Movies to Watch before you visit Rome
To me a big part of the joy of travel is the planning portion! Figuring out where you’re going to go, what you’d like to see and experience. Daydreaming about what…
All Posts
Carpinteria Beach Cottages – Charming California Vacation Rental
A couple of years ago, I stumbled across the Carpinteria Beach Cottage website while looking for new, cool spots to check out in California. I was immediately smitten! The only hitch…
Best Restaurants in Carpinteria, California
The next time you drive down California’s glorious coast, be sure to stop in at Santa Barbara’s less glamorous but equally beautiful little sister, Carpinteria! This small city of @15,000 is…
Cinque Terre | Europe | Italy
My Whirlwind Journey Through the Beautiful Cinque Terre Villages
You’re planning out your European vacation, then realize you’ve only allotted two days for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre! What will you do? What WILL you…
Cinque Terre | Europe | Italy
Is Monterosso the Best Base for Exploring Cinque Terre?
You’ve seen the stunning photos of the Cinque Terre villages along the Italian Riviera. Amazing, colorful houses perch on steep hillsides overlooking the sea. To me, it looked like a fairy…
A Fab Afternoon in Malibu California
If you find yourself in LA or Santa Barbara and want to take a little drive along the PCH (i.e., Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 1), here is my recommendation for…
A Fun First Time Guide to Florence, Italy
Florence Italy was a place I’d always dreamed of visiting. Largely because of my obsession with the movie, “A Room With A View“. I finally made it there recently, and I…
The Coolest Attraction and Lodging at Each California Zephyr Stop
Recently, I was pondering taking another trip on the scenic Amtrak California Zephyr at a different time of year. (Click here to read my review of the trip I took in…
What’s the deal with Palo Alto California?
Palo Alto is a city in the northwest area of Silicon Valley. Computer maverick Hewlett-Packard originated here in 1939, as well as many other high tech companies. You may also be…
Solo Female Travel Safety Tips
Traveling on your own, especially as a woman, can feel a bit daunting. Over my years of solo traveling, I’ve come up with a few tips that really help me feel…
What’s it like visiting Elvis’s Graceland in Memphis?
On a recent visit to Memphis, Tennessee, I couldn’t resist stopping by Elvis Presley’s Graceland home for a visit. My mom was a huge Elvis fan, and his music always played…
California | Capitola | England | Europe | London
The last time I visited Big Ben I changed my Will
I changed my Will after my latest trip to London. It was one of my favorite places in the world, full of memories of a seven month trip to Europe in…