I admit it. I used to have an addiction problem. It caused a lot of stress in my life. It was a heavy burden. Sometimes it got so bad that I had to pay people to help me get from one place to the next. I could barely get up the stairs by myself. I […]
Let’s pretend. You and a friend would like to go on a trip. You know where you want to go, but have no idea where to stay. You don’t want to spend a fortune, but you want to stay in a picturesque, quaint, immaculate, comfortable hotel in a safe area of the city, walking distance […]
My friend N smokes, but she is not a smoker. After dinner, she quietly goes to her purse, disappears, and finds a private place to smoke one cigarette. She relishes the relaxing effect the nicotine has on her. She totally enjoys every drag. Smoking puts her in a peaceful mood. During a few short minutes, N’s […]
“Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This is one of my favorite quotes. I picture the Statue of Liberty, in all of her glory, greeting millions of immigrants as they approach the United States, full of hope for a new and better life. It is also what was […]
Here’s a riddle for you: Kate, my daughter in law, has a big, gorgeous smile. Kate is 24. Christy Brinkley also has a big, gorgeous smile. She is over 60. What do these two beautiful women have in common? (Please don’t say they are both blonde.) We women (and some men) spend a fortune on […]
I travel a lot, and because I am obsessive about taking exactly the right things (but not too much!), many people ask me what I take on an overseas flight. I am a Carry-on Only kind of girl, so my carry-on is reserved for my clothes and the things I don’t need to have readily […]
I flew from Trieste to Naples via Volotea on a rainy, cold Sunday in May, Mother’s Day in fact. I had just finished my second Rick Steves tour, this time two weeks to Eastern Europe. Most of the tour was blessed with daily, constant rain and temps of 40-50 degrees. Even with the rain, I […]
Trip Report—Sicily 2018 Rick Steves Best of Sicily Tour Journal of My Solo Adventure May-June, 2018 Saturday/Sunday I arrived in Palermo late at night taking the 9pm flight on Volotea from Naples. I checked my carry-on bag just in case I was over the size limit, but most carry-ons were bigger than mine. The 55 […]
I love bathrooms in historic old hotels. The materials are classic and substantial. I love the look of an old fashioned white pedestal sink with deep moldings, simple white tile, and marble floors. No matter how many times those floors have been mopped, their patina just makes them more gorgeous with age. Just a few […]
I planned this trip for many months. Eight women traveling to Italy– Rome, Orvieto, and Florence– for a total of 10 days (including travel days) May 9-19, 2013. I spent hours on the internet pouring over hundreds (thousands?) of reviews for accommodations that would meet all of my requirements; 1) location, 2) free breakfast, 3) […]
