McCown

The Ultimate Travel Companion

I’ve put together a handy packing list just for my clients so your journey can be as smooth and stress-free as possible. It’s taken me many, many trips to figure out the products and items that I prefer (while not packing up my entire house!), so please note that every single one of the items listed below is something my family and I travel with…...

Weekending in Madrid

We left the kids behind with some good friends and spent a whirlwind long January weekend in Madrid. It was so much fun and we did everything but sleep! We made sure to hit to major highlights but also focused on eating our way through Spain’s capital. Join us through the photos below as I recap the highlights, the hidden gems, and the unexpected moments that...

Eating All Over the World in NYC

In the bustling city of New York, a gastronomic adventure awaits that transcends geographical boundaries. The city’s vibrant culinary scene mirrors its diverse population, offering a global tapestry of flavors that can transport your taste buds to every corner of the globe. Join me on a journey through the kaleidoscope of global flavors that define the...

Expats’ Favorite Portuguese Town

Cascais is a charming coastal town located in the Lisbon region of Portugal that is known for its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. Just a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon, it’s easy to get to and has more of a small-town feel than booming Lisbon. Here’s a few reasons not to miss this seaside stop on your next visit to...

Japanese Countryside

We celebrated Thanksgiving 2023 in Japan – it was our family’s third trip to this beautiful island country. And, since we’d already visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka on previous trips, we spent about 8 days focusing on the smaller towns. The highlight of the trip, for me, was the hike we took along the Nakasendo Trail through the Kiso Valley which...

Exploring Marrakesh

Marrakesh, also known as the “Red City,” is a vibrant and culturally rich destination that offers a captivating experience for all sorts of travelers. Located in the heart of Morocco, Marrakesh is a city steeped in history, with its ancient medina recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We took just baby Evans (when he was just 2 months old) for a...

US Virgin Islands: No Passports Required!

The US Virgin Islands has a unique blend of American and Caribbean culture, beautiful beaches, and a stunning national park, making it a popular tourist destination. The US Virgin Islands is an unincorporated territory of the United States, which means that it is part of the US, but not a state. It has its own government and constitution, but the US federal...

Incredible India

We visited New Delhi, Agra and the Rajasthan state of India in 2017 to celebrate the Holi festival. India is truly a place of its own and we had a wonderful time exploring such a diverse and wonderful culture. We chose to celebrate Holi in the most un-touristy place we could find so we could experience the true, authentic festival and not the tourist version. We...

Back to Vietnam: this time, with kids!

We saw the highlights of Vietnam in 2015 when we traveled for 4 weeks from Saigon to Hanoi with many stops in between, including an overnight train experience and sailing on Ha Long Bay. We loved our time in Vietnam so much that, when they re-opened this past spring, we decided to book a last-minute summer vacation … this time with our 3-year-old and...