When traveling, going to the beach is a holiday mainstay. Whether it’s heading up to northern Michigan, south to Florida or west to California, it’s difficult to beat a day in the sun, surrounded by sand and waves rolling into the shore. A quick dip, jumping in the surf, that first dunk underwater to acclimate

Over the last 18 months, we’ve obviously not had as many opportunities to travel. We had rescheduled our trips multiple times, sent cancellation emails and made lots of heartbreaking decisions about where to go and when. And so it was that with a hastily assembled trip to the Netherlands, we found ourselves once again in

On our first night in Rome, we were tired. The journey had included two masked flights, two times through airport security, a tense Customs experience with lots of verifying COVID vaccination and testing. So, by the time we landed in Italy, arrived at our hotel (via disgruntled taxi driver), checked in and unpacked, we were

Almost every time we go to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, we visit Capri. And every time we make that voyage, we regret it. Capri has long been a luxurious retreat. Since Roman times, when emperors and their families, their courts and favored senators would travel south from the capitol to Naples and from there, board a

A few weeks ago, I read in an article online that Italy would be reopening to American travelers. No surprise – there were hoops to jump through, none insurmountable as far as I could tell. A COVID test to take pre-flight, the now ubiquitous mask that must be worn at-all-times, and of course the vaccine

Being mostly homebound for the past year has kept my family’s travels limited to our car. And, I have to admit, there’s something about a road trip that is comforting. Something nostalgic, and at the same time immediately thrilling … but also kind of boring. Growing up in Greater Flint, car travel made up the

It has many nicknames, but the Big Easy seems to fit it best. Maybe it’s because it’s so simple to fall in love with. Or perhaps because it seems so effortless to slip into the rhythms of the city. Whatever the reason, New Orleans has a way of getting under your skin and staying with

One of the most positive aspects of living in Houston, TX is that with almost year-round high temperatures, you don’t mind escaping to someplace a little chillier for a holiday. The off-season then, is one of our best friends. It isn’t so painful to pack a heavy coat and hat when you know that upon

I love to tell amusing stories from my travels – using the wrong words, making a silly assumption, putting my foot in my mouth or complaining about the heat, the number of steps, or the choice of hotel on a holiday. These anecdotes make readers smile, chuckle, remember a similar “fish out of water” experience

The farther away I get from my days of traveling abroad, the more I have come to appreciate one aspect of my holidays more than any other. It’s not the beaches, though I definitely long for warm sunlight and rolling waves. It’s not the sight of palaces, carved stone and preserved marble to admire. It’s

Most people dream of warm, sunshine-filled holidays – vacations chock full of waves lapping the shore, cold drinks and tan lines. A little rest and relaxation, a little culture, a little sightseeing, a little luxury. But then, there are those who decide a holiday might be pleasant in a new place, on a new adventure,

With COVID-19 showing no signs of letting up any time soon, my family was recently overcome with cabin fever. Our toddler stoutly refuses a mask, a gaiter, bandana or face covering of any kind, (heck, he won’t even wear a hat), so our options for a getaway were pretty limited. No air travel, since our