DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES 24 Hours in Paris: My First Trip and What Made It Special Posted on October 27, 2016April 22, 2026 As long as I live there are a few things I will never forget. I will never forget the day I met my husband or the day my children looked into my eyes and knew who I was. The first time my husband left for war was the worse. And I will never forget the first time I saw Paris. Never. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES What Makes German Etiquette So Unique: Lessons from Our First Day Posted on December 18, 2015November 15, 2025 Every country has its quirks, peculiarities, social etiquette that contributes to its overall culture. Some are reasonable, some from an outsider’s perspective, can seem odd. But it’s adopting these habits into daily life, even if only temporarily, that make living abroad fun, rewarding and unpredictable. Some, like eating pizza with a fork, is just eating like a local. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES What Makes Spending Christmas on the Costa del Sol So Special Posted on November 26, 2015July 23, 2026 Christmas in Spain is a magical experience. Our journey along the Costa del Sol heightened that charm. The coastal highway revealed sun-kissed beaches and picturesque communities, each with their own unique allure. Among them, Marbella stood out for its elegance and sophistication. Its upscale vibe added a touch of luxury… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Spending Christmas in Seville Was Better Than We Expected Posted on November 26, 2015December 26, 2025 We spent 4 days and Christmas in Seville. We were told we would be closed. However, we were pleasantly surprised and delighted to find they were wrong during Christmas in Seville. Initially, we were warned that many establishments would be closed during the holiday period. However, to our pleasant surprise,… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Spending Christmas in Córdoba, Spain Felt So Special Posted on November 26, 2015December 26, 2025 There were more than 1,000 mosques in Córdoba during the 10th century and the Mezquita was the most magnificent of them all. More than half a million worshippers prayed alongside the jasper, marble and granite columns that fanned out like a grove of orange trees. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Christmas in Spain: The Magic of Granada and the Alhambra Posted on November 26, 2015December 26, 2025 I’ve spent Christmas in a lot of places, but Granada stands out. From the start, it felt different—lively streets, beautiful views, and so much history all around us. Things didn’t go exactly as planned. We missed our flight, lost our tickets, and ran into a few surprises. But that’s what… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Missing Our Flight to Granada Made Our Christmas in Spain Even Better Posted on November 26, 2015December 20, 2025 Road Trip in Spain I made the amateurish error of packing late into the night before travel and incorrectly setting the alarm for 5 p.m. instead of 5 a.m. I woke up in a panic at 6:30 for a 7:30 flight. It would cost us an additional $400 and a… Read more
MILITARY LIFE & TRAVEL Baumholder Military Life: What Made Our German Apartment So Special Posted on October 15, 2015December 30, 2025 Don’t get me wrong, I loved our little apartment in Baumholder, but that town was well-known for its contrary weather. We fondly and not so fondly referred to it as the rock. We lived in an old stone mansion that had been renovated into four large apartments. We shared the second floor with a retired German officer. The first floor was split between a US Major and his wife. Across the hall was a 90+ year old German widow. Read more