DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Spending Christmas in Andalucia Was Better Than We Expected Posted on December 24, 2023September 26, 2026 It’s a wonderful life. Winter in Europe is wonderful. Christmas Markets alight, festivals delight, and the general slow-down in the daily grind is just… right. However, not surprisingly, the temperature drops around the world. So we are in search of warmth and sunshine and we are heading south. We’re flying to Andalucia in southern Spain for Christmas this winter. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Driving the Great Lakes Route: How to Enjoy Grand Rapids in 24 Hours Posted on December 23, 2023September 27, 2026 Grand Rapids surprises with its mix of Victorian and Art Deco architecture, cozy cafes, and vibrant murals celebrating local women. Perfect for a weekend escape. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Midwest Travel: Old Oaks Winery in the Quad Cities Posted on December 21, 2023September 27, 2026 Old Oak Winery is a beautiful spot on 400 acres of rolling hills. We just moved here, so we don’t know much about the wine region, Self-described as the Napa Valley winery of the Midwest, the winery prides itself on an array of wines blended with grapes from their own vineyard as well as from Napa Valley. Actually, I had no idea they even had a vibrant wine region here in Illinois. With that said, it turned out to be a great place to learn about Midwest wine and grab something good to eat as well. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES What You Need to Know About Lavender Crest Wineryl: A Perfect Midwest Getaway Posted on December 17, 2023September 27, 2026 Lavender Crest Winery in Colona, Illinois, is a good spot to savor lunch and a glass of wine. However, following my visit, I’m left pondering the winery’s legitimacy. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the wine flight I ordered—it was pretty good. And we discovered a bottle that suited both our palates. The problem occurred when our server seemed less versed in the wines and couldn’t answer any of our questions. She took our order, handed it to the bartender, and left us to our own devices. Having had such a delightful time at Old Oaks Winery in Milan last week, we decided to explore another local winery. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES U.S.-to-Canada Road Trip: From New York to Michigan via Ontario Posted on December 6, 2023September 28, 2026 We’re finally on the last leg of our drive across America to visit family. And today, I am driving from Rochester to Buffalo and across Canada to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The drive covers most of southern Ontario, and between today and tomorrow, the drive will take me past 4 of the five great lakes. Today, the drive straddles parts of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Lake Superior is the only lake I won’t see on this road trip because it is the northernmost and westernmost of the Great Lakes of North America. The Peace Bridge is located near the center of downtown Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, separated by the Niagara River. It was one of the most scenic bridge crossings I’ve ever done. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Most Beautiful Japanese Themed Cafe: Baristro Asian Style Cafe Posted on December 4, 2023September 28, 2026 Baristro Asian Style is a perfect example of how social media can work wonders. It proves that being creative and having a solid social media presence can make a big difference. Simply put, they can charge more for what other cafes offer at a lower price. Thanks to its popularity on social media, especially IG, the cafe gets many customers who pay 80 Baht just to come in and take pictures for their personal Instagram feeds. These posts spread the word, and the cafe gets even more attention without spending a dime on advertising, effectively turning their customers into unpaid brand ambassadors. Many cafes try to do this, but Baristro Asian Style is the first one I’ve visited with a cover charge. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Spend 4 Amazing Days in Luang Prabang, Laos Posted on November 28, 2023September 29, 2026 Each itinerary is unique, but this 4-day itinerary in Luang Prabang offers a perfect introduction to one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia. From yoga in a temple with a former monk to swimming in the crystal-clear pools of the Kuang Si Waterfalls– there’s something for everyone. Ultimately, it is a condensed version of the 9-day version of our vacation to Luang Prabang that can be easily altered depending on your interests. However, with this 4-day itinerary in Luang Prabang, you will enjoy the surrounding nature, hike, get pampered, eat some good food, and more. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Scenic Route Bakery: The Ultimate Brunch Cafe in Des Moines Posted on November 25, 2023September 30, 2026 A quick road trip stop in Des Moines led us somewhere unexpected. Scenic Route Bakery combines fresh pastries, hearty lunches, and quirky Iowa decor. We settled in with coffee, a cherry Danish, and a turkey panini. See why this East Village bakery deserves a place on your Des Moines itinerary. Read more