Trip Planning Guide
Where to go on your first trip to Iceland
As some of you may know, it’s been a while since I’ve lived in Iceland. I moved here about 2 years ago when I left for work and a different lifestyle. I started working...
Where to go on your first trip to Italy
A friend at work is going to travel to Italy for the first time and asked me for a little trip planning advice. It was harder than I thought it would be, because she...
How to find bargains at Southern California flea markets
Southern California flea markets have something for everyone. Whether you’re a serious collector, or just someone who appreciates one-of-a-kind items, you can find something cool for a great price, if you follow a few...
What to do and where to stay in Lerici
Liguria is one of the most enjoyable places in Italy for travelers. From glamorous Portofino to sleepy fishing villages, the province offers a wide range of experiences. And wherever you choose to go, you’ll...
What to do and where to stay in Orvieto
Around 500 BC, the Etruscans discovered a plateau of volcanic tufa high above the valley and founded the town that would become Orvieto. Today, it has one of the most spectacular settings in the...
Essential trip planning advice – Top 10 tips for staying healthy
Being sick is always a drag. But being sick when you’re away from home is doubly so. Toughing it out in a strange hotel room with none of the items that might make your...
Tips for driving in France
We’ve just finished two weeks of driving around the South of France, and for the most part, it was a very pleasant experience. After picking up our rental car at the TGV station in...
Enjoying rose wine in the South of France
Everyone knows that the French make incredible red and white wine. But their rose wine is also fantastic, albeit sometimes misunderstood. When I told a friend that we loved the rose wines we drank...
Wine tasting in Avignon
Avignon is one of the most interesting cities in France. In 1309, Pope Clement V disliked all the politics in Rome and decided to move the Papacy to Avignon. A couple of subsequent Popes...
Travel bag packing tips – how to get everything you need in a carry-on bag
In 2006, we flew in business class to Buenos Aires. It took forever to clear customs and immigration. And by the time we got to baggage claim, our travel bag was long gone. Although...
Cruise ships – a guide to help first-time cruisers select the right vessel
Last year, more than 14 million people took a cruise. Most of them were happy, well-fed, and had the time of their lives. But some were disappointed, disgruntled, and even down-right miserable. So when...
Best Italian restaurants in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of America’s best cities for dining. Restaurants here have a bounty of fresh seafood and local produce they use to create innovative menus that change with the seasons. And you’ll...
Cinque Terre hotels – what to expect and what not to expect
Our recent visit to the Cinque Terre was not without a few hiccups, but we had a really enjoyable time anyway. Although we had great weather, two previous days of torrential rainfall had taken...
Cinque Terre Hiking
Few places in the world offer hiking as spectacular as you’ll find in the Cinque Terre. The Five Towns on the Ligurian coast of Italy are linked by rail and a trail that rewards walkers...
Things To Do in Malibu California
A gorgeous, 23-mile stretch of beach north of Los Angeles and Santa Monica Beach, Malibu has been an exclusive enclave since the 1920s, when Hollywood celebrities first built homes here to escape the heat in...
Traveling in Tuscany
We’ve just returned from two-and-a-half weeks in Italy, and traveling in Tuscany was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip. The art and architecture are amazing, the rolling hills covered with vineyards and...
Greek Island Hopping
Anyone who’s ever seen a calendar featuring gorgeous shots of Santorini has likely dreamed of doing a little Greek Island hopping. After all, with fabulous scenery, delicious food, and interesting archeological sites, the Greek...
