When I think back to road trips that I’ve taken in the U.S., I don’t fondly think of rest stops. More often than not, I recall dimly lit parking lots, shady-looking characters lurking by a picnic bench taking drags off slinky cigarettes, seatless toilets in malodorous bathrooms, and–if you’re lucky–there’s toilet paper. I once gotContinue reading ““Freeky Fries” and Fancy Rest Stops”
Category Archives: Europe
Hello, George Clooney!
It’s the start of tour season again, and this time I’m working on a Best of Italy tour. When I mention to friends that I’m going to Lake Como, they all ask me if I’m going to see George Clooney’s villa. I wish. I’m staying in Varenna–a romantic and picture-worthy town on the eastern sideContinue reading “Hello, George Clooney!”
Before You Travel, Why Not Check Out a Travel Show?
When you think of winter, you might imagine trees enveloped in velvety white snow, marshmallows slowly dissolving in molten hot chocolate, scarves wrapped twice around the neck in defiance of the wind, or the crackle of reds, yellows, and oranges in a just-what-I-needed fireplace. Lately, when I think of winter, I picture immense convention centerContinue reading “Before You Travel, Why Not Check Out a Travel Show?”
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 travelContinue 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 ofContinue reading “Food Porn”
With A Little Help From My Friends
One of the best ways to enhance your travels is to season it with friends. Either you can enjoy your present company, meet up with friends who are serendipitously passing through the town you’re in, or make new ones. I’ve been fortunate enough this summer to do all three. So this blog is a photoContinue reading “With A Little Help From My Friends”
I’ve Been Pickpocketed!
I know there’s no need to over-react. I wasn’t attacked, I’m not injured, and everything that needed to get taken care of got taken care of. In fact, the instant that I realized my wallet was no longer in my bag, there was nothing for me to do but smile. Smile at my own carelessnessContinue reading “I’ve Been Pickpocketed!”
A Place That’s All Your Own
One of the most annoying things about travel/tourism is that if you’re going to someplace that’s popular, everyone else is too. That means crowds, lines that seem to have no end, pushing and shoving, and odors that you didn’t think were humanly possible. With all of that mass of humanity, patience and a good senseContinue reading “A Place That’s All Your Own”
Natural Beauty: Worth the Bite
I detest insects. I can’t help it. I like spiders, snakes, dogs, cats, cows, chickens, monkeys, and sheep, but not insects. They tend to bite me…a lot. So, I generally do my best to avoid them. My windows are kept closed if there’s no screen, and I wear Off! or a citronella wristband (so fashionable)Continue reading “Natural Beauty: Worth the Bite”
Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 2 The How-To)
In my previous blog post, I wrote: Whether you’re away on vacation or just living like a local on “staycation”, whether it’s your virgin visit or you know the place like a pro, find alternate ways to enjoy the place you’re visiting. You have the opportunity and the choice to do something beyond the ordinary,Continue reading “Making the Best out of Being Where You Are (part 2 The How-To)”