If given the option to head to the beach or the desert, I would choose the desert, as long as it isn't June, July, August, or September. There is something about the desert that keeps me coming back - lots of sunshine and blue skies, lack of humidity, cactus and palm trees, and tacos to... Continue Reading →
Nantucket: Oysters, Lobster, and The Five-Star Weekend
I have been dreaming of visiting Nantucket after reading Elin Hilderbrand's novels and many others set in Nantucket. The "queen of beach reads" and several other authors do such a great job describing the scenery, incorporating actual hotels, restaurants, shops, events, etc. into their books. Each book I read felt like a pull to visit... Continue Reading →
Italy: 10 days in Rome, Capri, and Florence
I first went to Italy over 20 years ago and always knew I would return one day. Initially thinking we might go to Italy in the Fall of 2020 for our 10th wedding anniversary we kept it on our short list of places to visit until the timing worked out after the pandemic. So how... Continue Reading →
Quebec Province: Montreal & Quebec City
How have I never been to Quebec before?! Montreal and Quebec City are located in Canada's French-speaking Quebec province. Both cities are popular with Americans for long weekend getaways and I now know why - within two hours from Washington, DC you have access to scenic views of the Saint Lawrence River, historic cobblestone streets... Continue Reading →
Puerto Rico: Cheers to 12 years!
We booked a three-night trip to Puerto Rico to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary (and 19 years total if you are counting). I knew very few things about Puerto Rico at the time of booking - there was a direct flight from the DC area, I didn't need my passport, there was a newly owned... Continue Reading →
Palm Springs, CA: The 4Rs
I read that Palm Springs is known for rest, relaxation, and retail. After spending four days, four nights in the Palm Springs area I wholeheartedly agree, however, I would add recreation to the list to cover how we spent our time in Southern California. We enjoyed recent trips to Florida and Arizona where the morning... Continue Reading →
Things to do in Washington, DC (and nearby)
If you are coming to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms or plan to come to the area soon this post is for you! I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, came to Washington, DC to attend American University and have been in the area since. I love being a tourist in a city that... Continue Reading →
California Wine Country: Sonoma and Napa
My husband and I just spent four days and five nights in California wine country. We stayed in Sonoma and went to wineries in both Sonoma and Napa. I have previously been to these areas in 2011, 2014, and 2017 but never took the time to document where I stayed, which wineries I visited, where... Continue Reading →
Scottsdale, AZ: It’s a Dry Heat
We had a blast at a resort in Florida with tennis amenities back in March and decided to stick with a similar itinerary as we ease back into traveling. We wanted to go somewhere warm and landed on Scottsdale since Arizona is known for its weather and hot desert climate. I planned a three night... Continue Reading →
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL: Champagne and Tennis
Champagne and tennis is my favorite new combo, although not at the same time. While many places are safely reopening, there are still some limitations that make us rethink how we travel. With that in mind, I discovered quite a few tennis focused resorts and hotels within the US. My travel backlog is now full... Continue Reading →
The Greenbrier, WV and The Farmhouse at Veritas Vineyard, VA
We are gravitating towards the mountains these days. Our recent experience at the Inn at Little Washington was the first hotel experience and only the third inside dining experience since the start of COVID-19, but it was a positive one that inspired us to head a little further south and west from the DC area.... Continue Reading →
Washington, Virginia: Inn at Little Washington
This one night mini vacation took us 75 minutes outside of the Washington, D.C. area to a tiny town of less than 200 hundred people and an extraordinary dining experience usually found in New York City or the San Francisco Bay Area. The Inn at Little Washington has been a bucket list item of mine... Continue Reading →
Playa del Carmen, Mexico: R&R in the Riveria Maya
We spent part of the week leading up to Halloween in Mexico and absolutely loved the all-inclusive experience at the Fairmont Mayakoba. We've always reserved beach trips for visiting our friends who live in Bermuda or family who live at the Jersey Shore, using other vacation time to explore new cities and other countries. After... Continue Reading →
New Orleans, Louisiana: Champagne Bar, Smooth Jazz, Alligators and More!
In April, we traveled to New Orleans with my brother and sister-in-law. After picking New Orleans on a whim, we later realized two things that were going to make this trip even more fun. It turned out that 1) we would be there during the French Quarter Festival and 2) some friends we haven't... Continue Reading →
South Africa: TEN years ago in Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park
My childhood BFFs and I once thought it would be a good idea to rent a RV and drive from Philadelphia to Cancun. That would take approximately 60 hours. It never happened but we still joke about it often. We have since road tripped around the Southwest US which involved a brief stop in Mexico,... Continue Reading →