Navigating Venice without losing your mind.

Last October Mel and I were in Paris for a few days before continuing on to Italy and Athens for a cruise. Paris has always been one of those cities where the best plan is often no plan at all - just walk and see where the day takes you. We were staying in a charming little hotel tucked into a quiet street near the Eiffel Tower. It was the kind of neighborhood that invites you to wander. Small cafes on the corners, bakeries with the scent of warm bread drifting into the stree

People often ask us how we manage to travel so much each year. The truth is, it is not because we plan more, it's because we worry less. We have only been together for the last couple of years and we each had our places we travel too. Mel lived in Sechelt BC and spent the winters in Green Valley Arizona. I had my large apartment in Borgo a Mozzano Italy and I lived there 8 months a year and 4 months in Tucson, Arizona. When we met, we knew it was going to be a challenge to f

Years ago, when I owned a woodworking shop, I used to tell the carpenters something that always made them laugh. When a tool jammed or a machine broke I would say. "You have to be smarter than the thing you are working with" It was not meant to insult the equipment. It was simply a reminder that frustration rarely solves anything. If something is not working, step back , look at it differently, and figure out how the system actually works. That advise has followed me everywhe

Fast forward to my first overseas trip; I realized I needed something sturdier. I discovered the roller suitcase – a real game-changer. With its four wheels, it made navigating busy airports a breeze. Each zip reminded me that my journey was evolving. Highs and Lows of Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage After several trips, I pondered the enduring debate: carry-on or checked luggage? On my first flight from New York to Paris, I was drawn to the convenience of checking a bag, but I