Dishing on Travel

A trip to South Africa and Victoria Falls is the stuff of dreams. The Big Five, one of the largest waterfalls in the world, and a cosmopolitan city (with penguins!) cannot be beat, and this bucket list dispatch brings you there.

I promise you there is something cool to explore close to your home, and if you go there, you'll feel like you actually got a break.

If you are a beach person, an ancient history/ architecture buff, and/or a foodie, consider a Greek cruise. I've recently returned from one and share some thoughts on it in this post. You can find insights on what to do before/after the cruise, in port, and what to eat while in Greece. If you are comfortable on a ship, cruising the Greek Isles is a practical and enjoyable way to explore.

Want to know my favorite and most-useful travel packing products right now? (The holidays are coming up!) Want to know my tricks for packing lightly? Want to know whether to roll or fold your clothing? If yes, read on!

A visit to Antarctica will change you and become your coolest (and perhaps favorite) trip of all. I answer your questions and hopefully offer some inspiration.

Even for technology phobes like me, the time has come to try using AI for travel planning. It will save you so much time and stress that you will never look back. Trust me. And, yes, I include the AI websites to try.

If you like art/ museums, great food, shopping, spas, and want to feel like you've REALLY gotten a break, visit Montreal. It has so much to offer and is relatively close (if you are starting in North America).

For those who enjoy experiencing outdoor sculpture, there's more than you might expect to see in Vermont. Read on to learn where to find them and how to make a day (or 2 or 3) of visiting them.

Lyon, France lives up to its reputation as the gastronomic center of France. Located close to great wineries and where the Saone and Rhone rivers converge, it is an epic place to visit if you love food (and wine).

While Lyon, France lives up to its reputation as the gastronomic center of France, there is so much more to experience there, and in the vicinity. Check out the ancient ruins, nearby medieval towns, and the cobblestoned streets in Lyon (with their hidden passageways).

Many people are nervous about traveling these days (especially about coming into the USA). Here are some considerations to allay those fears, which I am really sad I feel compelled to write.

Visit the maple sugar houses of Vermont during the early spring; and make a day of it!

National Park Conservation Association has identified 13 national monuments it considers at risk after a recent Interior Department order.

January is the perfect time to plot out the year. So get out your calendar now and set yourself up for a most-fulfilling year.

Tiny rural towns with more dirt roads than not personify these VT 251 towns in Vermont's North East Kingdom. Take a drive in the country!

Lose yourself in these North East Kingdom towns. They are typically small and quiet and beautiful.

Don't put off visiting these Last Chance travel destinations. They won't be around forever, and may well be gone if you wait too long.

Bucolic mountain farms, dirt roads, covered bridges, and marble describe this VT 251 foray. Check out these towns just south of Rutland.

The Islands of Vermont are located in Lake Champlain the NW corner of the state. They offer beach fun, prehistoric fossils, and log cabins!

Finishing off the Upper Valley towns of Vermont, this VT 251 post brings you beauty, charm, and farmland galore.

Bucolic VT near Rutland -- covered bridges, marble, outdoor recreation and serenity, and maple, of course!

This Vt 251 foray centered around the route from Grafton to Weston, but includes some outliers as well. Much cheese and much to see here!

Come along to the seven towns and their eight covered bridges in this VT 251 exploration into The Upper Valley (of the CT River).

If you can fit it in to your itinerary, plan to visit a farmer's market when you next go exploring -- near home or far away. Trust me.

A simple and delicious tomato sauce. It requires no skill and few ingredients and I strongly urge you to give it a try.

Read about a recent trip to the Italian hill towns in Tuscany & Umbria where the views, vistas, & food are every bit what you'd want/expect.

VT is a beer destination and Travel & Leisure has listed their top 12 breweries in the state. Read the list here and then go to the article

Signs of spring beckoned the latest VT 251 foray into northern VT farmlands. The scenery was beautiful enough to revisit in Fall.

Heading abroad this spring/ summer? I've amassed some cultural dos and don'ts to make the most of your travel to 12 destinations.

The latest installment of my VT 251 explorations. This one features two covered bridges, a maple farm, and a plethora of dirt roads.

Thinking of a road trip to Vermont? Not sure where to go? Here's my recommended route -- full of cheese, beer, and beauty!

Some great shopping ideas for you, your home, or your loved ones. There's always some gift-giving holiday coming up, right?

A primer for anyone thinking of a ski trip to Whistler with specific info on what to do and where to eat while there.

A primer on how to get your travel plans into gear for 2024. Knowing WHY, WHEN, & HOW are the keys to making that trip a reality.

Wanna see the northen lights, experience glaciers and volcanoes, and eat really, REALLY well? Then this dispatch on Iceland is for you!

This episode of VT 251 reveals for you my favorite covered bridge and Vermont's connection to Mormonism.

This episode of Vermont's 251 town exploration spans the very small, sleepy towns in southernmost Bennington county.

If you've got plans to travel, are any UNESCO Heritage Sites on your list? Need inspiration? Check out the 42 UNESCO Sites just inscribed!

Continuing my VT 251 town journey into Bennington, Sunderland, Searsburg, and Woodford.

Exploring 5 official and 3 unofficial towns in northwest Vermont as part of my VT 251 forays.

Continuing my exploration of the 251 towns in Vermont ("Vermont 251"), I bring you Manchester and Shaftsbury.

Two awesome restaurant splurges in Montreal: Restaurant O Thym & Restaurant Damas.

Dipping into Rutand County and its slate heritage.

Digital visas are coming in 2024 for travel to 30 EU countries. You'll need to plan ahead to get approval and pay for the 3 year visa.

So many great places and things to eat in and around Manchester, VT

Exploring all the towns in the beautiful state of Vermont.

Sharing memorable experiences with your young adult children (or grandchildren) can be difficult. They have their own lives and want...

Black Raspberry & Maple Swirl Creemee at Seb's Snack Bar, South Hero, VT Looks like soft serve ice cream, but it's not. It's better. Especially the maple. In summer, there are roughly 400 places across the state of Vermont to find a creemee, and should you find yourself driving/ biking/walking/ boating by one, I strongly urge you to stop and give one a try (you know, if you're not lactose-intolerant or still full from your last meal, or diabetic, or whatnot). Creemees (not