Spring Break

Spring Break

A quick weekend getaway at the beginning of spring break before driving down to San Diego!

Spring Break 2024

My son was studying his Spring semester of college in Amsterdam and we wanted to go visit for Spring Break. We had a limited amount of time (given we also had a senior in high school) and we wanted/needed a trip that took us to places we have never seen (I had been to Europe before, but my youngest son/husband had not), made the best use of our time with our son studying abroad (we wanted to go places with him he had not been), and where we didn't need multiple wardrobes (to cut down on packing). It was quite a planning challenge! But, my husband was up for the task and everything I am sharing he planned - it was nothing short of perfect!

We wanted to ski the legendary snow of Utah and share this experience with great family friends!

My husband and I spent our honeymoon here 20 years ago and wanted to share our love for Hawaii with our children.

Big Cedar Lodge is America's Premier Wilderness Luxury Resort, and it lives up to it's name! We return here year after year to enjoy Winter/Spring in the Ozarks! Big Cedar Lodge has endless activities, many top-tier restaurants and a lovely spa, just to name a few of the perks!

The Maldives is famous for its breathtaking white-sand beaches and mesmerizing underwater world. But did you know there are two very different ways to experience this tropical paradise?

You can either stay on a local island for an affordable, culture-rich experience or indulge in the luxury of a private island resort.

We wanted to experience both! Economically, the local island stay is much cheaper, offering charming boutique hotels, cozy cafés, and authentic restaurants—but no alcohol. While modest dress codes apply, designated bikini beaches let visitors swim and sunbathe freely.

But of course, you can’t leave the Maldives without trying the iconic overwater villa experience! We made it extra special by choosing one with a slide for our daughter, and it was absolutely worth it. Staying at a private island resort meant no restrictions—we could wear whatever we liked and enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the endless ocean.

No matter the choice, the Maldives was one of an unforgettable escapes we ever did. 🌴✨

We were very happy our college-age daughters’ spring break aligned with ours. Special family trip to a part of Mexico we have never enjoyed before–the paradise of Holbox!

I traveled to Turkey for something deeper than just sightseeing — I went to reconnect. Months earlier, during an Erasmus program in Bansko, I met a wonderful group of Turkish friends who instantly made me feel welcome, understood, and supported. Our connection was effortless, and when they invited me to visit them in Ankara, I knew I had to go.

I traveled to Turkey because I wanted to experience their culture through their eyes — the food they love, the places they cherish, the everyday life they wanted to share with me. It wasn’t about checking tourist attractions off a list; it was about friendship, hospitality, and seeing a country in the most authentic way possible.

I also wanted a change of scenery — a burst of color, warmth, and adventure after months of routine. Turkey offered all of that. From the vibrant bazaars and beautiful parks to the spontaneous nights filled with music and laughter, I found myself absorbing every moment.

Most of all, I traveled to Turkey because I knew it would be meaningful. And it was. It turned into a trip filled with unforgettable memories, delicious food, heartfelt conversations, and the kind of cultural richness that stays with you long after you return home.

I traveled here because I saw pictures of this incredible blue water less than three hours from Portland while I was living there.

I traveled here for a birthday trip while visiting my friend who was living in San Diego.

I went there for an Erasmus program, not knowing it would capture my heart—and draw me back three more times.