On my last night in Dubrovnik, I wanted to do something extraordinary for dinner to top off the fantastic vacation I was having with my husband in Croatia. He and I vacation together regularly, but honestly, this was the best trip we have taken together in a very long time. Authentic Culinary Experiences I remembered reading a National Geographic article about a family that cooks
As a travel writer, I have been on many European River Cruises. Honestly, I think river cruises are a great way to see Europe, as well as other countries. I absolutely love the fact that I only have to unpack once! But I think I want more than the average traveler out of my “floating hotel”. And you know what? Avalon Waterways gave me exactly
We loved Croatia! Let me say that again! We LOVED Croatia and I would go back in a heartbeat! No wonder it is the hottest destination for Europeans and Americans alike these days! After visiting Dubrovnik and Mostar, Bosnia, we made our way down to the stunning city of Split by rental car. Split lies in the central and southern part of Croatia and is
Here is WHY You Should Visit Portofino! Portofino, Italy is a small fishing village along the Italian Riviera known for its good looks and visitors: the Hollywood crowd and beyond! But you don't have to be a celebrity or wealthy to visit this gorgeous seaside town in Northern Italy. For me, it is the perfect town. The half-moon shaped harbor, with its pastel houses lining
Can you imagine the influence that a river has on the people living along its path? As I left a classical concert in the Parliament Building in Vienna, I was humming to myself The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss. It is so crazy to think of the influences that a river can have on those living around it! And the famous river he wrote
Have you ever heard of the small Balkan country known as Bosnia & Herzegovina? I hadn't really either, as it wasn't even really on my bucket list! But while visiting Croatia, my husband and I decided to take a day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar. And we were certainly glad we did. Mostar is considered the cultural and economic capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Oh,
Traveling to the most beautiful places in the world is a luxury that I believe most of my readers can afford. You may have seen places like Budapest and Vienna on television and thought, “How will I ever be able to visit these gorgeous cities?” But to be honest, once you are able to book a plane ticket, the rest of your trip can be
I recently visited Budapest, Hungary with Avalon Waterways to check out their new “Active and Discovery” excursion tours that are offered on their European River cruises. Since I have been on my share of European river cruises along the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube, I was excited to try out their new style of excursions. One of my choices for a "Discovery" excursion was
Positano, Italy is a gorgeous slice of Heaven, ok, I mean "beach town" in Italy along the Amalfi Coast. It is famous for its colorful buildings, excellent restaurants, and perfect location for honeymooners, and really anyone who wants to enjoy the Italian sun! With its winding roads that lead down to the sea, there are plenty of cafes, shops, and boutique hotels to stay at.
With a history that spans centuries, Rome is a city that takes a lifetime to discover. No matter how many times I go to Rome, I always find something new. It seems to contain an infinite number of secrets and sights to behold. While many are well-known and are on the top of most travelers’ bucket lists, this capital city has its share of secret places
I stepped onto the shores of the Normandy Beaches where I couldn't stop thinking about how World War II had finally ended in 1945. The end would have never happened if it was not for the bravery of the Allied Forces who landed on the beaches of Normandy in June of 1944, Codename Operation Overload. American, British, and Canadian soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for
Barcelona, Spain for Families… Visiting Barcelona is a wonderful family vacation destination because there are so many things to do in Barcelona with kids. From family-friendly restaurants to free activities galore, you can rest easy knowing that there is a long list of reasons why Barcelona family vacations top the list of so many traveling families. Barcelona, with its twisty streets and open-air plazas, is
Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, going "Wild on the Water!" As an American, I had never even heard of Schramberg, Germany much less any of the shenanigans going on during their famous Carnival river raft races. What on earth had I missed? Apparentlly people come from all over Europe just to see and experience such a fun carnival river raft race known as the Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race. Literally
Guide to celebrating Carnival in Schramberg, Germany The anticipation was thick in the air when we arrived mid-morning for our very first peek deep into Germany’s Black Forest where Carnival comes alive! Not the Carnival you may be thinking of with drunkenness and bead throwing like in New Orleans, but a traditional type that has been going for centuries in the forests of
Carnival Black Forest Germany Carnival - Enchanting creatures lurking in the Black Forest Ding, Ding, Ding! “What was that?” I hear it again. Ding, Ding, Ding! I glance over at the clock in the pitch-black hotel room and try to remember where I am. “It is 5 am!” I have been on a whirlwind tour of the Black Forest in Germany and being
It was over a year ago that I had typed these words to the top of my bucket list on my website: Croatia Vacation. I had been in the travel business for over 5 years at the time and I often hear about all the wonderful places to visit in this world. Whisperings of Croatia island hopping and amazing Croatia resorts have been going on
London is undoubtedly one of the world's tourist hotspots, there’s so much to see and do that you can actually live there and not get to experience everything that London has to offer. In fact, there’s even an old saying ‘if you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life’ which summarises nicely how much this city has to offer. But what should you prioritize on
Make This Your Next Authentic Italian Vacation Americans love Italy Vacations. Yet many times when we go, we get bogged down in the massive cities and we begin to feel that the vacation becomes "too touristy". In Rome, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are so busy that they are almost avoidable areas to go to anymore because of the massive crowds. Even Rome has
What 's it REALLY like aboard a Viking River Cruises? Let's peek thru the window with fascination and find out what it is like experiencing every detail of Viking Cruises. I had heard they were the "jewel of the sea" with their ever-changing views of the majestic scenery. I had heard about the "unpack once" scenario, but what are the nitty-gritty details I need to
If you ask me how I like to travel, I would say “solo.” As a photographer, I find it’s easier to wander alone and take my time to get exactly the right shot. So on my third visit exploring Venice, I found a few of the best things to do in Venice, Italy. I was totally prepared to take in a day at the Carnival
Arrival in the small city of Basel, Switzerland was fast and cheap from the train station in Zurich. Basel is located where the Swiss, French, and German borders meet. It is the third largest city in Switzerland. It also has suburbs in France and in Germany. I had heard that the Basel Christmas Markets were Christmas markets NOT to miss, as the market at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz
There is no doubt that if you are looking to be wined and dined on your next vacation, then Crystal Cruises is the company you are looking for. This exclusive cruise company makes you feel as if you are staying in a luxury hotel, only it floats on majestic waterways! At least the Grand Europe Crystal Mahler ship does, it floats along the shores of
I'd say the Amalfi Coast is right on up there with the top 10 places to see before you die! You have got to experience it for yourself. Take your spouse on a romantic getaway. Fly into Rome, rent a car, and drive from Rome to Positano by car. See it for yourself, at your own pace and leisure. That's what we did on our
Norway is absolutely beautiful and every traveler should include this country on their bucket list. With its snowy winters, interesting history, vibrant architecture, and wonderful people, the sheer beauty of this Nordic country is just too compelling to be ignored. And if that’s not enough to convince you, here’s my list of 16 amazing things to do in Norway during a Norway Winter. I never
There's this petite village - really a settlement, that lies just off the scenic road to Amalfi just above the coastline. It is called Fuore, Italy. At one time, it was a fisherman's village, full of tiny boat houses that clung to the side of the mountain along the gorge. Many people admired the cluster of houses and the view overlooking the village, but no
From charming and colorfully painted fishing villages to beehive huts and stunning handmade pottery, the Dingle Peninsula offers a wide variety of things to do while visiting this portion of the Wild Atlantic Way. Dingle, Ireland has been isolated from the influences of the modern world until recently which has resulted in fun local culture and a dialect that is quite different than the rest
I fell in love with the Liguria region where Genova, Italia (Genoa, Italy) is located. It is squeezed in between Monaco and Tuscany and is the thinnest and the smallest of all the regions of Italy. It may not be the most popular area or an area you think of when it comes to a visit to Italy, but take it from me, you will
From its world-class art museums to its floating flower markets, the city of Amsterdam is reinventing itself from its hedonistic side to now focusing on its rich artistic heritage. Culturally, it’s one of Europe’s most diverse and eclectic destinations. I put together this list of Amsterdam points of interest for first-time visitors so that you will not miss a single thing. You can pedal your
It was a foggy morning close to the Black Forest near Breisach, Germany where we had gotten up early to catch the bus to go into the southwest state of Baden-Wurttemberg, near Bavaria. Along the way, we saw many church steeples and stork nests, where on one steeple they actually had their own stork webcam. I have posted it here for you to view and see if
So you are going to Mykonos? Mykonos is loaded with great beaches (and churches) and in my humble opinion, they have some of the best beaches in all of the Mediterranean. Mykonos beaches are a paradise whether you’re looking for swimming, sunbathing, beach parties, or any type of water sports. You can visit the Mykonos beaches throughout the day by renting a car/moto (like I did), by
"If you read a lot, nothing is as great as you've imagined. Venice is -- Venice is better." Fran Lebowitz Venice Murmurings More than anything, I would just love to "be" in Venice, Italy. You know, "to be" and not "to do"? The "being" part is the key. It affects what I am doing and I must say, the more I develop my 'being'
Have you ever heard of Lviv Ukraine as a tourist destination? I hadn’t really. It is a popular weekend retreat for many Ukrainians, Russians, and Europeans, but somehow it has not been discovered by the American tourist yet. It seems there are many cities in Eastern Europe that will take your breath away and Lviv Ukraine is now on my bucket list as one of
This poem, which has been called “arguably the best –known verses ever written by an American" describes perfectly the way I felt before going on my Christmas Market Cruise. Twas the Night Before Christmas Staring at the words on the page, I could hardly believe it, almost like a visit from Santa himself. But yet, there it was: You have been invited… on
Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in Greece that literally has everything I want in an island – hidden and blue domed churches, stunning sunsets, volcanoes rising out of the Aegean Sea, cave houses you can stay in, and whitewashed stone buildings that dot the landscape. Know that your Santorini holidays will to be one you'll remember for a very long time. I especially loved
Bonjour! Won’t you come with me to Provence in the South of France? Let the Romance Begin in Southern France Don’t blame Southern France; they just can’t help themselves with their lavender-filled shops, hilltop villages, old churches, and their seductively gorgeous coastline. Heck, even the Vatican transplanted to Provence in southern France during the fourteenth century, as they decided they just might like this location
