Scotland will always hold a special place in my heart. Three years ago, after a personal tragedy forced me to move back home to Boston from Australia earlier than anticipated, I made a promise to myself that I would continue my travels regardless of the roadblocks I fa...

Ten countries and three continents later, I’ve not only learned a lot about the world, but about myself. I’ve shared some of these in small bits on Facebook, while others were written months ago at 3am, when I couldn’t fall asleep in my hostel bed. Some are practical,...

After a whirlwind six weeks travelling through Europe, I thought settling into a quiet Portuguese seaside town would be the perfect way to unwind, relax, and maybe try a surfing lesson or two, just to check it off the bucket list. What I found in Ericeira was so much m...

While researching restaurants and cafés for my month-long tour of Italy, I came across an article that mentioned the strong coffee culture that is as inherently deep rooted in tradition and custom as pasta and olive oil. Immediately, I conjured up images of Julia Rober...

When I first told people I was spending a week in Sorrento, I was met with more than a few dubious looks and some slight confusion: "Why would you ever want to spend a week in Sorrento? What will you even do?" Usually considered a pass-through city, Sorrento is both ov...

"Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone." - John Steinbeck

Steinbeck wrote of Positano in a Harper's Bazaar article published in May 1953 and nearly 65 years later, the town rema...

I only had three days in Rome, so I planned my time there more than I typically do to make sure I hit all the must-sees on my list. And I didn't make it to most of them. My pre-paid ticket for the Borghese Gallery went unused and I never did get to have my Audrey momen...

Henry James once described the northern Italian city as if "everything about Florence seems to be colored with a mild violet, like diluted wine" and Mr. James was not wrong. The terra cotta roof of the oft-photographed duomo rises above those of the neighboring buildin...

Ok, so I realize that's a strong sentiment to open with, but hear me out. Of course I recommend everyone visit this northern Italian city once in their life, if for no other reason then to admire the detailed architecture and marvel at the labyrinth of canals before th...