Happy Moon Day: Celebrating Humankind’s Greatest Journey

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of one of humankind’s greatest accomplishment, I hope you seek out your own journeys of adventure, discovery, connection, and wonderment.

Summer Nights in Beaune

France. Burgundy. Beaune.  Any one of these place names might conjour thoughts of remarkable wines, pungent cheeses, or exquisite meals—and rightly so. But in the last few years, Beaune has been luring visitors to linger after their decadent dinners and explore the town with its Animations Nocturnes (Evening Animations). Beaune is a picture of bustlingContinueContinue reading “Summer Nights in Beaune”

Why Climb Every Mountain When You Can Take the Lift?

Oh, the Alps. Glorious. Majestic. Breathtaking. They’re the mountains of your dreams, every hiker’s delight, and a “must” destination for so many. For the past week and a half, Rick and I have been leading 26 tour members through the Alps from Austria to Italy to Germany and to Switzerland. And now we’ve arrived inContinueContinue reading “Why Climb Every Mountain When You Can Take the Lift?”

Remembering Nice

Earlier this year, my travels brought me to Nice. Since my first visit there 15 years ago, I have been under its delightful spell. And now, like so many, I am deeply saddened by the horrific act of terror inflicted on so many in this Riviera city on the 14th of July. And also likeContinueContinue reading “Remembering Nice”

Are You Gonna Go My Way?

  Not all travelers are created equal. Whether you’re a bold adventurer, culture vulture, foodie fanatic , history buff, or nature-lover, how you travel can be as important as why you travel and where you go. As an avid travel and tour guide, I know that incorporating our personal passions—and even our individual idiosyncrasies—into our travelsContinueContinue reading “Are You Gonna Go My Way?”

Let’s NOT Give In To Fear: Lessons We Can Learn from the Attacks on Paris

“Let’s continue traveling so we can better sympathize with the pain of others, to work for understanding, healing, and peace with those who feel hurt or marginalized, and to find solutions to the underlying problems that precipitate the kind of anger and hatred that fuel the fires of terrorism.”

On Set with Rick Steves

Typically, when Rick is on the road researching or filming, I’m either on the road with a tour group or guidebook researching in Europe, or I’m subbing at a private school near our home town.  I’m sure most people can imagine that it’s hard to be apart from one’s partner for a two-month stretch, soContinueContinue reading “On Set with Rick Steves”

Is There a Doctor in l’Hôtel?

You know that tickle-throat, on-the-verge-of-a-festering-cold feeling?  The one that tells you “If you ignore me, it can only go horribly wrong from here”?  Yeah, it sucks.  But you know what’s worse?  Ignoring it while you’re traveling abroad. Such was my lot seven weeks into a nine-week stint on the road, earlier this year.  I hadContinueContinue reading “Is There a Doctor in l’Hôtel?”

From Travel Idiot to Travelphile: One Woman’s “Travelution”

With the start of a new year, many people take stock of their life in the last twelve months: choices made, goals achieved, promises broken, dreams unfulfilled.  In optimistic form, resolutions are made in the hopes of making this year even better than the last.  In a similar vein, I’ve been thinking about my travelContinueContinue reading “From Travel Idiot to Travelphile: One Woman’s “Travelution””

Food Porn

Food Porn There’s something so evocative to me about pictures of food and the power they have to vividly remind me of mouth-watering meals and moments that I’ve had on my travels.  I can look at my culinary photos and remember exactly where I was, the scent of the dish just placed in front ofContinueContinue reading “Food Porn”