Epic Global Adventures

A few of you have asked why I do what I do–what makes me, as a travel advisor, different? Here’s the short version;) Both my parents immigrated to the United States and taught me by example to not only embrace “new” and “different”, but to seek it out, in order to truly own my experiences. This actually became my way of life: Between the ages of 0-18, I lived in 14 different places. I spent every summer of my childhood living with family (whom I continue to visit frequently)

(If you haven’t read My Vietnam Experience Parts 1 and 2, please start there!) This post offers random snapshots of our brief time in Hai Phong, Vietnam … In the open-air eateries, these were the tables and chairs. At street vendors, they put these right out onto the sidewalks, causing you to have to walk around them–which meant stepping into the busy street. A couple of snaps of the food market; Ava in front of the Hai Phong Opera House; plein air shaving service. The Vietna

(If you haven’t read My Vietnam Experience Part 1, please start there!) The most fabulous experience I had in Vietnam was this … Ava needed a haircut. Badly. As we were walking back to the hotel, she spotted an upstairs salon that looked nice and said, “Let’s get me a haircut!” “Here? In Vietnam?” “Why not?” Why not, indeed. We saw the shoes at the bottom of the stairs, so we left ours there too, on the side of a very busy sidewalk, and walked up into the salon. After 15 minu

I took this photo at sunset on Ha Long Bay–no filter, no post-processing! When I visited my daughter, Ava, while she was studying in Bangkok (fall of 2019), we took a weekend to visit Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Ha Long Bay has intrigued me for as long as I can remember, and I NEVER thought I would actually get there—or even have the chance to go. So as soon as I had booked my trip to Thailand, I booked our trip to Vietnam–since I was going to be in Southeast Asia, I HAD to make

Small group travel, hosted by Ilse! Immerse yourself in Vietnam’s mesmerizing culture and momentous history on a journey from the emerald mountains of the north to the sun-drenched beaches of the south. Discover a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the imperial city of Hue and mystical Ha Long Bay. Glimpse rural life on a hike through idyllic Mai Chau Valley; enjoy a cyclo ride through the heart of bustling Hanoi; and descend into the famed Cu Chi tunnels, whe

BREAKING: Boeing 737 Max Has A New Issue and 16 Airlines Are Grounding It: “Boeing just sent this news release out, which stated: ‘Boeing has recommended to 16 customers that they address a potential electrical issue in a specific group of 737 MAX airplanes prior to further operations. The recommendation is being made to allow for verification that a sufficient ground path exists for a component of the electrical power system. We are working closely with the U.S. Federal Avia

Small group travel, hosted by Ilse! View Itinerary SNOWSHOEING IN TRANSYLVANIA! If you love winter and traveling off the beaten path, then this trip is your dream come true! Transylvania – the name alone conjures up images of craggy mountains, gothic castles, horse drawn carts and forests filled with hibernating bears. The reality is not that far off. Crisp winters add an extra dimension to this small corner of Europe, as snow blankets the pastures, farmsteads and woodlands.

Small group travel, hosted by Ilse! SNOWSHOEING IN TRANSYLVANIA! If you love winter and traveling off the beaten path, then this trip is your dream come true! Transylvania – the name alone conjures up images of craggy mountains, gothic castles, horse drawn carts and forests filled with hibernating bears. The reality is not that far off. Crisp winters add an extra dimension to this small corner of Europe, as snow blankets the pastures, farmsteads and woodlands. Spend a week ex

UK Administers First COVID-19 Vaccinations: “British regulators approved the Pfizer shot Dec. 2, and the country has received 800,000 doses, enough to vaccinate 400,000 people. The first shots are going to people over 80 who are either hospitalized or already have outpatient appointments scheduled, along with nursing home workers and vaccination staff. Others must wait, and health officials have said that those who are most at risk from the virus will be vaccinated in the ear

US, Mexico, Canada Border Closure Extended Another Month: The land border closure between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico has been extended through the end of December and could last even longer as America continues to see increasing COVID-19 cases. By Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure Qantas Airlines Will Require Passengers to Get COVID-19 Vaccination Before Flying: While Qantas is the first airline so far to hint at COVID-19 vaccination requirements, it might not be the last. After

US, Mexico, Canada Border Closure Extended Another Month: The land border closure between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico has been extended through the end of December and could last even longer as America continues to see increasing COVID-19 cases. By Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure Qantas Airlines Will Require Passengers to Get COVID-19 Vaccination Before Flying: While Qantas is the first airline so far to hint at COVID-19 vaccination requirements, it might not be the last. After

*I don’t receive any compensation for these recommendations* For saving space in that tiny quart bag for liquids: Disposable/dissolving sheets of shampoo, conditioner, body/hand soap, laundry detergent, shaving cream; no more repacking used bars of soap! Or, if you still love your bars, have you tried shampoo and conditioner bars? For your favorite scent, deodorizer or bug spray, bring a refillable atomizer or an empty spray bottle and a selection of essential oils to dilute

*I don’t receive any compensation for these recommendations* For saving space in that tiny quart bag for liquids: Disposable/dissolving sheets of shampoo, conditioner, body/hand soap, laundry detergent, shaving cream; no more repacking used bars of soap! Or, if you still love your bars, have you tried shampoo and conditioner bars? For your favorite scent, deodorizer or bug spray, bring a refillable atomizer or an empty spray bottle and a selection of essential oils to dilute