Smitten with Santorini
From the moment I first stepped foot on Santorini, I was instantly smitten. Everything from the incredible Greek cuisine to the small villages, quaint atmospheres and awe-inspiring landscapes of Santorini has a way of truly capturing one’s heart. While on the island we opted to stay at El Greco Hotel. With our home base in…
The Tuscan Countryside
There’s something about the Tuscan countryside that is perfect for recharging one’s emotional batteries. From panoramic vistas to formal gardens to shadowed lanes in hilltop towns, Tuscany offers a feast for the eyes, and the perfect antidote to the bustle and chaos of modern city life. One of our favorite haunts is Montepulciano, a hilltop…
Relaxing in St. Thomas
With the Chicago weather dipping well into the 30s this week, I am dreaming of my stay this summer in the US Virgin Islands. I spent a short-but-fun three days on St. Thomas touring Charlotte Amalie, going ziplining, and—of course—grabbing some much-needed time by the pool! The USVI is a short flight from Miami, and…
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda
While I’m a city girl at heart, the one thing that can bring me out into the jungle for a six-hour trek through the rainforest is a gorilla! Gorilla trekking in the Virunga Volcanic Mountains of Rwanda is not for the faint of heart (or weak of muscle). What it is is the most amazing…
A Local’s Guide to Austin
I am a Texas girl, born and raised, and have called Austin home for 26 years. I lived in Austin way before it was as cool and hip as it is now! It’s been growing into a big city but still holds a lot of small town charm for me. Read on for our local’s…
The Countryside of Connemara Ireland
This summer I had the chance to visit Connemara, in scenic and wild western Ireland, for a good friend’s wedding. After flying to Dublin and catching a three hour bus ride to Galway, the small town of Letterfrack in western Ireland (and the site of my friend’s wedding) was still another hour and a half…
The Last Days of Summer in Corfu
My husband and I had just spent an eventful month travelling from Croatia through Montenegro and Albania, and after spending each day moving about and discovering the beautiful sights of these places, we wanted our last spot to help us completely unwind. Because our criteria was to spend all day lying on the beach and…
Arizona Road Trip
Being Canadian, the majority of my year is spent in cold weather, with summer being our busiest season. Needless to say, I had been looking forward to our Arizona road trip ever since my family first came up with the idea last December. We are huge nature-lovers and a trip through a climate that none…
The Medieval Town of Uzes France
Every summer we spend a week in the French town of Uzes. It is a magical place and we love wandering through its narrow lanes, buying food from the market and having dinner outdoors in the main square, the Place aux Herbes. The center of this medieval town is entirely pedestrianized and with its towers,…
Sunshine on the Amalfi Coast
This past spring I had the opportunity to take a trip back to one of my most favorite countries in the world, Italy! My adventure did not consist of many plans and in fact we ended up flying by the seat of our pants for most of the trip. One location I did not expect…
Bicycles and Waterways of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of those places that just makes you wish you could stay longer. Transportation is easy and everywhere and the city most definitely caters to cyclists. During our visit we rode our bikes all over the area, checking out all the major stops and even heading to the nearby fishing village of Volendam.…