I am passionate about blending in with the local people, getting off the beaten path, and finding their favorite places for entertainment and to dine. I also thoroughly enjoy the research and planning of a trip. Choosing a destination, accommodations, transportation, activities are all so exciting to me.

My Bose speaker! I love music and need it with me whether in my hotel room or on a beach. I also don’t leave home without my little travel candle. It is comforting and also helps personalize a hotel room.

There have been many, from a 3-hour flight from NYC to London on the Concorde, cruising the Mediterranean on the QE2, to most recently taking a dreamy wellness trip to a magnificent luxury villa in Tuscany. But without a doubt the most lifechanging was my numerous trips to a Russian orphanage to adopt two of my three daughters. I learned so much about myself spending time with the staff and children there. It’s not so much about the luxurious accommodations, but the relationships in our lives.

I can’t control everything! Even the best laid plans can change in a minute, and there are things that will happen when traveling that weren’t part of the schedule. I have learned to take a deep breathe, be understanding that things can and will happen, and accept what I can and can’t do about it. I have learned to be flexible and patient.

I have always considered myself a beach person, but after my most recent trip to Tuscany, Italy, I have moved that to the top of the list. The breathtaking scenery, the beauty of the lifestyle, and the delicious food and wine can’t be beat!