One day in Madrid

It's been several months since I have used my passport for travel and I am feeling the pent up frustration an ACL infection delivered requiring a mandatory sit still for 3 months! No one puts baby in the corner..... All in all, it's great to be packing my bag to be airborne again, out of the United States. [caption…

Where to stay in Paris for first timers

Location on a vacation can make or break your trip. However if you have never been to a particular city, how do you know where you should stay. How many times do I see specials to Washington DC that list in the fine print, a hotel in Arlington Virginia? But how would someone know that’s…

A visit to more traditional Vietnam via Hanoi

Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam yet so unlike Ho Chi Minh. Landing in Hanoi you are struck by the tall green mountains, lakes and farmland quite unlike landing in Ho Chi Minh (later referred to here as Saigon) to the south. [caption id="attachment_1259" align="alignnone" width="1536"] Landing in Hanoi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1262" align="alignnone" width="1586"]…

Vietnam views

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Vietnam recently. Visiting this country has been on my Asia bucket list for the last few years. I had heard of the stunning landscapes, cultural highlights and amazing cuisine. [caption id="attachment_1220" align="alignnone" width="750"] Locked and loaded for the flight to Vietnam[/caption] Let’s be real, I couldn’t wait…

Bali’s Culture Nurtures All Who Visit

Bali has always invited and welcomed travelers with smiling faces and open arms. Many travelers come to Bali having viewed it's vast colorful richness displayed from movies such as Eat, Pray, Love. [caption id="attachment_1133" align="alignnone" width="3516"] Balinese culture[/caption] Yoga, vistas, ocean, relaxation....yes, its all here to enjoy. When driving through the countryside, there's simply no…

The turbulences of not traveling…

It always feels really good to get home from a long trip and come home to a place of comfort and familiarity... [caption id="attachment_1083" align="alignnone" width="3024"] Home views[/caption] But what about when you have haven't been on a trip in a bit? Two months off of a flight during the summer is giving me heartburn.…

Fall in Paris 2016 after the US elections

Fall is my favorite season of the year. So being able to visit one of my favorite cities during the Fall season, especially a day after the 2016 Presidential election, is truly an exceptional bonus. I arrived disheartened by the election results, only to be reminded that Paris is a city that can always revive a…

Leaving USA after the Presidential elections-to revive my soul

Paris--I had this trip planned out before the US elections knowing full well that our country might not have a President-elect by the time it was wheels up. I fully expected a Presidential challenge and possible drawn out results. However along with many Americans, what I wasn't prepared for, was a full out Trump win…

A visit to the UNESCO Batad Rice Terraces in the Philippines

Most visitors to the Philippines are so fascinated with the 7000 or more stunning islands that they never think to see any other areas of the country. Visiting El Nido's turquoise lagoons was on my list of places to visit. Below is a glimpse of the stunning waters from that portion of the trip… [caption…

Snorkeling video with giant whale shark’s in Mexico!

Once in a lifetime experiences are few and far between. To get in the water with the largest fish in the ocean is exhilarating and breathtaking. Here is a video snorkeling adventure with (shot by Deb Guzman) of us swimming with the giant whales sharks off the cost of Holbox Island, Mexico. Hope you'll follow…