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This Way To Paradise

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Travel Tips
  • Escape Guides
    • Belize
      • Ambergris Caye
      • Caye Caulker
    • Cambodia, Koh Rong Samloem
    • Costa Rica
      • Arenal and La Fortuna
      • The Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park
      • Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
    • Dominican Republic
    • Guatemala
      • Lake Atitlan
    • Indonesia
      • Ambon, Maluku
      • Bali
      • Gili Islands
      • Kai Island, Maluku
      • Raja Ampat
      • Sumatra-Belitung Island
    • Mexico
      • Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
      • La Paz
      • Patzcuaro
      • San Miguel De Allende
      • Todos Santos-The Antidote To Cabo!
      • Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide
    • Portugal
      • Beach Porn Alert: 7 Reasons Why You Need To Put Lagos, Portugal On Your Bucket List Now
      • The Top Portugal Beaches To Visit
    • Sri Lanka
      • Colombo, Sri Lanka
      • Ella
      • Mirissa Beach
      • Yala National Park
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok
      • Koh Lipe
      • Phi Phi
      • Phuket
      • Railay Beach-Krabi Town
      • Your Thailand Songkran Water Festival Guide
  • Places To Stay
  • Food
  • Contact Me
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Travel Tips
  • Escape Guides
    • Belize
      • Ambergris Caye
      • Caye Caulker
    • Cambodia, Koh Rong Samloem
    • Costa Rica
      • Arenal and La Fortuna
      • The Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park
      • Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
    • Dominican Republic
    • Guatemala
      • Lake Atitlan
    • Indonesia
      • Ambon, Maluku
      • Bali
      • Gili Islands
      • Kai Island, Maluku
      • Raja Ampat
      • Sumatra-Belitung Island
    • Mexico
      • Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
      • La Paz
      • Patzcuaro
      • San Miguel De Allende
      • Todos Santos-The Antidote To Cabo!
      • Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide
    • Portugal
      • Beach Porn Alert: 7 Reasons Why You Need To Put Lagos, Portugal On Your Bucket List Now
      • The Top Portugal Beaches To Visit
    • Sri Lanka
      • Colombo, Sri Lanka
      • Ella
      • Mirissa Beach
      • Yala National Park
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok
      • Koh Lipe
      • Phi Phi
      • Phuket
      • Railay Beach-Krabi Town
      • Your Thailand Songkran Water Festival Guide
  • Places To Stay
  • Food
  • Contact Me

Recent Posts

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  • What to pack for the Camino de Santiago (and what to send ahead)
  • Trading Palm Trees for Twinkle Lights: Finding Winter Paradise in Europe’s Festive Old Towns
  • Hidden Alpine Destinations That Deserve More Attention
Travel Tips

Unforgettable Things To Do in Portland, Oregon

I moved back to Portland, Oregon after living in Charleston, SC and St Pete, FL the past four years. Moving back has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever…

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April 1, 2025
Escape Guides

10 Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

If you’re looking for an uncrowded escape, you need to know about these hidden beaches in Mexico. Everyone tends to gravitate towards Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and to Cabos,…

read more
May 29, 2026
Escape Guides

From Dolphins To Fish Tacos: The Best Things To Do In Loreto

I just returned from Loreto, Mexico, and while I can’t say it was my favorite place in Mexico, it still had its charms. Zipolite still gets my vote for being…

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August 5, 2025
Travel Tips

San Pancho & Sayulita Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

I just got back from my travels to San Pancho and Sayulita in Mexico, and I had a wonderful time. These two beach towns are right next to each other,…

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November 28, 2025
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My Favorite Greek Island
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Sacred Sites of Mt Shasta
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Best Things To Do in Milos, Greece
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The Secret Beach on the Big Island
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Do You Know About the Florida Springs?
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Some of the Best Florida Beaches
  • Terrace at B&B SoleMare Cinque Terre
    Places To Stay

    SoleMare: A Fantastic B&B In Monterosso, Cinque Terre

    April 18, 2014 / 2 Comments

    If you are looking for a place to stay in Cinque Terre, Italy, B&B SoleMare is a great choice. The location is perfect. It’s in the old town part of Monterosso which is a great town in the Cinque Terre to base yourself out of. When I visited the Cinque Terre, it was very touristy, so I welcomed the lovely terrace with the amazing view on the rooftop of B&B SoleMare. It was a place of tranquility and a great place to begin and end each day. The bedroom was luxurious. The bed was comfortable and had high quality sheets and a duvet on it. The towels in the bathroom…

    Read More
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    Where To Stay In Athens: AthensWas, A Spectacular Athens Hotel That Combines Luxury With Design

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    Things To Love About Yelapa/MiraMar: Stay In A Private Beach Casa In Yelapa, Mexico

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  • Villa Margherita hotel in Cefalu, Sicily
    Places To Stay

    Cefalu Hotels: Villa Margherita- A Calm Oasis In Sicily

    April 14, 2014 / 1 Comment

    From the minute that I walked up the orange and jasmine-scented path leading to the buttery yellow house of Villa Margherita, I was charmed. Villa Margherita is the hotel you should stay at in Cefalu, Sicily. Cefalu turned out to be my favorite town in Sicily, and so it was nice to have a haven to retreat to everyday. And retreat, I did. I soaked up the sun on the beach each morning and worked and napped in the sun on the rooftop of Villa Margherita with its glorious sea view every afternoon.  The evening sunsets from the rooftop were stunning and were the perfect way to end each day.…

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    Boat at Sanctuary Resort, Thailand www.thiswaytoparadise.com

    The Sanctuary Resort at Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand

    August 17, 2013
    The Kinsterna Hotel In Monemvasia: Not Just A Hotel, But An Experience

    The Kinsterna Hotel In Monemvasia: Not Just A Hotel, But An Experience

    May 22, 2016

    Bedulu Resort-One Of The Best Places To Stay In Amed, Bali

    March 18, 2013
  • laundry in Trapani
    Travel Tips

    Trapani-The City That Sparkles In Sicily

    April 13, 2014 / 2 Comments

    My first impression of Trapani was that it actually sparkled. This was in great contrast to dirty and stricken Palermo where I had just come from. The buildings gleamed in the sunlight, ornate carvings decorated the buildings, and I got the feeling as I walked through its streets that I had stepped back in time. Some of the most beautiful buildings were located on the street Corso Vittorio Emanuele.  Trapani is especially known for it’s Easter procession. Religious statues from the 17th century are paraded around for 16 hours on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. These statues called the Misteri of Trapani are kept in the Church of the Anime…

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  • Kitchen at Gianni House
    Places To Stay

    Gianni House Hostel-A Good Budget Place To Stay In Giardini-Naxos

    April 9, 2014 / 1 Comment

    Gianni House Hostel is located in  Giardini-Naxos, Sicily.  Giardini-Naxos is the seaside resort just under the more famous Taormina. First of all, Gianni has the best directions of any hostel I’ve seen as how to reach his hostel. He even includes a video with arrival directions on his website. I will never forget the great welcome that I had from Gianni. He was waiting for me at the bus stop when I arrived. He immediately whisked me into the best bakery in town, in front of his hostel, to have them prepare a fresh cannoli for me. Then, he led me up to the roof of the Gianni House to see Mt. Etna in…

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    Boat at Sanctuary Resort, Thailand www.thiswaytoparadise.com

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  • Palermo Piazza things to do in Palermo
    Travel Tips

    5 Ways To Know Palermo

    April 7, 2014 / 21 Comments

    I have a word of advice for you if you are arriving in Palermo. Do not and I mean, do not, think that because you know Italy that you know Sicily. And do not think that because you know Sicily that you will know Palermo. Even though Sicily is part of Italy, Sicilians will be quick to remind you that Sicily is closer to Africa then to mainland Italy. The people of Sicily consider themselves Sicilians first, Italians second. As Anthony Bourdain says, “Outsiders perceive Palermo to be some sort of Godfather theme park.” But to categorize Palermo so shallowly would be to miss the heart and soul of Palermo’s…

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    Ridgefield Refuge: The Hike You Can Take Without Even Getting Out of Your Car

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About Me

I am always looking for the perfect escape, the perfect paradise, the kind of place that tosses your cares into the sea. Fortunately, I have discovered many! I created this site to show you where to go and how to get there. My goal is to show you that Paradise is only a plane ticket (or boat ride) away. I have inspired many others to travel and to create a better life. I am available for inspirational speaking, coaching, writing, travel planning, and photography.

©2026