Travel

Take a little (virtual) trip with me. 

  • My first trip to Garden Isle of Kauai in more than 20 years

    Kauai

    My first trip to Garden Isle of Kauai in more than 20 years

  • Visiting Hobbiton is one of my most favorite things I've ever done! It's well worth the journey to New Zealand.

    Hobbiton, New Zealand

    Visiting Hobbiton is one of my most favorite things I've ever done! It's well worth the journey to New Zealand.

  • I finally made it to New Zealand! Here are some highlights from Auckland.

    Auckland, New Zealand

    I finally made it to New Zealand! Here are some highlights from Auckland.

  • Wētā Workshop in New Zealand is so much fun! It's a must visit for movie fans and creative people.

    Wētā Workshop

    Wētā Workshop in New Zealand is so much fun! It's a must visit for movie fans and creative people.

  • I've wanted to visit Australia for most of my life. I made an impromptu trip to Sydney, Australia.

    Sydney, Australia

    I've wanted to visit Australia for most of my life. I made an impromptu trip to Sydney, Australia.

  • My first visit to the Tucson gem show.

    Tucson Gem Show

    My first visit to the Tucson gem show.

England

  • London played a huge role in laying the foundation for who I was to become. I love visiting. No matter how many times you go you'll never see it all!

    London

    London played a huge role in laying the foundation for who I was to become. I love visiting. No matter how many times you go you'll never see it all!

  • Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and Avebury are some of England's most fascinating and mythical sites with links to King Arthur's realm and the world's largest stone circle.

    Stonehenge - Glastonbury - Avebury

    Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and Avebury are some of England's most fascinating and mythical sites with links to King Arthur's realm and the world's largest stone circle.

  • Costswolds is home to some of the most picturesque villages in England, they are so lovely and peaceful. You can spend hours just strolling taking it all in.

    Cotswolds

    Costswolds is home to some of the most picturesque villages in England, they are so lovely and peaceful. You can spend hours just strolling taking it all in.

  • Blenheim Palace is the only nonroyal palace in England. It's the birthplace of Winston Churchill. It's truly magnificent. It's been used in a number of films.

    Blenheim Palace

    Blenheim Palace is the only nonroyal palace in England. It's the birthplace of Winston Churchill. It's truly magnificent. It's been used in a number of films.

  • England Home Page

    England

    England Home Page

  • As a Potterhead visiting Harry Potter Studios was on my bucket list. It was maybe the most fun ever and everything I wanted it to be!

    Harry Potter Studios

    As a Potterhead visiting Harry Potter Studios was on my bucket list. It was maybe the most fun ever and everything I wanted it to be!

  • Oxford is home to Britain's oldest university. It's been educating students for 800 years and been an inspiration to many famous writers.

    Oxford

    Oxford is home to Britain's oldest university. It's been educating students for 800 years and been an inspiration to many famous writers.

  • I was lucky enough to be able to stay on Cambridge's campus while studying abroad years ago.

    Cambridge

    I was lucky enough to be able to stay on Cambridge's campus while studying abroad years ago.

  • Windsor Castle, was the Queen's weekend home. She and her family are buried here. It's the oldest and largest lived in castle.

    Windsor Castle

    Windsor Castle, was the Queen's weekend home. She and her family are buried here. It's the oldest and largest lived in castle.

  • The first two Harry Potter movies were filmed at Alniwck Castle. The elaborate gardens might be the most magical thing about Alnwick.

    Alnwick Castle

    The first two Harry Potter movies were filmed at Alniwck Castle. The elaborate gardens might be the most magical thing about Alnwick.

Scotland

  • I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.

  • Scotland Home Page

    Scotland

    Scotland Home Page

  • Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.

    Temple Old Kirk

    Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.

  • Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.

    Rosslyn Chapel

    Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.

  • Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!

    Royal Military Tattoo

    Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.

    Greyfriars Kirkyard

    Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.

  • St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606. It has great views of the castle.

    St. Cuthbert's Cemetery

    St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606. It has great views of the castle.

  • Dean Village is a gem worth exploring. Dean Cemetery is a Victorian era graveyard with grand monuments and old trees making it one of my favorite cemeteries.

    Dean Village & Cemetery

    Dean Village is a gem worth exploring. Dean Cemetery is a Victorian era graveyard with grand monuments and old trees making it one of my favorite cemeteries.

  • The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.

    Drummond Castle

    The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.

  • An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.

    Killin

    An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.

  • The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.

    Clachaig Inn

    The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.

  • Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.

    Eilean Donan Castle

    Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.

  • Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.

    Isle of Skye

    Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.

  • The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.

    Isle of Lewis & Harris

    The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.

  • Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.

    Dunrobin Castle

    Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.

  • Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.

    Urquhart Castle

    Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.

  • Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.

    Elgin Cathedral

    Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.

  • Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.

    Castle Fraser

    Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.

  • I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.

    Ardoe House

    I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.

  • Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.

    Dunnottar Castle

    Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.

Northern Ireland

  • Belfast, Northern Ireland, the home of my ancestors and Game of Thrones!

    Belfast

    Belfast, Northern Ireland, the home of my ancestors and Game of Thrones!

  • The Dark Hedges is a highly photogenic lane lined with Beech Trees, that was used as the King's Road in Game of Thrones.

    The Dark Hedges

    The Dark Hedges is a highly photogenic lane lined with Beech Trees, that was used as the King's Road in Game of Thrones.

  • Giant's Causeway is a geological phenomenon of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by an ancient volcanic eruption.

    Giant's Causeway

    Giant's Causeway is a geological phenomenon of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by an ancient volcanic eruption.

  • Dunluce Castle is a medieval cliff-top ruin that served as the inspiration for Castle Pyke of House Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.

    Dunluce Castle

    Dunluce Castle is a medieval cliff-top ruin that served as the inspiration for Castle Pyke of House Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.

  • Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is a beautiful location and served as inspiration for a memorable scene in Game of Thrones.

    Carrick-a-Rede

    Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is a beautiful location and served as inspiration for a memorable scene in Game of Thrones.

  • Tollymore Forest is gorgeous with it's two rivers, moss covered tress, and numerous bridges. It feels right out of a fantasy. It's no wonder Game of Thrones shot many iconic scenes here.

    Tollymore Forest

    Tollymore Forest is gorgeous with it's two rivers, moss covered tress, and numerous bridges. It feels right out of a fantasy. It's no wonder Game of Thrones shot many iconic scenes here.

  • Castle Ward served as Winterfell for the first season of Game of Thrones. Several other scenes were filmed around these expansive beautiful grounds.

    Castle Ward

    Castle Ward served as Winterfell for the first season of Game of Thrones. Several other scenes were filmed around these expansive beautiful grounds.

  • Inch Abbey is a gothic ruin that used to house monks and now is visited by sword carrying Game of Thrones fans dressed in cloaks fledging their fealty to the King in the North!

    Inch Abbey

    Inch Abbey is a gothic ruin that used to house monks and now is visited by sword carrying Game of Thrones fans dressed in cloaks fledging their fealty to the King in the North!

  • I'm at a loss for words for how much I enjoyed visiting Game of Thrones Studios. It was a jaw dropping experience.

    Game of Thrones Studios

    I'm at a loss for words for how much I enjoyed visiting Game of Thrones Studios. It was a jaw dropping experience.