Summer Travel Plans, Tuscany Memories & What’s Next

What are your summer travel plans? I’d genuinely love to know. Somewhere between traveling, hosting our very first Tuscany tour, visiting my mom, planning my niece’s bridal shower, and hopping between Seattle and California, my monthly newsletter somehow turned into a six-month recap! Apparently, life doesn’t slow down just because we’re getting older. Honestly? I …

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2025 Year in Review: The Best of Travel and Family Adventures

2025 year in review

Welcome to the final newsletter of the year – My 2025 year in review! Just some highlights – we would be here all day! Is it just me, or did 2025 fly by in a blink? As I look back, I’m filled with gratitude—for family milestones, unforgettable travels, meaningful work, and all of you who …

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Slow Travel: Savoring Tuscany, One Beautiful Moment at a Time

slow travel in Tuscany

Have you given much thought to the idea of slow travel? I’ve been writing about travel for more than 12 years, and over the past five or so, I’ve watched this concept rise quietly but steadily—first as a whisper in the industry, now as a movement. Perhaps I was searching for it, or maybe it …

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Falling for Florence, Once Again – Get the Details!

enjoying Florence

Our Trip to Tuscany – The Florence Chapter Getting to Tuscany has become my favorite obsession. When I’m not there, I miss it like an old friend. No, I don’t dream of moving there permanently—but when life feels overwhelming, I find myself mentally wandering the quiet cobblestone streets of an authentic Italian village. There’s something …

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Adventures, Inspiration & A Personal Invitation to Tuscany

adventures in Tuscany

Hello friends, It’s been a while since I’ve written here on Adventures of Empty Nesters, and I’ve truly missed connecting with you in this space. The truth is, I’ve been busy writing somewhere new—on Substack, a fantastic platform that feels like a creative playground for writers and readers alike. I’m still pouring my heart into …

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Travel to Italy – La Dolce Vita

travel to Italy

Travel To Italy – Another phenomenal trip! Are you familiar with the term La Dolce Vita? It’s an Italian phrase that translates to the sweet life. It describes a way of life characterized by enjoying life’s pleasures, indulging, and cultivating joy. The term originated from Federico Fellini’s iconic 1960 film of the same name, which …

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Feels Like Summer! Local Fun & A Foodie’s Dream

summer in Mt Vernon

Summer is almost here!! Summer is fast approaching, and I am looking forward to it. My birthday is June 16th, which always coincides with the Opening of Summer for me! It is the time of year for Dads and Grads and lots of family celebrations. This month is always so festive! We will be celebrating …

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15 Books About Food & Travel That Saved Me During the Pandemic

books about food and travel
Here are a few of the paper books I read. The rest are ebooks.

Books about Food and Travel!

How did books about food and travel save me during the COVID pandemic? They provided me a way to escape during a challenging time and envelope myself in a world that means so much to me. Exploring interesting destinations, reading about exciting adventures, and real-life memoirs about chefs and food entrepreneurs is my passion. In addition to a personal escape, reading as much as I do helps to make me a better writer! As a brand ambassador and travel writer, the lockdown was particularly agonizing because I wasn’t planning and experiencing travel, nor was I working.

Some days were slow and relaxed, while others were depressing and sad. Most of us felt this way during the Quarantine, right? Confusion, sadness, and a longing for normality were the catalyst for my positive, uplifting reading choices.

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