Visiting Chernobyl
For many years it’s been a dream of my husband’s to see Chernobyl and Pripyat. In June, while traveling abroad in Russia, we finally had our opportunity to visit. The process of visiting Chernobyl has changed and now one must apply for a permit with a state-approved touring company at least two weeks in advance.…
An Unplugged Vacation in Fiji
On an island called Yaqeta in the northern part of Fiji’s Yasawa island chain is a little gem of a boutique resort called Navutu Stars. With just 10 Fijian style bures (private homes), it’s a true escape from the modern world, without Internet and television. Still it provides all of the things you’d want from…
Hiking in Oregon
Oregon may not match the majesty of Yosemite, the pristine beauty of tropical beaches, or the refinement of Europe, but it has a wildness that somehow makes me feels right at home. Here, among the draping moss and the ancient pines, the unruly paths and the cold fog rolling in from the sea, I find…
Hot Air Balloons Over Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in central Anatolia. The area is not only home to amazing landscapes, but also the hot air balloon ride that lured me to Turkey in the first place. We booked our flight with Royal Balloon, the best in the area and chose the longer, 90 minute King ride. After seeing…
Slowing Down in a Mexican Fishing Village
From the Puerto Vallarta Airport we made the hour and a half drive north to the private beach of Marina Chacala, Mexico. Jose, the owner of Mahajua Hotel, helped us get situated while his wife Carmen cooked us a fresh seafood dinner. Everything about this place felt like a scene in a post-revolutionary Mexican movie.…
An Island Escape in Capri
As a wedding photographer, my job sometimes takes me to exotic locations for destination weddings. Fortunately for me, I was recently invited to capture a wedding in Capri, Italy—a gorgeous island off the coast of Naples. Capri is a relatively small island with one major port only accessible by ferry, in a town also named…
Colonial Culture of Antigua
My husband was born in Guatemala and every time we get to visit this amazing country we discover something new. Antigua’s cobblestone streets and old colonial buildings always make me feel as if I am walking into a little piece of Europe in Central America! On our latest trip my husband and I decided to…
Italy’s Hidden Gem: Siena
After exploring much of Tuscany on previous trips to Italy, I thought it was finally time to make a stop in Siena. We took a day-trip to this quaint town from Florence and got lost on all the charming backstreets, people-watched in the Piazza del Campo and enjoyed an aperitivo in one of the many…
A Seaside Getaway in Busan
While visiting Korea this winter, we got away from the craziness of Seoul to visit Busan. Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and is infamous for its fresh seafood and raw fish cuisine. Countless restaurants and small shops offer live fish that customers can pick for themselves to be served on a…
A Tour Through China
China was unlike any place I have ever visited before. I remember standing in the middle of a busy street, taking in all the sights, smells and sounds. Buildings filled the entire sky, the tofu was unlike any other smell and the car horns and motorcycle engines were blaring. Talk about a sensory overload –…
Roaming the Streets of St. Tropez
While in France, St. Tropez often gets missed because of both how far south it is on the Mediterranean and because it is assumed to be for the rich and famous. But this small fishing village is surely a must-see! It has both charm and glitter with boutiques, local craftsmen and a little couture as…