Travel Blog

When you get this newsletter, John and I will be somewhere off the coast of Newfoundland, aboard the Queen Mary II doing the transatlantic crossing from NYC to Southampton. The Queen Mary II is an exact replica of the original ocean liner that carried dignitaries and famous people like Churchill, Queen Elizabeth and Phillip, Lady Diana and Charles, Marilyn Monroe, John and Jackie Kennedy, Fred Astaire, and Elizabeth Taylor and her poodles. This grand ship was used heavily dur

1. Don’t put your wallet, phone or any valuables in the plastic dish when you go through security at the airport. Sadly, things are stolen every single day. We know a lovely lady who had her very expensive tennis shoes stolen at LAX when she went through security. Instead, put those items in your purse, backpack or day bag before you put it through the scanner. 2. If you renew your passport, don’t forget to update your personal information in your travel accounts.

Your guide to successfully navigating the new entry requirements- a must read. Traveling to the UK, Europe or the Schengen area soon? Seeing all the scary headlines about tourists spending hours in long line at international airports? International travel just got a bit more complicated. We break it down in simple, clear steps for you. There is so much confusion, mis-information and fear mongering going on right now in social media and in the news about the 3 new internationa

John and I just completed our first Rocky Mountaineer (RM) train trip – Calvary to Vancouver, BC- with our travel club. As promised, here is my honest review- the fabulous, a word of caution, and how to save a few dollars but still have the best time. RM has dozens of different tours and packages from which to choose- from a 2-day train trip from Banff to Vancouver (or vice versa) up to a 9-night package called Passage to the Peaks which starts in Edmonds, then Jasper, Kamloo

Our first trip to Japan. My big hair tells you it was in the 80's! John worked for American Airlines and, back in the day, if you wanted to non-rev, guys had to wear a suite and tie and ladies were in dresses, stockings and heels. :) What's so great about Japan? Japan was recently named the world's favorite travel destination for the third consecutive year by Condé Nast Traveler readers and I know why. John and I took our first trip to Japan in 1987 – and we immediately fell

Savvy travelers know a few simple tricks can help make any hotel stay better. Whether you’re chasing a better view, more space, or extra perks, these expert-backed tips can help you get more comfort, convenience and value out of your next trip. Talk to the Hotel Concierge Most hotel guests walk right past the concierge, not realizing these talented individuals are a wealth of local knowledge. Yes, they can help you book transfers and make dinner reservations, but they can al

This week, let’s talk about simple and effective ways to be a safe and wise world travel. Here is a list of things we do for our own travels- I hope it is helpful to you, too. Before you leave home, take these steps Check Advisories: Review U.S. State Department travel advisories and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Once you are signed up with the STEP program, the local embassy can alert you if there is the possibility for any political unrest in

After cruising the world for over 50 years, I thought I had seen it all. But when we arrived in the port to board Emerald Yachts’ the Azzurra, I realized I was definitely mistaken! When we first laid eyes on her, we were absolutely blown away. The Azzurra has the styling and sleek lines of the super yachts we’ve seen anchored off the coast of St Barts- the playground of the world’s rich and famous. Azzurra's Hotel Manager, Maynor Guevara. As we stepped aboard the Azzurra for

Looking for the perfect gift – one that will be appreciated and used, not stuffed away in the closet on Dec 26? Here is my list for Christmas 2025: 1. The Gift of Time . The most valuable resource each of us has is our time. I used to have a magnet on our frig that said, “Children spell love, TIME.” Give the gift of travel to someone you love so you can enjoy time spent together. Every Christmas, we wrap gifts of travel for our family and clients- a cruise (we can even d