This month, I share stories about my luxury cruise in France’s Gascony region.
Podcast link: Cruising France’s Gascony Region: Farm-to-Table Luxury on the Rosa Barge
Life is a patchwork of experiences
This month, I share stories about my luxury cruise in France’s Gascony region.
Podcast link: Cruising France’s Gascony Region: Farm-to-Table Luxury on the Rosa Barge
In this Rosa barge cruise review, I share all my expereinces with lots of details after a week of cruising on the Garonne Canal in southwestern France
After spending ten days exploring southern France by car with my husband, I was ready to let someone else do the driving, cooking, and guiding. A weeklong cruise on the Rosa barge on the Garonne Canal was the perfect way to end an extended holiday in southern France.
Continue reading “My Rosa Barge Cruise Review – A Perfect Week Discovering France’s Gascony Region”
In this month’s podcast, I share my experiences cruising the historic Canal du Midi on the lovely Athos barge.
Podcast link: Cruising France’s Canal du Midi With French Waterways
Continue reading “July 9, 2026 Podcast: Cruising France’s Canal du Midi with French Waterways”
In this detailed Athos barge cruise review I describe my wonderful experiences cruising on France’s Canal du Midi.
The Canal du Midi is the only one of France’s 3000 miles of canals that is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built in 1661, the canal connects to the Canal du Garonne and provides a continuous, controlled waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Continue reading “My Athos Barge Cruise Review – Exploring Southern France’s Canal du Midi in Style”
This month’s podcast is all about my small ship Windstar cruise to Alaska on the brand new Star Seeker ship.
Podcast link: Sailing Off the Beaten Path on a Windstar Cruise to Alaska
Continue reading “June 11, 2026 Podcast: Sailing Off the Beaten Path on a Windstar Cruise to Alaska”
I am sharing my expereinces in this detailed Windstar Star Seeker review after cruising on this beautiful ship to Alaska
My first experience on a Windstar ship truly spoiled me. I’ve wanted to do a Windstar cruise for a long time, and what better start than a cruise to Alaska on the brand new Star Seeker.
The Windstar Star Seeker is considered a mega yacht due to its small size. The company motto is “180 degrees from ordinary”, and that is exactly what I experienced.
Continue reading “A Detailed Windstar Star Seeker Review – Yachting “180 Degrees From Ordinary””
A Windstar cruise to Alaska took me to off the beaten path locations combined with soft adventure experiences in Misty Fjords National Monument and Endicott Arm
Southeast Alaska is an extremely popular cruise destination, and rightly so. The snow-capped mountains and glacier-carved fjords provide a stunning backdrop for small towns that can only be reached by ship.
After four big ship cruises to Alaska, I thought I had seen it all. But my recent Windstar cruise took me off Alaska’s beaten path and gave me experiences only possible on a small ship like the Star Seeker.
Continue reading “Sailing Off the Beaten Path on a Windstar Cruise to Alaska”
After many cruises to Alaska, these are my Alaska cruise planning tips.
There is no doubt that Alaska is a beautiful state. With glacier-studded mountain ranges, rugged coastlines, wildlife galore, and ancient native cultural traditions, it’s no surprise that it is a bucket list destination for many. Cruising southeast Alaska is an easy and (relatively) budget-friendly way to see one of the most scenic parts of this huge state.
Experience athletics and tradition at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, one of the most unique summer events in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Her eyes are closed as she takes in a few deep, calming breaths. Like every athlete since the ancient Greeks, she is focused on getting into the zone at this Olympic event. With her tool in hand, she is ready as soon as the whistle blows. Her white t-shirt and long sundress are somewhat unusual for an Olympic competition, but it doesn’t seem to get in her way.
In 27 seconds, Kelly Lincoln is done while the rest of the field still struggles valiantly with their task. Proudly, she holds her completed salmon fillets up high for the judges and the audience to see. She has just won the Fish Cutting event at the 2019 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics.
Continue reading “Athletics and Tradition Play Together at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics”
Explore all the many Fairbanks activities on your next midnight sun adventure in Alaska.
You could say that Fairbanks, Alaska, is a location of extremes. Winters may be cold and dark, but it is exactly those conditions that lead to perfect northern lights viewing.
Summers are just the opposite – they are not cold or dark; in fact, I think they are nearly perfect. With average temperatures in the low 70s and low humidity, it is my ideal climate. Good thing that there are two months of constant daylight because it gave me plenty of time to experience the long list of Fairbanks activities under the midnight sun.