Travel
Taking you on a journey with me.
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Italy 2026 Days 7 and 8 of Trip
It’s very early on a Sunday morning here in southern Tuscany as I sip tea on the veranda of our apartment at La Selvella. I am processing or attempting to process the two days we just experienced. I listen to the birds sing and chirp to each other and cherish the crisp morning air as the sun makes its presence known as it peeks over a nearby Tuscan hill. This place is so peaceful and beautiful. Due to three blisters on my feet and the fatigue in our legs we are not hiking the full 20 miles to Proceno. Instead, we took a morning transfer to Ponte a Rigo, shortening our hike to 10 miles. I…
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Italy and the Via Francigena – Days 1 and 2 – May 18th and 19th
This trip will be the first of many father-son trips I hope to take with each of my sons every three years. Davis chose this itinerary based on a trip we took thirteen years ago. That trip, the first my family took to continental Europe, took us to parts of France and Italy before spending time in Tuscany. One of the small towns we explored was Monteriggioni, nestled between the cities of Florence and Siena. While in Monteriggioni, Davis and I ventured out and discovered a portion of the famous Via Francigena – a historic, 1,200-mile pilgrimage route stretching from Canterbury, England, to Rome, Italy. Thirteen years ago while…
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Preparing for Via Francigena and Rome 5.9.26
Thirteen years ago, my family and I took our first trip to continental Europe. We had been to the British Isles several times, but our trip in 2013 was our first to the continent. We landed in London and took the Chunnel to Paris. After a few days in Paris, we took the train to Colmar, spent some time in Alsace, before taking a train through Switzerland to Milan, Italy. We then spent the rest of our trip in Northern Tuscany with time in Florence, Lucca, the Mediterranean Coast and the small walled hill town of Monteriggioni, nestled between the cities of Florence and Siena. While in Monteriggioni, Davis and…
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Things to do in Boston and Maine 5.8.26
I put this together for some of Elizabeth’s friends who are traveling to Boston and Maine soon. I thought I would share it with you. F First of all, Boston has been one of my favorite cities to visit even before Davis and Bridget lived there for 7 years and before our grandchildren were born there. It is a big city that feels like a small city, but has all the culture of a large city. Brookline This is where Davis and Bridget lived for 7 years. Just west of Fenway Park, Brookline, and especially Coolidge Corner is a great little area to walk around in. Davis and Bridget lived…
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Disney April 2026 – Day 3 – Hollywood Studios
Dear Liza Jean and James, Day three of our Disney trip started out sleeping in a lot later – 7:30 a.m. because Hollywood Studios does not open for early entry until 8:30 a.m. The first thing we did when we entered the park was to rent a double stroller instead of single so that James could also enjoy getting pushed around. James, although you did a great job of walking the entire day at Animal Kingdom, we could tell you got a little tired. With our double stroller secured, we headed to the far end of the park and rode Alien Swirling Saucers, which I enjoyed more that I thought…
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Disney April 2026 – Day 2 – Animal Kingdom
Dear Liza Jean and James, When Gizzy started planning this trip, she quickly decided that we would visit three Disney Parks – Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom on the last day. We learned some things many years ago when we took your dad and uncles to Disney World. First, you stay on property, you go to the Parks early, stay only through the morning or early afternoon, and then go back to the hotel to rest. If you stay too long, you get very tired. And that is no fun! And if you have the energy, you can always go back in the evening. You both love animals,…
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Disney April 2026 – Planning and Day 1
Dear Liza Jean and James, Your Mom is about to take the most important Medical Board Exam of her professional career. It is all oral with questions coming from a panel of experts in her field. And she must fly to Dallas to take it. She has been studying months for this exam and her most intense studying will occur during James’ spring break from pre-school. As a result, your mom and dad asked if we could keep you during that week. Gizzy The Great accepted the responsibility under one condition – that we take both of you to Disney World that week. And so, we are going to Disney…
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Peru Trip 2025 – Days 10 to 13 – Final Days
Our Lama Shepherd who let her lamas hike with us On day 10, the day after our visit to Machu Picchu, we took an early train for a last 1.5 hour scenic ride through the Sacred Valley of Peru. Arriving in Ollantaytambo, we then took a 2-hour van ride to the southern end of the valley back to Cusco. Back in Cusco we walked through the charming San Blas neighborhood to reach our lunch spot, Pachapapa. After lunch, I walked around on my own and did some shopping. In Cusco there are so many opportunities to part with your Des Soles! Once the center and capital of the Inca Empire,…
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Peru Trip – 2025 – The Sacred Valley
I spent five days of my Peru trip in the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley, located between Cusco in the South and Machu Picchu in the north, is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich Inca history. As the vital agricultural and strategic center for the Inca Empire, the region features impressive ruins like the fortress of Ollantaytambo and the terraces of Pisac and Moray, and most impressive of all, Machu Picchu. The valley is carved by the mighty Urubamba River and surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, offering breathtaking scenery, which I would see while hiking the Inca Trail. Peru – Day 5 – First Day in the Sacred…
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Peru – Day 3 – Oct. 18th
This morning I flew from Lima to Cusco – from sea level to 11,300 feet. The approach into Cusco was spectacular. At times we were flying between two mountain ranges – truly cool! On taxi ride to the hotel, I saw a vendor walking among the cars in the traffic selling soft drinks, bottled water and rolls of toilet paper. I saw this practice in Lima as well. Evidently, as a cultural practice in some countries, it is common for public toilet facilities to provide only a toilet, and for people to bring their own paper or purchase some from a nearby vendor for a small fee. For example, in some parts of China,…