Life is a patchwork of experiences
In this month’s podcast, I share my travel expereinces from my visits to Norway. I’ve cruised in Norway with both Hurtigruten and Princess, and did a month long rad trip from Oslo all the way to Svalbard. Norway is a stunningly scenic country that was easy to tour either via a cruise or a road trip, though it was also a very expensive country to visit.
Continue reading “Feb. 13, 2025 Podcast: Exploring Norway – Cruising and Road Tripping”
From spacious cabins to glorious food and attentive service, my cruise with Riverside Luxury Cruises was very memorable. In this Riverside Debussy review I share all the details about my recent Rhine River cruise.
Outside my cabin’s panoramic window, a castle that looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale sat on the crest of a hilltop. Inside my cabin, a steaming cup of tea and a full breakfast had just been delivered by my suite’s butler. That’s right, my cabin on the Riverside Debussy came with my very own butler!
This was my first introduction to river cruises in Europe, and I was getting totally spoiled by the experience.
I am very thankful for yet another banner year of travel. For a total of 153 days I experienced destinations in Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the US.
Let these photos take you along with me on what I think was the best Rhine River Christmas Market cruise with Riverside Cruises.
What was my best Christmas present this year? A Christmas Market cruise on the fabled Rhine river with Riverside Luxury Cruises.
I grew up with a lot of German Christmas holiday traditions and it’s been my long time wish to experience the authentic Christmas Markets in Germany. My wish came true on a seven day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Frankfurt where each day offered a new celebration of the holiday spirit.
Bavaria’s Wieskirche or the Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a UNESCO site in a beautiful stop if visiting nearby Neuschwanstein Castle.
Bavaria’s Wieskirche or the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, is a UNESCO protected church in the bucolic, green foothills of the German alps. Built in the mid 18th century by two brothers, J.B. and Dominikus ZImmermann, the site became a pilgrimage destination to see the Scourged Saviour, a wooden statue that was purported to produce miracles to those who prayed to it.
When the existing chapel that displayed the wooden figure became too small for the pilgrimage rush, the local abbey commissioned the larger church and shrine – which is Wieskirche we have today. Continue reading “Bavaria’s Wieskirche – The Pilgrimage Church of Wies in Photos”
In this Regal Princess cruise review I share my detailed expereinces on this beautiful Royal Class ship, including lots of photos.
I was lounging in a deck chair with an Irish coffee in hand, tucked under a cozy blanket and watching a movie on the big screen as the sun set behind me.
I do not think of myself as a princess – quite the contrary. But occasionally, I do like being treated like one. For a little while, it’s nice to have someone else make my bed, cook my meals, and bring me a specialty drink when I am in the mood for one.
A cruise gives me all this and more. I love being on the water. I love the feeling of the gentle rocking of the ship under my feet. I love staring at the ocean and watching the sunshine play on the waves. And I love feeling and smelling the salty breeze when I am on deck. Being on a ship gives me a sense of serenity that I don’t normally feel when I am on land.
Continue reading “Cruising Like a Princess – A Complete Regal Princess Cruise Review With Photos”
My annual recap after an incredible year of travel all over the globe.
“….changes in latitude, changes in attitude….”
This was certainly a year for the record books for me as I travelled across latitudes from the Antarctic all the way up to the Arctic. I can’t believe how many bucket list trips I was fortunate to indulge in. I have become very spoiled by all my travels this year, and I am very appreciative of the many opportunities I’ve had to see so many special places around the world.
As a huge Harry Potter fan, visiting Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Brothers Studios in London was magical. This is my Harry Potter Studio Tour review with lots and lots of photos and tips for experiencing this magical place.
Some days I wish I had a magic wand. Or that I also had received a letter on my eleventh birthday saying I was accepted into the Hogwarts School of Wizarding and Witchcraft. Of course the Sorting Hat would put me in the Gryffindor house and I also would have a beautiful white owl as my companion. For one day, I was able to be part of this magical world during my Wizarding World of Harry Potter London experience.
London is one of my favorite cities to visit and these are some of my favorite London photo spots that show off London’s unique personality.
I have posted many individual photos of my London visits in my PhotoPOSTcard series. I thought I would put together photos from my favorite London photos spots that define some of the experiences that I think make London Unique (though it was hard to pare down the list to just 25).
These 25 photos are certainly not enough to showcase everything that London has to offer, but it is enough to show how colorful and charming and unique London can be.
Continue reading “My Favorite London Photo Spots that Make London Unique”
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 holiday 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 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”
