The massive structure watches over an otherwise unassuming West Virginia town. While the stone building is imposing, it’s not at all threatening. A manicured lawn and sparkling fountain welcome you upon approach. And, as you stroll the grounds, you’d never know—from the outside—that the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was once home to some of the most […]
All The Best Things To Do in DC With Big Bus Tours
It never fails to amaze me exactly how much stuff there is to do in Washington, DC. Even after ten years of living here. And can you believe this will be my very first blog post about my hometown? But it’s not uncommon for people to be so focused on traveling away that they forget […]
Smith Island, Maryland: A Mysterious Little Chesapeake Bay Getaway
Did you know… there’s an island in the Chesapeake Bay that’s been so isolated, for so many years, that to this day its residents speak with an actual “relic accent?” Did you know the island is only accessible by boat? That it’s one of the oldest English-speaking settlements in the region? And, that it has […]
What Is Mead, Anyway? A Tasting With Maryland Meadworks
Not a huge fan of beer? Wine not quite your thing? Connoisseur of adult beverages? Then mead might be for you. When it came time for Global Debauchery to embark on a quintessential Maryland getaway in the Chesapeake, I was beyond excited to pair the trip with our neighborhood meadery, Maryland Meadworks. Not only does […]
8 Must-Visit Hidden Gems in Europe
We’re all familiar with the allure of Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona… and these cities are indeed deserving of their reputations. Everyone should see the Sacre Coeur or the Trevi Fountain at least once in their lifetime. But where can you go for a truly amazing experience outside of the standard European tourist destinations? Here, I’ll […]
9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things To Do in London
My, oh my, how things change as we age, eh? It used to be the case that the #AP4L and I never wanted to go the same place twice. Because it meant forgoing a whole new place, right? But yes. I’m starting to learn the benefits of repeat visits and, dare I say… slow travel. […]
Coronavirus in the US: What to Expect Traveling
Although my most recent trip through America’s heartland was a road trip, we actually traveled in all kinds of different ways—subway, airplane, Uber, driving, walking. And in several different states—Maryland, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana. Being the Type A traveler that I am and, being in the middle of Coronavirus in the US, I […]
Discovering Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with Pictured Rocks Cruises
I always ask the #AdventureParternForLife if he has any “special requests” for a new itinerary I’m crafting. Aside from him wanting to officially visit all fifty states, this trip, it was to visit Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. (Locally known as “the UP,” and where the “Yoopers” hail from.) “I have to see the UP. I have […]
America’s Heartland: An Epic Midwest Road Trip Itinerary
What does one do when they’re trapped in their own country indefinitely? Go explore it, of course. (Safely. Legally.) After four cancelled trips and a few months in strict quarantine, things were starting to look up (and they were, at the time). Our home base—DC Metro—had just started reopening after being the United States’ official […]
A Perfect Getaway in Bayfield, Wisconsin: The Bayfield Inn
When my husband said he wanted to visit all fifty states, I was one thousand percent on board. So, I sat down and started my usual Googling to plan an epic Midwest road trip. Before long, I discovered the charming and vibrant city of Bayfield, Wisconsin, a sparkling little gem on Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National […]