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How to visit National Parks and avoid crowds
For years I've been trying to figure out how to visit National Parks and avoid the crowds. From the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone and Bryce and Zion (all my favorite national parks), I'm zoning in on one park and 4 tips to help you enjoy your vacation. Yosemite...
Southern Italy where they’ve perfected the art of slowing down
When our cook, Fausta Solfa, mentioned that dinner would be at 7:30 pm, someone in our group asked: “Is that 7:30 pm regular time or Italia time?” The rest of us started laughing. Four days into our week-long sojourn in southern Italy and we were finally getting used...
Monterey Bay Aquarium New Exhibit
What to do in Monterey Spend an afternoon at the Monterey Aquarium. Here's the latest on the new exhibit. Dive into the food scene of Pacific Grove. Meander along the pedestrian trail to Lover's Point. Go for a walk along the unsoiled nature beaches. Enjoy fine dining...
Holland America Line Celebrates New Ship Rotterdam
“Isn’t this fabulous? We are making history together as Holland America names the new ship Rotterdam with her Royal Highness” said Julia from Amsterdam. I agreed with Julia as we raised our mugs of cold Dutch beer in a toast. My husband and I had never been to a...
Go beyond the vineyards for the Sonoma County you may not know
When you think of Sonoma County, images come to mind of vineyards and vine-covered hillsides, elegant tasting rooms and fabulous dinners at intimate restaurants. Beyond the famous food, wine and vineyards, Sonoma offers plenty more to discover. Go West Beyond the...
Traveling Solo Jump Started Change in My Life
Traveling solo? That can be a scary idea. Travel is, or can be, as much an inward as an outward experience, and mine proved to involve an important inner dimension. Cut off from all of my support systems, I was tested in some rather wild...
A road trip through our national parks in Utah and Arizona
When the walls feel like they are closing in and I need a boost again, I return to the wide-open spaces of the southwest and the healing peacefulness of the canyons for a road trip in Utah and Arizona. Nothing...
Paris Tips for women, solo travelers, romance.
Paris promises something for everyone – sophistication, beauty, culture, history, cuisines, art, escape and that nebulous quality called ambiance and tips from a resident help you capture it all. Hopefully when you visit Paris you’ll carve out time to do more...
Treasures of California Gold Country
History, adventure, chic western towns and gold: You'll find them all in California's Calaveras County. As we drove to California Gold Country, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, I was wowed from the get-go: a vivid landscape of golden-hued hills, grazing cows, a bounty...
Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur with your pet
Carmel, Monterey and beyond with your pet. Tips for pet travel. When I was young our pets stayed in the kitchen. When we started planning our pet travel to Monterey, Carmel and beyond, we were clueless. In the past, our poodles and terriers always knew their...
San Francisco Presidio National Park at the Golden Gate Bridge
With the famous span of the Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop, the San Francisco Presidio National Park is a great escape. This huge National Park is nestled along the Bay and Crissy Field extending through 262 acres of historic forests to the cliffs above the...
Ditch the diet and follow the foodies along Napa Valley’s Gourmet Mile”
Now is not the time to start a diet: ditch your guilt and follow the foodies along Napa Valley's Gourmet Mile! In the land of culinary riches that is Napa Valley, Yountville, a small town has big reputation for exceptional cuisine and extraordinary...