There’s nothing worse than preparing for a trip and traveling across an ocean only to find the typical “ugly American” checking into the same hotel or travel tour as you. According to a recent article in Forbes, the ugly American stereotype is “a major headache for executives traveling the globe to build relationships not destroy them.” This image is bad for our economy too.  Read more>

I just couldn’t handle it. The hot smelliness of the Paris Metro was way too much to deal with in June. The sheer numbers of people piled into the trains – billions of tourists, locals and everything in between – made for challenging commuting conditions, euphemistically speaking.  Read more>

Now that September is rolling in, not only will you beat the heat, but you’ll find some of the best deals of the year for Vegas, baby! How about two-for-one shows at Rio, upgrades and amenities at The Venetian, or the celebrity hot spot, Palms, for just $69 per night. This is the best deal for a weekend getaway you can find!  Read more>

While traveling abroad is exciting, coming home to stand in long Immigration lines can be exhausting. All you internationalli’s (my favorite term for us frequent international fliers) have been looking for a solution for ages. I have two words for you - Global Entry.  Read more>

Normandy by the Sea 

I’ve needed a break from Paris for a bit now. How can that be? In my fantasies, I never imagined I’d tire of the City of Light with all her culture, her poise, her beauty. But lately all the noise, hustle and pollution has seemed to be too much for me. I was getting pretty edgy for a breather and had a long weekend coming up.  Read more>

Kids, dogs, the occasional fast food eaten in the car…if you’re on the go and you want to protect your car seats then the Kurgo CoPilot is the way to go for good looking, durable and classy seat covers and other pet car products.  Read more>

Give Back While You Explore

I often scour the internet looking for the best deals for all those places I’m dying to see: Nepal, Patagonia and West Africa. However, when I think of what’s going on lately (the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, unemployment and our economy), travel seems a bit selfish.  So, it occurred to me to turn selfishness into selflessness. Why not give back while I see the world?  Read more>

A Country Fair in France

Chateaus - here I come! My second overnight adventure outside of Paris took me to the Loire Valley where there are many very beautiful castles.  Read more>

A Meditation on International Understanding and Designer Lips

So what is culture shock, anyway? I sure can’t tell you, but, just for kicks, let’s you and I explore the following paradigm:  Read more>