Tag: real experiences
Why I love this New Zealand Beach Resort
New Zealand beach communities are dotted along the country’s coast. Until recently, I thought I’d experienced the best of them – but then I found Waikanae. In a roundabout way, I have my husband to thank for this discovery. If he hadn’t wanted to spend “at least one full day” at the Southward Car Museum, […]
Shell Beach – Best Central CA Vacation Spot
Shell Beach: What makes this area the perfect spot for a summer vacation? Great weather and a relatively laid-back atmosphere. Further north, coastal fog can be a problem, and in some areas to the south, beach resorts are packed in cheek-to-jowl. But Shell Beach, which is the upmarket resort area of Pismo Beach, feels quiet […]
Solo Travel Made Easy and Authentic
Solo travel can be a wonderful way to see the world. For a couple of decades, I went everywhere alone and loved the independence and freedom. Even now, having married a guy who loves to travel as much as I do, I elect to do a couple of trips on my own every year. Solo […]
Trip Planning Help Just For You
Trip planning making your head spin? I feel your pain. Even though I’ve been planning trips for myself and others for a long time, I still spend hours sorting out the options. It doesn’t help that I’m somewhat obsessive (ok, strike somewhat) about finding the perfect lodging and figuring out ways to avoid crowds of […]
Restaurants in La Jolla Shores – Part 2
Restaurants in La Jolla Shores are my favorites, and this isn’t just because they are close to our house. What I really enjoy is the sense of community that I feel when I’m there. As I think you know, La Jolla is San Diego’s favorite beach area, and there are plenty of places to eat […]
La Jolla Shores Restaurants Rock
La Jolla Shores restaurants have a special place in my heart – and not just because they’re walking distance from our house. What I really love is their casual, beachy atmosphere. San Diego tourists tend to dine a mile away on Prospect Street (AKA “restaurant row”), but locals and authentic travelers prefer the neighborhood feel […]
Seattle – in Two Bookstores and a Library
Seattle is one of my favorite cities, so I was happy to receive this guest post from Karen Adams, a talented local writer. I love her focus on a side of Seattle that tourists don’t see, but authentic travelers can really appreciate. If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald City, this post is a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Authentic Tuscany in a Day with Km Zero
Authentic Tuscany…Before I read this guest post, I thought exploring Tuscany was, by definition, a multi-day event. However, I now realize I thought that because I’ve always driven around on my own and not really known where to go. In contrast, the author of this post toured Tuscany with two very connected locals. They knew […]
Monterey, CA – Wildlife, Great Food & More
Monterey is a mixed bag. At first glance, it’s not very exciting. The commercial district is chockablock with the predictable chain stores, and nearby lodging and dining options are also ho-hum. So why am I writing about this Central California city? Because the flip side is that Monterey is home to some of the best food, most authentic wildlife […]
Learn French, Travel With Your Tutor
Learn French while traveling with your teacher in Eastern France. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Our Parisian friend Pascale Heuzé previously shared her ideas about souvenir shopping and provided suggestions for living like a local in Paris. Now she wants to help you learn French. Read on… I’m a real French tutor living in Paris and […]
Eat Withlocals in Spain – Olé!
Withlocals….think Airbnb, but instead of authentic places to stay, Withlocals connects travelers with local chefs and authentic food experiences. A major player in the sharing economy, Withlocals was founded in the Netherlands in 2013 and expanded into Asia a year ago with the simple concept of offering an online marketplace where trusted locals can offer […]
