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.
Category Archives: The Great Outdoors
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?”
Conquering Fears and Storming a Castle in Austria
My friend Julie once experimented with “The Year of Trying New Things.” Whenever she encountered something she hadn’t tried or didn’t want to try before (activities, food, routes, ways of thinking), rather than say no to it, she opted to try it…just for kicks. When Rick and I are faced with the choice of doingContinueContinue reading “Conquering Fears and Storming a Castle in Austria”
The Dynamite Dolomites: Easy to Access, Easy to Love
I’m not what one would call an outdoorsy kind of person, and no one ever mistook me for a Birkenstock-wearing “granola girl,” but I sure do love hiking in the Alps. Our outdoor-loving and nature-respecting European counterparts make getting there so easy. From well-groomed trails and mountain huts to clear signage and industrial-strength cable lifts,ContinueContinue reading “The Dynamite Dolomites: Easy to Access, Easy to Love”
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?”
Racing the Waters of St. Maarten
Cruises can be expensive, and getting nickled-and-dimed for optional port excursions after paying for the initial cost of the cruise is about as fun as putting antibacterial gel in your eyes. So, a huge advantage of sailing with Regent Seven Seas is that you get unlimited free excursions–a wonderful value…unless the excursion ends up beingContinueContinue reading “Racing the Waters of St. Maarten”
12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 2: From Boricua to Mofongo
After Tarzan-ing through Puerto Rico’s tropical forest, we freshened up on the ship and headed back out into the city of San Juan. We opted out of a ship excursion because we craved an authentic feel for the place. But we’d already discovered that the guidebooks we bought were lacking in any real content, context,ContinueContinue reading “12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 2: From Boricua to Mofongo”
12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 1: Welcome to the Jungle
Sunscreen: check. Bathing suit: check. Eager-beaver attitude: check. Our first port was calling our name, and I, for one, was ready to hit the beach and take in a year’s supply of Vitamin D in the form of Caribbean afternoon sunshine. As we packed our day bags with our necessary gear, a husky Italian voiceContinueContinue reading “12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 1: Welcome to the Jungle”
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
“Please don’t rain yet. Please don’t rain yet. Please don’t rain yet.” My mind looped this mantra, and I plastered an everything’s-alright smile, hoping my face wouldn’t betray my anxiety. Twenty-eight people were following me through the cobblestone streets of Paris, and I didn’t want their only two days with me in my favorite EuropeanContinueContinue reading “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”
Best of Europe: Scenes from a Swiss Adventure
For 21 days, Rick and I are tour members on one of his own tours: the Best of Europe. We’re trying to combine vacation with quality control and research. And it’s going great! Join us as we traipse from the Netherlands to Germany, Austria to Italy, and Switzerland to France with a terrific tour guide andContinueContinue reading “Best of Europe: Scenes from a Swiss Adventure”
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