Author archive
January 20, 2019
Careening through the backstreets of Warsaw in a minibus that bumped and jostled us through a former Communist neighborhood, I immediately regretted that extra pierogi I’d had for lunch that now threatened to expel itself. As if clairvoyant, Tomas, our guide, stopped and guided us into an area where partially destroyed, bullet-ridden brick structures were oddly […]
January 15, 2019
The wind whipped my ponytail across my new Polish sunglasses and into my mouth – which was open because I was laughing. In spite of the brooding sky and rapidly approaching cloud formations, I was at one of the Gdansk beaches. The beach. My happy place. Poland has something that most of the other land-locked […]
January 4, 2019
The 7th-floor terrace of House of Legends restaurant was small and cramped, just two tables taking up any excess space. I squeezed past the diners, made my way over to the railing, and whipped out my smartphone to snap a photo of the stunning sunset over Lviv, one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful cities. Recalling […]
December 3, 2018
If you’re looking for something in the Atlanta area other than big-city crowds and traffic, go Gwinnett! Just 30 minutes north of Atlanta, Gwinnett County offers an entirely different experience and offers some of the best things to do near Atlanta. Charming small towns dot the landscape and delectable food experiences from nouveau gourmet to […]
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 […]
