I’ve learned that some mornings on the road feel less like exploration and more like quiet confrontation. You wake up somewhere beautiful, make coffee that may or may not exist, and realize the view outside the window doesn’t automatically answer the questions you brought with you. Episode #3 of this journey lives squarely in that space.
Innsbruck Mornings, Trento Trains, and the Weight of Asking “What’s Next” Read More »
I’ve learned that some of the most revealing moments while traveling happen before most people are awake. Not because anything extraordinary is happening, but because nothing is demanding your attention yet. In 2019, my second morning in Zurich began exactly that way … too early, slightly under-caffeinated, and quietly grateful to be awake in a city that hadn’t fully turned itself on.
Zurich at 5:30 AM: When a City Belongs to No One Yet Read More »
I’ve learned that travel doesn’t always begin when you arrive somewhere. Sometimes it begins in transit, half awake, slightly disoriented, standing in the wrong elevator, already a little behind the rhythm of a place you haven’t yet learned how to move through. That’s how this trip to Europe started for me in 2019, landing in
Zurich, First Day: Learning the Pace Again Read More »
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of posts that revisit a trip I took through Europe in 2019 — a journey that began in Switzerland, crossed the Alps by train, and eventually led me to Northern Italy. At the time, I was filming daily travel vlogs, moving quickly, responding in the moment. What I didn’t realize then was how much of that experience would stay unfinished — not undocumented, but unreflected.
Looking Back to Move Forward Read More »
Ever since I stumbled upon the enchanting tales of Istanbul’s street cats, my heart has been set on a journey to this cross-continental city, where every corner tells a story and every cobblestone is a step back in time. I long to wander through its historic streets, to sit at a café sipping Turkish tea, and to meet the four-legged locals who roam with an air of ancient wisdom.
Dreaming of Istanbul: Enchanted by the City’s Feline Charm Read More »
I had a pretty cool evening wandering around this familiar city in what turned out to be uncharted territory for me! It’s easy to fall into the tourist trap and although there is usually a list of sorts of the “must see” spots in a city like London, the challenge is to veer off the beaten path, or at the very least, the familiar path you have trekked before, to find new locations as well as new vantage points for sites and scenes you have absorbed before.
I tend to celebrate these special “views” when I get them. Sometimes it’s a crapshoot, but more than not, it works out for me! I guess I kinda plan a bit to get them to be honest. Upon check in, I usually try to let them know that I am a travel photographer and time-lapser of sorts and would really appreciate a room with a view if at all possible. Being nice to them helps!
A View from the Room – Innsbrook, Austria Read More »
Nestled where the Seine River meets the English Channel, Honfleur, France, is a captivating port town known for its picturesque beauty, rich history, and inspiring ambiance. Once a haven for impressionist painters, today Honfleur beckons travelers seeking a blend of cultural depth and serene maritime charm. This three-night itinerary unfolds the essence of Honfleur, guiding you through its cobbled streets, historic sites, and breathtaking landscapes, ensuring a memorable escapade.
A Tranquil Sojourn in Honfleur, France: A Three-Night Itinerary Read More »
Was dreaming a bit just a few minutes ago. I have personally been to Europe a few times throughout my life, but usually at a faster than suggested pace. Always trying to cram in as much as possible as some of us traveling Americans tend to do I know. Anyway, I was thinking …. what if I took a whole year to “slow travel.” You know, park myself in a place for about a week at a time, and immerse myself into the pace of that region.
A Year of European Wonders: Seasonal Itineraries for the Mature Solo Traveler Read More »
The power of lavender…..
I had never bumbled about this part of France until last year. Provence. Great food, incredible wine, lavender fields, rolling vistas….there must be something to this place to have attracted many of the great artists and writers, and I wanted to find out.
While researching this area before I left, wonderful images of vast lavender fields seemed to dominate the collections. How silly of me to realize that they are in full bloom in the early summer…of course after I arrived in September!
