My Personal Travel Notes

 One of the greatest benefits I can offer my clients is firsthand travel experience. Every destination I visit becomes an opportunity to learn—not just about the highlights, but about the little details that can make a vacation truly memorable.

I document my travels with detailed notes on hotels, restaurants, tours, transportation, and hidden gems, so I can provide honest, candid recommendations based on personal experience. My goal is to help you avoid common travel pitfalls and discover experiences that fit your unique travel style.

Whether you're planning one of the destinations I've explored or somewhere entirely new, I'll use my research, industry resources, and personal insights to design a vacation that's thoughtfully planned from beginning to end.

 Coming Soon!

Follow along as I explore England, France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Loire Valley. I'll be sharing honest reviews, insider tips, hotel recommendations, transportation advice, favorite tours, restaurants, and the little details that can make all the difference when planning a European vacation. 

 This trip was inspired by our previous New England cruise. We wanted to return and spend more time exploring the destinations we enjoyed most, so we rented a car and created a custom road trip through some of New England's most historic and scenic towns.

Our itinerary included Asheville (Biltmore Estate), Boston, Salem, Portland, Providence, Newport, and Provincetown on Cape Cod. Spending several days in each destination allowed us to experience the local history, restaurants, and attractions at a much more relaxed pace than a cruise itinerary allows.

 If you discover destinations you love while cruising, consider returning for a dedicated land vacation. You'll experience so much more and have time to explore beyond the highlights. 

 Our Alaska adventure combined a Celebrity Summit cruise with a five-day land tour ending in Anchorage. Alaska is one of those destinations that truly deserves both experiences, as the cruise showcases the incredible coastline while the land tour provides a different perspective of the state's beautiful scenery and wildlife.

While I enjoyed the itinerary and land portion of the trip, I found Celebrity Summit to be an older ship, and rough seas were more noticeable than on some newer ships equipped with more modern stabilizers. The land tour was well organized, although there was a considerable amount of time spent traveling by motorcoach.

 Alaska is an unforgettable destination. If you're considering Celebrity Cruises, I would recommend looking at one of their newer ships if your schedule and budget allow. 

 This Canadian land tour was the perfect way to experience several of Canada's most beautiful cities before boarding our Princess cruise in Québec City. We visited Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, and Québec City, traveling comfortably between destinations by train.

One of the biggest surprises was how clean, efficient, and easy Canada's rail system was to navigate. The stations and underground areas were well maintained, and we found the locals to be friendly and welcoming. Most people spoke both English and French, making communication easy throughout the trip. The hotels, tours, and dining experiences were all excellent.

 This is a wonderful itinerary for travelers who want to experience both Canada's vibrant cities and the beauty of a New England & Canada cruise in one vacation. 

 This Caribbean itinerary visited Aruba, Bonaire, Dominica, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Antigua, with each island offering its own unique scenery, culture, and excursions. The beaches were beautiful, the weather was fantastic, and there was an excellent variety of activities both on and off the ship.

Insider Tip: Every island offers something different—from relaxing beach days to snorkeling, sightseeing, and local culture. Choosing the right excursion can make all the difference, and I'm happy to share the tours we enjoyed and recommend experiences based on your travel style.

 This itinerary is ideal for couples, families, and first-time Caribbean cruisers looking to experience several unique islands on one vacation.

 Charleston is one of my favorite U.S. destinations and a city I've visited many times. It offers historic charm, beautiful architecture, outstanding restaurants, and a relaxed Southern atmosphere. The historic district is very walkable, making it easy to explore on foot while enjoying the city's unique character.

My favorite restaurants include: Magnolias, Slightly North of Broad (SNOB), Hank's Seafood Restaurant, Fleet Landing Restaurant, and Hyman's Seafood.

Insider Tip: If you enjoy history, don't miss the Charleston Museum and the Charleston Tea Garden, home to America's only large-scale tea plantation. For an exceptional farm-to-table dining experience, I also recommend checking out restaurants near the Tea Garden.

 Charleston is an excellent destination for couples, food lovers, and history enthusiasts looking for a relaxing long weekend or as part of a larger Southern vacation. 

 This itinerary offers beautiful coastal scenery, charming seaside towns, and some of the best history in North America. One of the highlights for me was touring the famous Newport Mansions, which showcase incredible architecture, artwork, and the history of America's Gilded Age.

Insider Tip: Download the Newport Mansions app before your visit and bring your own earbuds or headphones, as they're not provided. If you're visiting on a cruise ship, expect long waits for the trolley system due to the number of visitors. Rideshare services such as Uber can often save valuable sightseeing time.

And yes...some of the best clam chowder I had during the trip was actually at local restaurants in the Canadian ports!

 This cruise is perfect for travelers who enjoy history, coastal scenery, seafood, and a more relaxed pace. 

 I sailed with Virgin Voyages as part of my ongoing research as a travel advisor to better understand the ship, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and overall guest experience.

Virgin Voyages offers a modern, adults-only cruise experience with a lively atmosphere and unique entertainment. While the service was excellent and our ports of call were enjoyable, I found the overall style of the cruise wasn't the best fit for my personal travel preferences.

The XL Balcony cabin felt somewhat smaller than comparable balcony cabins on other cruise lines I've sailed. While the specialty restaurants were enjoyable, I thought the casual dining options offered a more limited selection than I expected. The ship also has a very energetic social atmosphere centered around bars, music, and pool activities.

Virgin Voyages is an excellent choice for travelers looking for an adults-only cruise with a vibrant nightlife and contemporary atmosphere. If you prefer a more traditional cruise experience or are traveling with children, another cruise line may be a better fit. I'm happy to help you determine which cruise line best matches your travel style.

 This itinerary was an excellent introduction to the Western Mediterranean and included iconic destinations such as Florence, Genoa, and several beautiful coastal ports. We upgraded to a Suite, which provided additional space and several worthwhile benefits that enhanced the overall cruise experience.  The itinerary offered a wonderful overview of the region and helped us identify destinations we'd love to return to and explore in greater depth during a future land vacation.

 If you're considering a Mediterranean cruise and aren't sure which itinerary or cabin category is best for your travel style, I'd be happy to share what we learned and help you choose the option that's right for you.