Christmas at the Oregon Coast – Willamette Valley Wine Tasting and McMinnville

Christmas at the Oregon Coast – Willamette Valley Wine Tasting and McMinnville

Looking for tips for Willamette Valley Wine Tasting and where to stay in McMinnville? Here are recommendations to help you make the most of your visit in the area. Starting our trip in McMinnville We celebrated Christmas with family at the Oregon Coast. Our trip 

Key West – What to Do & Where to Eat and Drink

Key West – What to Do & Where to Eat and Drink

For several years, we have been entertaining the idea of making Key West our retirement destination. I had never visited, but spent a lot of time in Gulf Shores, AL as a kid and had a strong feeling I would fall in love with Key 

2 Weeks in Italy: Historic sites, beaches, more beaches and food – Part 3 Puglia and Polignano a Mare

2 Weeks in Italy: Historic sites, beaches, more beaches and food – Part 3 Puglia and Polignano a Mare

Puglia – Polignano a Mare (swimming, boating, caves, historic villages, eating) Check out this ideal itinerary for a two week visit to Italy. A perfect combination of historic sites, beaches, family time, fantastic food and new friends. Visit Rome, Positano, and Polignano a Mare. Where 

Two Weeks in Italy: Historic Sites, Beaches, and Food – Part 2 Pompeii and Positano

Two Weeks in Italy: Historic Sites, Beaches, and Food – Part 2 Pompeii and Positano

Amalfi Coast – Pompeii and Positano (stair climbing, swimming, cliff diving) Visit Pompeii and Positano. Check out this ideal itinerary for a two week visit to Italy. A perfect combination of historic sites, beaches, family time, fantastic food and new friends. Visit Rome, Positano, and 

Two Weeks in Italy: Historic Sites, Beaches, and Food – Part 1 Rome

Two Weeks in Italy: Historic Sites, Beaches, and Food – Part 1 Rome

Check out this ideal itinerary for a two week visit to Italy. A perfect combination of historic sites, beaches, family time, fantastic food and new friends. Visit Rome, Positano, and Polignano a Mare. I conducted a lot of research and took my time planning this 

Plans for an Italian themed book club

Plans for an Italian themed book club

I love reading for pleasure.  What a great way to escape daily stress or learn about new places and cultures.  Books are even more fun and interesting when you can discuss or debate the content with friends.  What a great way to catch-up, hear what’s 

Dreaming of Italy – preparations for a cultural immersion vacation

Dreaming of Italy – preparations for a cultural immersion vacation

This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage of the seller’s profit at no additional cost to you.  Please see my Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for additional information. Buongiorno! I am very fortunate that I have 

Travel tips for a visit in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Travel tips for a visit in Gulf Shores, Alabama

I love to travel.  Unfortunately, vacation time goes by way too fast.  I have discovered that an easy way to extend the vacation experience is to spend some time doing a bit of research to organize the trip.  Virtual vacationing.  Sometimes I relax by planning 

Travel Adventures of a Research Microbiologist

Travel Adventures of a Research Microbiologist

I really love the challenge of working as a research scientist.  I invent chemical treatment programs and monitoring tools to control microbial growth (slime and odor) in paper mills around the world.  After working for over 20-years in this field, I am still blown away by