Life is a patchwork of experiences
I grew up in Chicago and still visit frequently and after traveling the world, it still remains my favorite city. Here is a list of my 25 top things to do in a Chicago.
Frank Sinatra said it best when he sang “My Kind of town Chicago is”. In the “Windy City”, there is a wide range of sights and things to do in Chicago for all interests. Here is my list of the top 25 Chicago attractions in my favorite city.
Continue reading “My Favorite 25 Things To Do In Chicago Like A Local”
The best Chicago street art comes in many forms – and it is free.
Growing up in Chicago I used to spend my teenage summers hanging out along the lakeshore, biking, swimming and sunning. Sometimes I would spend my day at one of the many sandy beaches, but more often than not, I would just bike the length of the rocks along the lakefront.
Those large limestone blocks were put in place in the early part of the 20th century to prevent erosion, but they eventually became a canvas for local want-to-be artists who covered them with cans of spray paint and multi colored paint brushes. This was the Chicago street art of my youth.
Chicago is a popular tourist destination. I often visit Chicago in winter for a budget friendly weekend break with cheaper flights, hotels and restaurant deals.
Chicago winters get a bad rap. Yes, Chicago is called the “Windy City” for a reason, and winters there do still get snowy and cold. But like everywhere else in the world, global warming has had its impact here as well, and Chicago winters are nowhere near as frigid as they were when I grew up there in the 70’s and 80’s.
If you are looking to visit Chicago on a budget, then consider a winter weekend break in my favorite city as your best option.
Continue reading “Chicago in Winter – A Budget Friendly Weekend Break in My Favorite City”
Want to visit Fairbanks in winter? I am sharing my one week itinerary, personal experiences and tips on seeing the northern lights in Fairbanks, along with ideas for other things to do in Fairbanks and the surrounding area.
Alaska is a popular travel destination. With glaciers, an abundance of wildlife, and the tallest mountain in North America, the diversity of things to see and do is as big as the state.
For most people, an Alaska journey usually takes place in the summer months, but not for my husband and me. Always on the lookout for unique travel experiences, we chose to visit Fairbanks in winter because we hoped to see the northern lights.
Continue reading “Yes, You Should Visit Fairbanks in Winter to See the Northern Lights!”
In this month’s podcast, I share my recent travel experiences to Malta.
Podcast link: Malta’s Historical Tapestry – From Neolithic to Modern Times
I love to visit London any time of year, but the Christmas holiday season is one of my favorite times to visit because there are so many fun and festive things to do in London in December.
Christmas Markets, decorated trees, sparkling lights, and holiday concerts galore. On my December trip to London, I found the city wrapped up in all things Christmas.
There is always a lot to do in London, and this time of year, even more so. So after spending ten days getting into the holiday spirit, this is my list of all the festive things I did in London in December.
Continue reading “Loved These 25 Festive Things To Do in London in December – No Bah Humbugs Here”
There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than a luxurious train trip from London to the Winchester Christmas Market on the historic British Pullman. A British Pullman day trip is always a special event, and even more so during the festive holiday season.
I love taking unique rail journeys, and the British Pullman day trip from London to the Winchester Christmas market certainly promised to be a magical experience. I can’t think of any better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a special Christmas train trip that hearkens back to the golden age of train travel.
Continue reading “My British Pullman Day Trip from London – Travelling in Luxury to Winchester”
This Magna Carta barge review is all about our luxury cruise on the River Thames to celebrate our special anniversary
All wedding anniversaries are special, but those ending in a “0” are doubly so. So, when my husband and I were looking for an extraordinary way to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, another luxury barge cruise with European Waterways quickly came to mind.
After three other cruises with European Waterways in France and Italy, we knew there was no more indulgent way to celebrate this memorable event. For a week, we would be wined and dined like royalty. And since we were doing a barge cruise on the River Thames in England, the royal treatment was quite appropriate.
I am sharing my personal Orient Express experience to inspire your next luxury holiday train trip. Let this detailed review inspire your next luxury experience.
Exotic destinations, quirky sleuths, and twisting story lines are all hallmarks of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novels. Her most famous story undoubtedly has to be “Murder on the Orient Express,” which takes place on the luxurious and legendary train traveling from Istanbul to London. That same elegant train experience and legendary service can now be experienced again as you travel on the Orient Express from Venice to London, like I did.
This post was recognized by the North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) in 2017 awards competition with a Bronze award in the Luxury and Resort Travel Online Publication category
Continue reading “Luxury Without Murder – My Orient Express Experience”
In this month’s podcast, I share my experience aboard the Canyon Spirit on the 3 day luxury train journey from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Denver, Colorado. The Canyon Spirit is part of the Armstrong Collective, owners of the Rocky Mountaineer, the famous luxury train journey across Canada.
Podcast link: The Canyon Spirit – A Luxurious Train Journey Through the American Southwest
