It’s on many bucket lists. A family trip to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is after all, the largest living thing on Earth, even visible from outer space. The reef is made up of over 2900 individual reefs, 600 continental islands and 300 coral cays. It was the ultimate family vacation. Just the four of us traipsing through Australia. It was probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip, at least with all of us together, so…

Thinking of moving abroad with kids? When my kids were just 7 and 9 years old, I packed them up from their cushy Florida lifestyle and moved them to Milan, Italy as expats. As if uprooting them from their friends was not enough, I was also taking them from the wide open beach lifestyle to a high-rise building in the city. No skateboards or biking allowed. It was a pretty selfish decision on my behalf.…

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live abroad as an expat, a Diplomat, I’m about to spill my secrets. Aside from the Diplomatic passport (best souvenir ever!), there were many perks to being an expat. I’m the adventurous one, so when my husband had an opportunity to move to Milan, Italy for work with the government, I had us packed up before he could say “no”. My kids were only 7 and 9…

I lived in Milan for more than two years and despite its reputation as a high-powered business destination, there really are a few great sites to see, especially on a quick layover in Milan. For most, it’s just a layover destination as they connect to Venice or Florence. But here are a few reasons why spending a day in the world’s fashion capital is worth it. Milan, a city in northern Italy and the capital…

When I was an expat living in Milan, Italy, Tuscany became our escape from the hectic city life. After a few visits, we felt like “locals”, and preferred renting a villa in Tuscany over staying in a tourist hotel. That’s when I discovered the agriturismo concept, which is the best way to experience Tuscany. What is an agriturismo?Agriturismi are accommodations located on working farms in Italy. The term is derived from the Italian words “agricoltura”…

You don’t have to get out of town to unwind and unplug. The perfect staycation is all about pretending that you’re on a relaxing, exotic vacation. Imagine all the things you would do on a luxury vacation and simply do them in your own town. We may think we know our neighborhoods inside and out, but the reality is, there are certainly areas of our own cities we’ve yet to explore. Here’s how to have…

Don’t let this year’s summer road trip be “the one that got away.” Opt for a throwback Southeast road trip, kicking back at a few fish camps along the way. Originally a place for fishermen to hang their waders for the night and fry up their daily catch, today’s fish camps . still offer some of the best fishing, but also the best eating. Their no-frills accommodations are often overlooked as great places to stay,…

You might be surprised to know that Mardi Gras lasts much longer than the 5-day New Orleans grand event. For some, Mardi Gras lasts all year long, especially those responsible for building the vibrant, iconic floats for the parades. The magic happens at Mardi Gras World where more than 500 floats are built and housed for the 35+ Mardi Gras parades that happen each February. Thirty full-time artists and 300 seasonal artists work 365 days…

I recently spent a couple of days at the Holman Ranch, Central California’s version of an adult playground. The ranch covers 400 acres of sheer beauty in the Carmel Valley, the perfect place to unplug and get lost in your thoughts. The ranch, originally owned by the Mexican government, changed hands a number of times before its purchase by the Holman Family in 1940. The Holmans purchased the estate to honor the rich heritage and…

Because I lived in Italy, people are always asking for my advice on where to go and what to see in their Italy trip planning. I pulled several emails I’ve sent over the years and culled all of my advice into this post. The first thing with Italy trip planning is to figure out the region you want to visit. Much of your trip planning will also depend on how much time you have. My one…