Heat Reprieve Summer has arrived in Florida. Early morning temperatures already hover between 75 and 80 degrees, with humidity levels nearly as high. By late morning, the mercury has climbed into the upper 80s and low 90s—and it’s only June. It’s shaping up to be a long, hot summer in Sarasota, so we decided to head south in search of cooler weather. Wait, south for cooler weather? It sounds backwards, but that’s exactly what we found in Oaxaca, Mexico. Sitting…
After a week in Marrakech, we were ready to see more of Morocco. Our first stop was Rabat, the country’s capital. With a population of two million, Rabat is Morocco’s second-largest city and sits on the Atlantic coast. So, of course, we were excited to try fresh seafood prepared the Moroccan way, something the city is known for. Rabat To get there, we took the train, which was our favorite way to travel around the country. Morocco has a well-developed…
After two weeks of festivities and fun in the Canary Islands, we hopped on a plane for a quick 1½-hour flight to Marrakech. We must admit we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Would we be able to navigate the city? Would we be able to communicate and fall into the rhythm of daily life? We began to find out shortly after landing, when we took a taxi to our apartment in the heart of the old city. One of…
After a week in Tenerife, we went to the island of Gran Canaria, another hugely popular destination for European tourists. To make the short hop between islands, we boarded a high-speed ferry for an hour and a half trip. The boat docked in the northwest port town of Agaete, framed by steep cliffs and dramatic coastline. From Agaete, we caught a bus for the half-hour ride across the island to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. After settling into our apartment,…
he Canary Islands feel like a little world of their own. Even though they’re part of Spain, because they are just off the coast of Africa, they have that perfect year-round “endless spring” weather that’s hard to beat. There are 8 main islands in the Canary Islands archipelago. While historically known as a group of 7, the islet of La Graciosa was recognized as the 8th inhabited island in 2018. Each island seems to have its own personality. Some feel…
A year and a half ago, we hiked the Camino de Santiago route. We loved the landscape, culture, and slow pace of travel. After completing the Camino, we spent two weeks in Seville, in southern Spain. During that time, we talked about crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco. It felt so close, geographically, yet we never made the trip — something we’ve regretted. On this 2026 trip, we’ve decided to visit Morocco. This time, though, we’re beginning with a…
While living in Sarasota, we’ve made it a point to explore what Florida has to offer. After three years here, we realize that there’s more to see than beaches and theme parks. We’ve already seen the big attractions like Disney World and SeaWorld, so now, between trips to other countries, we’re focusing on sights closer to home. Before we eventually leave Florida, we want to visit places that don’t make the top ten lists. This blog is about some of…
Music As night falls, Guanajuato streets don’t just get quieter, they start to sing. We were drinking a beverage in the Jardín de la Unión when we heard guitars and harmony bouncing off centuries-old walls. That was our cue to follow the sound and join a callejoneada, a roving street serenade that’s part concert, part walking tour, and part spontaneous party. The tradition began in the 1960s when University of Guanajuato students borrowed the idea from Spain’s old estudiantinas, who…
Our Uber drove us one hour from San Miguel de Allende to its sister city of Guanajuato, and we weren’t sure what to expect. A friend had recommended that we visit, so we figured, why not? As we entered the city through its winding tunnels and colorful streets, we were struck by how vibrant and alive it felt. It was a different energy from the relaxed vibe of San Miguel. Guanajuato buzzes with movement, students walking to class, street performers…
Just a short drive north of San Miguel de Allende is one of the popular day-trip destinations: La Gruta Restaurant & Spa. These natural hot springs were the perfect way to slow down and unwind. We visited La Gruta on a Wednesday morning, which several locals recommended as the ideal time to go. Here’s why: the pools are drained and cleaned every Monday and Tuesday, so by Wednesday morning, the water is at its cleanest. Plus, arriving early meant we…