No one ever said, “I wish I would have packed heavier.” But we often think, “I could have packed better.” Here are some tips, tricks, and insights that might help you pack smarter for our avventura in Italia!
Tag Archives: Culture
For Love of Country—Then, Today, Always
Believe it or not, I was supposed to be in Washington, DC today. Several months ago, Sarah Murdoch—founder of The Guide Collective—and I had bought our tickets to Washington, DC, filled with grand intentions. Because we couldn’t travel internationally, we wanted to explore different parts of the United States (even earlier in 2020, we hadContinueContinue reading “For Love of Country—Then, Today, Always”
Talk to Me, Goose: Learning Languages and Bridging Cultures in Your Travels
Parlez-vous français? ¿Habla español? Ξερεις να μιλας ελληνικα? Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Parla italiano?An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? Знаеш ли български език? Fince konuşuyor musun? Sen Türkçe konuşmayı biliyor musun?If that paragraph leaves you wanting to say, “That’s all Greek to me,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. The European Union is (currently) comprised of 27 countries: all ofContinueContinue reading “Talk to Me, Goose: Learning Languages and Bridging Cultures in Your Travels”
Santorini: Between the Sea and the Cosmos
Traditionally known in Greek as Thira (or Thera in Classic Greek), this island, which is part of a caldera born from a massive volcanic eruption 3600 years ago, didn’t get its more commonly known of Santorini until about eight centuries ago. Born from a volcanic eruption, Santorini sits atop a Mediterranean caldera, between sky andContinueContinue reading “Santorini: Between the Sea and the Cosmos”
The Allure of the Ligurian Sea
The Ligurian Sea—the liquid azure arm of the Mediterranean caressing the northwestern rocky coastline of bella Italia. Its reach extends from the French/Italian border southeastward towards La Spezia, Pisa, and Livorno and forms a triangle to the northern tip of Corsica. The Torre Aurora stands watch over the azure waters of the Ligurian Sea. JustContinueContinue reading “The Allure of the Ligurian Sea”
Worth the Wait: A COVID-19 Love Story
In trying to start this post, I went back through my website archives to figure out when I first launched The Travelphile, and it surprised me to discover that it’s been 8 years since I shared my first article on this website. So much has happened in my life since then: remarkable travel experiences, theContinueContinue reading “Worth the Wait: A COVID-19 Love Story”
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day! I want to take this opportunity to thank my mom, Virginia, for filling my life with love and learning. Among countless valuable lessons I’ve learned from her, I’m exceptionally grateful to her for teaching me about the value of travel from such an early age. My parents weren’t wealthy, but they prioritizedContinueContinue reading “Happy Mother’s Day”
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.
Becoming a Stark: Archery at Winterfell
Tourism based on TV and pop culture is an odd bird, but I have to admit that Game of Thrones is making me a believer. While its story and settings are brilliantly fictitious, many of the filming locations have their own historic, cultural, and eye-catching charms that can be worth a visit for even non-GOTContinueContinue reading “Becoming a Stark: Archery at Winterfell”
Derry: Faith, Violence, and a Hope for Peace
Derry (Londonderry), Northern Ireland I just left Derry yesterday afternoon, well before the violence occurred late last night. My time here was spent learning about The Troubles during the last half of the 20th century. For 30 years, the tragedies of fighting, suppression, revolt, and loss multiplied. Efforts to establish peace were highlighted with theContinueContinue reading “Derry: Faith, Violence, and a Hope for Peace”
The Travelphile 