Vienna, Austria is often named as one of the world’s most beautiful cities and it is quite a stunning place. But after spending a few days admiring the whitewashed perfection in this beautiful but somewhat sterile city, I was ready for a change. So, I hopped on a bus and ventured over to neighboring Slovakia […]
Three Days in Budapest – Finding the Best of Buda & Pest
Thirty-something years ago I took my first trip to Europe and began my adventure in Vienna. As I wandered the city streets and soaked up the European vibe, I kept noticing signs “Budapest – that way” or “Budapest – turn here”. I actually don’t remember exactly what the signs said, but I just knew that […]
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24 Perfect Gifts for Minimalists and Travelers
A few years ago, I left my two-bedroom condo in Tampa, Florida and became temporarily nomadic as I started over in Asia. In order to downsize my life, I donated, sold, or gifted much of my stuff. I went through suitcases full of clothes in my friend Lisa’s dining room with four of my girlfriends […]
Teaching English in Taiwan – the Inside Story
Two years ago tonight, I met some of my students for dinner at N2, a local restaurant run by a cranky old British expat named Nigel and his Taiwanese wife, Nunu. This was our final class of the semester and we voted to get out of the classroom and practice our “restaurant English” in this […]
Bruges in a Day or Two – Cheap and Free Things to do
I left Bruges almost 48 hours ago and I can still smell the waffles. Before going to Bruges, I joked about bingeing on waffles, fries, and chocolate and washing it all down with an ice cold Belgian beer. But it’s no joke. I lived on waffles, fries, and beer for almost four days. And when […]
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House Sitting in Paris & Valuable Tips to Get a Great Gig
My first visit to Paris was over 32 years ago. It was the last leg of my first European adventure which started in Vienna. I honestly don’t remember much but I think I probably liked it. My second time in Paris was 13 years ago when I met “my man” (partner…or whatever) in Paris on […]
Vienna in a Day – What to see in this cold, sterile city
Vienna was the first European city I ever visited over 30 years ago. My memories of that trip are a bit hazy, but I do remember that my luggage didn’t arrive with me so I spent the first day (or two?) walking around barefoot wearing my purple sweater dress while carrying my white pumps (really […]
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Budget Travel Tips – How I Afford Travel Without a Job
Many years ago, I was a backpacker and traveled the typical routes that the Lonely Planet guide suggested. Most of the backpackers I met on the road also traveled with a Lonely Planet book (this was WAY before the internet even existed). We often asked each other “What would Tony recommend?” referring to Tony Wheeler, […]