It seems like so many luxury resorts and cruise lines have all added concierge-level amenities that offer everything from butler services to elevated experiences. I sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima, one of the brand’s new luxury class cruise ships, to experience their concierge offering, The Haven. I’m not a fan of the mega-cruise ships but the Prima is different. Even though it accommodates 3,100 guests, it feels much more intimate because of some cool …

Who doesn’t love Aruba? I mean, it’s got a little bit of something for everyone. It’s a top destination for summer vacations since it is outside the hurricane belt, a surprise to many people! Last time I was there was in the winter months (my favorite time to go) so I was excited to go back and explore a bit more of the island, and a new resort on Eagle Beach Aruba. READ MY ISLANDS.COM …

Most of you know that I’ve been helping to take care of my mom since her stroke 30 months ago. Those first few months were nothing short of horrendous. I didn’t know the stress I was under nor did I know the signs of caregiver burnout. According to AARP, as many as 41 million of us are caring for our adult family members. It’s not a role I ever planned for so I was completely …

Following a bout with the dreaded Covid, I was feeling really sluggish so I went to visit my functional health medicine doctor at the Mayo Clinic. My chief complaint was feeling tired all the time, but also some recent stubborn weight gain (could be menopause, could be all those pandemic hot dogs). His prescription? The Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet (Prolo FMD). He said that he and his wife do it four times a year just …

I love exotic travel (you know that from reading my blog) but you might also be surprised to know I love a simple, laid back beach vacation. And Mexico is always at the top of the list, partly because it’s so easy to get to. I first visited the Live Aqua Resort Cancun on a girls’ trip years ago. I loved it so much, I took my husband back for a pandemic escape.Live Aqua Beach …

File this under “Things I’m not proud of but sharing in the interest of my fellow (wo)man”.  I think of it as me taking one for the team, the I-want-to-look-younger team. You might think 2020 is a cluster of a year, but 2019 was my year of the personal crisis. I always felt pretty good about myself. I ate well, exercised (sometimes), took care of my skin (sometimes), and did not feel my ripe old …

I’m a foodie and beef is my comfort food. There. I said it. BUT, as a volunteer with the ASPCA and a HUGE animal advocate, I’ve learned so much about commercial farming practices that I’ve decided to eliminate, or seriously stem, animal products from my diet.  So I wanted to share some of my insights with you about raising animals for food and eliminating meat from your diet.  I’ll stop short of saying I’m going …

Yeah, I travel a lot. A LOT! But what you don’t see in my cheeky posts is that I’m a very anxious traveler. I mean a full blown stress ball! I’m usually popping some anti-anxiety meds a few days before my trip because my stomach is literally in knots. And as an OCD trip planner, there are some things I do to try and eliminate any situations so I can enjoy stress-free travel, especially when …

Cancun is perhaps Mexico’s most famous playground. But if you want to get out of the Spring Break-style beach party crowd, head south to Riviera Maya. While the cancun resort map looks enticing, plan to escape to a more chill destination. Hospitality brand Grupo Xcaret has opened three luxury Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts (two with AAA 5-Diamond status) that are stunningly beautiful and unique. Xcaret translates to “small inlet” in the Mayan language. These properties …

If you’ve been dreaming of exploring Europe in style, there’s no better way than aboard a luxury river cruise. Recently, I had the opportunity to sail on the Riverside Mozart, one of the finest vessels offered by Riverside Luxury Cruises. This luxury river cruise line has quickly become a standout in the European market, offering an unparalleled experience that blends personalized service, spacious accommodations, and unforgettable excursions. In this guide, I’ll share why Riverside Luxury …