If you’re ever planning to live in a foreign country – either on a temporary basis or as a full-time resident – there will be many things to learn and deal with. As US citizens, we are so blessed with many environmental, technological, and socio-economical advantages that populations the world over cannot even imagine. So […]
Whitewashed Spanish hill towns are light, they are bright, they are historic, they are the world-famous hill towns of the Andalusía Region of southern Spain. With their gleaming white-washed homes and businesses, noteworthy churches, ruins, and narrow streets leading to delightful shops, restaurants, and museums, they make a day trip by car a highlight for […]
Portugal’s location in Europe makes it a destination and our quest is to see as much as we can of Lisbon in 4 days.. You have to either fly into the country, arrive by boat or ship, or go through Spain to get to it. Cruise ships dock in the port at Lisbon, Portugal Hundreds […]
Rushing around in Victoria BC Rushing here to see that . . . snapping a quick pic for FB . . . then off to the next place . . . all the while trying to ignore the jet lag . . . These are just a few of the 7 things we learned on […]
White-washed hill towns . . . elegant palms and stately cypress . . . regional tapas and wines . . . exuberant flamenco dancers . . . and enormous cathedrals . . . flowery outdoor shopping districts. Those few words describe the southern coast of Spain.
What to See in London in Three Days See London in three-days? Is that even possible? London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Steeped in historical significance and legendary traditions, but a world leader in fashion and architectural design, it’s difficult to decide what to see if you only have a […]
Ah, let’s plan a trip to London! One of the most beautiful and iconic cities in the world! And, when traveling overseas, it’s one of the easiest places to get around. This city with its notably modern and historical skyline has so much to offer. But what if you would like to go there, but […]
What to see in Turin is a difficult decision with so many epic sites in this robust, historic, and friendly Italian city. And, although typically underrated as a tourist’s destination of what to see on a whirlwind trip through Italy, it’s undeniably one of the country’s finest cities. Filled with old world architecture, history, and […]
Closets full of clothes – some that hadn’t been worn for at least a year . . . furniture that no longer fits your décor . . . household items that have been passed down from other family members – all taking up precious space somewhere in the house or storage unit. We love living […]
What if I can’t keep up with other family members while hiking the Jungfrau in the Bernese Alps? What if I’m not strong enough for kayaking the wild, wind-swept waves in Byron Bay, Australia? What if my husband and I can’t find anyone who speaks English in the jungles of Panama? What if we rent […]
Strolling the streets and passageways of our favorite hill towns of Tuscany gives one the sense of historic wonder and present-day commercialism at the same time. It is an astounding feeling to realize that you are standing on cobblestone streets that were chiseled out and carefully placed by workers centuries ago while peering in windows […]
For a Florence must-visit, the Medici Chapel located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo is top of the list. Florence, Italy is known as the “cradle of the Renaissance” and home to one of the best-known duomos in the world, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, or Florence Cathedral. The dome of the Cathedral […]
“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 […]
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, […]
On a recent trip to one of the top travel destinations in the world, Italy, Ron and I finally realized one of my dreams, hiking in Cinque Terre. We spent three days on Italy’s Ligurian coastline in Cinque Terre National Park. I share our adventure in the following article as a guest writer for one of our […]
What is it about Florence (or Firenze) and the Italian Renaissance that keeps calling us back? Even when our travel agenda is not targeted on Italy, we still make it back to that country because we look forward to going to Florence. Getting off the train at the Santa Maria Novella train station, we felt […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]