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Chamonix-Mont Blanc is a charming alpine village and world famous ski resort situated near the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy. It sits in a valley surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, including Mont Blanc, which is the highest summit in the Alps and the highest point in Europe. At 4810 meters high, Mont Blanc is always covered in snow hence the name which translates to "White Mountain". The area become more of a tourist destination after hosting the Winter Olympics in 1924 and continues to be a popular vacation spot. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Chamonix-Mont Blanc is a must-see destination for you. In the warmer months, Chamonix-Mont Blanc is a mecca for hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers and paragliders. There are hiking routes for all ability levels and many trails have alpine huts and chalets along the trails for refreshments and meals. There are also overnight accommodations if you want to continue your hiking or biking journeys over multiple days. To find the best hiking or biking trail for you in the Chamonix mountains, check out AllTrails . If you are visiting during the Winter months, of course you will want to ski at the world renowned ski resorts in the Chamonix valley. There are five different resorts offering a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike. Check out information about the Chamonix valley ski resorts here . If you need a break from all the activity, or if outdoor activities are not your cup of tea, there are many other things to do in Chamonix-Mont Blanc. Shopping. The picturesque village of Chamonix is filled with tourist shops, ski shops, and upscale boutiques. Dining. Dining options in Chamonix range from casual cafés to traditional brasseries to fancy gourmet restaurants. We had dinner at restaurant called Joséphine that is right on the Main Street. Joséphine has a charming outdoor patio looking out at the breathtaking mountain vistas. There are blankets on each chair in case you get chilly while eating (a lot of the European cafés had these blankets matching their decor and I think it is a wonderful idea that American restaurants should incorporate!). I had a delicious bowl of French Onion Soup (which I ate too quickly so no mouthwatering photo) and a yummy Nutella crepe for dessert. Take Those Insta Worthy Pictures. As you walk around the village there are amazing photo ops around every corner. From the stunning mountain peaks, vibrant flowers bursting with color (in warmer weather obviously), street art, historic architecture, and any number of other visually stimulating scenes, you will not want for pictures to remember your visit. Some of the best pictures I took from my whole trip were captured in Chamonix-Mont Blanc. L'Aiguille du Midi. Take a 20 minute cable car ride from the heart of Chamonix village to L'Aiguille du Midi. From here you can get to the highest viewing terrace at 3842 meters giving an incredible 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding Alps range and looking directly at Mont Blanc. There is also a clear plexiglass viewing platform called Step Into the Void that lets visitors feel like they are floating over the mountain range (I would guess only interesting to those who do not have a fear of heights!). There is no extra charge for this, but apparently there are usually long lines. If I am lucky enough to return to Chamonix-Mont Blanc I will definitely include this excursion and can't wait to Step Into the Void. Ride the Panoramic Mont Blanc Gondola. From the top of L'Aiguille du Midi, you can hop on the Telecubine Panoramique Mont Blanc Gondola. The Gondola will take you on hour long journey to Courmayeur, Italy, past Mont Blanc and over a landscape of glaciers, mountain tops and valleys. Tramway Du Mont Blanc. Take a train ride on one of the highest rack railways in France. The train runs from Le Fayet and Saint-Gervais ending at Mont Blanc. If the exertion of hiking or rock climbing is not your thing, this train ride can give you the mountaineering experience by giving you panoramic views of the vistas of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountain peaks. Mer de Glace. One of the largest glaciers in Europe, Mer de Glace is just a short train ride up from the Chamonix village. Mer de Glace, which translates to "Sea of Ice", is rapidly shrinking as a result of climate change. Once you get to the top, you have the opportunity to enter the Grotte de Glace, a 100 meter long ice cave allowing visitors to have an inside view of a glacier. There are lots of places to stay when you visit Chamonix from independently owned condos to 5-star luxury hotels. Our group stayed at Mercure Chamonix Centre which was conveniently located in the heart of the village, just a very short walk to the stores and restaurants. The included breakfast was an incredible buffet of choices, including gluten free options (which I always appreciate having two daughters with Celiac Disease). I highly recommend this hotel for its location and amenities. Find out more about rates and availability here . So whether you want to visit Chamonix-Mont Blanc in the warmer months to hike, bike and explore or in the winter to shred the slopes, you will find a charming alpine village with spectacular views and plenty to do. I hope to get back some day to soak in more of the beauty and experience more of the local atmosphere!

When visiting Boston, there is no shortage of museums to explore to get your cultural fix. But if you haven't checked the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum off your to-do list, I suggest you move it to the top for your next visit to Boston! I will admit that art museums are not generally my favorite (I tend to prefer photographs over paintings and admittedly don't have enough art history knowledge to fully appreciate what I am seeing). However, the story behind the creation of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the intrigue surrounding the unsolved art heist that occurred here in 1990 made this art museum a favorite for me! Isabella Stewart Gardner Isabella was a progressive woman for her time. She was known for being a free-spirit and used her strong, out-spoken voice during a time when women and their rights were severely restricted. She and her husband shared a love of art and culture and after her father's death she used her inheritance to begin collecting art. Over the years she amassed quite a collection of paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture, manuscripts, rare books and decorative arts. Following her husband's death in the late 1800's, she decided to fulfill their dream of creating a space to showcase the treasures. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum was opened in 1901 and Isabella moved into a private residence on the 4th floor of the museum building so she could dedicate her time to personally arranging the works of art in her private collection in the historic galleries on the first three floors. She never fully explained her reasoning or thought process behind some of the arrangements or the pairings of works in certain rooms, leaving the observer to contemplate the scene and try to make their own connections. Isabella believed that art possessed the power to change lives and she made it her life's mission to collect art from around the world and share it with the public. When she died in 1924, she left the Museum "for education and the public forever". She funded an endowment to operate the Museum after her death, stipulating that nothing in the galleries be changed or moved and that no items be acquired or sold from the collection. When you visit the Museum you will see the items she personally chose and they are displayed exactly as she personally arranged them over the years! The Museum The Museum has three floors that surround an open courtyard. The structure of the Museum resembles a Venetian palace. This is an intentional design concept created by Isabella as a nod to Venice, a spot that she and her husband frequented to soak up the art and culture of the time. The three floors are divided into various galleries or "Rooms". Again, each Room was very intentionally established and organized by Isabella. You will receive a detailed map to guide you through each Room. The map also highlights the certain pieces of art to keep an eye out for in each section as you make your way through the Museum. In addition to the map, you can also access a free guided audio tour on the Museum's website to give you additional information about the Museum and the art pieces in each Room. We used this audio tour on our visit and it was very informational! Be sure to bring headphones with you so you can listen to the audio tour while you wander through the rooms. Access the audio tour here . The Museum is full of beautiful art pieces collected by Isabella over the years, but the heart and soul of the Museum is the center courtyard. It is the first thing you see when you enter into the Museum building. Only women inhabit this space. All figures depicted in the artwork and statues in this space are female. This is a reflection of Isabella's strong feelings about female empowerment and women's place in the world. This part of the Museum is a living, breathing art installation as the plants in the Courtyard are changed about every six weeks. As you can see from the picture, mums were being highlighted in the garden when we were there. The Courtyard was definitely my favorite part of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum! The Art Heist One of the more intriguing aspects of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is the unsolved art heist that occurred in 1990. In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, two men dressed as Boston police officers obtained entry into the Museum by claiming they were responding to a disburbance. Breaking protocol, one of the security guards allowed them in through the employee entrance and at the fake officer's request left the watch desk. The two security guards on duty were handcuffed and tied up in the basement. The Museum has motion detectors, so the movements of the thieves in the Museum were recorded. Works of art were taken from the Dutch Room, the Short Galley and the Blue Room. The thieves made two trips to their car with stolen artwork and left at 2:45 am. The whole theft took 81 minutes from entry to getaway. It remains the single largest property theft in the world. They ultmately stole 13 works of art valued at $500 million dollars, including three original Rembrandts, five Degas drawings and a Napoleonic bronze eagle finial. The Rembrandts were cut from their frames and the empty frames remain hanging in the Dutch Room. The frames are kept empty as placeholders for the missing works and symbols of hope that they will one day be returned. While the crime remains unsolved, the Boston police have narrowed the suspects but have been unable to close the case. There is still a $10 million dollar reward for information leading directly to the recovery of the works. There is a separate $100,000 reward for the return of the Napoleonic eagle finial. If you want to learn more about the theft at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the investigation, there is a good Netflix series titled This Is a Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist. Visit the Museum The Museum is open every day except for Tuesdays. Admission is free for kids under 18, $20 for Adults, $18 for seniors and $13 for college students with a current ID. One cool fact about the Museum is that if your name is Isabella, you have lifetime free admission! The Museum is popular and tickets for busy days sell out fast, so I recommend reserving a timed entry ticket online here if you are planning to visit. We were lucky to be able to pop in on the spur of the moment, but it was a Monday in November so not a high traffic time. Although I am not a huge art museum fan, I really enjoyed my day at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for the art, the history and the intrigue! Plan your visit soon!

Are you a seasoned veteran of NYC and looking for something new to do? Or maybe you are a visitor to NYC looking for something unique and special to do in addition to the typical touristy experiences? I have a recommendation that works for either camp. Sign up for a baking workshop at Atelier Sucré. Not only do you get a unique experience, but you leave with tasty treats that you made yourself! Sounds like a win-win to me. Atelier Sucré is the vision of New York based French pastry chef Simon Herfray. Atelier Sucré provides high quality French pastries and other delicious food as well as providing fun cooking experiences for customers. Atelier Sucré is located in the heart of East Village and utilizes state of the art appliances and tools to allow would-be chefs to create culinary delights! My daughter Madison had purchased a workshop to make French Macarons as a Mother's Day gift for me. French Macarons are a treasured treat in our house as they are gluten free and both of my daughters have Celiac Disease so need to avoid the gluten that is in most cookies and pastries. We finally scheduled the workshop and we had so much fun! They place you in groups of four to utilize the supplies and ingredients. We were paired with a nice couple visiting from Switzerland. That added even more international flavor to our French Macaron making. The workshop started promptly at 6:30 and was over by 9:00. The chef teaching the workshop prepared the meringue (which I understand is the trickiest part of making French Macarons) and we mixed the dry ingredients that we folded the meringue into. If you are a fan of Schitt's Creek you will chuckle at the requirement to "fold in" the meringue. If you know, you know. :). We were able to pick a color for our cookie shells and all the different choices made for a colorful display! After the cookie shells baked, we were provided three different fillings-chocolate caramel ganache, strawberry preserves and lemon curd to make the Macaron cookie sandwich. We had fun creating an assortment of French Macarons and were provided with a box to bring our creations home to share (or eat ourselves!). They also gave us the recipe for the shell base, the meringue and the fillings as well as the cookie template to use at home to make each cookie shell a consistent size. Bakers of all experience levels are welcome at Atelier Sucré and they provide all the equipment and tools that you will need. There are numerous workshop times available and there are a variety of choices of what you can bake. Most workshops are around $90/person. Here is a sample of the other types of workshops to choose from: French Croissants Christmas Yule Log New York Bagels Crème Brúlee, Chocolate Mousse and Madeleines Chocolate Soufflé and Apple Tart Eclairs and Cream Puffs To view the different dates and times for the various workshops click here . We had a great time and our French Macarons were delicious. I highly recommend this unique experience for a girl's weekend, a bachelorette party, family experience, special date or just because you are looking for something fun to do! Bon Appétit!

I am lucky enough to live a short distance from New York City so I like to plan a visit every Christmas to take in the sights and sounds of the City during the holidays. Even if you don't live close enough to make an annual trip, you should make plans to visit NYC at least once during the holiday season. If you come, be sure to bring a large dose of patience, warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes because there will be lots of people, probably cold weather and you will be logging a lot of steps as you make your way around the City. BUT you will also have an experience you will never forget and you will leave with the perfect gifts from the holiday markets. You will also be full of holiday cheer to carry you through the season! Best Places to Check Out Decorations Around New York City Rockefeller Center: Of course the decorations at Rockefeller Center are the most iconic image of Christmas in New York City. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree stays lit 24 hours a day and towers over the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center. Ice skating at the Rockefeller rink is a quintessential NYC winter experience. You need to buy a ticket to reserve a time for your ice skating. You can buy tickets here . The Channel Gardens, lined with 12 iconic Clarebout angels, are also located in the Rockefeller Plaza and lead directly to the Tree or directly to the Saks Fifth Avenue light display if you look the other way. Department Store Windows and Interior Decorations: Be sure to check out the holiday displays of the many retailers around the City, particularly along 5th Avenue and around Herald Square. The big retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue (which is on Fifth Avenue right across the street from Rockefeller Center), Bloomingdales and Macys at Herald Square are particularlly known for their extravagant decorations and window displays. The window displays are usually centered around a particular story or theme. The pictures I have included in this blog are from a 2019 visit. Every year the window displays are different so it is fun to visit every year and see what designs they have come up with for the season. Here is a link to a Time Out article highlighting the best window displays of 2023. In addition to the window display at Saks Fifth Avenue, they have a classic exterior light show that starts at sundown and lasts for about 5 minutes. It replays every 10-15 minutes after dark. Larger Than Life Decorations Around the City: Placed all around the City are larger than life decorations perfect for that holiday Instagram pic. The large string of Christmas lights shown in the picture at the start of this blog are located at Rockefeller Center. There are also the iconic large red Christmas ornaments that are one of the most photographed holiday decorations in NYC. They are located on Sixth Avenue right across from the Radio City Music Hall. The fountain outside of the Plaza Hotel also has some beautiful decorations for that perfect holiday photo. There are so many places with amazing decorations for taking that Instaworthy photo around the City. Just keep your eyes open and you will find them around every corner. Hudson Yards Mall: The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards is an indoor mall that is stunningly decorated for the holidays in thousands of white lights. It is breathtaking when you enter through the doors. It is the perfect place to go when the weather isn't great because it is an indoor mall with lots of great shopping and dining choices. You can also find several other things to do besides shopping and dining like going to the Edge and taking in a 360 degree panoramic view of the City by standing on a clear glass platform that is 100 floors up. The Vessel, an iconic NY art installation is also located in Hudson Yards right next to the mall so you can see that as well. Best Holiday Experiences to Have in New York City The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. The Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall is a Christmas tradition that has stood the test of time. We took our daughters when they were younger and it was quite the spectacle. It lived up to all of the hype and I highly recommend going at least once if you find yourself in NYC at Christmastime. You can grab some pre-show photos at the Red Ball Ornament display mentioned above or a Large Candy Cane display that is right across the street from Radio City Music Hall. Christmas Markets at Union Square and Bryant Park. If you are looking for a unique gift for that hard to buy for person on your list, I recommend going to the holiday markets in NYC. The two biggest markets are the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market and the Bryant Park Winter Village. Each market has hundreds of vendors in outdoor booths selling crafts, art, home accessories, clothing and other unique items. Each market also has a number of vendors selling food and snacks to give you energy to keep shopping. We went to both markets and there are a lot of the same vendors at both. The Bryant Park Winter Village is a little bigger and also has ice skating and a bar. Either one provides a great venue for finding unique gifts, grabbing a bite to eat and getting in the holiday spirit! Oscar Wilde NYC. If you are not feeling the Christmas spirit, the first place you need to stop is Oscar Wilde NYC on West 27th Street in the NoMad District of New York. If you can't get in a festive mood after visiting the extensively decorated Christmas bar, we will just call you Scrooge! This bar is so unique it is a great spot to stop even when its not decked out with Christmas decor. Interestingly, the Victorian styled space was home to the Prohibition Enforcement Headquarters in 1919 and it was subsequently discovered that the phone lines of the Headquarters had been tapped for months (allegedly by the Mob!). After Prohibiton ended the space was inhabited by a number of different businesses until it was finally turned into the unique Oscar Wilde NYC. The bar has a large art and object collection that is displayed all around the space. It also boasts the longest bar in NYC at 118.5 feet. When Christmas comes around, this already unique space is transformed into a Christmas wonderland. They have a food menu , a specialty cocktail menu , and a selection of reserve whiskey/mezcal/tequila. There is also a live DJ spinning Christmas music and throwback dance tunes to keep the festive energy high. It is a must see if you are in the City over Christmas. Apparently they also go all out with their Halloween decor so keep them in mind if you are visiting the City in October! It is a popular spot, so make a reservation to be sure you can get in. Craft and Carry (Several Locations). After a full day of holiday activities, you may be looking for something a little more low-key. Craft and Carry has several locations throughout New York City. They are a tap room with the best local, hyperlocal and independent craft beers, hard seltzers and ciders on tap. They also offer bottles and cans so you can "carry" the craft beers and ciders out to your home or function. Between the taps and the bottles there are over 300+ options! In addition to the selection of beverages and the comfy, cozy atmosphere, each Craft and Carry location offers free skee ball for your entertainment. Check out their website here to see what's on tap and find the location closest to you! Obviously there are hundreds of things to do in New York City over the holidays. The suggestions in this blog are just a few to get you started. If you find something new on your holiday visit, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to my to-do list for next Christmas! Happy Holidays!

The incredible Mass MoCA in North Adams Over the holidays, my daughters and I were looking for something fun to do while they were visiting me in Saratoga Springs. Taylor, my youngest daughter, suggested taking a short drive (just over an hour) to visit Mass MoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Adams, Massachusetts. I agreed, even though I am not the biggest museum fan. I am so glad she suggested it because it was an incredible afternoon that I highly recommend! The drive through charming small towns and beautiful scenery was easy and relaxing and the Museum itself was breathtaking in more ways than one! The Beautiful Mass MoCA Buildings Are Historic and Artistic in Their Own Right! Mass MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States. The Museum is housed in a converted factory that used to produce printed textiles up until 1942 when it was closed due to the impacts of the Depression. All of the buildings in the factory complex were originally built between 1870 and 1900. The 19th century complex is listed on the National Historic Register and the 26 buildings are connected by an elaborate system of interlocking courtyards and passageways that the Museum curators have expertly integrated into the presentation of the art exhibits. The brick facades, industrial accents and large windows are rich with history and create an architectural ambiance that perfectly complements the amazing art displayed within. I spent almost as much time admiring the details of the buildings as I did the incredible art. The Mass MoCA Art Exhibits Banners of the Current Mass MoCA Exhibits We spent several hours at the Museum and didn't even come close to seeing all of the exhibits listed on the Museum's website. You should plan for several hours if you want to see it all in one trip OR you can plan to split it up and take a couple of day trips to cover the whole Museum. There are many long-term exhibits supplemented by several temporary exhibits that are only on display for a designated period. There are exhibits from well-known artists as well as new and emerging artists. The exhibits are mostly large-scale, immersive installations. The experience at Mass MoCA is so different than what you would typically experience at a more traditional museum. This is exactly what I really enjoyed about my Mass MoCA visit. Many of the exhibits were artistic representations of deeper ideas and concepts that really made me think as I experienced the art. Here are a few of my favorites from what we saw: SOL LEWITT: A colorful Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing The Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective is a amazing exhibition of 105 wall drawings installed on three floors of a 27,000 square foot mill building specifically renovated for this show. The work is on display for an unprecedented 35-year period. The three floors represent his work Early Career, Mid-Career and Later Career respectively. The exhibit clearly shows the progression of his work and his wall drawings are certainly distinctive and visually intriguing. EJ HILL: The fun and funky paintings of EJ Hill The EJ Hill: Brake Run Helix exhibit was fun because of the bright pink colors and neon lights, not to mention the fully-functional, rideable roller coaster! We were there just in time for an actual performance of the art installation when one of the Museum employees took a ride on the pink EJ Hill roller coaster. EJ Hill has been obsessed with roller coasters since he was young, constantly sketching roller coaster designs. His works reflect this passion in sculptures and paintings. The title of the exhibit, Brake Run Helix, comes from two essential elements required for a functional roller coaster design: a brake run and a helix. The brake run is a section of the track meant to slow or stop a coaster's carts giving riders "a moment to collect themselves, for their minds to catch up with their bodies." The helix is a moment in a roller coaster's track when the carts complete at least one 360 degree turn: "a moment of intense g-force and forcible perspectival shift". While the functional roller coaster in the Brake Run Helix exhibit does not contain a brake run or a helix, the title can be interpreted to be an artistic representation "of social and environmental structures that mercilessly subject the body to outside forces." [Quotes from the EJ Hill pamphlet provided by the Museum.] I love the whimsical nature of this EJ Hill sculpture! MARK SWANSON: An eery display at the Mark Swanson exhibit A Memorial to Ice at the Dead Deer Disco. Mark Swanson's exhibit, A Memorial to Ice at the Dead Deer Disco, was a strange but moving exhibit meant to represent the relationship between humans, culture and the natural world. The ruins in the art sculptures and environments he created "symbolize a bleak future resulting from the impending loss and inevitable results of climate change, a future which could have been avoided, but now comes with consequences beyond our control." The installation represents the two spaces where Mr. Swanson felt the most comfortable and spiritually connected-the nightclubs of his youth and in the woods today. Despite this comfort, both places became sites of threat due to climate change and the AIDS crisis. Mr. Swanson creates an intriguiging and eerily uncomfortable space with his sculptures and environments reflecting humans' destruction of the natural world. [Quotes from the Mark Swanson pamphlet provided by the Museum.] LOUISE BOURGEOIS: A poignant metal sculpture by Louise Bourgeois. Louise Bourgeois transformed emotions about intimacies and traumas of childhood, marriage, motherhood, and artistic struggles into physical form through her artwork. She used a variety of materials and mediums in her work that evoke a highly provocative feeling when observing them. She was intrigued by the subconscious and it is said her artwork is an expression of repressed feelings from anger to fear, love and desire. There is definitely a feminine energy to her work and I really enjoyed the pieces in her exhibit. SOME OTHER AMAZING EXHIBITS WE SAW: In addition to the highlighted artists above, there were many other amazing art pieces we got to experience at Mass MoCA. Here is a teaser to encourage you to plan your own visit! Performing Arts at Mass MoCA Besides the unexpected performance art experience we happened to catch with the EJ Hill roller coaster, we did not attend any other live performances at Mass MoCA. However, Mass MoCA presents numerous performances year round. In fact, 50% of Mass MoCA's programming resources are devoted to performing arts. Live events include popular music, contemporary dance, alternative cabaret, world music dance parties, outdoor silent films with live music, avant -garde theater, documentaries and music festivals. Check out their schedule of performances here and maybe you can combine a Museum visit with a performance! Where to Get Sustenance for Your Mass MoCA Day? If you need to take a break during your visit to Mass MoCA, there are several places to grab a bite to eat or something to drink right at the Mass MoCA complex. Lickety Split at Mass MoCA: This cafe is right in the Main Building of the Museum. They serve delicious sandwiches, salads, coffee and ice cream to go. They also offer yummy baked goods. I had a slice of pumpkin bread that hit the spot when we took a quick snack break! Door Prize: Located right outside of the Museum, this spot serves sandwiches and more. It has limited hours so it may not be open depending on when you visit. Tunnel City Coffee: Located to the side of the Museum, you can get your caffeine boost here. Bright Ideas Brewing: Maybe a craft beer is more your speed? No worries, Bright Ideas Brewing is located right outside of the Museum and serves beer that is brewed right on site. Planning Your Day at Mass MoCA Mass MoCA is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 10-5. Advanced timed entry tickets are highly recommended, although we were fine just walking in to purchase tickets. Tickets prices are $20 for Adults, $12 for Students, $8 for Children Under 16 (Children Under 5 are free!). Note that there is a Free Museum Day on Saturday, January 28th ! You would definitely want to reserve a timed entry ticket if you want to take advantage of the Free Day. Reserve or purchase entry tickets here . I suggest you check out all of the exhibits that will be there when you plan to visit at the Mass MoCA website to get an idea of what things you want to see if you don't have time to explore all the exhibits. The exhibits are all very different and there is sure to be something for everyone! I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Mass MoCA and I think you will be too. Even if you don't consider yourself the "artsy" type, the exhibits are so fun and different it will definitely capture your interest. Enjoy and let me know what your favorite exhibit was!

This post is a little different than my usual travel blog, but it is relevant because it involves going about this life solo in all aspects, including travel. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, I recently got divorced after 25 years of marriage. A lot of changes come with that, but the most significant one is learning how to do life solo after years of being accompanied by a partner and family. In the months after my separation, I had a sense of freedom. I only had to worry about myself after years of trying to meet someone else's expectation, taking care of everyone else's needs (which I was very happy to do for all those years), and not having to worry about many of the things that ultimately led to the disconnect in my marriage. I realized I had lost myself along the way and was excited to take some time to rediscover parts of myself that had been neglected. I also focused on reconnecting with friendships that had not received the attention they deserved when I was struggling with my emotions and the crumbling of my marriage. In full transparency, after this initial feeling of relief, reality set in. Coming to terms with all that was lost and all the future plans that will never happen was sad. I realized that, at least for now, I truly am on this journey solo. My daughters are truly amazing and of course they have been supportive during this whole period, but they are adults and have their own paths to forge. Honestly, sometimes this realization that it is just me, myself and I feels liberating and sometimes it feels scary. But I know that this is where I need to be right now. One thing that has been the most difficult about being single as a middle aged woman (or just a single person in general) is realizing how much of life (and society, media, etc.) is focused on being part of a couple. Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting companionship and love in your life. I am open to that if it happens to cross my path again, but I am not actively seeking it at the moment. I want to experience life on my own terms and in my own way at this phase of my life. But because of the emphasis that is placed on being part of a couple, it is hard not to equate value with having someone by my side. It is easy to let myself feel "less than" because I have not "been chosen" by another to be their life partner. But the growth comes by being ok with that and realizing that I am choosing not to "be chosen". I have learned that my value comes from the unique qualities I bring to the party and not who is coming to the party with me. Taking some time to live life alone is so important. Being solo gives you an opportunity to do some deep soul searching and find out what is important to you. What things do YOU want to prioritize, what goals do YOU have for yourself, how do YOU want to live your life, what kind of future do YOU envision? Not that you can't do this with someone else, but then you will obviously need to compromise and answer those questions considering the answers for a "WE" and not a "ME". If you find yourself single in midlife it is a unique opportunity to reassess your life and take a moment to really think about these things with no other opinions or distractions. Once you figure it out and start living your life in alignment with these things, any one who comes into your life as a friend or a partner will only enhance the vision you created. Failing to take the necessary time to dig deep and do the work to discover your authentic self is wasting a precious opportunity. That being said, it takes a lot of fortitude and confidence to stick to the solo journey. I am, and have always been, a fiercely independent person. I enjoy my alone time and have no problem doing things by myself. But I would be lying if I said that it wasn't hard sometimes. Going into a restaurant and saying I am a "Party of One" can feel awkward. I do travel with friends often, but they are not always available when I want to travel so I do take a lot of trips by myself. Traveling by myself is fun, but there are always moments I wish I had that "built in" travel partner to share those amazing experiences. Sometimes it would be nice just to have someone sitting quietly on the other end of the couch or binge-watching a great show with me. Yes, there are definitely times when I feel lonely. But there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. There were plenty of times I felt lonely even when I had that partner, so being coupled up is no guarantee that you avoid that lonely feeling. Now, the occasional lonely feeling passes and I am left with a realization that I am happy living the authentic life I have created for myself. Choosing to be single will require you to often defend or explain your choice. We are constantly bombarded with media messages that finding that "perfect partner" should be our primary focus. Well-meaning people will ask if you are dating and tell you "not to worry" because you will find someone else when the time is right. But what if you don't want that? What is wrong with wanting to enjoy life's journey surrounded by good friends and family? What if you want to keep your independence? Why is staying single not a choice that is more prevalent and accepted? It is important that we begin to normalize being single, regardless of age or gender. We should honor someone's choice to take some (or all) of their life journey as a solo traveller. You can be a "Party of One" and that's perfectly ok!

On a very cold and rainy evening in Amsterdam, my friends and I ventured out to visit a bar called Tales and Spirits known for its creative cocktails. My friend Ann's research tipped us off that we were going to taste some unique concoctions, but we didn't fully know what an experience was in store for us. Despite being known as a cocktail bar, the place is very low-key and has more of a pub feel. It is a quirky and whimsical place and I felt like I had stepped into another world when we walked through the door. The bar is filled with vintage and antique pieces and the walls have several handpainted murals and quotes on the walls. The room was quaint and cozy which was the perfect antidote to the damp, chilly night outside. I felt a magical energy as soon as we walked in, in part because of the friendliness of the servers and bartenders. It seems that everyone at Tales and Spirits is definitely having fun at their job. Their enthusiasm helps create the party-like atmosphere in the small space (well, that and the strong drinks they make). It was fun to watch them create their artistic masterpieces. The cocktail menu is a creative work on its own! It takes a while to go through it as it is filled with stories and art supporting the description of the unique cocktails. The drinks have names like Fallen Lady, What If...(which corresponds to the painted mural above), Shut the Fuck Up George!, Little Miss Trouble, and MoJo. There is also a complete menu of specialized Old Fashioned's if that is your go-to drink. Find a complete cocktail menu here to check out your options if you plan to visit Tales and Spirits. You may want to preview your choices because there are so many interesting drinks it could take a while to decide. One of the most interesting drinks offered at Tales and Spirits is called the Zombie and luckily my friend Misty ordered it. The drink came with a whole presentation. Words alone can not capture the experience so I will let a video show you how the Zombie is delivered. Needless to say we were surprised by the fireworks display inside the bar! When we asked what was in the drink the server just said "Everything!". Ok...enough said. Misty didn't want to have a drink with "everything" in it by herself, so we got four straws and all took a taste. Probably a good idea as the bar itself limits customers to only two Zombies a night! You can see from the description below what "everything" actually means! The little shot glass that is lit on fire can actually be added to the Zombie as well. It's not too hard to figure out where the name of this drink came from. Upon arrival, the server provided us with a complimentary bottle of water (to keep us hydrated!) and some delicious crunchy chips with mango chutney. There is also a menu with a selection of bar bites. I highly recommend you order some for a couple of reasons. First, the drinks are strong so eating food is probably a good idea. Second, the bar bites are delicious! We ordered a few different ones to share. We got the Crunchy Chicken (which were finger bites of chicken that tasted like Sesame Chicken), Mini Cheese Souffles (pockets of deliciously melted cheese-my personal favorite!) and Bitterballen (a traditional Dutch snack served with spicy mustard). So yummy! There are other great options on the menu like Pork Buns, Onion Rings and Jalapeño Poppers. I don't think you can go wrong! If you find yourself in Amsterdam, make sure to venture to Tales and Spirits. Learn more about the bar and get directions here . They are open on Tuesday through Saturday from 17:30 (5:30 pm for us Americans) to 1:00. You should know that Tales and Spirits does not take reservations and operates on a first come, first serve basis. Rumor is it gets very crowded later at night and on weekends. We were there on a Thursday, but we made to sure to get there right when they opened so we could definitely get in. We arrived a bit before opening time and there was already a short line forming. Luckily we were able to snag a table, but the small space filled up quickly. If we hadn't gotten there so early I don't think we would have gotten to check this place out! If you end up visiting Tales and Spirits on your journeys, please share a picture of the drink you ordered as many come with their own unique presentation. I would love to see the creative way they serve drinks we didn't order! Prost!

Taking a break to take in the scenery in Amalfi Let's face it, as much fun as it is to travel, it can be a lot for anyone. Flight delays or cancellations, weather struggles, hauling luggage from place to place, cranky travel partners...just being out of your normal environment, all of these things can exhaust you and interfere with your vacation enjoyment. Add to all of that a physical or health limitation and it makes things even more difficult. However, if you love to travel like I do, you don't want to miss out on seeing the world. The good news is you don't have to if you plan your trips taking into consideration your limitations and figuring out ways to work around the obstacles. This information is also valuable if you travel with someone with Lupus or some other health condition that may impact your plans. My Lupus Story I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2015. Lupus is a systematic autoimmune disease in which the body's defense system mistakenly attacks healthy organs and tissue in the body. It affects joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, lungs and sometimes even the heart and brain. I am fortunate that my Lupus has not been particularly aggressive, but I still struggle from time to time with flares of the disease. My flares are generally mild and include symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and joint pain. While sometimes flares just happen without any warning, there are certain things that will definitely trigger a flare. I have had flares on vacation and it is a huge bummer! I have learned through trial and error what things to avoid or watch out for. However, sometimes I like to forget I have to deal with limitations of Lupus and am not as careful. I always pay the price. Unfortunately, some of the things that can cause me to have a Lupus flare are things that are common with travel (stress, intense sun, lots of walking/activity). As eliminating travel from my life is not something I want to do, I have learned (and am still learning) what I need to do when I travel so that I don't ruin my trip or have a long recovery when I get home (as I just experienced upon returning from my most recent trip to Italy). These tips and recommendations would also be helpful to anyone dealing with any other type of autoimmune disease that involves flares of fatigue, muscle weakness and joint pain (which is most of them!). Lupus Travel Tips Make sure your travel companions understand your disease and your limitations. Let your travel companions know ahead of time about how you need to take care of yourself and what could happen if you don't. Also, let them know if you feel you are pushing your limits. This communication will make them more understanding when you need to take a break, need to bow out of an activity or start to not feel well. When I did the AMA Waterways Riverboat Cruise with my friends, I had to skip an excursion and went to bed early a few nights. They understood and were supportive because they wanted to me to feel good going forward! Don't push yourself too hard and do take frequent breaks. This ties into the first tip and is one that I have a hard time with. I am so excited to explore when I get to a new place that I like to go, go, go so I can fit everything in. Even though my girls were constantly checking in on me on our last trip to the Amalfi Coast, I kept saying I was fine and continued on full steam ahead. To be honest, I was hanging in there and doing ok, but I should know better and know that if I push myself too hard it is going to catch up with me. I did have a flare towards the end of the trip and also caught a virus on the way home that really got a hold of me because I had let my body get so run down. My immune system was shot and the virus wreaked havoc on me for a full month after I got back! Lesson learned (I hope), but it is easy to forget when you are excited to be traveling and exploring the world. It is important to pace yourself throughout the day and take frequent breaks to rest and hydrate. Schedule rest days in your itinerary. When planning your vacation itinerary, be sure to schedule rest days or relaxing activities after days that require more exertion or lots of time in the sun. I didn't do a great job at this on our last trip to Italy. It was a little more difficult as we were moving from spot to spot and so we tried to see and do as much as we could in each area. Looking back, there were a couple of very strenuous days in a row that required significant time in the intense sun. It was shortly after that I started feeling the beginning of a flare. If I had to do it over, I would have split those days up and scheduled something low key in between. Don't be afraid to sit out certain events. This one is hard, but sometimes necessary. If you aren't feeling great or if you have had a lot of sun exposure or exertion already, it is a good idea to stay back and take care of yourself. I am getting better at this and will definitely stay back at the hotel to take a nap or do something low key. I may have occasional bouts of FOMO, but it's better to choose when I want to miss out rather than being forced to miss much more if a major flare up happens because I didn't properly rest. Limit sun exposure and ALWAYS use sunscreen. Sun exposure can trigger Lupus flares. I have personally experienced many flares after too much sun. I used to love beach vacations, but those are a thing of the past for me. Multiple days with hours on the beach spell disaster for me and for most people with Lupus. However, even when you take different types of vacations exploring different parts of the world, it is easy to get caught out in the sun for extended periods. That is why it is important to always apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing regardless of your plans so you are always protected from intense UV rays. Again, this is a lesson I continue to learn. I often forget the sunscreen and don't properly anticipate the amount of sun exposure I will get when planning certain activities. It happened in Italy and I paid the price with a flare (which is why I skipped the beach day even though I had planned to sit under an umbrella). Learn from my mistakes and ALWAYS apply sunscreen in the morning before you head out and bring a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face from excessive sun. But limiting sun exposure shouldn't stop you from doing fun things. You just need to adjust expectations and think of creative solutions. We really wanted to do a boat tour around Capri, so I just made sure to stay under the shade canopy on the boat most of the time and we had a blast! Rest a few days before your trip to conserve energy and go into vacation feeling rested. Often we are so busy and stressed trying to get ready to go on vacation, that we start out already in a deficit. If we are traveling to a different time zone, we may also be dealing with jet lag. Taking steps to conserve energy before you leave and having a plan to deal with anticipated jet lag will help you start out feeling energized rather than already fatigued before you even get started! Try to eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods when you can to keep inflammation down (of course make sure to also enjoy ALL the local foods you want to try...you are on vacation after all!). Disclaimer: The food below is not necessarily anti-inflammatory, but it was certainly delicious! Bolognese from Chez Black in Positano and it was the best bolognese I've ever had! Pack all your medications for managing flares in your carry-on bag and bring extra in case of delays getting home. I have a once a week injection that needs to be refrigerated and would have to be cleared to travel with, so I generally don't take this with me. So far it hasn't caused me too much trouble skipping a dose while I am away. However, you should always talk with your doctor before deciding whether or not to skip medication when you are away. I have several other oral medications that I bring to ward off any joint pain or other frustrating symptoms. I always make sure to bring enough for the days I plan to be away plus extra in case I run into travel difficulties on my way home. Also, I ALWAYS put my medication in my carry-on bag so there are no problems if me and my checked luggage take different routes to our destination. Try to travel during off-peak times to reduce exposure to crowds and reduce time standing around to get into popular tourist sites. My favorite times to travel are the "shoulder" seasons...that travel period between peak and off-peak seasons. Generally this is in Spring and Fall which is why I mostly plan my big trips in May or September. Not only do I usually get lower rates but I still get the nice weather. And, most importantly (especially for this blog), the crowds are significantly reduced. As a person with a compromised immune system I try to avoid large crowds as much as possible (although it is not possible to avoid them all time) and reduce the extended waiting periods standing in the hot sun surrounded by hundreds of people. Aside from health benefits it also makes my trip much more enjoyable! Plan a day or two of complete rest once you get home. Unfortunately, my one or two days turned into a month after my last trip since I got so run down and got sick. Under normal conditions, I always plan to take a day or two to chill out when I get home so I can regroup and rest up before reentry into real life. Lupus (and other autoimmune conditions) can certainly impact how and where you travel, but a little planning and awareness of how you (or your travel companion) are feeling while you are on vacation can go a long way to preventing a flare! Hopefully these tips can help you stay energized and healthy as you explore the world. Maybe someday we will cross paths on our adventures! Cheers!

View from the Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone When planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast, all the big names pop up. Positano, Capri, Amalfi, Sorrento. Of course, all of these places are extraordinary and have their own unique beauty that cannot be missed while you are on the Amalfi Coast. But I want to let you in on a hidden gem we discovered on our trip. Ravello is a hilltop village sitting 1200 feet above the Mediterranean that offers a glimpse into thousands of years of history and some captivating views of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello turned out to be one of my favorite stops on our trip! Taking in the views from the Terrace of Infinity Getting to Ravello : Ravello is high above the coast so getting there requires some planning. There are three ways to get to Ravello: WALK: If you are really fit, you can walk (or basically climb stairs) from Amalfi. We chose to get transportation up to Ravello and walk back down to Atrani/Amalfi and I can report that even the downhill trek is challenging. There are A LOT of steps (apparently approximately 1700!) and steep decline so I can't imagine doing it the other way up to the top! But if you are looking for some intense exercise on your vacation you do have the option to walk to Ravello. BUS: We had hoped to take the bus up to Ravello as it is the cheapest and most convenient option. If the buses are operating, this is the option you should choose. A bus leaves from Amalfi about once an hour and the ride is about 20 minutes. Ticket prices are less than 2 Euro (either one way or round trip), but you may want to consider a Special Ticket which gives unlimited rides on the SITA buses around the coast for 24 hours from the time of first validation. If you are exploring several different areas this may be the best option for you. Check here for ticket options and pricing. Unfortunately, the day we wanted to go to Ravello, the buses weren't operating, so we had to take a taxi. TAXI: Taking a taxi to Ravello is the most expensive option and was even more expensive for us as the buses were not operating. The Italian taxi drivers took advantage of the limited transportation options and were charging 60 Euros for a one way trip up to Ravello! At first we declined and contemplated walking up (but on our trip down I realized that plan would have lasted about 5 minutes before we turned around because the uphill climb was too difficult!). I really, really wanted to visit Ravello based on my pre-trip research so I bit the bullet and paid the outrageous taxi fee. All I can say is I don't regret it! As I said, Ravello was one of my favorite stops of our trip so I am so glad we decided to go despite the transportation difficulties. If the buses are operating, the fare for a taxi ride up to Ravello would probably be a bit more reasonable so it is an option if riding a crowded bus up a twisting mountain road doesn't sound appealing to you. What to Do in Ravello: Walk Around the Piazza and Surrounding Streets: Ravello has lots to explore in an afternoon. We arrived mid-morning on a Sunday and it was very quiet. We grabbed some breakfast and sat in the Piazza Vescovado looking out over the mountainside with the historic Duomo as our backdrop. The Duomo, which was built in the 11th century, serves as the spiritual and social hub of Ravello. After our breakfast we walked around the streets of Ravello and took in historic architecture and browsed the beautiful ceramic shops. Commune with the Village Cats: One of our favorite things about Ravello was the number of village cats roaming around. We are cat lovers and were missing our kitties at home so this was a nice surprise. There was a black cat named Natari that is the official cat of Ravello and we were enchanted by her. We saw her actually jogging along side one of the residents of Ravello who told us of her official status. In addition to Natari, there were several other friendly cats and the girls had to stop and meet each one! Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone: Ravello is especially known for the beautiful villas and gardens that look out over the Mediterranean providing unbelievable views of the Amalfi Coast. There are two main villas that you should see on your visit to Ravello. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are both incredible and provide completely different experiences so I highly recommend checking out both of them. Villa Rufolo sits right off the main Piazza. Villa Rufolo was built by a wealthy merchant family in the 13th century and at one time was one of the largest and most expensive villas on the Amalfi Coast. It's beautiful gardens are a popular attraction and Villa Rufolo is the host of annual summer concerts featuring piano concerts, chamber music and a grand orchestral performance on a stage jutting out over the Mediterranean Sea and the Amalfi Coast creating a breath-taking backdrop for the musical performance. Villa Rufolo opens at 9:00 am and tickets are €7. Depending on how long you linger it takes about an hour to walk through the Villa and the gardens. Villa Cimbrone is a short walk (about 10 minutes) from the main Piazza. Villa Cimbrone itself is private 5-star hotel, but tourists can (and should!) visit the Villa Cimbrone Gardens. Villa Cimbrone was built in the 11th century, but was extensively renovated by a British nobleman in the early 20th century. On the Garden grounds there is a crypt, cloister, various statues and other artwork, and the famous Terrace of Infinity where you can grab that Instagrammable photo! The Terrace of Infinity sits high above the coastline and is lined with white marble busts creating a unique and breathtaking spot to take in the views and grab a photo. The cost of admission to the Villa Cimbrone Gardens is €7 and again will probably take around an hour to explore the grounds. Grab a Bite to Eat: There are several places to eat in Ravello and I am sure they are all great. We stopped at Ristorante Villa Maria, a charming spot we passed on our way back from Villa Cimbrone. What a great find! The view from the terrace was spectacular, the food was excellent and the spritzes were refreshing. The perfect ending to our time in Ravelllo! Heading Back Down to Atrani: After our delicious lunch, we began the journey down to Atrani. It was downhill, but it was still challenging due to the steepness and the THOUSANDS of stairs. If your knees and stamina are up for it, I would still recommend it because the views were amazing! If you are in the mood for a more relaxing day, you can catch the bus or take a taxi back down. Here are some shots from our trip down to Atrani, a small fishing village right next to Amalfi. SIDE NOTE: If you are looking for some beach time, my girls highly recommend the Atrani beach. It is just a short walk from Amalfi and it was a lot less crowded. It was a free public beach, they just needed to bring towels. Don't Miss This Hidden Gem! A day in Ravello should definitely be on your itinerary. You will find a charming, historic village that will give you a break from the crowds at the more known Amalfi Coast spots, incredible views and a kitty fix if you are a cat lover! Ravello is a precious hidden gem on the Amalfi Coast so make sure you don't miss it!

Breeze Through Customs with MPC Long lines at the airport are usually the worst part of traveling, especially after an amazing international trip and a long flight home. The last thing you want to do when you land is wait in line at customs and immigration. On my last trip, I discovered a travel hack that allowed me to breeze past the long lines and get through customs in a matter of minutes. My secret? Mobile Passport Control (MPC)! MPC is an app that streamlines the entry process at certain designated US ports of entry. The app promises speed, convenience and ease. I personally experienced all three of these benefits. So, you are probably wondering how MPC works and if it is worth it to you to download the app. You may also be wondering how MPC differs from the Global Entry program you may have heard about. This blog will provide you with all the answers you need to make your next international trip a bit easier (at least at US customs and immigration). What is Mobile Passport Control (MPC)? Mobile Passport Control is an official app developed by US Customs and Border Protection that allows you to submit your passport information and customs declarations via your smartphone or tablet. This means you can skip completing the traditional paper customs form and bypass the regular inspection lines, entering the US faster. MPC is available for US ciitizens and Canadian visitors at select airports and seaports. The app is free to use and is different from Global Entry which requires an in-person interview and a membership fee. How Does MPC Work? The process for using MPC is straightforward and can be broken down into five easy steps: Download the App: The first step is to download the free CBP Mobile Passport Control app from the App Store or Google Play. Be sure your are downloading the official app by CBP to ensure the security of your data. Create a Profile: Open the MPC app and set up your profile. You will need to enter your passport details, including your full name, date of birth, passport number., issue date and expiration date. The MPC app stores this information securely for future trips. Submit Your Trip Details: When you land in the US, open the MPC app and select "New Trip." Here you will answer a few standard customs declaration questions similar to the paper forms you usually fill out on the plane. I actually filled out my New Trip information prior to arriving in the US, but was prompted to press the "Submit" button only after landing at my designated airport. As soon as I got off the plane, i connected to the airport wifi and pressed Submit. Within seconds, I received the QR Code discussed in the next step. Receive a QR Code: After submitting the details of your New Trip, the MPC app will generate a QR code. This code iwll serve as your digital customs declaation receipt. Show the QR Code at Customs: At designated MPC airport locations, there will be special lines or kiosks for Mobile Passport users. Simply show the QR code on your mobile device to the customs officer, along with your physical passport. T That's it! Easy Peasy...and you have breezed past all those people standing in line who don't know about this travel hack. You're welcome! Tips for Using MPC Make Sure Your App is Updated: Before your flight, check if you have the latest version of the MPC app. An outdated version might not work smoothly or might lack new features or updates. Keep Your Phone Charged: You don't want to reach customs only to find your phone has died. If your phone dies, you won't be able to access your QR code. In this case, you will have to go through the traditional customs process, which means standing in the long line. Make sure your have your charger or portable battery handy! Check Airport Eligibility: Not all US airports and seaports support MPC. Before your trip, visit the CBP website to confirm that your arrival airport accepts MPC. Have Your Physical Passport Handy: While the MPC app helps expedite the declaration process, you still need to present your physical passport to the customs officer. Traveling with Family: If you are traveling with your family, you simply add family members to your profile and submit all declarations together. It is a convenient option for families traveling with kids. How Does MPC Compare to Global Entry? You may be wondering how MPC compares to the popular Global Entry program. Both MPC and Global Entry offer expedited entry, but they cater to different travelers. Global Entry involves a more extensive vetting process and offers additional benefits like TSA PreCheck. To benefit from Global Entry, you must pay a fee and perform an in-person interview. MPC, on the other hand, is free and doesn't require any background checks. However, MPC only speeds up entry at those select airports that support MPC. Global Entry is accepted at all US airports. If you are a frequent intrenational traveler, the investment in Global Entry is probably worth it. However, MPC offers those who travel less frequently an opportunity to avoid those long custom lines as well. I would check the list of airports that support the MPC process and if your nearest airport is on the list, MPC is a great (and FREE!) option to save some time at customs and breeze through the entry process. Final Thoughts International travel can be stressful enough; don't let the post-flight bottleneck slow you down. Take a few minutes to download the MPC app and create your profile. Then when you arrive at your US destination, you can skip those dreaded long customs lines and be on your way in no time!

My latest travel group on a trip to Spain! If you love to travel, odds are you have at least thought about taking a group trip. If you haven't, you may after reading this blog! I have now taken a few group trips with different companies (Go Ahead Tours, AMA Waterways and Gate 1) and all were amazing experiences. There are a lot of advantages to signing up for an organized group trip, but there are some disadvantages that you should consider before making your final decision. Based on my experience, here are the things that I love about group travel and those that can be a bit frustrating. Let's start with the positives (which definitely are more numerous). PROS: All you have to do is pay and show up. Each travel company offers a variety of itineraries to locations all over the world. The hardest part will be deciding which triip you want to take. Start by deciding where you want to visit and how long you want to be away. That helps narrow down your choices. But once you land on an itinerary that meets your travel dreams, all you have to do is sign up, pay and show up! The company takes care of everyting else from accommodations, transportation, tours, and some meals. They arrange amazing tours with local tour guides who provide so much history and inside information. A local tour guide giving our group a tour of the historic city of Toledo, Spain. They transport your luggage from place to place! This is a HUGE Pro for me. If you follow me regularly, you know packing is not one of my strengths and I always end up with a fully stuffed large suitcase. It is such a benefit to just show up to my hotel room and my large luggage is already there waiting for me. When I am traveling on my own I struggle and sweat getting that bad boy up and down stairs and to the next location. This Pro alone is almost enough to outweigh any of the Cons I list below! My LARGE suitcase that magically arrives in my room on group trips. You have built in travel companions. If you are single, but are wary about travelling solo (or maybe you want to change it up after a few independent trips), a group trip is a perfect solution for you! This last group trip I went on I was with friends I already knew, but the first group trip I took I was by myself. It was my first "solo" trip and it was great to have people to eat with and explore with. But there is usually a good amount of free time built into the schedules so I could also take some time to myself to relax or do some independent sightseeing. It is a great way to meet new people. Similar to the point above, it is so fun to meet all the different people that sign up for these trips. My travel groups have had people of all ages from different locations with diverse personalities. I have met people traveling with their adult children, friends traveling together, couples and other solo travelers. It is amazing how quickly you can get to know people when you are sharing the adventure of exploring the world. By the end of the trip you realize that you will miss seeing this group of people every day! We expanded our friend group on this trip! You end up seeing locations you may not have considered if you planned your trip yourself. On every single group trip I have taken, we stopped in locations that I would not have thought to include in my itinerary. Many of these places turned out to be my favorite stops! One of my all time favorites was Annecy, France. I had never heard of it before and it was so quaint and beautiful. I loved it so much I have considered temporarily moving there and would have never have discovered it if I hadn't been on the group trip through the Alps. On my most recent trip to Spain on of my favorite spots was Ronda, a small town sitting on the top of a gorge and home to one of the oldest bullfighting rings. Exploring Ronda, a place I didn't know about! Experienced and knowledgable tour guides. The tour guides that lead the trips are multi-lingual eliminating some of the language barriers that can arise when you travel internationally. They are very knowledgable about the areas that you are visiting and provide you with relevant history and facts about each location. I feel like I learn so much more about the areas I am visiting when I go on a group trip than when I am traveling on my own. The guides are also great resources for local hotspots to visit when you have free time to go off on your own for a bit. Additionally, should an emergency arise while you are travelling the guides can assist with getting the resources you need. On my most recent trip one of the passengers cracked her tooth and our guide was able to get her to a local dentist to take care of it with minimal interruption. Our amazing guide, Rui, with the ladies CONS: Less flexibility. One downside to a group trip is that you have less control over your itinerary. While most group trips do build in a decent amount of free time for you to go off and explore on your own, it is still on strict schedule that is part of a larger itinerary. This aspect can be a bit frustrating if you find you don't have enough time to fit in all the things you might want to explore or if the time allotted for "free time" doesn't match up with plans you want to make. Limited food options sometimes. If you are a picky eater, the group trips can be challenging. On group dinners, the whole group usually gets the same dish (a local favorite). As a picky eater, this has been difficult for me. I told myself I must always try what is offered, but often it is not something I really enjoy. This is totally a ME problem and I really wish I was a more adventurous eater eager to try local specialties. Unfortunately that is not the case so I usually end up leaving meals a bit hungry. I always make sure to pack some snacks so I have something to eat when I get back to my room. Potential for unpleasant group dynamics. I have not had this problem in any of the group trips I have done. However, as you don't have control over who is in your travel group, there is always the possibility that personalities in the group don't mesh. Hopefully you will be as lucky as I have been and will enjoy your travel companions. As you can see, the pros of going on a group triip seem to outweigh the cons. However, I would say that the lack of flexibility may be the biggest factor to consider if you have specific ideas of what you want to do on your vacation. I have had amazing experiences on all my group trips and I highly recommend that you give group travel a try. I can personally recommend Go Ahead, AMA Waterways and Gate 1 Travel. Check them out...you will not regret it. A satisfied and happy group traveler

Cheers to Life Lessons Learned Over 60 Years I turned 60 last September. Sixty. The big 6-0. Wow...I remember when 60 sounded ancient. It was the age of grandparents, the ones with hard candy in their purses and stories that began with "Back in my day...". But here I am, 60 years into this life, and surprisingly I don't feel ancient (at least on most days). My mind still feels like I'm in my 30s, until I look in the mirror and a more seasoned face is looking back at me. While there are some difficulties that come with aging, the one thing I love about getting older is I feel like I am definitely getting wiser. Over the past 60 years of trials and tribulations, lessons were learned and wisdom was gained. Some lessons were painful, others just inconvienent, but all resulted in growth and self-reflection. The ups and downs of 60 years have led me to some core principles that I TRY to live by for a more peaceful and happy life. I have by no means mastered the ability to live by these principles 100% of the time, but they provide the guidelines and boundaries for my approach to life. When I find myself veering from these principles I can always tell because I feel less happy, less peaceful. At this point in my life, time is too precious to waste too much of it being upset or stressed. I am sharing these thoughts in the event the wisdom gained from my 60 years may be helpful to anyone else, but also to remind myself of how I want to live the rest of my life. Ride the Waves Waves Can Teach Us How to Live The only constant in life is change. One thing that becomes abuntantly clear as the years go by is that things are always changing and evolving. I used to get so frustrated when something happened that wasn't what I planned (as if I could control the whole universe with my plans). Such disruptions would cause me to stress out and get angry and subject those around me to my frustrations (probably not too enjoyable). Getting into that mental state was usually not helpful to resolve the issue or figure out an alternative plan. It led to a constant pendulum of emotions as we all know that life does not generally run smoothly and annoyances (large or small) impact us everyday. . Accepting that a situation, whether good or bad, is temporary and will not stay the same is an important life lesson. It helps with resilience in getting through a tough period because I realize that 'this too shall pass'. It helps with living in the present because if I am in a good period I know I need to appreciate it and enjoy it because 'this too shall pass'. Learning to adapt to change, both in the way I perceive it and the way I react to it, has lead to growth, resilience and new opportunities. Change has often been the catalyst for personal or professional growth that has occurred in my life. I compare adjusting and adapting to the ups and downs in life to being in the ocean on a boogie board. You paddle out into the water, which can take effort. You find a spot where the water is calm and you hang out there for a bit. As the waves roll in, you just hang on to your board and let it roll by as it lifts you up and then delivers you back down. Then along comes an epic wave that picks you up and takes you on an exhilirating ride toward the shore. You just enjoy the experience, laughing as you ride it as far as you can. Then it is over as quickly as it began and the wave drops you off on the shore as it rolls back out to sea and you paddle back out and wait for the next epic wave. I can see this wave action when I look back over the various stages and periods I have experienced in my life. There were the hard paddling times, the calm almost boring times where life was just uneventfully moving forward, the waves that rolled over me that I just had to ride out, and those amazing epic waves that came with life accomplishments and adventures. Every part of the wave is important in creating the whole experience. Keep Your Balance Balance is Key The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you've lost it. -Anonymous In keeping with the boogie board theme, the next life lesson I have learned over my 60 years is that finding balance is very important. If you are on a boogie board or a surf board and you are not perfectly balanced on the board, you will fall off and miss riding that epic wave. In my life, achieving balance in all things is the ultimate goal. I have always been good at keeping my work life and personal life balanced. I learned this from my father who always stated he worked to live, not lived to work. My dad worked hard when he was at work, but made sure to be home for dinner every night and used his weekends to ski, ride his dirt bike or his bicycle. I found a way to practice law that allowed me to be around for my girls and attend all of their athletic activities. Could I have worked harder and went further in my career? Sure, but I found a balance between my professional career and my home life that allowed me to be proud of my accomplishments in both. I use this approach in other areas of my life as well. Going out or staying home, working out or resting, eating and drinking, the principle always applies. Balance (or you could say moderation) in all things helps me to enjoy things, but not to the exclusion of other things. It is very apparent when I have lost balance because I feel tired, I feel stressed, I feel generally unwell. It is a sign that I need to make adjustments to my choices to regain the balance that brings me peace. Be Curious Staying Curious By Exploring New Places I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. -Albert Einstein Over the years I've learned the importance of being curious. Being curious helps to stay knowledgable and understand the world around me. By asking questions I engage more deeply which makes learning an ongoing process rather than a finite experience. By remaining curious, I constantly challenge my own perspectives and try to expand my world view. Curiosity also improves creativity. Looking at a situation from multiple angles allows me to consider innovative approaches to resolve an issue (or maybe realize it's not a problem at all!). Curiosity is also helpful to keep the mind sharp. Making myself learn new things (you really can teach an old dog new tricks), keeps the neuro pathways working and hopefully will ward off mental decline as I age. Learning how to create this blog and keep it growing; starting a new job at a jewelry store learning about gemstones, metals and designers; and learning how to play pickleball (especially how to keep score!) have all kept me on my toes as I keep racking up the years. I also watch documentaries on a wide range of topics. Some that I watch are VERY random, but I always learn something new. It is now a joke among my friends and family that I often start a sentence with "I was watching a documentary about *fill in the blank". But perhaps most important, being curious has improved my relationships. Instead of jumping to conclusions or digging into my position, I try to ask more questions and genuinely seek to understand others’ perspectives. I have discovered that when I take the time to be curious it results in deeper connections. It also encourages better conversations which often lead to mutual understanding. Being curious allows me to appreciate diverse viewpoints, even if I may not completely agree. Being curious definitely makes life much more interesting! Keep Your Sense of Humor Keep Laughing and Finding the Humor A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles - Mignon McLaughlin Stress is inevitable...whether its a bad day at work, a disagreement with a friend or partner, or simply being stuck in traffic after a long day when you just want to get home. But if you can somehow learn to find the humor in some of these every day complications, it makes things a lot easier. One thing my ex-husband was very good at during our marriage, was getting me to laugh when my stress or anger started to bubble up. It is amazing how quickly difficult emotions diffuse once I give into giggling or divert my attention to something amusing. Not that I am not still frustrated or annoyed, but the laughter takes the emotion level down a few notches so things are easier to deal with. Sometimes the only difference between a crisis and a funny story is time AND the ability to laugh at myself. Once I can zoom out and see that the thing I am stressing over really isn't that big of a deal or is only temporary, it doesn't loom so large. Putting it in perspective usually makes me realize how dramatic I am being and I can make fun of myself for overreacting. So often stories from my past that were so stressful or embarrassing at the time are hilarious (or at least entertaining) now. Laughing at my flaws and screw ups makes life seem less like a challenge and more like a fun-filled adventure. Being able to get back up, maybe a bit bruised and still limping, but with a smile on my face is an act of quiet defiance against the chaos. When I can find something to laugh about, even in my hardest moments, I feel like I regain a little bit of control. Trust Your Gut When I Trusted My Gut Instinct to Buy a House and Miraculously Found the Perfect Lot! Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself. - Oprah Winfrey As I look back on my life and the twists and turns that make up my journey, I can see the importance of trusting my gut instincts. This applies to both positive and negative instincts. It's that quiet voice in my head, often uninvited but always persistent, that says " Something's off" or " This is the right move". It doesn't always speak in words...sometimes it is a tightness in my throat or my chest or a feeling of calm that washes over me when I make a decision. Regardless, I have learned that my gut is powerful and its instincts are rooted in my lived experiences, observations, memories and even deeply buried emotions. Some of the biggest changes in my life have followed an instinct that has led me to major decisions. Strong feelings led me to move to San Diego with friends, apply to law school, move to the East Coast from Colorado, relocate to Saratoga Springs and buy/build a house. When I leaned into these inklings, everything else fell into place relatively easilydes. I never questioned decisions based on my gut instincts and have never regretted them. In fact, they were literally some of the best decisions in my life even though they might have seemed crazy to others at the time. I also learned to trust those gut instincts when they are giving me a clear warning signal of what to avoid. When I feel uneasy about a situation, a person or a vibe, I no longer ignore it. I have learned over the years that experience has allowed me to recognize those red flags waving in the background. I understand that I need to honor my peace and remove myself. My gut is my inner compass signaling that I am not moving in a direction that is true to me. Trusting my instincts isn't just about avoiding danger, but about staying in alignment with myself. Trusting these instincts doesn't mean my gut is always right (but it does have a pretty good track record!), but it does mean it deserves to be heard. People haven't always understood some of my crazier instincts and sometimes question my choices. They may ask for explanations that I can't exactly give. Sometimes " I just know" is enough for me. Intention Matters Living My Intention to See the World Intentional living is about living your best story. - John C. Maxwell As we go through life, it pulls us in a thousand different directions. Between working, raising a family, doing all the things to stay healthy and active, day to day responsibilities, trying to stay in touch with friends and extended family...the list goes on...we can lose focus on how we want to live our life and just go on autopilot getting through each day. I often compare it to that circus trick where the circus performer has a bunch of plates spinning on poles. He gets them all going and as soon as he gets to the last one, others are starting to wobble. As he turns his attention to the wobbling plate and gets it going again, the other plates he wasn't focusing on begin to wobble. It is a never ending task and there is never time to pause to enjoy the accomplishment of getting all the plates spinning, it's just about frantically running from plate to plate to keep them all going. When living this way, life becomes more reactive than reflective. We are doing what we HAVE to do instead of what we necessarily WANT to do. Obviously when you are in the thick of your career and raising kids, this is sometimes just what is required. However, we get so used to living like this, we continue on this path even when things slow down. Unfortunately for me, once things slowed down I was left with a broken marriage, an autoimmune disease, and a lay off from my job despite all my years of hard work. After I picked myself up and brushed myself off (with a smile on my face per my advice above), I realized I needed to be more intentional about my life. I needed to not just go through the motions, but know why I'm doing what I'm doing. Whether deciding how to spend my time, who I choose to spend time with, what things I give my energy to, I needed intention to add purpose to every choice. Not everything deserves my attention, not every invitation is meant for me. I have learned to say no to things that don't align with my intentions for what I want in my life and say yes with full intention to things things that will add value to my life or support those things that are important to me. Living with intention doesn't guarantee a perfect life, but it helps me live a conscious one. I make decisions based on what feels true to me. That generally leads to less regret. I still stumble or occasionally make a decision that I am eventually unhappy with, but I know I chose deliberately and not by default. I try to make sure my choices are guided by questions like " What kind of person do I want to be?" or " What kind of life do I want to create?". These guidelines help me make thoughtful choices that lead me closer to the vision I have for my life journey. Stay In Your Lane Learning to Stay in My Own Lane Once you create your own lane, there's no traffic. - Pitbull One thing I have learned in 60 years of living is that it is exhausting trying to control everyone and everythng around you. In all honesty, I am a control freak at heart and used to spend a lot of time thinking about what everyone else was doing and inserting my opinion about what I thought was the best plan of action. I came to realize that what I really wanted to do was control my own environment and how I was impacted by others' choices. I wanted to maintain my peace. The beauty of that realization is that I can control my own environment! I just can't do it by trying to control others and what they were doing. I can only do it by making choices for myself that are in alignment with my values and reacting to others' actions by making my own choices in response. Worrying about what everyone else is doing is draining and leaves less energy to focus on my own life. Obviously, when my children were younger it was my job to worry about what they were doing and guide them in their decisions as they grew up and learned to be an adult. But even with my children, since they are now adults it is no longer my job (or my right) to dictate what they should or should not be doing in their life. Every person is on their own journey and they are the captain of their own ship. All I need to do is focus on MY journey and MY growth...essentially STAY IN MY OWN LANE. When I stay in my own lane and quit worrying about what others are doing (and whether they are doing it the way I would), my world gets peaceful and quiet. My mind isn't filled with thoughts about what I wish someone else would do or what actions I think they should take. That is not my business. It is essentially the "Let Them" theory that Mel Robbins talks about. I let the people in my life direct their journey to have the experiences they want to have. For example, I was sad when my oldest daughter, Madison, decided to move far away from me to go back to Colorado (where she was born and where my family still lives). But that is a life experience SHE wants to have and I don't get a vote. Just like my parents didn't try to control my decisions when I moved away from Colorado to San Diego and then moved away again years later to New York (this time with their grandchildren in tow). I know they were sad about the distance, but I was given the freedom to take my life where I wanted to. I want to give my children that same gift This practice is not as easy as it seems. It is so easy to jump in when someone is talking and start giving advice (even if it wasn't asked for) because I know what I would do if I was in the same situation. But realizing we are different people, with different priorities, different personalities, different history, and different intentions for our life journeys makes it easier to take a step back and just listen. Sometimes people just want a sounding board as they figure out what they want to do on their own. It is actually a relief to understand that you don't have to solve their problem, you just have to be there for them. Staying in your own lane is addictive once you get used to it! It takes the weight of the world off your shoulders when you realize you don't have to carry the weight of the world! Conclusion As I said, I am still practicing following these lessons that I have learned. Habits developed over 60 years die hard. But when I do follow these principles, I find my life flows easier, it is more peaceful and I am a generally happier person. I am sure the years ahead will give me even more wisdom as I try to age gracefully. Instead of being sad about my loss of youth, I am trying to appreciate the lessons learned, the memories made and the adventures along the way.