Photo Friday: sLOVEnia

While most of my friends in college were going to Cancun or Florida for spring break, my husband (then boyfriend) and I decided we wanted more of an adventure. So, instead of packing bathing suits and flip flops, we packed our jeans and jackets and headed out on a road trip through eastern Europe. We started in Budapest, drove to Bratislava and Vienna, down to Graz (Austria) and on to Croatia via Slovenia. The tiny country of Slovenia ended up being the highlight of our trip. The people were friendly and active. Everywhere you looked, people were hiking, kayaking, skiing and biking. They put Californians and Australians to shame! Bordering both the Alps and the Mediterranean means that Slovenia is full of natural beauty. Actually, a third of the territory of the country is protected! Plus, the food is highly influenced by the divine cuisine of Northern Italy (it's neighbor). And to top it off, it was inexpensive! What more could you want? Here are some of the highlights...please ignore the cloudy weather. It was February...

 One of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia is the glacial Lake Bled.

 This was the stunning view from the room of our
modest guest house outside of Bled.
We were amazed at how far our money could go.

The oldest church in Slovenia. 

So serene.

Hitting the slopes in a winter wonderland. 

Walking around the streets of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

 The main square in Ljubljana.

Photo Friday: Scotland

There are places we dream about visiting one day as a child. Sometimes those places disappoint upon arrival. And sometimes those places carve an indelible place in our hearts. For me, a place that I wanted to go from a young age was Scotland. I had a nanny who had emigrated from Glasgow who became part of my family for nine years. When she joined our household, I was only 7 years old and she was only 23. At that point in my life, she was the most exotic person I knew and I was always intrigued by the mysterious land from which she came. What did I know about it except for the legend of the Loch Ness monster?! After a few months, I started getting used to her thick accent (now, I don't even notice it!). Little did I know that she would completely change my life in so many wonderful ways. She was the first one to introduce me to salt and vinegar chips, Maltesers, phrases like "cheeky monkey" and oddly enough, country music! Sometimes you don't have to even leave your own country to have a cultural experience...

When I finally made it to Scotland, I was 21 years old - almost the age she was when she came to the United States. I was bewitched by not only its stunning landscapes, but by its charming and kind people. My husband couldn't understand a lick the Glaswegians were saying, but I had no problem... It felt like coming home. 

Here are some of my favorite snapshots:

 The atmospheric Dunnottar Castle outside Stonehaven, Scotland. 

Of course, portions of Mel Gibson's Hamlet were shot here in 1990.

Where else?

The famous Loch Ness. I couldn't resist.

You couldn't help but pull over on the side of the road to look at the magnificent scenery. 

This was on a drive to Loch Torridon. 

Sometimes we felt like we had the whole country all to ourselves...

Well, almost all to ourselves. 

Enjoying some typical Scottish weather at Eilean Donan Castle.

Gorgeous waterfalls in Glen Nevis.

 Could the little lanes of Crail be any cuter?

Dreaming of Romance in Bali

What a great week it's been for Golden Key. I've had the privilege of planning a honeymoon in Bali! My clients are adventurous and looking for an unforgettably romantic experience. In addition to booking the couple's accommodation at the ultra-luxury Viceroy Bali Hotel, I found some incredible romantic dining experiences offered at another hotel. They can choose from a champagne breakfast on the terrace overlooking the rice patties, a sultry jungle picnic or my favorite, the 'Secret Romantic Dinner': 

"Enjoy a romantic dinner at a secret location deep in the jungle. Illuminated by the gentle glow of oil lamps, your private waiter will host the perfect evening. After dessert, enjoy a leisurely walk through the rain-forest to the holy water temple, where a priest will perform a purification ritual. End this magical night with a foot massage at our riverside bamboo deck."

Sounds divine, right?! After a day of exploring the artisan market of Ubud and taking a bike ride through the countryside, this couple will share an intimate private dinner in one of the most romantic places on Earth.

The Viceroy Bali.

Romantic candlelit dinner in paradise.

Photo Friday: Malololailai, Fiji

I've seen a lot of sunsets on my travels around the world, but hands down, the best ones I've ever seen were in Fiji. They were absolutely otherworldly and my husband and I made each one an event. We were staying on a sleepy island called Malololailai. Every day was the same: sleep in, late, quick breakfast, swimming in pool, lazy lunch on the terrace overlooking the ocean, snorkeling in the afternoon, a shower, and then we'd set up our beach chairs to take in nature's greatest show...

The scene was set on our island paradise.

Spectacular!

It was like stepping into a painting. 

I will never forget these sunsets. Fiji is one of the most romantic places I have ever been. It would make an amazing honeymoon destination!

Photo Friday: Cambodia...and the reason we travel

Recently, I came across this video about a guy who decided to hitchhike from Venice Beach, California to Portland, Maine, meeting over 1,000 kind and helpful strangers along the way. The reason he decided to do it? He LOVES people! Meeting people is one of the most enriching parts of travel. It takes us out of our normal routine and allows us to open to the experience of others and garner new perspectives. 

One of the most life-changing travel experiences I have ever had was in Cambodia. My husband and I were visiting the amazing Angkor Wat temples by tuk-tuk when we came across a sign that read, "Come and see our kid's paintings!" We had to stop. That's when we met Cheat, a man in his 20s who had grown up at the same orphanage in which he worked. It was little more than a concrete building and a couple of huts, but he was so proud of the school he helped run for the fifteen orphans that lived there. We ended up buying a painting that one of the kids had created and Cheat invited us to come back the next day and hang out. We were honored to spend the next day playing games with the kids and reading to them. Here are some of the highlights...

Their little faces were so priceless!

This little girl's name was Sunshine and she loved books. 

Hwa, one of the orphanage's newest additions, simply refused to wear pants. 

Who could say "no" to a face like that?

A view of the modest orphanage grounds. 

The open hut on the right was their classroom.

Playing bouncy ball with the older kids. 

Bill, age 12, was such a sweet boy. 

After my husband taught the kids to play tic-tac-toe, they were hooked!

What a special day. I will never forget these kids.

Photo Friday: Costa Rica

If you're interested in wild jungle adventures and fantastic wildlife watching, then Costa Rica is the place for you. Rugged, almost impassable roads lead to a slew of rare bird and animal sightings. My husband and I took a week-long road trip across the country last year and here were the best parts...

Hiking waterfalls near Lake Arenal.

The surf scene near Jaco.

One of my favorite things about Costa Rica was the amazing breakfasts: fresh pineapple, fried plantains, gallo pinto and whole wheat toast with guava jelly. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...

The roads were pretty rough, but the treasures at the end made the jostling all worth it!

Waking up to a burp from Volcan Arenal. 

CR is a bird watchers paradise. 

So many miles of empty coastline...a perfect place to get lost with your lover.

Taking in a sunset at Calle Caletas. 

 Uh oh!

 This photo was not taken with a zoom - they really were this close!

There were monkeys all over the jungle at the 

Manuel Antonio National Park.

Costa Rica is a great introduction to Central America. If you're ready for an adventure filled with jungles, beaches and wildlife, let Golden Key plan you an unforgettable trip!

Photo Friday: The Amalfi Coast, Italy

If I had to pick my all-time, hands down favorite country in the world, it would have to be Italy. The culture, the architecture, the language, the food...oh! It can't be beat. There are many regions I love, but it's hard not to fall in love with the Amalfi Coast. My husband and I were lucky enough to spend our first year wedding anniversary there last October. We stayed in Positano and Amalfi. Here are some of the highlights...

The stunning view from the top of Mt. Solaro on the island of Capri.

Overlooking Positano from its most famous hotel, Le Sirenuse.

Though we couldn't afford to stay there, we still got to savor the 

panoramic view as we had a drink on their terrace. This is a great 

way to enjoy some of the best views in the world without the expense! 

A snapshot of daily life in Amalfi.

The view of the southern coast from the town of Ravello.

The island of Procida, where they filmed parts of The Talented Mr. Ripley.