A G Adventures Review – An Honest Review by a Tourist
When I was planning my trip around Sri Lanka, I knew there were many places I wanted to see, and that I would be traveling solo. While Sri Lanka was a destination I had long dreamed about, I couldn’t find others willing to shell out the money and the time
Things to do in Roanoke, VA: The Star City with a lot of adventure
Roanoke, Virginia, is my hometown in some ways. We moved to the area when I was in high school (which was a fairly crazy phase in my life). I have seen Roanoke through some changes – both in it and in me. Decades ago, it felt like a boring, sleepy
Visiting Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka
I had fallen into the role of a tour guide by accident, and everyone looked at me, asking, “Are you sure the Dambulla Cave Temple is worth the visit and the stop?” And then: “Are you sure Dambulla Cave Temple is worth the walk up this steep hill?” I was
My Boys Made Me the Mom I Was Meant To Be
This post was originally published in a mothering magazine and is reprinted here with permission. I jogged along in the newly minted fall morning. I had Spotify on, tuned to my Power Beats station. Suddenly, “All About That Bass” started. As my feet adapted to the new, catchy rhythm, I
Going on an Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka
This was the adventure I was most looking forward to – and, if I can be honest, most people are envious of. I went to a remote island in Asia, tucked in the Indian Ocean, and saw elephants (many of them) in the wild. I went on an elephant safari
10 Ways to Savor Your Travel Moments & Memories
We invest so much in our trips and travels – we plan, anticipate, and spend a lot of money on them. And yet, they seem to go by in the blink of an eye. I hate the feeling of a trip ending. I rarely have excitement on returning home. I
Things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka
I am not sure what I was expecting, but after spending one day in Galle, Sri Lanka, I realized the place was very different from what I anticipated. There are not a ton of things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka, but I managed to spend a lovely day there.
How to Spend One Day in Ella, Sri Lanka
It is hard to know how to feel about Ella, Sri Lanka. I was only able to spend one full day in Ella, so I am hardly an expert. But while there, I felt incredibly comfortable and at ease. Things felt familiar to me. So what’s the problem? Ella is
What Worked for Me in 2025; What I am Taking into 2026
I don’t offer a lot of personal reflection posts anymore (that’s not what the Internet seems to want), but as 2025 has now ended and 2026 begins, I wanted to take a moment to consider the year that just, gratefully, ended. I also hesitate to reflect on 2025 because it
Best Books Round-up 2025
It’s my favorite time of year: my annual book round-up post! What were the best books I read in 2025? What books would I recommend to you? As I compiled this round-up, some things jumped out at me as surprises. And this list feels tiny this year compared to other
The Best Family Christmas Movies That We Watch Every Year (and some unpopular opinions)
Let’s stop traveling for a moment and focus on Christmas – specifically, the best family Christmas movies out there. Some of these picks will be obvious, but just for fun (and because it’s my website), I popped some very strong opinions at the end. But ultimately, these are the movies
What to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka & the Temple of the Tooth
During my trip to Sri Lanka, I knew I’d be heading to Kandy, and I was very much looking forward to it. While in general I don’t find cities as the places that move me the most when I travel, I knew that Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth
Tips to Visiting Sigiriya Rock (Lion Rock) in Sri Lanka
Prior to traveling to Sri Lanka, while planning my trip from my comfortable couch, I knew that Sigiriya Rock (also called Lion Rock) was a must on my list. Sprawling views of a wild landscape? With a bit of effort to get somewhere motors and most people don’t go? All
Things to do in Colombo, Sri Lanka – Is it really an “unlovable” city?
I arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka (the capital city) absolutely bleary from over 24 hours of travel. I held in my hand my list of things to do here, but felt near tears. In the arrival hall, my prearranged ride service was nowhere to be seen, the language barrier was
A Look Inside Fallingwater (A Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece) with Tips on Visiting
On our road trip to Cleveland and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we stopped at Ohiopyle. As I shared, Ohiopyle was a beautiful surprise all around, and we learned that it is right next to Fallingwater, the famous Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. We decided to go inside Fallingwater while we were
My Honest Review of Burn Boot Camp: Does Burn “Work?”
I love health and fitness – I love working out and moving my body. Twice now, I’ve gone to Burn Boot Camp for a few months each rotation to give it a go, and I am here to share my honest review. If we haven’t met before, I am a
Things to do in Ohiopyle, PA & Ohiopyle State Park
On our way to Cleveland this past summer, we were looking for a spot to break up the drive. After using Google Maps and travel blogs, I discovered Ohiopyle, PA. We found some things to do in Ohiopyle State Park and the sweet little town next to it. This was
Visting Sitges, Spain
During our soccer-centric trip around Spain, we had the opportunity to visit Sitges, Spain. Truthfully, we didn’t get enough time here at all. Most of our group was pretty despondent and frustrated when we learned that our group’s guide had made some decisions that shortened our time in this town.
The Best Things We Did in Madrid, Spain (even with one of us on crutches!)
Our soccer-centric trip through Spain landed us in Madrid for five days (with time for excursions to cities such as Toledo). In theory, we had time to explore. Yet in reality, we spent much of that time at soccer fields. Plus, unfortunately, life threw us a massive curveball, and we
How to Spend One Day in Cleveland, Ohio – Especially When It’s Warm!
On a quick escape road trip to commemorate the end of Summer 2025 (may it R.I.P.), we had one day to spend in downtown Cleveland. The weather was sunny and warm. The Friday we were there, people in business suits were scampering across streets to meetings, and festivals with food
What to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
When trying to figure out what to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, it is important to know that this park is different from the other national parks – there is no amazing “wow” moment, no natural features that are globally unique, no landscape that defies imagination. It is a
The Top Things to do in Barcelona (& do they really hate us)
If you’ve been following along, you know that in June, my youngest and I went on a crazy, soccer-centric trip through Spain. We had a stop in Barcelona and were looking for things to do. But given the extremely small amount of time we were given in this famous city
Things to do in Lloret De Mar & the Costa Brava in Spain
Recently, my youngest and I went on a whirlwind trip through Spain, complete with a visit to a Spanish hospital for a soccer-related injury, and tons of time enjoying all things futbal. But our first stop was Lloret de Mar, a town on the edge of the sea, part of
Things to do in Toledo, Spain (even if you only have one day)
My youngest son and I completed a whirlwind trip around parts of Spain, traveling with his soccer team and, as you may have guessed, doing all the soccer things we could. While the trip was fraught with drama and complexities (I am still processing), our one day in Toledo, Spain,
Black Bean Recipes: How to Use Black Beans Four Ways
I love easy, home-cooked meals. Years ago, when my kids were younger, I posted a popular (real mom’s) guide to meal planning. Now, even though my kids are teenagers, meal prep isn’t easier; they eat so much more! Feeding teenage boys can break the bank. Then I stumbled on this
Where to Eat and Things to Do in Downtown Bar Harbor, Maine
When Mr. Family Trip and I did our annual “parents only” trip, we had a fantastic time finding places to eat and play in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine. Bar Harbor isn’t big, but it is absolutely lovely. The main point of our trip (besides the fact that I was, in
Best Things to do in Acadia National Park (and what not to do). All the Tips You Need!
When we were planning our visit to Acadia National Park, we wanted to know the best things to do, but we also wanted to know how to navigate crowds. You may recall we had an uncomfortably crowded experience in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and weren’t eager to duplicate
Biking the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park (A How-To)
After one epic day of hiking (coming soon!), we spent the next day “resting” our legs by biking the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park. Twenty miles and three hours later, we happily sat outside next to a fire pit to enjoy a local brew in downtown Bar Harbor, with
What Stayed with Us from Things We Did in Australia – 15(+) Years Later!
We’ve been going on a trip down memory lane just a bit: check out our trip to New Zealand post. On the heels of that article, I opened our Australia files, remembering what we did in Australia and what stuck with us 15(+) years later from our time on the
What Stayed With Us From Things We Did in New Zealand 15(+) Years Later!
We had something we wanted to do before we started a family: go to New Zealand and Australia. Freshly married, so young, and DINKs (dual income, no kids), way back in 2008 we took off and landed in Auckland, ready to spend three weeks between the North Island and Australia.
Taking the Bus, in 100 Words
The challenge given to this writer: write a story in 100 words. Taking the Bus The parking lot was 95 degrees as I buckled my uncooperative preschooler in. Then her crinkled face appeared. The creases in her dark skin deepened as she caught my eye. Her wiry gray hair escaped
Which is the Best Korean Spa in Northern Virginia?
Like most modern parents, I work hard and play hard. Because of this, I have come to appreciate the value in taking a day off for wellness and restoration. Lucky for me, Northern Virginia (just a quick drive) has three fantastic Korean Spas in the area now. Each is a
Best Things to do in Placencia, Belize -Complete Guide to Visiting This Fantastic Beach Town
There are so many things to do in Placencia, Belize, that the hardest part is balancing time lounging on a beautiful beach with perfect seawater against having all the adventures you want. How often do you want to get out of the beach chair but, also, how can you pass
Things to do in Cappadocia, Türkiye
Although prior to leaving the States I couldn’t pronounce the place properly, finding things to do in Cappadocia occupied a lot of my daydreams. I was incredibly excited to see this area of the world. I had a hunch nothing else out there was like this region – and I
Hiking Rose Valley in Cappadocia, Türkiye
Prior to connecting with our Intrepid Travel tour through Türkiye, my travel companion and I spent a couple of days in Cappadocia. We were there early because we had a lot we wanted to do in this area. We got it all in (stay tuned for an epic Cappadocia post!).
Things to do in Eskişehir, Türkiye
On our tour through Türkiye, we found ourselves in Eskişehir, looking for things to do. Eskişehir was a convenient stop on our itinerary from Ankara back to Istanbul. Yet it’s not exactly a well-known tourist destination. The last statistics I can find (which are from years ago) report that around
A Parent Review: Bark Phone & Bark App – Keeping Teens Safe in the Digital World
As parents, we work hard to keep our kids safe. It was the reason for this post and we’ve already discussed internet safety for younger kids here. Now, as a mom of teens, I am here to provide a parent review of the Bark phone and Bark app and revisit
An Intrepid Travel Review – An Honest Review by a Tourist
If you’ve been thinking about booking a tour for your next trip, you might have come across Intrepid Travel, and I am here to provide an honest review based on my Intrepid tour. Known for its small-group adventures, this company boasts about their local travel experiences. My friend and I
Things to do in Ankara, Türkiye (the capital city)
While on our Intrepid Travel tour of Türkiye, we found ourselves looking for things to do in Ankara. Our tour (full review coming later, so stay tuned) provided a lot of travel infrastructure but we had significant free time to craft our day once at our destination. Surprisingly, we found
Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia,Türkiye : Is this experience worth it?
I was in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to believe this is even my life. A hot air balloon in Cappadocia! This adventure has become a classic, a legend, a bucket list item. But is paying for a hot air balloon in
Top 11 Things To Do in Istanbul, Türkiye with 48 Hours
While on our Intrepid trip in October, we ended in Istanbul. We were on the prowl for things to do in Istanbul in 48 hours (or, actually, even less!). I’ll be sharing more about how my Intrepid experience went (so subscribe), but I absolutely fell in love with Istanbul and
What to Expect Inside a Turkish Hammam (A Beginner’s Guide to the Turkish Hammam)
When I went to Istanbul last October, I wanted to try a Turkish hammam (also called a Turkish bath) but had no idea what to expect. I understood this to be culturally unique, with devotees who love the experience, and I wanted to try it. But what happens inside a
A Two week (+) Family Friendly Itinerary the Alps (lots of Switzerland!)
When I started to craft our itinerary for our huge European trip, our itinerary in the Swiss Alps, for our family it was a fair amount of work – and balance. We knew we wanted to be in the Alps but that was about it. Mr. Family Trip suggested we
What to Do Around Neuschwanstein: Hohenschwangau & Füssen Germany Ideas
This was a travel moment of magic and tear-jerking beauty for us. While in Füssen, near Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, we were exploring without a plan one beautiful summer evening. Since there wasn’t much information about this region on the Internet, we felt a phenomenal freedom to simply see what unfolded.
Book Recommendations 2024
It is time for one of my favorite yearly traditions: my annual post on books! For the past several years, I have been busting through anywhere between 50-60 books a year. I will read anything as long as it isn’t horror or something painfully depressing about the human condition (looking
How to Hike Northface Trail in Switzerland – and Visiting Mürren
Hiking the Northface Trail in Switzerland was one of our favorite adventures during our summer family tour through the Alps. While we loved the Eiger Trail, it was the Northface Trail we remember most. Of course, it was also the most difficult hike we did the entire trip (more on
What to do on a Girls’ Weekend in Miami (even if you don’t go clubbing)
It was a surprise pick: to spend our Girls’ Weekend in Miami, Florida. We had so many other tabs open on our web browsers – the Bahamas, Aruba, Asheville. We didn’t have a set destination in mind, we just knew we wanted someplace we could go to relax, be together,
Top Things to do in Innsbruck, Austria
Spending time in Innsbruck, Austria was a last-minute addition to our travels, to be honest. We wanted to make our 16-day trip around the Alps with our kids a loop. So a little piece of Austria it was! But we found that this was one place where we wished we
How to Spend a Day in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Coming to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, to Interlaken, Grindelwald, and the Alps was the driving force of our huge 16-day trip around the region with our kids. Mr. Family Trip had such exquisite memories of time here during his backpacking experience. We did epic days in the area, but Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Things to Do in Lugano, Switzerland (Where Switzerland Meets Italy)
When we originally planned our 16 day European family vacation, we were going to take a day trip to Lake Como. But, instead, we went to Lugano, Switzerland for a night and found wonderful things to do in this city. Truthfully, Lugano felt distinctly more Italian than Milan for me.