The Gutsy Traveler

San Francisco’s literary oasis: City Lights Bookstore and the Beat Museum

Gutsy Traveler: A cozy room in a San Francisco bookstore, lined with bookshelves brimming with poetry volumes, features a central table stacked high with more literary treasures and a sign proudly announcing "Poetry Room." Near the window, two people are engrossed in their reading.
In the heart of San Francisco, where echoes of the “Summer of Love” and the enduring hippie spirit still resonate, lies the city’s literary soul—a unique blend housed within an …

Meet you in the Greek islands: Cruise to Cyprus, Rhodes and beyond.

View of the town of Lindos on Rhodes
Join me on a mesmerizing Greek Islands cruise, where ancient history seamlessly blends with stunning landscapes. The Greek Islands, with their sun-drenched shores and azure waters, beckon travelers with promises …

Escape the ordinary: Luxury spa retreats in Napa Valley’s wine country

Napa
Napa Valley, with its iconic vineyards and serene vistas, is not only a destination for oenophiles but also a sanctuary for those seeking luxury spa retreats. This article explores premier …

Visit France. Paris. then Normandy: where Impressionism was born

France
Like countless other Francophiles, I am captivated by French art, history and fashion, as well as the cheeses, wine, pastries, cuisine and films of France. I saw “Midnight in Paris,” …

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Child looking at jellyfish in a tank
What to do in Monterey and Pacific Grove Jellies are one of Mother Nature’s strangest and most beautiful wonders. They have no bones, brains, teeth, blood or fins. Their bodies …

Safety tips for women travelers

Safety tips for women travelers
Safety and security are super important for women travelers. I know, I traveled around the world ALONE for two years. And I had very, very few difficult situations. Here’s what …

Tips for women traveling solo

Norway. Woman on rock
Here are tips for women travelers to get you ready. Just because you start out alone doesn’t mean you’ll stay alone all the time. You’ll discover there is a treasury …

Travel safety for women

Gutsy Traveler: A woman with her hair in a ponytail stands in a doorway, holding the door handle, with warm indoor lighting illuminating the scene, offering a comforting reminder of safety tips before you go on the road.
Travel safety for woman is the number one concern for students, seniors and world adventurers. I’ve written chapters in my books and spoken at universities and at travel shows about …

African safari by water and by land

African safari by water and by land
An African safari by water and land in three countries offers a window into the African bush, surrounded by wild animals, multicolored birds, sensational sunsets and friendly local guides. By …

Top five favorite places in Switzerland.

The Ticino region of Switzerland. www.ticino.ch
My top five favorite places In Switzerland range from the Jungfrau region to Lake Maggiore in the south and they are easy to reach by train. In the Ticino region …

How do you avoid the crowds? Overtourism, flight guilt and how to travel responsibly

Norway. Woman on rock
Today most travelers have experienced overtourism and huge crowds at the popular tourist destinations: the Statue of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, Barcelona, the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. The statistics of …

Take me to Telluride

Take me to Telluride
Think Telluride is all about powder skiing and film festivals? Thing again! This is the place where Butch Cassidy began his bank-robbing career at the San Miguel Valley Bank on …