November 27, 2018
Broken glass crackled and crunched beneath my feet. Sun streamed through the remains of a once-magnificent stained glass window. Broken dolls and filthy baby shoes littered the floor. A child’s storybook stood open as if waiting for its reader to continue. Never would I have imagined that Ukraine‘s Chernobyl tours, the site of the worst […]
November 19, 2018
With over 100 miles of pristine blue beaches that fringe the North Carolina coast, the Outer Banks is a popular vacation destination. Four narrow barrier islands stand between the North Carolina mainland and the Atlantic Ocean, each with its own unique vibe – from chill to action-filled. The best way to stay in the Outer […]
November 19, 2018
Kiev is the lively capital and largest city in Ukraine, greedily taking up both banks of the Dnieper River. Three million people call this fusion of ancient and modern architecture home. Kiev’s beautiful cathedrals and monasteries spill out onto cobblestone streets and abundant green spaces and parks. Although many buildings were destroyed during the Communist […]
November 17, 2018
Once a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers, Budapest, the shining gem on Hungary’s Danube River, is enjoying an explosion of the luxury market and a well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful cities and the second fastest-developing urban economy in Europe. As a female solo traveler, I found Budapest to be among the […]
October 22, 2018
First, there’s that sweet spot – the prime location between Chattanooga and Knoxville, close to the Smoky Mountains. Add to that the million dollar lake views, hiking trails, winery, and antiquing. Finally, finish up with sumptuous food, and you have Loudon County TN, a must see in our list of places to spend a weekend […]
October 15, 2018
Lviv is Eastern Europe’s undiscovered gem, at least to Americans. This utterly gorgeous city, just 40 miles from the border of Poland, is not only home to stunning Austro-Hungarian architecture and colorful town squares, but the restaurants in Lviv are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in all of Europe. They’re called “Emotional Restaurants,” and they […]
October 1, 2018
I’ve been a fan of fairy-tales since I was a little girl. As an adult, when I heard that the medieval town and castle Cesky Krumlov would bring to life all the scenes of my childhood dreams, I determined I would get there someday. After years of eager anticipation, that “someday” recently came to fruition. […]
September 26, 2018
Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe, second only to Russia in size, and shares borders with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and Transnistria (the nation that doesn’t exist). It’s a country with a long, complex, and turbulent history. The Eastern European nation is home to a plethora of beautiful places […]
September 21, 2018
Who could have guessed that there are so many things to do in Terceira? Our overnight flight landed us on this tiny island in the Azores just after sunrise. Expecting to be driven to our hotel for a short nap, we were surprised when Paulo, our guide suggested that we take advantage of the clear spring […]
September 17, 2018
Sedona’s Pink Jeep Adventure: Not for Prissies, first published in Ladies’ Home Journal, 2011 “You simply must go – it’s so…. you,” friends would suggest. This beach girl would always respond with the same condescendingly sweet smile. The desert? But when I was invited to speak at a national conference in Phoenix, Arizona at the […]