Stories, tips, & joy.

Maps have always been a way to share stories. They’re advice from one traveler to the next to go this way and see that there. We often take their storytelling purposes for granted as we rush to get from point A to B. When you think about it, a map can reveal a lot about…

Chicago is a great place to live and visit. It’s my husband’s hometown and a place I was lucky to call home for about two years back when I worked in TV news. Now that we’re back living in the Midwest and it’s only a 4 hour drive or train ride to Chi-Town, we enjoy…

Bill Bryson has a humorous outlook on life. Much like David Sedaris, I have enjoyed his work especially by audiobook, a friend telling you a good tale from their latest adventure. But when I saw Bryson’s Notes From A Small Island for a dollar at the thrift shop, I decided it was time to read…

There are so many cool things to do on the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor central campus that cost zero dollars. And not just for students, faculty and staff. They’re for everyone, locals and visitors alike. Take advantage of these five free yet awesome things, no matter if you’re in town for a few hours…

Romance… in the way of a love affair with a book or a dream of going to your long-awaited goal city that you’ve been drooling over on Instagram for years. That’s what the Hotel du Danube in Paris’s desirable Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood is like. The location (6th arrondissement, Left Bank/Rive Gauche), the beds,…

Start in the Tuileries First things first – Coffee and a stroll. Head to Jardin des Tuileries. Explore the free sculpture gardens, flowers and lovely paths. Grab a café au lait and sip as you admire. (Yes, they have to go cups, people like to act like Parisiennes don’t do to-go, but they do.) There…

I have a family of five, which has always made travel… interesting (read: stressful to book, but if I put in enough research, all turns out well and we have a great trip). When the kids were little, the three of them could fit in one queen bed together while my husband and I got…

Óbidos, Portugal is a shiny gem in the middle of Portugal for anyone who loves books, writing and really cool things. You don’t have to take our word for it – UNESCO agrees and granted it elite “Literary City” status, one of only 53 across the whole world. Here are six points of interest, conveniently…

Did you know that there are plenty of ways to get into museums in Lisbon and the surrounding local areas for free? Yup, and most of them don’t involve having to buy the Lisboa Card either. The Lisboa Card can potentially be a good deal, depending how you stack your trip and what all you…

I’m smitten. The azure sea, golden sands, views equal in loveliness with the people, and incredibly easy commute to and from Lisbon all make Cascais a “must visit” in Portugal. First, let me just say, if you can spend even one night in Cascais, do it! We didn’t and I really wish we would have.…