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Saratoga Springs – A Gem in Upstate New York
Saratoga Springs made me want to travel more – and better. And by “better,” I mean it made me want to take time to explore small towns and cities that are a bit off the beaten path. While I was enjoying Saratoga Springs, I kept wondering what I’d missed in other “flyover cities.” Saratoga advice […]
Catalina Island – An Insider’s Guide
Catalina Island – the place that’s “26 miles across the sea,” has a reputation as being touristy, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s also an authentic side to Catalina. On my last visit, I found a charming inn, a great place to eat, and a spa that truly reflects the island’s heritage – all […]
Finland – Adventures in Lapland with Norma
Finland isn’t on my bucket list – at least not in winter. I once spent part of a summer camping above the Arctic Circle in Finland, and that was fun. But in winter, with snow? I don’t think so. On the other hand, freelance writer Marilyn Jones has wanted to visit Finland – specifically Lapland, […]
Our Gulet Charter, Sailing the Turkish Coast
Gulet (Turkish pronunciation gu’ let) is a traditional design of a two- or three-masted wooden sailing vessel from the southwestern coast of Turkey, particularly built in the coastal towns of Bodrum and Marmaris. I have to thank Wikipedia for this definition. When Malcolm Prince first wrote to me about his exciting journey along the coast […]
Hilo Hawaii – Best Authentic (Logo Free) B&B
Hilo…If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I’m not a fan of highrise hotels covered in corporate logos. This is particularly true in places like the Big Island where the local laid-back lifestyle includes surfing, hula, and celebrating the culture of Old Hawaii. On my most recent trip to the Big […]
Nashville, Father & Son Find Music City Harmony
San Diego freelance writer Doug Hansen contributed this guest post. Nashville, Tennessee is the perfect destination for travelers with divergent interests. I know this because I traveled here with my adult son and – in spite of our differences – we both had a great time. Consider this: Blake is an avid fan of sports, […]
Best La Jolla Shores Hotels, San Diego
La Jolla Shores Beach is a long stretch of sand about a mile from La Jolla’s popular shopping and dining areas in the “village.” The Shores is where San Diego locals and visitors head for walking, kayaking, surfing, sunning, SCUBA diving, and playing in the waves. In short, La Jolla Shores is pretty much paradise. […]
Christchurch NZ, My Personal Post-Quake Tour
Christchurch, New Zealand has long been known as “The Garden City.” However, these days when I mention my home-away-from-home in New Zealand, I’m likely to hear “Isn’t that the place that was pretty much destroyed by an earthquake?” Well, yes. There’s that, but it wasn’t just “an earthquake.” Since the first quake in September 2010, […]
Yoga Poses & Blissful Retreats for Travelers
Yoga poses…We all have our favorites. The ones I like the best I learned from Anne Marie Welsh at the Community Center in my hometown – La Jolla, California. In addition to being a great teacher, Anne Marie is also an inveterate traveler, so she knows the best yoga poses for people – like you and […]
Most Romantic Christchurch Accommodation
New Zealand: Christchurch accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes, but Otahuna Lodge is easily the most romantic. The stately Victorian mansion is surrounded by 30 acres of beautiful gardens, emerald green lawns, and fragrant woodlands. Seven spacious bedrooms – most with working fireplaces – are both grand and welcoming. If you’ve ever longed to […]
Air New Zealand, Santa & Our Fabulous Trip
Air New Zealand made it possible for my husband Richard and me to enjoy four wonderful weeks of New Zealand summer. We left Los Angeles on December 24, 2015 and came back on January 21, 2016 – and it was all terrific. As I’ve mentioned before , I’ve spent a lot of time Down Under […]
Christchurch NZ – Rooms With A View
Christchurch NZ is a little short on places to stay at the moment. The earthquakes that shook the area during 2010 and 2011 wiped out almost 80% of the city central, including several hotels. So what’s a visitor to do? Had I been looking for a chic boutique hotel, I would have opted for The […]
Holiday Gifts for the Travelers on Your List
Holiday gifts for travelers? I’m not a great shopper, but if your friends and family are nomads – like me – I do have some thoughts on pressies they might like. And because I know how busy you are at this time of the year – I’m only going to suggest things that can be […]
Japan – Restaurant Reservations for Foodies
Japan is a wonderful destination, but not an easy place for authentic travelers. We can’t just rent a car and drive around on our own. If we wander off the beaten path, it’s challenging to use local signage to find our way back. In addition, the resident population is very polite, but most people are […]
