Travel
Gourmet Barging in Burgundy, France
The mere name Burgundy evokes splendid wines, fine cellars, history and epicurean feasts. The secret is out among wine and food connoisseurs — the best way to sample it all is aboard a luxury barge cruising along the Burgundy canals. Barging is not a river […]
California Wines From Napa to Santa Barbara.
Visitors to San Francisco and locals head to the Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Carneros, or Santa Barbara to taste and discover new varietals at the many of the wineries and wine country towns. Consider these California wine pairings: Sauvignon Blanc & Oysters. A romantic, sensual classic: the bright, crisp liveliness of a California Sauvignon Blanc […]
British Columbia’s Quirky Attractions: Vancouver, Victoria, Okanagan Valley and Beyond
Everybody loves a road trip and kitschy, small-town landmarks are part of the fun. We’ve all seen them on highways and rural byways, massive roadside attractions that elicit a gasp or a guffaw — buffalo as big as locomotives, a helicopter-sized mosquito or a cowboy boot that would fit King Kong.More than 30 totem poles […]
Philanthropic Travel Ideas: How to Volunteer on Vacation
If you want to make a difference and lend a hand, here’s how to volunteer on vacation. I promise you, you will never be the same. Philanthropic travel is a life-changing experience. You might teach English to children in Brazil, do art projects with Nepalese orphans, help African women learn to use computers, or live […]
Cleveland Boasts a Vibrant Art Scene
Cleveland is in the news. I grew up in Akron, Ohio and Cleveland has changed a lot since I was a kid. A world-class arts and culture scene Today, visitors to Cleveland will find a vibrant culture scene in opulent vaudeville-style theaters and former industrial factories as well as in off-the-beaten path colorful neighborhoods. The […]
Royal India: Rajasthan, the “Land of Kings”
From the moment I step off the plane, India starts working its magic on me. The air swirls with smoky sandalwood and spices, and the streets are teeming with people, cars, and cows. One of my favorite places to visit is Rajasthan, the “Land of Kings.” The Land of Kings Rajasthan is one of India’s most […]
Ten travel tips from the Womens Travel Fest
Last weekend I picked up great travel tips at the sold-out Womens Travel Fest. I had the honor to share the stage with with Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Felicity Aston, the first and only woman in the world to ski across Antarctica alone […]
All Aboard for deals on Eurorail Passes for train travel in Europe
I just returned from a five country, fifteen-day trip zipping around Europe with a Eurail Pass. Discount train travel in Europe can save you time and money if you plan to visit several neighboring countries. As a student in Europe, I learned to love to travel by rail, but […]
Mellow Mendocino – A favorite San Francisco getaway
There are many reasons San Franciscans drive north along the rugged, dramatic coast to Mendocino. With so may San Francisco-based IfOnly experiences, its hard to believe anyone would ever want to stray. Some of us seek distance from our stressed lives; others room for romance, or quiet for renewal. I go with my dog and […]
In Bali new friends lead to a magical memory
In Bali, I was reminded that there are all kinds of people who transform a ho-hum trip into a magical memory. One morning as the roosters announced a new day, my husband, two daughters and I met Mahdey, our hiking guide, in the hotel lobby in Ubud, Bali. He grinned widely, and enticed 9-year-old Annalyse and […]