Most of us check off the traditional activities when visiting Paris — the Louvre museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph. But, the City of Light has much more to explore.  True Parisian lifestyle unfolds in the surrounding neighborhoods — arrondissements. When you veer away from tourist areas, you mingle with locals. Parks, canal strolls, food

The world is a big place and exploring all it has to offer on a girlfriend getaway will forge memories to last a lifetime. So, grab your BFFs and venture near or far to these fun-filled destinations waiting for you.  Pack your bags. Here we go!   Ireland One of the friendliest countries I’ve visited

In 2019 the revered Notre Dame cathedral suffered a devastating fire. President Macron declared “we will rebuild Notre Dame more beautiful than it was before.” He was not kidding. On December 8, 2024 the landmark reopened to great fanfare and the restoration is phenomenal! Chief architect Philippe Villeneuve led the team of over 2,000 architects,

Italian fashion is a dream for many women. The impeccable craftsmanship, attention to detail, and classic silhouettes are simply irresistible. From the iconic designs of Gucci and Prada to the understated elegance of Brunello Cucinelli, Italian brands have a unique ability to elevate any wardrobe. Labels come with a hefty price tag, but I’ve discovered

June’s Culture Trip learning German games has taught me so much about the country and it’s residents.  Our European friends are known for their beer, pretzels and lederhosen. But, further research revealed German families love to play games. Pubs provide boardgames and households have ongoing competitions.   My friends and I tackled a couple spieles

What’s the difference between a Greek antiquity and an antique? An antiquity has been unearthed by archeology. An antique hasn’t. The former is usually much older, some pieces dating as far back as 4,000 years.  I embarked on a month long project to replicate an historic Greek pot at a clay studio. Within the first

The dance instructor called out “forward treble, brush, brush, hop” to the room full of students. At least that’s what I think she said. This was my first attempt at the popular Irish jig.  My fifth month into a yearlong culture trip exploring traditions from twelve different countries had me learning céilís (dances) of the

My yearlong culture trip continues to be both enjoyable and fascinating. If you’re new here, I’ve committed to engage in and highlight the color and culture of a different country each month.  This first venture was Spanish flamenco dancing. I enrolled in classes and chronicled the progress (or lack of :-)) on social media and

One joy of travel is learning other countries traditions. Indigenous food, music, and dance all reveal culture handed down through generations.  These traditions are emblematic of the countries where they originate. Travel is the great unifier. I find people eager to teach their practices, and equally as enthusiastic to learn other countries heritages. As we

I miss traveling. The anticipation when planning a trip, foreign foods, experiencing new places, meeting people around the world. I miss it all. Undoubtedly, you do too. While countries outside the United States may be closed for now, we can still create our own foreign getaway at home.  A few years ago I spent the