Category: Travel Writing
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The Quiet Shore: Why Virginia Beach Feels Eerily Empty This Memorial Day Season
A personal reflection on America’s changing relationship with travel, leisure, and the open road The waves are still rolling in, the boardwalk is still there, porpoises play in the surf, and the seagulls haven’t gotten the memo. But something is different at Virginia Beach this Memorial Day season — and if you’ve been coming here…
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Free Giveaway!
Here’s your chance to get a free Kindle version of “Wherever We May Roam: Finding Your Travel Style“. Beginning today (May 10th) and running until May 22nd, you can enter to be one of 100 lucky winners. You can sign up on Goodreads, or use the link below to enter. All I ask is that…
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Wherever We May Roam: Finding Your Travel Style — Now Available
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After years of traveling, learning, adjusting, and sometimes getting it completely wrong, I’m excited to finally share something that has been a long time in the making: My new book, Wherever We May Roam: Finding Your Travel Style, is now available. Why I Wrote This Book Travel has never been a one-size-fits-all experience. Over time, my…
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Castles, Creepy Laundry Rooms, and Airbnb Disasters
Our ten-week journey through Europe recently concluded with an extensive exploration of Ireland, completing a circuit that began on the east coast and took us through Northern Ireland, the Great Atlantic Way, the southern coast, and finally back to the eastern coast of Ireland before finishing in Dublin. After our adventures in England, Wales, Scotland,…
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Exploring Western Ireland: From Galway to the Wild Atlantic Way
Our recent 10-week journey through Ireland’s western coast offered a glimpse into both well-traveled tourist destinations and hidden local gems. After establishing our base in Oranmore, just outside Galway, we set out to experience Ireland’s famous landscapes and small towns that define its rugged western edge. Galway itself presented a mixed experience. As Ireland’s fourth…
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Discovering County Roscommon: Ireland’s Hidden Heartland of History, Legend, and Pastoral Beauty
Escape the crowded tourist trails and discover County Roscommon, a hidden gem in Ireland’s heartland. This beautiful and bucolic county offers a peaceful retreat steeped in history and legend, a place where pastoral landscapes meet ancient stories. While Ireland’s overall visitor numbers have seen fluctuations, with overseas visitors down 15% in March 2025 compared to…
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Tips for Visiting The Cliffs of Moher: Costs, Crowds, and the Best Viewing Angles
The Cliffs of Moher. Just the name conjures images of dramatic coastlines, crashing waves, and windswept beauty. This iconic Irish landmark attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors every year, and for good reason. But planning a trip to this natural wonder requires a little know-how to make the most of your experience. From understanding the costs…
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Beyond Cruise Ships: The Freedom of Charter Sailing
Charter sailing represents one of travel’s most liberating experiences, offering adventurers the opportunity to explore coastal destinations with unparalleled freedom and authenticity. In our latest podcast episode of “Travels with Jim and Rita,” we were fortunate to speak with June Russell-Chamberlain, a seasoned travel writer and photographer who has discovered the joys of exploring the…
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Beyond Vision: The Sensory Art of Travel Writing
When we think about travel writing and photography, we often imagine it as an inherently visual experience. After all, isn’t travel about seeing new sights, capturing stunning vistas, and experiencing visual wonders? But what if I told you one of the most inspiring travel writers I’ve recently encountered navigates the world without being able to…
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A Pleasant Surprise – Seville, Spain
When we were originally planning our spring 2025 trip, we were not thinking about Spain at all. Our primary goal was the UK and Ireland, but our late-March start meant it would be a little too cold to enjoy. So instead, we decided to stay a couple of weeks in the Algarve region of Portugal…