Travel Journal | WOW! Travel Small Group Travel

It’s All About the Memories . . .

Sep 26, 2013

It’s only been in the last year or so that I figured out what I really do for my chosen profession. I’ve been reminded during the past six days, during…

Curiosities & Oddities . . . like the statue of the peeing men . . .

Aug 9, 2013

I discover the most interesting stuff when I travel. Like this statue in a prominent square in Prague: Two Peeing Men! If you text your phone number, The Guys will “pee-write”…

Making Magic in Florence … or … “Don’t Rain on My Palazzo!”

Aug 3, 2013

I’m in the “magic” business. I create magical moments for travelers all over the world. Sometimes I forget how impactful they are for my customers. I was reminded of…

Epiphanies, Inspirations & Awakenings

Jul 26, 2013

I was recently reminiscing about some of my more “enlightened moments” – many of which occur when I’m traveling – freed up from the day-to-day routine, when my imagination runs…

Returning from Cuba with a few thoughts about freedom . . .

Jul 3, 2013

I probably shouldn’t publish this. I could get in trouble . . . But here’s what I think: It’s time for the U.S. government to end its futile and hypocritical…

Xenophobe’s Guide to . . . .

Jun 14, 2013

Overheard on a recent flight from Europe to USA: “It was such a great trip. I just wish they would try to speak English,” she said to her husband. “Considering…

These are a few of my (least) favorite things . . .

May 30, 2013

Packing up to leave my 5-star $500+ per night Relaix & Chateau hotel in Provence this morning, I documented a few of my most/least favorite things: Thumbs up:…

“I Bought a One-Way Ticket . . .”

May 13, 2013

That’s what I did in the summer of 1978. Bought a one-way ticket to Manila. Got a passport (# J2106773). And then I told my parents. It was the proper…

Ten Travel Treasures, Part 2 – My Final Five . . .

Apr 25, 2013

Part 2 of my post about ten of my favorite places . . . #6 – Guilin, China – This is the China of your dreams. The place in the…

Ten Travel Treasures: The First Five

Apr 18, 2013

If somebody said to me, “Quick . . . name ten travel treasures you’d recommend!” In no particular order . . . the first five that come to mind: …

Halong Bay

Mar 28, 2013

Without question, Halong Bay is one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever experienced. You’ve seen the pictures . . . steep limestone islets jutting spectacularly from the sapphire sea…

Peace on a Park Bench

Nov 17, 2012

My first morning in Hanoi, I woke up very early. I wanted to go to Hoan Kiem Lake – a few blocks from my hotel – to witness the locals…

Some things (thankfully) haven’t changed in Italy

Nov 20, 2011

One of the things I find most astonishing about Italy is their tradition of afternoon closures. No different than when I first visited about 25 years ago, the shop-keepers in…

How to Plan a Truly Stupid Symposium

Nov 15, 2011

Much as I love Italy, in recent years I have tired of the beaten paths: Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice . . . Some years ago, I read about a region…

Neil Diamond, a bus and a magical Irish evening

Sep 12, 2011

As we speak, Marilyn is in Ireland soaking up the culture with a delightful group of advertisers. Tonight’s festivities included dinner onboard an old Irish immigrant ship capped off with…