’s beautiful mountain ranges. Located north of the valley, it’s […]
This Shepherd’s Pie recipe is adapted from the “The Engine 2 Diet” book written by former firefighter, Rip Esselstyn. To his recipe, I also added carrots, celery, beets, and sweet potatoes, which makes it a perfect St. Patrick’s Day meal. The recipe makes a hearty meal and the leftovers freeze well. […]
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world. The wearing-o-the-green, Celtic music, shamrocks, and, of course, Irish food are all part of the scene, whether or not our heritage is actually Irish. So, what do vegetarians and vegans eat during the festivities? Recipes for corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s beef pie, and lamb stew […]
Tacos are one of America’s favorite southwestern meals, and Phoenix has great places to find them. However, when they’re served in an historic building that used to be a mission – I mean, how cool is that! There are so many great places to eat downtown, and even midtown in Phoenix. And the Taco […]
I prepare a smoothie almost every day of the week because it’s nutritious and quick to prepare. It’s easy to vary the recipe – just use different combinations of berries, fruit, and seeds. It also goes well with a quick slice of toast or banana bread! List of ingredients: 1 cup frozen berries 1 fresh, […]
Recently we found another hidden treasure of a restaurant, Fuego’s at CityScape, that specializes in Southwestern cuisine. It’s a fairly small place, with colorful purple cloth napkins and small potted plants on each table. As with many of our favorite places, this eatery is located at CityScape right on Central Avenue. We’d never eaten here […]
Phoenix is known for great climate, golf courses, resorts, spas, shopping, and dining. However, this time of year is when restaurants transform from being indoor eateries to include marvelous patio experiences, each one unique in cuisine and style. Although there are many excellent dining places to choose from, three of our favorites are listed below. […]