A bit of backstory… Steve and I first met back in 1985 when he was my teaching assistant for a biology class I was taking at UC Santa Barbara. I was a lowly undergrad and he was working on his PhD in molecular biology. (What a catch, huh?) We connected over travel. I’d just returned […]
5 Ways to Save on Air Fare
Sometimes the biggest barrier to a trip is the cost of getting there. For years and years, I thought a flight to Europe from the U.S. west coast cost approximately $1200 to $1500. But it totally does not! If you’d like to save on airfare by half or more, here are my top five tips […]
The PERFECT Big Island Itinerary: 7 Days in Paradise
If you’re looking for Hawaii vacation ideas, head to the Big Island! With just seven days, you’ll want to make every day on your Big Island itinerary count! It’s one of the best places to vacation in Hawaii. While Maui feels fancy with its resorts and Kauai feels wild and undeveloped, Big Island, Hawaii offers […]
One Magical Day in the Val d’Orcia
So we woke up to this on our first morning just outside of Pienza in the Val d’Orcia region of southern Tuscany. And it was just a stone’s throw from the stunning Val d’Orcia region. In fact, you can reach it in just two hours from Rome. Buongiorno indeed! We were staying at Tenuta San […]
Touring Normandy Beaches: My American Experience
Interested in touring the Normandy beaches? It’s hard to believe that 73 years have passed since the Allies invaded France on D-Day, June 6, 1944 (the largest naval invasion ever). Operation Overlord, as it was called, turned the tide in the war to eventually liberate Europe from the fierce grip of the Nazis in September […]