Top Destinations for Family Travel and Their Visa Requirements Family trips are more than just vacations. They are the bookmarks of our lives, embedding fond memories and deeper connections. Exploring a new locale, absorbing its culture, and stepping out of our comfort zone with our loved ones by our side creates an unparalleled bond. However, [...]
Solo Traveler's Guide to Europe: Safety, Tips & Top Destinations Welcome to the Solo Traveler's Guide to Europe, your definitive companion for traversing the diverse European cultures alone. Solo travel offers a unique way to experience the beauty of this continent. This guide aims to equip you with practical advice for a secure and fulfilling expedition. [...]
Laduree Macarons Sure, you can get a real French macaron all over the place in France. But, there's something extra special about Laduree macarons. Maybe the fashionable Parisian matrons sipping tea and delightful French families with their well-dressed (and even better behaved) children or the mind blowing coffee have something to do with it. If you've never had [...]
ABC Tips on Visiting France Since 1997, I have traveled to France numerous times to visit my French family. Even though I (am embarrassed to say I) have yet to visit the Louvre, I have visited France (even the Eiffel Tower) like a local. I'm sharing my favorite tips on visiting France here—in my usual alphabetical [...]
Seeing Paris by Boat or Bus It's a rare occasion that I surrender to any tour that is not preceded by the word "Food." However, I make a wholehearted exception to both the Bateaux Mouches and the double decker bus tours of Paris. Seeing Paris by boat or bus gives you a fabulous overview of the city, so you can get do a much [...]
Climbing the Arc de Triomphe While I'm one to favor the less beaten path, I would be remiss if I didn't urge you to see the Arc de Triomphe while in Paris. Even better — CLIMBING the Arc de Triomphe! You mustn't simply gaze at it from afar. Or stroll around the base. You really must climb to [...]
Get to Know the Eiffel Tower Anyone who simply walks, floats or busses by the Eiffel Tower, snapping a few pics along the way, has missed the essence of her soul. Take your time. Get to know her. Check her out from every possible exterior angle—from afar and close up. You'll get some outstanding views of [...]
Munich at Christmas Time is Bucket List Worthy I had four compelling reasons to wander to Munich at Christmas last year: To feed my starvation for seasons with a feast of snow To place a check by “Munich’s Christkindlmarkts” in my 1,000 Places to See Before You Die book To travel back in time to a [...]
Tips for an Amazing Ireland Family Vacation Having a pre-teen championship Irish dancer for a daughter, a teenage son enamored by all things British, and a mom who was wildly curious about the Emerald Isle, an Ireland family vacation was clearly in order. Ireland graced us...it was visually stimulating, bursting with history, and filled with warm and gracious natives. [...]
Tips for Visiting Poland In Search of Family This blog with tips for visiting Poland is dedicated to my father, who invited me to join him on an emotional journey to explore his heritage and find his family. This was definitely one of the most emotional of my wanders. Gdansk Malbork Castle + Torun Chelmno Torun [...]
