Recent Articles
San Francisco Locals Share the 6 Best Things to Do
By Marybeth Bond/GutsyTraveler The tourist season, when we have lots of out-of-town visitors is almost here and we’re gearing up for it. Here are our suggestions of where to go beyond “must see” tourist places: Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Ghirardelli, and The Golden Gate Bridge. Free Wildlife Viewing. PIER 39 Watch mammoth sea lions cavort in the […]
Ski or hike in Zermatt, Switzerland.
Head to Zermatt, Switzerland for spectacular powder runs, stunning trails and the romantic charm of an idyllic Alpine village. Matterhorn Magic Walt Disney was inspired by the majestic sharp mountain in southern Switzerland and copied it for the famous Disneyland ride. It’s easy to fall in love with the Swiss winter, especially in the shadow of […]
Burgundy by bike, boat or car
Paris may be crawling with tourists scurrying to monuments and museums, but in Burgundy, a mere 90 minutes south on the TGV train, sightseeing is never an object. The pace is slow, the countryside bucolic and the pleasures of gastronomy rule supreme. The chandeliers in the Michelin-starred restaurants are eternally glittering and the puffy […]
Family Travel. The best and the worst family getaways.
Family travel is a time to make memories that last a lifetime. Over two decades and to over two dozen countries, I traveled with my kids, usually without an adult partner to help out. If you want to do more than beaches and amusement parks, then read on for tips and scroll down for suggestions for […]
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 to the pace: be ready by 8:30 […]
Romantic Ocean View Resorts in Southern California
Eat, sleep and soak in Southern California’s most romantic ocean view resorts. The Lodge at Torres Pines, La Jolla and Bacara Resort and Spa, Santa Barbara Balanced on the coastal clips overlooking the Pacific Ocean, above the community of La Jolla, the Lodge has been drawing avid golfers and lovers to its sunny climate and majestic […]
Solo traveler. Tales and tips.
No one expected me to be a solo woman traveler. I had never eaten a meal alone in a restaurant or traveled on my own — except for business trips. I surprised everyone, including myself. You too can travel alone. I discovered it’s not lonely, it’s empowering. You’ll learn to talk to people: from taxi drivers, […]
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 than rush to the major tourists sites; the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the […]
Millennials On The Go
Safety Tips for millennials going abroad from college students to professionals traveling for business. Bar Tips – Buddy System Go with a buddy. It’s better to have two sets of eyes to watch for bad situations. Don’t leave without your buddy. Get smart about Rophynol, “the date rape drug”, which is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. If […]
Award-winning Orgeon: Shakespeare to Pinots
Ashland, Oregon may be a small town but it can rival big cities with theater, outdoor activities, wine and farm-to-table food. Photo: Queen Elizabeth in the performance of Shakespeare in Love. Photo Credit: Jenny Graham Recently my husband and I drove 6 hours from San Francisco to indulge our passion for theater. We bought tickets […]