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Tag: real experiences

Why I love this New Zealand Beach Resort

Why I love this New Zealand Beach Resort

New Zealand beach communities are dotted along the country’s coast. Until recently, I thought I’d experienced the best of them – but then I found Waikanae. In a roundabout way, I have my husband to thank for this discovery. If he hadn’t wanted to spend “at least one full day” at the Southward Car Museum, […]

August 26, 2016 | Updated: August 27, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Shell Beach – Best Central CA Vacation Spot

Shell Beach – Best Central CA Vacation Spot

Shell Beach: What makes this area the perfect spot for a summer vacation? Great weather and a relatively laid-back atmosphere. Further north, coastal fog can be a problem, and in some areas to the south, beach resorts are packed in cheek-to-jowl. But Shell Beach, which is the upmarket resort area of Pismo Beach, feels quiet […]

July 30, 2016 | Updated: August 1, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Solo Travel Made Easy and Authentic

Solo Travel Made Easy and Authentic

Solo travel can be a wonderful way to see the world. For a couple of decades, I went everywhere alone and loved the independence and freedom. Even now, having married a guy who loves to travel as much as I do, I elect to do a couple of trips on my own every year. Solo […]

July 26, 2016 | Updated: July 27, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Trip Planning Help Just For You

Trip Planning Help Just For You

Trip planning making your head spin? I feel your pain. Even though I’ve been planning trips for myself and others for a long time, I still spend hours sorting out the options. It doesn’t help that I’m somewhat obsessive (ok, strike somewhat) about finding the perfect lodging and figuring out ways to avoid crowds of […]

July 12, 2016 | Updated: July 12, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Restaurants in La Jolla Shores – Part 2

Restaurants in La Jolla Shores – Part 2

Restaurants in La Jolla Shores are my favorites, and this isn’t just because they are close to our house. What I really enjoy is the sense of community that I feel when I’m there. As I think you know, La Jolla is San Diego’s favorite beach area, and there are plenty of places to eat […]

June 15, 2016 | Updated: June 15, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
La Jolla Shores Restaurants Rock

La Jolla Shores Restaurants Rock

La Jolla Shores restaurants have a special place in my heart – and not just because they’re walking distance from our house. What I really love is their casual, beachy atmosphere. San Diego tourists tend to dine a mile away on Prospect Street (AKA “restaurant row”), but locals and authentic travelers prefer the neighborhood feel […]

June 7, 2016 | Updated: June 15, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Seattle – in Two Bookstores and a Library

Seattle – in Two Bookstores and a Library

Seattle is one of my favorite cities, so I was happy to receive this guest post from Karen Adams, a talented local writer. I love her focus on a side of Seattle that tourists don’t see, but authentic travelers can really appreciate. If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald City, this post is a […]

May 24, 2016 | Updated: May 25, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Catalina Island – An Insider’s Guide

Catalina Island – An Insider’s Guide

Catalina Island – the place that’s “26 miles across the sea,” has a reputation as being touristy, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s also an authentic side to Catalina. On my last visit, I found a charming inn, a great place to eat, and a spa that truly reflects the island’s heritage – all […]

May 4, 2016 | Updated: July 28, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 5 Replies More
Yoga Poses & Blissful Retreats for Travelers

Yoga Poses & Blissful Retreats for Travelers

Yoga poses…We all have our favorites. The ones I like the best I learned from Anne Marie Welsh at the Community Center in my hometown –  La Jolla, California.   In addition to being a great teacher, Anne Marie is also an inveterate traveler, so she knows the best yoga poses for people – like you and […]

March 1, 2016 | Updated: August 7, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Air New Zealand, Santa & Our Fabulous Trip

Air New Zealand, Santa & Our Fabulous Trip

Air New Zealand made it possible for my husband Richard and me to enjoy four wonderful weeks of New Zealand summer. We left Los Angeles on December 24, 2015 and came back on January 21, 2016 – and it was all terrific. As I’ve mentioned before , I’ve spent a lot of time Down Under […]

February 1, 2016 | Updated: February 2, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 6 Replies More
Authentic Tuscany in a Day with Km Zero

Authentic Tuscany in a Day with Km Zero

Authentic Tuscany…Before I read this guest post, I thought exploring Tuscany was, by definition, a multi-day event. However, I now realize I thought that because I’ve always driven around on my own and not really known where to go. In contrast, the author of this post toured Tuscany with two very connected locals. They knew […]

October 26, 2015 | Updated: November 21, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Monterey, CA – Wildlife, Great Food & More

Monterey, CA – Wildlife, Great Food & More

Monterey is a mixed bag. At first glance, it’s not very exciting. The commercial district is chockablock with the predictable chain stores, and nearby lodging and dining options are also ho-hum. So why am I writing about this Central California city? Because the flip side is that Monterey is home to some of the best food, most authentic wildlife […]

September 29, 2015 | Updated: September 30, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Learn French, Travel With Your Tutor

Learn French, Travel With Your Tutor

Learn French while traveling with your teacher in Eastern France. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Our Parisian friend Pascale Heuzé previously shared her ideas about souvenir shopping and provided suggestions for living like a local in Paris. Now she wants to help you learn French. Read on… I’m a real French tutor living in Paris and […]

September 1, 2015 | Updated: September 2, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 2 Replies More
Eat Withlocals in Spain – Olé!

Eat Withlocals in Spain – Olé!

Withlocals….think Airbnb, but instead of authentic places to stay, Withlocals connects travelers with local chefs and authentic food experiences. A major player in the sharing economy, Withlocals was founded in the Netherlands in 2013 and expanded into Asia a year ago with the simple concept of offering an online marketplace where trusted locals can offer […]

August 25, 2015 | Updated: August 26, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 4 Replies More
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