Category: Winter 2024

Experience Madrid’s Holiday Magic Without the Crowds

  Many would say that the sun-drenched country of Spain is best enjoyed in the warm weather. But a trip to Madrid at the start of the holiday season delighted us with some of the country’s lesser known charms – and we enjoyed them all without the sweltering heat and massive crowds. Our trip was planned […]

A Journey Through the Otherworldly Icelandic Winter 

Landing in Reykjavík in the dead of winter the only expectation I had was to be surprised. Most of the images of Iceland I’ve seen focused on the Northern Lights and its spectacularly colorful summers, but this was different.   The nights are darkest of the dark and during the day the sun is in constant […]

Cruises to Gift for the Holidays

It’s that time of the year again, the time when you decide what gifts to buy your friends and family. Cruises are an exciting option – and no one will think about returning them. Choose from small-ship sails, river and ocean voyages, and expedition cruises for the more adventurous. There are options to suit every […]

Kyoto Without the Crowds

Kinkakuji, aka the temple of the golden pavilion, was created in the late 1300s, although the current version is a reconstruction built after a crazed monk burned down the original in the 1950s. Having once been Japan’s capital for almost 1,000 years, Kyoto is awash with cultural heritage. Historic temples and shrines, beautifully landscaped gardens, […]

A Greek Wellness Getaway to Renew the Body & Soul

My travels typically encompass wellness or a component of body, mind, and soul. I’m grateful to have experienced wellness programs in the U.S. and abroad and I must say that this wellness journey in Greece was truly an exploration of ancient and modern health and healing during the first half of the journey followed by […]

Embracing Life’s Journey: Adventures with Elijah

This isn’t your typical travel article that focuses on a single destination. Instead, it is inspired by my remarkable son, Elijah, who was not expected to live past two years old. He will turn seven in January, and he serves as a daily reminder of the fleeting nature of life! I am a single mom […]

A Personal Guide to Charting a Course to the Antarctic

Traveling to the Antarctic is no small feat. Once reserved for scientists and explorers, this pristine wilderness has become more accessible, with over 70,000 visitors a year and more than 50 cruise ships making the journey. Having been lucky enough to explore the White Continent on four very different cruise expeditions, I’ve learned that planning […]

A Glorious Grand Cayman Getaway

Stretching 22 miles along the Caribbean coast, with pristine beaches, preserved wildlife habitats, and a relaxed, old-school culture that charms every visitor, Grand Cayman offers the perfect setting for a nature-filled island getaway. The magical expanse of pearly sand and turquoise waves known as Seven Mile Beach is perhaps Grand Cayman’s most famous landmark and […]