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Travel Reviews, Rants, Advice & Other Dispatches from the Champagne Aisle
Welcome to my corner of the internet where travel isn’t always filtered, the opinions are very much my own, and yes—sometimes the Wi-Fi still doesn’t work, even at the $1,200-a-night resort.
This blog is part postcard, part journal, part gentle (and not-so-gentle) rant space.
And because I’m a former history teacher with opinions (and zero chill when it comes to disinformation), don’t be surprised if a post about Tuscan villas is followed by something on political hypocrisy, historical context, or why it’s time to start reading beyond the headlines.
This is where travel meets the rest of life—with humor, honesty, and the occasional eye-roll.
If you’re into luxury with a wink—and a few strong opinions—you’re in the right place.
Honest reviews of hotels, destinations, and experiences—because not everything that looks good on Instagram is worth your PTO
Practical travel advice that balances smart strategy with a love for the good life
Personal reflections on travel as a way of living, connecting, and sometimes just escaping
Occasional spicy takes on travel trends, tourist behavior, and why some people should not be allowed in business class
The Latest
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Les Sources de Caudalie Review *****
Sadly, Marius and his family would not let us move in, so we grudgingly left the boy behind and continued our Spain / Andorra /…
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The Art of Staying Put in Tarbes, France
Our week in Tarbes was special for many reasons. Of course, the best part was spending a full week with the boy and meeting his…
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Why Do People Stress So Much About Vacations?
I truly don’t understand why vacations cause people so much anxiety. You’d think planning a break from real life would be the easy part. And…
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Serras Andorra Review
4.7/5 Stars Perched above the Ordino valley, Serras Andorra is a sleek, modern mountain retreat that balances design-forward comfort with the quiet drama of the…
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The Serras Hotel Barcelona Review
We began our Spanish/French vacation in Barcelona, a city we have visited many times. Traditionally, we’ve stayed in the L’Eixample neighborhood, but this time we…
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Ending the Year the Right Way: Off to See THE BOY
To finish out our year of travel, we’re heading to Spain and Southern France — with a quick stop in Andorra along the way. Of…
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Five Stars, Then a Very Long Nap: Our Safari at Garonga
I’ve been dreading writing about our safari for over a month. How do you describe something you absolutely loved, yet have no desire to repeat…
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Taj Cape Town Review
As always, I base my hotel reviews on how the property positions and markets itself. There’s no point comparing a Four Seasons with a Courtyard…
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South Africa Trip Diary- The Cape
Day 1 — Gay South Africa After 25 hours of travel, multiple connections, and more airplane coffee than any human should consume, Matt and I…
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Ethiopian Airlines Business Class Review
Overview Ethiopian Airlines offers one of the best-value business-class experiences in Star Alliance. Here’s what sets them apart: In short: full business experience, half the…
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Trip Intro: South Africa and Zimbabwe
South Africa and Zimbabwe I haven’t been blogging much over the last few months as work has been busy, and with the state of the…
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Vienna: Beauty, Luxury, and a Difficult Past
You may not be Jewish, but you probably have something, whether faith, gender, sexual orientation, or another characteristic, that some countries do not like. It…
Out And Abroad Luxury Travel 