Florida is full of beaches, amusement parks, and shopping. But, when was the last time you went into the wild and saw a different side of Florida? When was the last time you experienced something that left you in total amazement? My family and I had the privilege to do both this past weekend on a 3 hour kayaking tour in the everglades. I will show you how you can do this too and give yourself and/or your family a wild adventure to remember.
This post was most recently updated on August 26th, 2017
I grew up visiting the magnificent city of New York. My mom was born and raised in Brooklyn. Se took me many times to visit my Grandmother and my Aunt. I consider myself lucky to have spent time visiting the many incredible museums, riding the subways, going to Broadway shows, gazing at the lights, playing in the parks and simply being surrounded by the sounds and feel of a the city that never sleeps.
I remember one of my last visits to New York like it was yesterday. It was the week before the towers fell. My husband and I rode the Staten Island Ferry. We enjoyed the beautiful New York City skyline on a perfect September day. The skyline that unbeknownst to us would be forever changed. So it was time, time to go back and re-experience the city. Time to show my children the magic this city has. Time for a New York City break.
This post was most recently updated on September 22nd, 2019
When you think about Scotland you undoubtedly think about the beautiful highland scenery, loch monsters, men in kilts and the romantic and magical Scottish castles. Well if you don’t then you should be thinking of all of the above. Kidding aside, Scotland truly is a great country with a fascinating history. This history has left it filled with magical castles all across its landscape. For me seeing them is like traveling through time and reliving part of the history through them. So if like me you are a castle lover you are in luck as you will have over 2000 to chose from when you visit Scotland. Here is a list of the lucky 13 Magical Scottish Castles I chose to explore in my recent 2 week road trip.
This post was most recently updated on September 15th, 2019
When I started planning my trip to Scotland I decided to add a stopover in London to give my family a taste of this fantastic city. Our stop in London was for less than 36 hrs. and to be fair that is not nearly enough time to see all this city has to offer. You can probably spend a full year in London and not see it all. However I needed to maximize my time and give my family a perfect London day. If like me you are short on time and find yourself in this incredible city here is a list of ideas to help you plan your perfect one day in London.
This post was most recently updated on September 15th, 2019
I must confess I fell in love with Scotland before I ever set foot on its lands. My love affair began while reading the Outlander about 8 years ago and I have wanted to visit Scotland ever since. I thought about and romanticized it so much that quite frankly I did not know if my high expectations would be met. I was afraid that all the buildup in my head would just lead to disappointment. But regardless I embarked on my journey and arrived in Scotland via train (and not the standing stones) in June 2016. To my relief, this small country with its untamed dramatic beauty, majestic castles, turbulent history, fresh food and fantastic drink, not only met my expectations but surpassed them. So here is my list (in no particular order) of top 10 reasons to visit Scotland:
Sanibel and Captiva are barrier Islands just 30 min from Ft. Myers on the Gulf Coast of Florida. With only about 7,000 residents these sleepy Islands still have a small town feel. You will not find any big chain establishments or any high rises to impede your views. You will find 15 miles of pristine beaches world class shelling, great fishing and a myriad of restaurants and activities. So how do you pick a beach to spend the day in? Here is a quick guide to help you select the perfect spot for you and if you read to the end I will reward you with the best kept secret of the Island.
This post was most recently updated on August 9th, 2017
St. Louis was never on the top of my list of places to visit. However I was given the opportunity to attend a conference and spend some much needed girl time there this month. Therefore, I happily booked my ticket. Now I confess that St. Louis was so much more than pretty sights and fun with my girlfriends. This trip empowered me to be obsessively grateful and to become a defender of innocence. I write this not just to give you some tips on what to see and do when in St. Louis but to raise awareness on a topic that is difficult to talk about but that is so important.
This post was most recently updated on December 22nd, 2019
The Isle of Skye which is located on the North West coast of Scotland is a mysterious and fascinating place. For many years it has topped my list of must see destinations. Not only because of its beauty and dramatic landscapes but because of its fabulous hikes and walks. So after spending some amazing time hiking in the Isle of Skye I put together a list of five must do Hikes in Skye.
I love spending time outdoors and Skye is the perfect outdoor playground for anyone with adventure in their soul. So if like me, you have limited time on the Island and want to experience in that short time some of the best hikes and walks, then read on so you do not miss out on what I would consider five of the best hikes in Skye.
This post was most recently updated on December 22nd, 2019
Where are all my Harry Potter fans? Based on the amount of fan-fiction and fan websites out there I know I am not the only one. I also know that my 2 girls join me in my love of Harry Potter. Therefore, when I started planning my Scotland adventure I decided some Harry Potter sites needed to be included – you know for the kids, wink, wink. So read along as we discover the hidden secrets of Harry Potter in the magical world of Edinburgh, Scotland.
This post was most recently updated on September 14th, 2019
If you are a nature lover and want to see the puffins in Scotland there is no better place to see them than Lunga. The Isle of Lunga, which is the largest Island in the Treshnish Archipelago, combines a dramatic setting of green cliffs and ocean, with abundant wild life.
The large population of puffins are what draw the tourists (including myself) to Lunga, and they do so for good reason. Unlike other places in the British Isles, the puffin colonies in Lunga are thriving and extremely approachable. They have learned that having humans around keep their predators at bay. This means you get the opportunity to see them up close and personal. You can watch them fly in from the ocean with fish in their beaks to feed their young. You can see them interact with each other, clean their feathers, and simply be their adorable selves. Seeing Puffins in Scotland is an experience like no other I have had so far.