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bend oregon activities

Bend Oregon Activities for Solo Travelers | Washington Post

Bend Oregon activities have given it the nickname of the “outdoor playground of the West,” is the perfect destination for women traveling solo.  With outdoor pursuits like dogsledding and snowshoeing, to touring microbreweries, and boutique hotels with staff that cannot do enough for you, the friendliness of the residents is second to none. When, Where, […]

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travel snobs

Travel Snobs! My Pet Peeve.

I just read a really great article about “travel snobs” by William Chalmers in the Huffington Press.  Travel snobs top my list of pet peeves.  If I hear the term “authentic travel” one more time, I swear I will scream! “Travel [is] a highly subjective personal experience and diversity [is] a good thing!” Spot on, […]

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Oahu Getaway: Three Girls, Three Days

The best view of Oahu came right at the moment I leaned forward and tumbled out of the plane. Finished with an Aikido conference in which Marie and Rebecca participated (I was there to photograph the event) we had decided a short girls’ getaway as in order. After all, the conference was in Waikiki, so […]

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Curacao Chichi dolls

Curacao Chichi Dolls: Art, Entrepreneurism, Community Service

Not only were the Curacao “Chichi” dolls my favorite souvenirs from Curaçao, a Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela, it’s one of my favorite artifacts from all of my world travels. Each one a hand-painted original, these voluptuous clay sculptures open their arms as if to draw you into a loving embrace.  “Chichi,” in […]

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Showboat Branson Belle: Don’t Miss the Boat

I laughed. I cried. I ate too much. If you’re looking for an authentically fun way to spend a few hours in the sometimes overly touristy Branson, Missouri, the Showboat Branson Belle is the place. As a travel writer who visits a lot of vacation destinations, I tend to shy away from the ones that […]

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cruises for single travelers

Cruises for Single Travelers: Good Venue for Solo Women?

As someone who frequently travels alone, I’d never considered taking a cruise.  For one thing, I’m prone to motion sickness and the thought of being out in the middle of the ocean with no escape for stabilization was not appealing.  In addition, spending just one day at an exotic location didn’t seem like it would […]

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three days in kyoto

Kyoto Tour: 3-Day Girls’ Getaway

“Everyone is staring at us,” said Rebecca.  “That’s because you’re dressed like a Geisha!” I reminded her.  I have to admit, she did look stunning, even minus a Japanese heritage. Kyoto is awash in stunning sights, and with a pair of good walking shoes and a lot of energy and motivation, it’s possible to see […]

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holy cannoli

Best Boston Cannoli: Mike’s or Modern? | Luggage and Lipstick

It never gets old.  Strolling through the narrow streets of Boston’s North End, known affectionately as “Little Italy,” is always a multi-sensory stimulating event.  From the sumptuous smells of homemade pasta dishes wafting from the small restaurants, the vibrant New England-accented banter of the pedestrians, to the colorful and festive façades of the shops and […]

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Tequila Tasting in Santa Fe. Watch Out for the Floor!

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, FLOOR Move over foodie walking tours, Santa Fe’s tequila tasting is stepping in front. Top Shelf: Tequila Class & Sampling in historic downtown Santa Fe is no pub crawl. It provides thought-provoking history, tequila/food pairing, and the progression from illegal mezcal to high-quality and high-priced sipping tequila. “This is […]

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Carolina Renaissance Festival

Jousting knights, kings, queens, wenches, fairies, and even pirates, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is considered one of the best in America.  The fair comes alive every weekend in October and November on a permanent 25-acre 16th-century theme park that Disney would be proud of. Non-stop, day-long amusements delight children and adults alike. Activities and entertainments […]

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