The Capable Traveler Coaching & Consulting

04/17/2026

04/16/2026

We made a last minute trip to New Orleans and leveraged our American Express Platinum card hotel travel benefits to stay at Hotel Peter & Paul, a Michelin Key property in New Orleans. It was incredible! Hotel Peter & Paul is a boutique hotel in New Orleans’ Faubourg Marigny neighborhood that occupies a restored 19th-century Catholic parish complex. The site, originally home to the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, was transformed through a $20 million restoration and opened as a hotel. It is truly special and unique and worth a stay! The hotel now offers 71 unique guest rooms. We stayed in a Classic Convent room. The former church serves as a “jaw-dropping” community and event space for weddings, yoga, and concerts. The Rectory houses The Elysian Bar, a highly acclaimed restaurant and bar. Reach out for help to book your own travel adventure!!

04/15/2026

I spotted Maltese Crosses inside of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. While the Maltese Cross is not the primary cross on the cathedral, various Christian symbols are used in its architecture, including French and Spanish variants. The cathedral’s steeples most famously feature the Cross of Lorraine, a double-barred cross that signifies an archbishop is in residence.

Regarding symbols found above or inside doors, historical records note that the cathedral’s pediments and façade have been intricately worked with various Christian symbols since the early 18th century.

Maltese Cross Meaning: In broader Christian and military tradition, the eight-pointed Maltese Cross represents the eight Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew and the foundational virtues of the Order of Malta, such as piety, courage, and honor.

02/11/2026

“Malta’s traditional door knockers, referred to by locals as “il-ħabbata”, are far more than practical tools for announcing your arrival; they’re little masterpieces, rich in character and reflecting centuries of history.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the ħabbata wasn’t just a practical addition to a Maltese door, it became a proud symbol of wealth, refinement and even family pride. The shinier and more elaborate the knocker, the more wealthy the household. You could say they were the 1800s version of a flashy sports car.

In fact, Malta’s nobility would often commission custom knockers adorned with family crests or coats of arms. On the other hand, simpler households opted for more modest designs.”Thank you to VisitMalta.com for the history! Follow for more posts like this, and message me for help planning your own trip! 🇲🇹

02/06/2026

Dos Chris is our go to for a sweet treat in Phoenix…and all with a little sparkle ✨ Our favorite Rose Orange Kataifi Cupcake is available this week! We also picked up another fave, Oatmeal Carmel Cookie Pie, with a Dubai Chocolate Cupcake! 💜 We can’t wait to indulge! If you’re in Phoenix, be sure to check them out! 🧁

01/02/2026

12/22/2025

Fanboy in Richmond, VA has been transformed into a festive Grinch-themed pop-up filled with creative cocktails and gifts a-plenty! With its eye-catching façade and festive interior decor, it's the ultimate spot to soak up those holiday vibes 🎄💚