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Rene in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Bioluminescent Beaches and 4 excursions to take in Puerto Rico

Where’s a U.S. island that’s exotic, affordable, historical, and within a few hours flight of the U.S. that isn’t overcrowded? It might seem unrealistic, but it’s not! It’s Puerto Rico. Beaches, lagoons, a rainforest, surfing, scuba, snorkel, boating, islands, mangroves, historic sites … Puerto Rico has it all. Here are four things I tried while I was there that you should definitely cross off your own list. Bioluminescent Bay Have you ever seen natural, glowing neon blue water? You can...

Moulin Rouge, Paris France

More Than Crepes and Towers: 6 excursions to take near Paris, France

If it’s your first time visiting Paris, I envy you. If you’ve been many times, I envy you too. Ah, the city of Love. There’s none other like it. I could spend days roaming the museums, monuments, and streets of the 1st arrondissement. It’s so iconic, so beautiful you actually have to breathe deeply to steady yourself as you take it in. Paris is the kind of place you want to absorb into your being. Just having been there, you’re...

Rene in front of the gates at Graceland

Should You Visit Elvis’ Graceland and Tupelo Homes? Yes.

Ever since childhood, Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis was Always On My Mind. The swinging hips and curling lip and knowing eyes filled me with Burnin’ Love. Even though he was long gone before I learned to talk, much less know music, it was only a matter of time until I made my Way Down to Rock and Roll mecca. Put on your Blue Suede Shoes, grab your coat and let’s start walking down memory lane. Let’s Rock, Everybody Let’s...

Seville, Spain

Top 5 Cities in Spain are just a Train Ride Away

Spain is a country of many unique cities, each with its own distinctive character and history. Lucky for us, they’re also one of those countries that make it easy to city hop and see various places while enjoying their great food, art, architecture, and culture. My daughter, Autumn and I went to see what it was all about. Here are five places we visited without ever renting a car. 1. Madrid The beauty I saw in Madrid came from this...

Bruges, Belgium waterway

10 Reasons Bruges, Belgium is Worth Visiting

Somewhere in between the Netherlands, France, and Germany lies the city of Bruges. This little canal city is especially unique because it takes on many of the best characteristics from each country surrounding it. Not only that, but it is also one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and it’s just a few hours drive outside of Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris. Culture, Art & Architecture Bruges’s entire egg-shaped historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site deemed to be...

Key West sailboat in the sunset

7 Things to Do in Key West Starting at the Overseas Highway

Driving the Overseas Highway to Key West is among the most epic drives you can take in the United States. Key West was also home to prolific American writer Ernest Hemingway, so, for me, it was a no-brainer – road trip time! My daughter Autumn and I flew to Miami and rented a car to drive the Overseas Highway on U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys. The highway leads you over 100 miles directly into the Atlantic Ocean and...

Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

Four Amazing Places to See in South Dakota

There are feats of nature and feats of man. Both are found side by side in South Dakota. I don’t know how Mt. Rushmore was conceived, but I imagine a bunch of men gawking at a beautiful mountain and thinking, “Huh, wouldn’t it be cool if we carved some faces there? Do ya think we can get the government to pay for it?” That’s not far from the truth, actually. It was intended to get attention to increase tourism to...

Detroit Architecture

15 Types of Detroit Architecture Worth Seeing

Detroit architecture has had a rebirth over the last few years. Many historic buildings have been revitalized, restored and are being celebrated anew. Do not miss these notable examples while you’re exploring in and around downtown. David Whitney (downtown) This white triangle-shaped building was named for the wealthy lumber baron who commissioned it. Designed by Daniel H. Burnham & Co., this Neo-Renaissance sex pot of glazed terra cotta was restored in 2014. The building, once offices, is now part residential,...