Travel
Discover France’s Secret Villages
Walking in the Maritime Alps leads to the Mediterranean Coast Rocky, snowcapped Alps tumble down to the dazzling waters of the Mediterranean coast along the French and Italian border. My love of France and its sleepy villages fueled my choice to hike through this Mediterranean wonderland, not far from the region’s hub of Nice. Every […]
Rodeo Fever at the Calgary Stampede. Giddy Up Cowboy.
I’ve always loved rodeos, and the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada was on my bucket list for years. I finally dusted off my cowboy boots and joined daredevils, horse enthusiasts, music lovers, families, and wannabe cowboys, at the western extravaganza. Spanning ten days in July, […]
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 […]
Revel in Barcelona and Beyond
Barcelona’s sensory-rich food scene, stunning Gaudi-designed architecture and glitzy nightlife lure big crowds in the summer. Last year over 18 million tourists descended upon the Catalan metropolis of 5.5 million people. If you want Barcelona to yourself and you want to beat the heat, go in the off-season when you can stroll down the Las […]
Yellowstone Country wildlife. Welcome bear cubs, bison calves and wolf pups
An exciting time of the year to see Yellowstone wildlife, especially newborns, is in the spring. If you ask the locals, most residents of northwestern Wyoming’s Cody – situated east of Yellowstone National Park – will tell you the season truly begins when the babies make their debut. “The first cub-spotting is a big deal […]
Magic in the heart of the Austrian Alps
From ski slopes with stunning vistas to fine food at the top of the world, the Austrian Alps roll out the welcome mat. Not far from the violin harmonies of Mozart in the gilded halls of Salzburg, I discovered a quieter perfection – the sound of a gurgling mountain stream and cowbells while hiking through […]
Iceland by sea: explore the land of puffins, elves and fjords
Despite its name, only 10% of Iceland is actually covered in ice. In fact, the country about the size of Maine, is gloriously green. Wildflower fields, lush meadows, and rich tundra blanket a landscape of astonishing variety: black sand beaches, tumbling waterfalls, active volcanoes, bubbling hot springs in the middle of the wilderness, and snowcapped […]
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 […]
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 […]