The mystery-shrouded Newgrange and The Hill of Tara were my main destinations on this first-time solo trip to Ireland. Wondering why? Because these two places are so deeply woven into the spirit of the country, its history, legends, and traditions that they are simply impossible to miss for the first-time travelers to Ireland, just like me! The Hill of Tara The first time I heard the name “Tara” was in “Gone with the Wind” (my Mom’s favorite movie of all time, besides the “Avengers” movies 😊). The Tara plantation in Georgia, U.S. was Scarlett O’Hara’s sanctuary; and she would do anything to keep and protect it. The name “Tara” stems…
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100 Things We Want to Do in 2020 — Free Templates Gift
A few years ago, we created our first list of “100 Things We Want to Do This Year”. Now, every December 31st we sit down and cross off all the items that we have fulfilled in the past year. Then, on New Year’s Day, we compose a new list of goals and activities for the next twelve months. This is a lot of fun, and it has kind of become a tradition in our family. Last year we shared our template with you so that you could create a list of your own. Due to popular demand, we are introducing a new template for 2020! It’s printable and free to…
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First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 3)
For as long as I remember, I’ve always dreamt of visiting Ireland. Having been drawn to its fascinating Celtic mythology, Irish folk music & dancing, and, of course the beauty of the Gaelic language, I was ecstatic when the dream of visiting Ireland finally came true. In Part 3 of the series, I am thrilled to share with you one of the day-trips out of Dublin that I took while traveling solo in Ireland. By the way, if you missed the previous posts on Ireland, check Part 1, where I cover my favorite destinations in the City, and Part 2 for practicalities — where to stay, eat, and shop in…
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Solvang, CA: Town of Sweet-Tooth Vikings
Did you know that the Danish Capital of America is actually in California? No? Now you do! 😊 Solvang is about 4.5 hours’ drive south from the San Francisco Bay Area, or about an hour drive north of Santa Barbara. And, if you are fulfilling your dream of driving along Pacific Coast Highway, it’s just a 20-minute detour inland to visit this charming Danish town of California. Solvang, meaning “Sunny Field” in Danish, was founded around 1911 by 3 Danish immigrants heading west to California to escape the colder weather back east. Their hope was to create a village for other Danish and European immigrants to settle. The warm sunny…
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Cemeteries Worth Visiting While You Are Still Alive
For some people walking among the tombstones of a cemetery can be a bit somber or unnerving. While others may enjoy the undeniable sense of calm and peace. Either way, you can’t help but wonder what stories hide behind every tombstone. For us, they are places to appreciate, not just for the serenity and beauty, but for the history as well. Here are some highlights of the cemeteries worth visiting while you are still alive. Some Cemeteries We’ve Found Intriguing Colma, California, USA – “City of Souls” Have you ever been to an actual necropolis, a “city of the dead”? If you are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, California,…
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Fun Things to Do on Pacific Coast Highway near SF Bay Area
Once you’ve found “the way to San Jose”, there are so many different options for things to do and see, both in and out of town. This post is for those of you who love hopping in the car and taking casual day-trips just to see what’s out there. On this local adventure, we drove west out of San Jose to Santa Cruz, then up the coast on Hwy 1 or the “PCH”. And now we will share our tips on the fun things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway near the San Francisco Bay Area. Seymour Marine Discovery Center Our first stop was at Seymour Marine Discovery Center.…
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First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this series, I’ll cover all the practicalities of traveling solo in Dublin: where to stay, where to eat, drink, and where to shop. I will also share some tips and tricks for the first time visitors to Dublin, Ireland. And if you’ve missed Part 1, here is a link to it. Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland Being the capital of Ireland, Dublin has a variety of accommodations for every taste and budget. As a solo female traveler, a few things had to be considered. For instance, location of the hotel & neighborhood, short walking distance to the main attractions, safety, comfort of the rooms, and…
