Are you dreaming of a big trip in the near future, but find yourself overwhelmed by the information overload on the internet and social media? Does it feel like you are standing in the murky waters of uncertainty as you process all of the options presented to you on where to go and what to…
The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida
To celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and the end of a long pregnancy, Justin and I booked a two night stay at The Don CeSar, one of Florida’s most iconic hotels located on St. Pete Beach, just west of Tampa. The Don CeSar provided us with the perfect dose of laidback luxury for our adult-only…
7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal
As I just shared in my last post, I had one of the most unique travel experiences of my life at the end of 2019 when I joined a Trekking and Photo Tour in Nepal. Nepal has always captured my imagination, but I still didn’t know too much about the country’s history or its people…
My Journey to Nepal – Just Before a Global Pandemic
Namaste, friends! While 2020 has taken us all for the ride of our lives, I find myself ever more grateful for the unique travel opportunity I had back in November of 2019 when I joined the Nepal Trekking and Photo Tour designed by travel photographers Melissa Findley and Carmen Huter. Little did we know that…
Big Chairs, Big Changes: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck
Hey y’all! It’s been quite a while since I’ve written a blog post, and goodness gracious, I have so much to share with you! Yet, for all the stories and travel tidbits I have saved up in my repertoire, such as my epic trip to Nepal last November or how the coronavirus pandemic set me…
Best Eats of 2019
Although the year didn’t afford me much time for blogging (as I was quite occupied trip planning for clients!), 2019 sure didn’t stop me from enjoying some great eats! As it has become a Global Heartbeat Travel tradition, I am laying out all of my Best Eats of the Year, so that if you find…
An Open Letter to My 2-Year-Old Daughter
To my daughter, Heidi Rose, on her second birthday, Happy, happy birthday, Little One! What a journey we’ve had these past two years! And what a joy it has been to watch you grow and become the remarkable human you are meant to be! From the moment of your arrival in Zurich, Switzerland to the…
Carpool Travel with BlaBlaCar
While traveling around Spain this year, I was introduced to a ride-sharing phenomenon called BlaBlaCar. Given the fact that it’s becoming a fairly popular method of transportation in many countries around the world, I was surprised that I hadn’t yet heard about… and I found myself wishing the BlaBlaCar app had been in existence during…
My Favorite Flamenco Show in Granada
If you follow me on Instagram, you may know that I have had the opportunity to return to Spain recently as a trip leader with Global Works Travel. You also may know that I absolutely love flamenco music and flamenco dancing. Case in point… Whenever our travel itinerary includes Granada, I always get to take…
In Love with Bruges: 7 Reasons to Fall for This Belgian Beauty
Many traveling souls have fallen head over heels for a particular Belgian beauty named Bruges. The Flemish capital was the first stop on our epic babymoon adventure back in 2017. Little did Justin and I know that it would be the perfect place to start a trip that celebrated our marriage and our love. Allow…
Best Eats of 2018
2018 was a great year for great food. Take a look at my list of top eats around the globe and get my tips on how you can have a memorable meal, too!
5 Reasons to Visit Jucker Farm
Looking for things to do in Zurich? If the weather is nice, consider taking a little trip out to Jucker Farm for an afternoon of country delights. Jucker Farm is a well-run operation located just 30 minutes outside of Zurich in the little town of Seegräben above the shores of the Pfäffikersee. This farm is…
Big Changes for the Swiss Family Domeck
Guys, I have some big news to share with you… For months, I have been trying to write this post. Literally, for months I have been mulling over how to update you on our family’s story and explain my emotions behind it all. My post was going to be called “A Lifetime of Hellos and…
Somewhere West of Lagos: Our Journey to Salema on the Algarve Coast of Portugal
Over the Easter holiday, the Swiss Family Domeck and some dear friends from Orlando jetted over to Portugal in search of sunshine, good food, and new discoveries. Our journey started in the capital city of Lisbon, a visible mishmash of contemporary success and past hardships. Lisbon is artsy, funky, gritty, and even a little bit…
Travel Product Spotlight: Anchored East Diaper Backpack, A Handy Tote for Traveling Families
As a new mom who wanted to continue traveling with my baby, it was important for me to find a carryall bag that could serve as a diaper bag, a camera case, wallet keeper, and city pack. On our recent trip to Portugal, I put my newest travel product to the test. Today, I’m excited…
Snapshots of Semana Santa in Spain
The week before Easter is a remarkable time to visit Spain. It’s Holy Week – Semana Santa in Spanish – and the religious holiday is celebrated with long processions, enormous floats, striking costumes and haunting music. If you find yourself traveling in Spain during this extraordinary week, you very well may come across sights such as…
Travel Product Spotlight: Vaggaro, The Hippest Travel-Friendly Furniture for Tiny Tots
Ever since my #littleAlpenRose was born, I’ve been very interested in products that make parenting life easier. (Because, let’s be honest, it’s no stroll in the park.) And as a mom who loves to travel, I’ve been doing lots of research on items that aid families while on the road, in the air, or just…
Zurich’s Fountains… F R O Z E N!
This past week, the greater part of Europe was hit with “the beast from the East” – an unusual stratospheric phenomenon that brought arctic temperatures from Siberia’s polar north. As such, the continent experienced unseasonal bitter cold and some strange sights, like snow in London and Rome. Before the snow started falling in Zurich, however,…
7 Reasons to Add the Oeschinensee to Your Swiss Travel Itinerary
When visiting Switzerland, you really can’t have the full Swiss experience without at least one mountain excursion on your travel itinerary. But with so many gorgeous Alpine peaks to explore, how can you decide which one is right for you? In my experience, a day at the Oeschinensee is bound to please most travelers. A…
Best Eats of 2017
Another year in the books. Another year of great eats. As it has become a Global Heartbeat Travel tradition, I’m laying out my most memorable meals of 2017 so that you can keep these tasty bites in mind for your future travels. Bon appetite! HIKING THE ITALIAN COAST: FRESH CATCH IN CINQUE TERRE In the…
8 Christmas Characters To Find On Your Holiday Travels in Switzerland
If you visit Switzerland during the Christmas season, you are likely to encounter a special cast of characters that very well may surprise you. With a history like Switzerland’s – where Catholic and Protestant beliefs have merged with German, French and Italian customs – today’s Swiss Christmas traditions are a rather unique mix. During your…
Christmas in Zurich
Without a doubt, the best part about Zurich in the wintertime is the magic that comes with the Christmas season. If you find yourself in this Swiss city from late-November through December, then make sure to check out these fantastic festivities! LIGHTS NAMED LUCY Christmas lights have bedazzled Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most expensive shopping…
The Turnip Lantern Festival: A Spellbinding Swiss Tradition
Every October and November, families in Zurich ditch the massive orange squash many of us associate with Halloween in favor of another root vegetable: the turnip. Turnips – or räbe in Swiss German – are the stars of the autumn season… somewhat literally. In a century-old tradition, plain purple turnips are transformed into twinkling lanterns…
Tiny Country Spotlight: Luxembourg
I have a confession to make: I am fascinated by the itsy bitsy nations of Europe, and I harbor a secret desire to visit all of them some day. Since I am currently a bit homebound while I care for my newborn daughter, I am mentally reliving some of my more recent travels. As such,…
Alp Cows in Autumn: Switzerland’s Alpine Descent Festivals
The first chilly winds of fall signal Alpine communities that the time has come: it is time to bring the cows, goats, and sheep down from their high mountain meadows to their winter homes in the valleys below. This past weekend launched the first of a series of festivals all across Switzerland that celebrate the…