Cahokia Mounds, in southeastern Illinois, was once a thriving American city…before there was an America. During its peak–about 1100 A.D., the population was larger than London’s at the same time. Until 1800, no other urban area in the United...
Sonoma Plaza: Where California Began
They say a city’s soul lives in its public places. If that’s true, then Northern California’s Sonoma Plaza rivals any of Europe’s grand squares or parks. Only eight acres, it’s still California’s largest plaza. And it’s where California began....
Solo Road Trip to Manistique, MI: A Beautiful Bargain
I confess: I was itching to get out again after nearly five months of sheltering-in-place. A solo road trip seemed like a good idea for several reasons: First, solo travel is my jam. Second, one’s own car is the...
Casey, Illinois: Tiny Town, BIG Things!
You probably wouldn’t give Casey, Illinois a second thought. It’s a very small town (population 2,635) not conveniently located in the East-Central part of the state. In fact, it’s a hundred miles closer to Indianapolis than Chicago. But Casey...
15 Travel Bloggers to Follow
Yes, TravelSmart Woman wants you to find other travel bloggers to follow. Just like in the movie “Miracle on 34th Street,” when Kris Kringle tells Macy’s shoppers where to find the perfect gift, I’m going to suggest some bloggers...
Cheap Eats in Seattle: A TravelSmart Woman Food Tour
Finding cheap eats in Seattle is easier than you might think. And surprisingly delicious. You just have to know where to look–and even that’s not hard. Seattle has always been pricey; it’s been at the top of “too-expensive-to-visit” list...
“Ten Years a Nomad” Shares the Wisdom of a Weary Traveler
Spoiler alert: Matthew Kepnes, author of Ten Years a Nomad, doesn’t give up traveling. But he does burn out. And he does come to realize the price that being a constant wayfarer is high. Then again, so is the...
Staycations: How to Make Yours Fun & Memorable
Updated July 12, 2020. Staycations! Fun, right?!? Please don’t groan and roll your eyes. Suddenly, staycations have been more or less mandated. And if the public health experts are correct, we may be doing “local travel only” for the...
Jack London: He Wrote So He Could Be a Farmer
“I write a book for no other reason than to add to the beauty that now belongs to me…” What happens when you learn Jack London wrote his astounding novels to support sustainable agriculture on his farm? Well, you...
Free Guided Tours: A Boon to Budget Travel
Free guided tours? FREE? You bet! It seems too good to be true, but not only do they exist, you have a choice of companies and programs that offer unusual ways to see cities around the world. For travelers...