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While we were in Cleveland last week, we had some extra time to play tourist and had fun exploring, shopping, eating, an...
07/29/2026

While we were in Cleveland last week, we had some extra time to play tourist and had fun exploring, shopping, eating, and hiking. ☀️

I love to be dropped in a new city for a weekend and hit the ground running to check it out, hit the highlights, and make a plan for my next visit.

When you shop local, you allow business owners like myself to give back to organizations that make the world a better pl...
07/26/2026

When you shop local, you allow business owners like myself to give back to organizations that make the world a better place.

I have many clients from the great state of Ohio, and I was proud to sponsor a team again this year for Play the Paws Softball Tournament . As an extra step, I decided to hop a plane to volunteer at the tournament this year as well. 🥎

A great time was had, tons of money was raised, friendships were formed, and memories were made.

I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to give back.

Med Cruise Day 8-Today brought us to our last port stop of Santorini. This stop is a bit tricky; it requires a tender bo...
06/24/2026

Med Cruise Day 8-
Today brought us to our last port stop of Santorini. This stop is a bit tricky; it requires a tender boat (taking a little boat from the big boat to the dock) and then a cable car, a mule ride, or a lonnnng walk to reach the city center.

We opted for the cable car up and were met by the private driver we had hired for the day. He knew all the secret spots to get the best views, and we were in and out before the masses arrived. (Literally… there was 20+ busses when we left).

We spent the morning touring Santorini including villages, towns, and a hilltop monastery. We ended the afternoon with an incredible lunch (more Greek salad) at a beach club and even stuck our toes in the Aegean Sea.

Just as we were able to take the cable car back down, I thought the stairs couldn’t be THAT bad…. I was wrong, but I did it anyway:)

Tonight we packed and placed luggage in the hall for pickup. Tomorrow morning we’d be hopping off early for a day in Athens!

Med Cruise Day 7-There are very few pictures from Mykonos because it was the windiest day of my life and if I had taken ...
06/24/2026

Med Cruise Day 7-
There are very few pictures from Mykonos because it was the windiest day of my life and if I had taken my phone out to snap a photo, it may have blown into the ocean!

Our family chose to do a hike excursion today. We crossed through many small towns and ended at a tiny remote beach with a great restaurant. I got my daily Greek salad fix, which is always a win in my book.

Med Cat photo dump 🐈‍⬛
06/24/2026

Med Cat photo dump 🐈‍⬛

Med Cruise Day 6- Today took us to Katakolon, Greece. Many use this port stop as an opportunity to visit Olympia. And wh...
06/24/2026

Med Cruise Day 6-
Today took us to Katakolon, Greece. Many use this port stop as an opportunity to visit Olympia. And while I’m sure it’s wonderful, we used it as a down day… a relax day… a no alarm clock day.

We did eventually wander into town to shop and have lunch, but an unscheduled day was exactly right for us to recharge for the rest of vacation.

Med cruise thoughts::In my daily recaps you see me note a few times about a particular excursion being through the cruis...
06/24/2026

Med cruise thoughts::

In my daily recaps you see me note a few times about a particular excursion being through the cruise line. In the case of this cruise, a little less than half were booked that way. The others were independent arrangements.

What are the benefits of one over the other?
Cruise line excursions are typically:
🛳️ Bigger groups
🛳️ Limited options
🛳️ More expensive
🛳️ Less locally-supported
BUT!!! They’re also:
🚢 Guaranteed departures
🚢 Vetted tours and guides
🚢 Strong emphasis on safety
And you’re typically assured that if your excursion runs late, the ship will not leave without you.

I tend to recommend cruise line excursions for new, nervous or inexperienced travelers, or for those who prefer the extra hand-holding that comes with booking excursions through the cruise line.

For those who don’t mind the risks of independent tours, I’ve had good luck personally and with clients booking through:
☀️ Project Expedition
☀️ Viator
☀️ Tours by Locals
☀️ And other trusted guides, depending on the destination.

Just like everything else, there’s no right and wrong; it’s what’s right for you.

Med Cruise Day 5-Welcome to Greece! Our first of 4 Greece ports today was the incredible Corfu. We had a fantastic drive...
06/24/2026

Med Cruise Day 5-
Welcome to Greece! Our first of 4 Greece ports today was the incredible Corfu.

We had a fantastic driver named Simon pick us up right at the port and take us on an island tour. We learned so much about the island, met incredible locals, sipped Greek coffee, sampled olive oils, stopped at all the famous Insta-pic spots, and had lunch at a restaurant with the view I still can’t stop thinking about.

We wrapped our day with Simon and headed back to the ship where we closed the night watching the sun set from our balcony.

Med Cruise Day 4-In the wee hours of night 2, I had the bright idea to register for an early morning guided hike upon ar...
06/23/2026

Med Cruise Day 4-
In the wee hours of night 2, I had the bright idea to register for an early morning guided hike upon arrival in Kotor, Montenegro. Somehow I talked my youngest son in to joining me.

Upon arrival at the port, I regretted it instantly.

But I am not a quitter, and the views from the top really were incredible. The (appx) 1,350 stairs were a record high for my Apple Watch. Ended the day with 159 flights of stairs.

Later that afternoon we got picked up for a buggy ride that took us to the other side of the bay for more incredible history and views. A surprise picnic was waiting for us- nestled secretly in the woods. We especially enjoyed the homemade pomegranate juice!

Med Cruise Day 3-Our first port stop! Dubrovnik, Croatia has been on my list for awhile and it did not disappoint. This ...
06/23/2026

Med Cruise Day 3-
Our first port stop! Dubrovnik, Croatia has been on my list for awhile and it did not disappoint. This port and one other were the only places we initially booked excursions through the cruise line (more on that later).

Even though we booked through the cruise line, we ended up with a private tour! Our ATV excursion took us through fields, rivers, towns, more fields, and to an adorable village where we stopped in to the local bar for a cold beverage.

Our last stop was the first of many scenic overlooks we’d enjoy during our week. Our guide then welcomed us back to his ranch for an afternoon snack, some wine, and then sent us on our way.

On our way back, our driver recommended we at least visit the Old Town area of Dubrovnik, which we did, and then took the bus back to the ship for the evening.

I’ll definitely be getting back to Croatia again soon!

And remember those two planned shore excursions…. Late our first night, I added a third- and I’d regret it many times the next day! 🫣

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