Category: Travel

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A Few of My Favorite Things for Travel

Planning the perfect trip is not an easy task. Neither is packing for the perfect trip and least of all traveling on said trip. But, there are a variety of items and apps that can make these tasks so much easier! In this post, I’ve complied a few of my favorite things for travel. I hope they become some of your favorites too!

Luggage and Packing

Let’s start with luggage. For an easy get-away I prefer to use the largest (and lightest) carry-on as possible. Luggage size varies depending on the airline so, to play it safe I use a case no bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches. My current suitcase is the Tumi V4 22-inch Expandable Spinner Carry-On. With spinner wheels, TSA lock and weighing in at just 7.1 lbs this case is super easy for me to handle. I also use the Tumi tote bag (matching of course) which I absolutely love because its got plenty of pockets for organization and an easy luggage sleeve that fits perfectly on my suitcase. Now for packing!

First of all I love to use the PackPoint app when prepping for a trip. This app will organize what you need to pack based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip. You can also customize the templates. I also use Pinterest for inspiration for outfits. Just type: in something like, “packing for Italy in the spring” and see what comes up! Things that are always on my packing list are my , sleep mask, travel charger, and my airpods The two modes of listening on the airpods, noise cancelling and transparent, are invaluable.

Two things that changed my life when packing are packing cubes and YouTube. A set of packing cubes is a must! Duchamp has a good set. Fold your clothes as small as possible and place in a cube. When you arrive you can use the cube as a drawer! A video I watched on YouTube was another game changer. A trip savvy girl showed me how to wrap each of my shoes individually in plastic store bags and then fit into the suitcase. I let go of trying to keep shoe mates together in the suitcase and place individual shoes in areas like the dips between the ribs of the hard case cover which created so much more space for packing. I mean they are all going to the same place! I should also mention my new friend, the hat carrier. Never will I wear a smashed hat again!

My favorite toiletry bag is the TUMI Voyageur Madeline Cosmetic Bag. This bag combined with 1.5 oz Soft Silicone Travel Bottles ensures that you will have all of your necessities on hand. For added fun, I used my Cricut to create labels for each of my travel bottles so I can easily find what I need. Please note that if you are carrying on you WILL need to transfer all of your liquids and gels into a clear 1-quart bag. This is commonly known as the 3-1-1 rule: “Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.” (TSA/Travel/FAQ)

“Cricuted” labeled toiletries in Tumi Voyageur Cosmetic Bag

Travel Apps

I already mentioned PackPoint and Pinterest but there are a few other apps on my favorites list. Most of these apps are only available for a smartphone.

  • Soduku + – I love this numbers puzzle and keep it on my phone to play while waiting for or on a flight.
  • Airline apps – Whatever airlines you choose you’ll want to download their app for easy access to tickets, changes, bookings, and inflight entertainment.
  • Rome2Rio – This app is the best for finding the quickest and cheapest transportation options when on or planning your trip.
  • Trainline – Perfect for purchasing train tickets, checking timetables and finding train stations globally.
  • TheFork – For finding and booking reservations at restaurants throughout Europe.
  • Resy – A growing app for finding and booking reservations in major cities.
  • OpenTable – The original restaurant reservation app. Used throughout the U.S. and a bit in Europe.
  • Amazon Kindle – Allows me to take my books across all of my devices.
  • Splitwise – The app makes traveling and sharing expenses with friends and family super easy and less awkward.
  • Hopper – I think the best feature of this app is “Flight Watch” which allows me to put in parameters for a flight and Hopper lets me know when its the best time to to purchase the ticket.
  • Uber – Find a driver to get you where you are going. I’ve successfully used this app in Italy, France, and Spain as well as in the U.S.
  • Lyft – Similar to Uber but limited to the U.S.
  • Capital Bikeshare – If I’m in D.C. I’m probably on one of these bikes.
  • Kayak – The app is great when comparison shopping for flights.
  • Airbnb – This is my go-to app for finding lodging when traveling with friends or family.
  • Netflix and Max – These two entertainment apps allow me to download shows and movies to watch while waiting in an airport or on a flight.

So there your have some of my favorite travel things. I wish you safe passage wherever your travels take you! Bon Voyage!

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Monaco & Italy in Fifteen Days

A trip with three other couples to the Monte Carlo Tennis Open in Monaco inspired my husband and I to extend our trip for a beautiful tour of Italy. This would take us 15 days to complete with stops in Paris, Nice, Monaco, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Pisa, Florence, and Tuscany.

Itinerary Summary:

  • Paris – 2 Days
  • Monaco – 3 Days
  • Cinque Terre – 3 Days
  • Florence – 6 Days
  • Paris – 1 Day

Day 1 & 2 – Paris

Personally, I think Paris is the perfect way to start (and end) any trip but logistically it was easiest to fly in and out of Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport to head to Monaco and return from Florence. Our Airbnb in Paris turned out to be a real gem! We stayed at Sourire Boutique Hôtel Particulier bed and breakfast in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. With five bedrooms and five baths there was more than enough room for our group of four couples. We were delighted to find a gorgeous rooftop and winter garden at the top of the B&B which was perfect for happy hours and unwinding after dinner.

So much to do in Paris! In order to do it justice you need to stay more than the short time that we were there on this trip. We happily spent our short time in Paris shopping, taking in some art and of course eating and drinking at Cafe du Centre.

Day 3 – Travel to Monaco via Nice

On this day we took a quick flight from Paris (airport code: ORY) to Nice (airport code: NCE) via Air France and then caught the train to Monaco (Gare de Monaco Station). We stayed at a beautiful Marriott property, Le Méridien Beach Plaza, right on the Mediterranean Sea and within walking distance to the Monte Carlo Country Club where the tennis open is played.

TheTrainline.com proved invaluable on this trip. You can download their app here.

Day 4 & 5 – Monte Carlo Open

If you don’t know already, the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters is the first clay ATP 1000 Masters event of the year and probably the most picturesque event of the entire tour. The Monte Carlo Country Club is situated right on the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco. The view from the seats is almost as impressive as the players. This mid-April tournament begins in mid-April with over €5,000,000 in prize money.

Day 6 – Travel to Cinque Terre via Train

Our next stop, via train, were the charming villages in the area of northern Italy called “Cinque Terre”. Cinque Terre literally translates to “five lands” meaning the charming villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. If your looking for hiking and a taste of rural Italian life this is the place for you! All of the villages are linked by rail, so you can easily visit as many as you like with a short train ride. The trains run every 15 mins every day and stop at each of the villages so getting around the area is super easy. More information on the Cinque Terre express here.

Day 7 & 8 – Cinque Terre

We decided to make the village of Riomaggiore our home base for our stay in Cinque Terre and found a lovely hotel, I Limoni di Thule” with stunning views. Aside from swimming and soaking in the atmosphere of unspoiled fishing villages, the most popular activity in the Cinque Terre is hiking from one village to the next along centuries-old goat paths, which are now maintained as a national park. Trails meander through vineyards and groves of olive and lemon trees and loom over seaside cliffs, guaranteeing heart-stopping views of the coast and the charming little villages ahead in the distance luring you to come and visit. The hikes are well marked from village to village and range in difficulty and length. Most of the trails are free but the two most popular trails, Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia require users to purchase a Cinque Terre card to hike. You can find trail maps and more information on the Cinque Terre hiking card here.

We happily spent our days in Cinque Terre exploring all five village via hiking and rail. Also not to be missed is a boat tour of all five villages. The view of the villages from the water is phenomenal!

Day 9 – Travel to Florence via Train

We departed Cinque Terre by a train bound for Florence but not without stopping first at Lucca and then again at Pisa. We stashed our luggage at the Lucca train station and rented bikes to spend the morning exploring this gorgeous walled medieval city. After a delicious lunch in Lucca we got back on the train to Pisa where we again stashed our luggage to explore the iconic tower. Once we had our fill of photos we caught the next train to Florence. We settled into the beautiful Westin Excelsior in Florence for the last leg of our trip.

Day 10 – 14 – Florence & Tuscany

Early tickets to see the statue of David at the Accademia proved to change the course of our first day in Florence. After David, I had planned for us to visit the Uffizi Gallery followed by Gelato and a tour of the Bolbi Garden but my best planning neglected the fact that it was Easter Sunday–in Florence. Turns out Easter Sunday is quite a day in Florence Italy!

After exiting the Accademia we were drawn in by the sounds of a slow drum beat and the sight of a crowd forming in front of the Duomo – The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. After making our way to the Duomo, we were delighted to learn that we were about to witness a centuries old tradition, the Scoppio del Carro, or the Explosion of the Cart.

For over 350 years on Easter Sunday, a giant cart standing two to three stories high is paraded through the streets of Florence to the square between the Baptistry and the Cathedral by a pair of white oxen decorated with garlands. The cart is accompanied by an large processional of people all dressed in elaborate costumes, some on horseback, some playing drums, others carrying large flags. The processional was so colorful and the costumes so varied I didn’t know what to look at!

The Cart was placed at the doors of the cathedral where mass was already in progress and broadcasted to the square. At around 11 am, during the singing of the “Gloria” inside the church, a lighted dove–shaped rocket came flying out of the church down a wire and collided with the cart in the square. This set off a spectacular firework display because, (to our surprise), the cart had been loaded with a literal arsenal of fireworks. This proved to be one of the highlights of our trip.

Other recommended activities for Florence and Tuscany are: A vespa tour of the city; a cooking class in Tuscany; and a wine tour in Tuscany.

Day 15 – Travel to Paris for Flight Home

Our trip ended with a short flight back to Paris where we spent the night to catch our final flight home. We of course spent our day in Paris shopping and then drinking and eating at our favorite cafe!

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RV Packing List

Below is the packing list we use to prepare for RV trips. Since our trips take us to warm and cool climates, we pack for both. Most of our meals are Instant Pot freezer meals which I prep ahead of time.

RV Items:

  • National park pass (Obtain at first park visit)
  • Surge protector
  • Electrical adapters
  • Toilet chemicals
  • Sewer kit- sewer hose ramp
  • RV-friendly toilet paper
  • Water pressure regulator
  • Drinking water hose
  • Leveling blocks
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Extension chords
  • Wheel chocks
  • Shovel
  • Electrical and duct tape
  • Extra cotter pins
  • Extra motor oil
  • Extra transmission fluid
  • Flashlight
  • Scissors
  • Battery jumper cables
  • Emergency road kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Fuses
  • Saw or hatchet
  • Yoga mat
  • Free weights
  • Towels
  • Sheets and blankets
  • Pillows
  • Cooler

Kitchen and Cooking Supplies:

  • Water bottles
  • Cutting board (Our sink lid converts into a cutting board.)
  • Utensils
  • cutting knives
  • Can opener
  • Instant pot
  • Kitchen scissors
  • Tongs and skewers
  • Dish soap
  • Laundry soap/softener
  • Camping griddle and pie iron
  • Bowls, plates and cups
  • Coffee pot
  • Coffee
  • Toaster
  • Paper towels
  • Garbage bags
  • Plastic wrap
  • Re-usable Zip close bags 
  • Potholders
  • Dish towels
  • Pots & pans
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Matches and lighter
  • Food storage container(s)

Food Staples:

  • Batter mixes
  • Butter or margarine
  • Cereal/Oatmeal
  • Condiments, including mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.
  • Eggs
  • S’more ingredients
  • Freeze dried meals
  • Salt, pepper, herbs and spices
  • Bread
  • Baking items, including flour, cornstarch, sugar, etc.
  • Canned foods
  • Peanut butter and jelly 
  • Snacks, including crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.
  • Cooking spray or oil
  • Soups

Clothing Items:

  • Hat (sun & cold weather)
  • Rain gear
  • Shoes, including sneakers, hiking boots, sandals, etc.
  • Bathing suit
  • Sweatshirts and jackets
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Pants and shorts
  • Short and long sleeve t-shirts
  • Clothes hangers

Personal Items and Toiletries:

  • Phone chargers
  • Laptop/iPad
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Reservation confirmations
  • First-aid kit
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Batteries
  • Watch
  • Medications and prescriptions
  • Glasses or contact lenses
  • Sunglasses
  • Travel map and campground directory
  • Sewing kit
  • Soap
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Brush and comb
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Deodorant
  • Hair ties
  • Lotion
  • Makeup
  • Razor
  • Shaving gel
  • Nail clippers

Camping and Fun Gear:

  • Camping chairs
  • Hammock & hammock straps
  • Binoculars
  • eBooks and magazines
  • Playing cards
  • Puzzles
  • Headphones
  • Notepad or journal
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Grand Circle Road Trip

“Buy an RV and see the world,” was something I said–NEVER. This was always my husband Ted’s dream. Over the years my response to his discussions about our impending adventures ranged from mild eye rolling to a simple smile and nod. But, after a significant health scare which prompted my husbands early retirement, I decided to quit my job, suck it up, and embrace the open road. Ted purchased an RV and I did what I do best, I planned a trip.

Ted and I Ready to Start Our Excellent Adventure

For our very first road trip we decided to take on “The Grand Circle”. The Grand Circle is an area in the Southwest containing the largest concentration of national parks and monuments in the United States. Mesa Verde, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Park are just a few of the parks you will find in this space which covers over 500 miles in parts of five states– Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. The Grand Circle takes two to four weeks to discover only some of it’s hidden jems. Many travelers use Las Vegas, Nevada as the start and end for this road trip but other fly in destinations are Salt Lake City, Utah or Phoenix, Arizona.

We spent almost four weeks on the circle visiting ten parks: Grand Canyon-North Rim, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Arches National Park, Canyonlands, Horseshoe Canyon, Mesa Verde, Lake Powell and Grand Canyon-South Rim. Below is an overview of our trip as well as a few travelers tips. We traveled in a 24 foot motor coach and towed our Jeep Rubicon to make day trips from camp and do some 4×4 drives. Details on packing, food prep and itineraries for day trips may be (or will be) found in my posts.

Day 1 – 6 (151.9 Total Miles)

NOTE – I did not include the additional 2,000 miles we traveled to get to Jacob Lake from Michigan which included a stop in St. Louis to visit friends and another stop in Denver, Colorado to visit our daughter 😍

  • Make camp at Kaibab Camper Village, Forest Service Rd 461, Fredonia, AZ 86022
  • Grand Canyon-North Rim Day Trip (42.4 miles from camp) – Hiking and 4×4 Drive
  • Zion Canyon Day Trip (2 Days) (67.1 miles from camp) – Hiking

Tips for The North Rim & Zion:

The North Rim of the Grand Caynon is filled with stunning views, great hiking and even a 4X4 road adventure–actually, that is true of all of the national parks! If you’d like to dine at the North Rim Lodge, you’ll need a reservation. See my post on the North Rim for a complete itinerary.

The day trip to Zion is 67.1 miles making for a long drive after hiking all day. A better plan would be to break camp after the north rim and make camp closer to Zion or in St. George where you could spend another day exploring.

An even better plan would be to obtain a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to Coyote Buttes North adding a day or two before heading to Zion to explore “The Wave”. Unfortunately, this is a highly competitive process since a very limited number of hikers (20) are allowed access each day. More information about hiking the wave may be found here. The permit lottery is held online (months in advance) or in person 24 hours in advance. I tried my luck at the in person lottery with no joy.

Zion is a very busy park, even in October when we visited. Be prepared to hunt for parking. Self driving is NOT permitted during the busy times of the year and visitors must wait in line to board the shuttle system that stops throughout the park. The most popular hikes at Zion are “The Narrows” and “Angles Landing”. If your planning to hike the Narrows at Zion, you’re going to need waterproof gear. The water temperature was around 50o F when we did it. You can rent gear at one of the shops within walking distance just outside the south entrance gate in Springdale. (This is also where you can find additional parking.)

Day 7 – 9 (117 Total Miles)

  • Make camp at Ruby’s RV Park & Campground, 300 So. Main Hwy 63, Bryce Canyon, Utah 84764 (113 miles from last site)
  • Bryce Canyon, 2 Days (1 mile from camp) – Hiking

Tips for Bryce Canyon

There are some great hikes a Bryce but watching the sunrise is a must do. It really doesn’t matter where you watch the sunrise: Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, anyplace in between. Although the sun is rising in the East, make sure to look left and check out the rock formations in the west. As the sun casts its morning glow, a glorious spectrum of colors are released from the rock. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Day 10- 11 (117 Total Miles)

  • Make camp at Sand Creek RV Park in Torrey, UT (106 miles from last site)
  • Anasazi Indian Village Museum, en route
  • Capital Reef National Park Day Trip (5.5 miles from camp) – Hiking, Apple Picking

Tips for Capital Reef

The heart of Capital Reef is the historic settlement left by Morman pioneers who planted orchards of fruit trees. Be sure to see what is in season and go picking. We picked apples during our visit and honestly, I’ve never had an apple so good.

Day 11 – 14 (423.4 Total Miles)

  • Make Camp at Moab Rim RV Campark 1900 US-191, Moab, UT 84532 (160 miles from last site)
  • Arches National Park Day Trip (8.1 miles from camp) – Hiking
  • Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky Day Trip (43.1 miles from camp) – Hiking, 4X4 Drive
  • Canyonlands National Park – Needles Day Trip (80.5 miles from camp) – 4×4 Drive

Tips for Canyonlands

Canyonlands is really four separate areas (Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers) that may not be accessible from one area of the park to the next. Check out the park website and map before you leave for logistics.

Day 15 – 17 (234.4 Total Miles)

  • Make camp at Mesa Verde RV Resort, 35303 US-160, Mancos, CO 81328 (122 miles from last site)
  • Mesa Verde National Park Day Trip (21.6 miles from camp) – Hiking, Ranger led hike to Cliff Dwellings
  • Durango & Silverton Railroad Excursion (34.6 miles from camp)

Tips for Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde is home to the famous cliff dwellings. Self driving tours are allowed and cliff dwellings can be viewed from various viewpoints. However, the park also offers Ranger guided tours which allows you to climb into the dwellings. These tours are limited and are not open during parts of the year. Be sure to check the park schedule when planning a trip to Mesa Verde National Park.

Day 18 – 21 (271.6 Total Miles)

  • Make camp at Page Lake Powell Campground, 849 Coppermine Rd, Page, AZ 86040 (225 miles from last site)
  • Lake Powell Boat Tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument (7.8 miles from camp)
  • Antelope Canyon Day Trip (5.1 miles from camp) – Hike into/through slot canyon
  • Glen Canyon Dam Tour (4.4 miles)
  • Horseshoe Bend Day Trip (6 miles from camp) – Hike

Tips for Lake Powell & Antelope Canyon

Tours are available at the upper and lower canyon through several companies individually owned by members of the Navajo Nation. It really doesn’t matter which one you choose, or what time you go. Antelope Canyon is breathtaking and you will not be disappointed!

Day 22 – 23 (273.2 Total Miles)

  • Make camp at Grand Canyon Railway RV Park, 601 W Franklin Ave, Williams, AZ 86046 (163 miles from last site)
  • Four Corners’ Monument (En route)
  • South Rim Grand Canyon Day Trip (55.1 miles) – Hiking, Scenic Drive on Shuttle

Day 24 – 28 (60.6 Total Miles)

  • Make camp at Rancho Sedona RV Park, 135 Bear Wallow Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336 (60.6 miles from last site)
  • Three days of mix and match Sedona site seeing, hiking, and 4X4 drives (walking distance from camp)

Tips for Sedona

Sedona is filled with awesome hiking and 4×4 drives. Stop by the ranger station on your way in to get suggestions and maps. Click here for online versions of the hiking map and a 4×4 drive map.

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Grand Canyon North Rim Day Trip

The north rim on the grand canyon was the first stop on our National Park Grand Circle tour. This first stop definitely set the bar high for the stops to follow. A little research will tell you the best time to travel to north rim is March through May and September through November when daytime temperatures are cool and the crowds are thin.  We arrived at the rim in chilly October and were rewarded with stunning views, great hiking and even a 4X4 road adventure.

October greeted us with high temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s and lows in the 20’s–yes you heard me 20o F. Although, we were prepared for the cooler daytime temperatures we were not expecting the frigid nights and had to make some modifications in our RV living. First being, unhook the water line every evening to prevent freezing and second, installing a Styrofoam block around the instant water heater each night.

As the less popular grand canyon destination, the north rim has less traffic which means you may self drive the entire park. Driving from our campsite at Jacob Lake we entered the park from the north entrance station on highway 67 and drove east on Cape Royal Road to view Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, Wahalla Overlook, Cape Royal, and Angels Window. Each of these breathtaking vistas each may be viewed with less than a mile walk round trip.

Me in front of Angles Window

Driving back to the main drive, we discovered on the map in fine print: “Point Sublime. Four-wheel drive, tow-strap, and saw recommended.” This immediately peaked our interest and we decided to take a detour out to Point Sublime. This turned out to be a 17.8 mile wild ride out to absolutely stunning views. Once back on stable road we finished the day with dinner at the Grand Canyon Lodge followed by an amazing sunset viewed from Bright Angel Point.

Point Sublime

North Rim One Day Itinerary

  • Scenic drive with short hikes to view: Point Imperial, Roosevelt Point, Wahalla Overlook, Cape Royal, and Angels Window.
  • 4X4 Drive to Point Sublime
  • Dinner at Grand Canyon Lodge
  • Sunset at Bright Angel Point

Map of Grand Canyon North Rim from National Parks Service

Grand Canyon Lodge Patio

Interesting to note are the animal crossing signs we encountered throughout our trip. Everything from deer crossing to prairie dogs. I hate to admit that it did take a scare for the “crossing” part of these signs to sink in. Driving on 67 to the north entrance we passed a Buffalo crossing sign. After dark on the way out well, lets just say that evidently, “crossing” means “roaming”.

Beware, Buffalo are free to roam on 67!