It’s January as I write this, but I believe any time is a good time for resolutions, goals, plans…or even wishes. The world shut down in 2020. Writing about travel–beyond the local grocer–seemed ridiculous. But now it’s a new...
5 Reasons to Visit Prague in the Autumn

Update May 13, 2021: Before planning a trip to Prague or Czechia, be aware of travel restrictions. Get the latest information from the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are...
Wisconsin Rustic Roads: Take an Old-Fashioned Drive

Raise your hand if you remember–or have heard of–Sunday drives. Families would pile into the car and set out to…well, just drive. Often, there was no particular destination, just a chance to roll down the windows and see the...
The Downsides of Solo Travel

Readers of TravelSmart Woman may be surprised at this post. You already. know that I’m totally about going solo. Even more so about Solo after Sixty. Yet–as with all things–there are a few downsides of solo travel. (Want to...
Springfield, IL: Lincoln & Corn Dogs

I promised my eight-year-old grandson, William, a summer adventure. Just him and me. But Covid-19’s tight grip eliminated most options. Finally, in mid-August, we had a half-open window of opportunity: Springfield, Illinois called and we went. Springfield happens to...
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza: The Truth, The History & The Recipe

Anthony Bourdain struggled to call Chicago Deep Dish a “pizza.” For good reason, maybe. The late chef and culinary guru loved many things about Chicago: “…tall towers, hard corners, and sharp elbows. And, of course, food.” But that deep...
Meteora, Greece: 5 Things to Do After You’ve Seen the Monasteries

Meteora, Greece: Of course, you go to see the magnificent monasteries built on the tops of stone pillars. A sight you’ll never forget. And after–or in between–those tours? There’s still plenty to do in this area that the Eastern...
Meteora: Monasteries in the Mystical “Stone Forest” of Greece

Meteora, Greece: As soon as I learned about it, I had to go. Monasteries built on the tops of stone peaks? The tallest at 2,011 feet (613 meters)? Over 700 years ago? After spending three weeks in Athens and...
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...
Your Road Trip for One: Ready, Set, Drive! (Part 2)

“Road trip!” Magical words, aren’t they? And your road trip for one means you can go, stop, see, and stay as you please. In Part 1, you did the planning and prep work. Now it’s time to pack the...