Amtrak. America’s very own passenger train system. Is it still a thrill to hop onboard a train and listen to the clickety-clack of the rails? To watch the towns and farms go by? To sleep in a private compartment...
Airbnb: Growing Up and Scaring Hotels
Airbnb: A fairy tale come true. The only investment they could afford: Air mattresses! Once upon a time, in 2007, there were two broke guys in San Francisco. They had moved from New York, forgetting to get jobs first....
Pasties: Delicious “Yooper” Tradition
Pasties: Before we go further, let’s make sure to get the pronunciation correct. PASS-tee, the delicious “miner’s pie” of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Never, ever say PASTE-ee; that’s the sparkly stick-on used to cover the jiggly parts of a stripper....
Travel Show Tips: 7 Steps to a Fabulous Day
It’s that time of year! Travel shows are popping up all over the country, ready to tempt–and educate–us, as we wander the aisles of huge convention centers. Do we really need travel show tips? Isn’t it enough to pick...
Where to Go in 2018: 7 Places to Consider
Where to go in 2018? What’s the hot destination? What’s off the beaten path? Where does your dollar go the farthest? Is this the year for a bucket list trip? I gave you a list in 2017: Paris, Montréal, the...
The City at Christmas: Delight Your Inner Child
The city at Christmas…maybe the best way to capture holiday spirit. Not everyone will agree with me. Some of you prefer a cozy country setting or small town friendliness. But my vote goes to at least one day of...
Best Gifts for Road Trips: Route 66, Anyone?
Just thinking about giving gifts for road trips makes me smile. Images from movies–involving convertibles, head scarves, and no traffic jams–come to mind. I figure the perfect gift will only make the experience even shinier. These days, gifts for...
Apples and Autumn: Visit a Local Orchard and Start Cooking!
Apples and Autumn: For many of us, they’re intertwined. Can’t have one without the other. They mean back-to-school, cool weather, and a return indoors to “cozy in” for the coming winter. Depending where you grew up or live now,...
San Juan, Puerto Rico: Healing and Hopeful
San Juan, Puerto Rico, captured my heart about two years ago. One of the most charming cities I’d ever visited, I vowed to return. Maybe rent an apartment and stay for a month or so, hanging out at the...
How to Meet People When You Travel Solo
How to meet people when you travel solo? Not always easy. It’s not just a matter of being out-going. Some cultures don’t welcome “friendliness” from strangers. In fact, a woman can put herself at risk by seeming to encourage...