Author Archives: Travel Spirit

Spectacular Airbnb in San Miguel de Allende

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The Airbnb I chose for my two night day in San Miguel de Allende is the most unusual place I have reserved. It’s above a cafe and the ceilings are 20 ft tall. It almost feels like I’m in a museum. I love the decor, it’s very artsy and colorful.

After my exploration of the town, I ordered a salad from the cafe below and they brought it up to me. I had purchased a bottle of wine and had a couple of glasses. The terrace is my favorite space. It’s huge and the views are amazing.

As night fell, I enjoyed being away from the crowds below and the sunset was pretty.

This morning, I plan on hiking up to a Mirador for a beautiful view at sunrise.

Vacay from my vacay in San Miguel de Allende

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A few days ago I decided to book a two night trip to San Miguel de Allende. This morning I took an Uber from my Airbnb in Mexico City to the Norte bus depot and boarded a bus that left … Continue reading →

MODO Museo del Objeto del Objeto (now it’s the Museum of Broken Relationships)

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Yesterday was a day of rest, so today I decided to go on a bike ride and utilize my Ecobici bike sharing membership.  I rode 9 mi and here are some of the interesting things I saw. I had a … Continue reading →

Magical Museo Soumaya

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This morning I did my laundry, walked a few minutes to the Yellow Monkey and had breakfast. Then I took Uber to Parque Lincoln. From there I walked to an area called Polanco.  It’s a nice area in Mexico City … Continue reading →

Historic Center of Mexico City

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Today started with a 4-mile Uber ride (20 minutes) to Murales de la Secretaria de Educacion Publica.  There’s an amazing volume of Diego Rivera murals located here.

A few minutes walk from there is the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. 

I walked less than 20 minutes to the Palacio de Belles Artes museum. Mexico definitely values their senior citizens.  I have free entry to most of the museums here.

Located next to the Palacio de Belles Artes Museum is Mexico’s oldest park, Alameda Central.  There are beautiful fountains and trees in the Park.

Museo de Arte Popular is a few minutes walk from the park. This was my favorite museum today. I tend to like quirky whimsical art.

A few of the sites I saw in between my destinations.

I don’t have plans for tomorrow yet. There’s so much to see!

Chapultepec Castle and Museum

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Today I decided to have a short day since I was gone for 16 hours yesterday. This morning I registered online for the Ecobici  bicycle sharing program here in Mexico City.  They have an annual membership for $28 and a … Continue reading →

Museum Day at Bosque de Chapultepec

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Bosque de Chapultepec is a 1700 acre park that contains nine museums, a castle, amusement parks, winding paths, commemorative sculptures, lakes and fountains. It’s considered the first and most important of Mexico City’s “lungs”, with trees that replenish oxygen to the Valley of Mexico.

The weather turned cooler and cloudy today so I thought it would be a great day to go to three of the museums in the park. I walked almost 2 miles to Museo de Arte Moderno. I really enjoyed exploring this museum.

Next I walked 5 minutes to the Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporaneo. Luckily it was free for seniors, since there wasn’t that much to see and it was just okay.

My sentiments about the museum… taken inside 🙂

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia was another 5-minute walk. This place is amazing, it’s on par with the museums in Washington D.C. and it’s only $5.

After walking my legs off, I stopped at a restaurant for a late lunch/ early dinner. All together I walked over 7 mi. There’s still more for me to see at the Bosque de Chapultepec.

Beautiful walk thru La Condesa and Roma, Mexico City, Mexico

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I went on a 3-mile walk in my neighborhood (La Condesa) and surrounding areas (Roma) for my first day in Mexico City. I’ll be here through the month of February. My main destinations were Parque Mexico and Parque España.

Lots of sidewalk cafes

Had a late lunch / early dinner at La Vineria.

I just have to remember to keep my mouth shut when I shower 😅

Solo trip to Mexico City for a month

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I’ll be visiting this amazing place called Tolantongo

I’m sitting in the JFK airport waiting for my flight to Mexico City. My original flight was to connect in Dallas and I would have arrived at 4:00 p.m. to Mexico City but it was canceled right before leaving for the airport because of ice storms in Dallas. I booked this flight that has a 5-hour layover and arrives at 12:15 a.m. My Airbnb is located in one of the nicest areas of the city, Condesa.

I’ll have 27 days to explore the largest city in the western hemisphere. I prepared an itinerary with places I will visit, listed below.

Bosque de Chapultepec

Museo Soumaya…America’s Park…Polanco… Parque Lincoln

Basílica de Guadalupe

Parque de la Bombilla…Plaza del Carmen…Casa del Obispo Galeria de Arte Popular…Parroquia San Jacinto…Atrio de la Parroquia San Jacinto…Bazaar Saturday

Alameda Central Park…The House of Tiles…Mirador Torre Latino…Museo de Arte…Palacio de Bellas Artes

Murales de la Secretaria de Educacion Publica…Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico…Zocalo

Parque Mexico…Plaza Luis Cabrera…Parque Espana

Fuente de Cibeles…Plaza Rio de Janeiro…Museum of the Object… Juarez neighborhood

I’m signed up to do a couple of Airbnb experiences: Waters of Tolantongo, and a 5-hour bike riding tour. There’s also a hiking experience and a canal boat experience that I most likely will purchase. I’m also hoping to spend a couple of nights in the beautiful town of San Miguel de Allente.

I joined a couple of meetup.com groups, so I plan on meeting some locals. It should be an amazing trip!

2022 in Review

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2022 was definitely a year of travel! My first trip was in late Jan/Feb for almost a month in Honolulu, Oahu. Although I went by myself, I had lined up a few dates through online dating and also went to a couple of Meetup.com happy hours. It was a nice escape from the winter here in Northern Kentucky.

I left in early April for almost three months in Europe, 5 countries, 21 accommodations, with 18 day trips. It was a trip of a lifetime! When you travel solo, you tend to meet people more easily. I met a man at the beach in Mykonos, Greece and had dinner with him, a man and his family from a Facebook Europe travel group in Colmar, France, another lady from the same group in Colmar, France, and was invited to a friend’s country home in Chania, Greece.

I started in Rome for six nights with day trips to Tivoli and Orvieto. (Photo at Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy)

I traveled by train most of the time. Next I spent seven nights in Spoleto with day trips to Perugia, Assisi, and Spello. (Photo in the town of Spello)

My next destination was Florence where I spent eight nights with day trips to Siena (photo below), Lucca, and San Gimignano.

With nine nights in Paris, I was able to take day trips to Rouen, Versailles, Chartres, and Troyes (photo below).

Rouen shown below

During my five nights in Tours, France I took a shuttle bus to see some amazing Chateaus: Villandry (the gardens)…

Azay-Le-Rideau…

Cheverny…

Amboise, Chambord, Clos Luce, and Chenonceau.

I also had my hair colored/cut and had a spectacular 90 minute massage!

The seven nights I spent in Colmar, France were some of my favorite. It’s a magical place.

I took day trips to five quaint towns surrounding Colmar: Riquewihr, Kayserberg-Vignoble, Ribeauville, Equesheim, and Turckheim.

I also took a day trip from Colmar to Strasbourg, which I loved!

I began my time in Germany with five nights in Freiburg Im Breisgau (Black Forest) with day trips to a couple of area lakes. My Airbnb host let me borrow her bicycle which I rode often. I also went to a day spa with indoor/outdoor mineral pools.

Next, I made the journey through towns along the Romantic Road and spent one night each in Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbuhl (photo below), Noerdlingen and Augsburg.

The last stop was in Fuessen for two nights. The Neuschwanstein Castle is located here. The first photo was taken while on the uphill walk to the castle…

I flew from Munich to Mykonos where I spent four nights.

Then took a ferry to Santorini for three nights.

To finish my Greek Islands experience, I flew to Chania, Crete, and spent three glorious days.

Next up was Switzerland…I flew to Zurich, took the train to Lucerne and spent two nights.

I backtracked and spent three nights at Lake Como, visiting Varenna, Menaggio and Belaggio (photo below).

I spent eight additional nights in Switzerland and discovered it’s my favorite European country! The hiking is amazing!

Took the Bernina Express Scenic train to St. Moritz for two nights. (Photo taken from a hike)

Took the Glacier Express Scenic train to Zermatt for two nights. (Photo taken from a hike)

Spent four nights in Lauterbrunnen (Photo taken from a hike)

In September I took a 10 day road trip through Michigan, Traverse City, Taquamenon Falls State Park, Marquette, Munising in the Upper Peninsula, and Mackinac Island. My dear friend Sherry joined me for the UP and Mackinac. (Photo: Pictured Rocks Boat Tour)

In October, a friend and I drove to the Smoky Mountains and hiked for a couple of days.

Finally, in December I found an inexpensive ($160 including luggage) flight to St. Petersburg, Florida and rented a beautiful Airbnb for 10 days. A new girlfriend joined me for part of the trip.

The holidays are rough for me since my husband and only child passed away a few years ago. I don’t contemplate suicide like I used to. I’m getting used to living alone. On Christmas Day I had brunch with my brother and his wife and then went to a get-together at a girlfriend’s home.

A few other things to note: I had my bathrooms and kitchen remodeled and after a six month break from online dating, joined five sites and have gone on too many first dates to remember 🙂 I also joined a health club and have been working out pretty regularly.

I’m writing this on my deceased son’s birthday. We named his Justin, because he was born Just-in time for the new year. I miss him so much. I’ve been invited to go out this evening, but I’ve decided to stay home.

I’m looking forward to a trip I planned to Mexico City for the month of February. I’ve always gone to beaches when I’ve visited Mexico, so this will be a nice change.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!