Two Peas in a European Pod: One Week in Ireland & England — Day 2

As far as the day itself was concerned, we hadn’t looked up a ton of things to do or really put any kind of concrete plan in place, but one thing that was absolutely, without-a-doubt, no-ifs-ands-or-buts-about-it on the list was a visit to Blarney Castle. There, we’d have the opportunity to climb up to the parapet or rampart or battlement or whatever you want to call it and kiss the fabled Blarney Stone, which is said to bring good luck and eloquence (“the gift of gab”, so they say) to anyone who lays a wet one on it.

Read More
Two Peas in a European Pod: One Week in Ireland & England — Day 1

It was only recently, as in within the last couple years, that I learned just how Irish I am. That sounds odd perhaps, but I’ve lived most of my life believing I was mostly Polish. That may still be true, but according to data from MyHeritage, my maternal grandmother was 94.1% Irish, Scottish, and Welsh, which no doubt means some of that Irish blood runs through me, as well. Armed with this information, I set out for my newly-realized ancestral homeland in late March 2024, looking to connect with my Irish heritage and maybe drink a Guinness or two.

Read More
Fantasizing About a Euro Trip? The 5 Cheapest Airports in Europe to Fly Into

Look, folks, if you clicked on this, it’s possible you’re thinking about making a trip across the pond, and that’s super. It’s also within the realm of possibility that you’re simply curious to see which cities and airports would land on a list such as this and have no plans whatsoever to do anything with this information other than file it away for a rainy day, and that’s cool, too. With deference to the likes of World of Wanderlust, Travel + Leisure, and Travel Off Path, among others, here are the five cheapest European airports to fly into from the good ole U.S. of A.

Read More
Where to Find One of the Most Mesmerizing Views of Washington's Mount Rainier

“Is this Heaven?” No, and it isn’t Iowa either. It’s Washington, baby, and the view from up here is one of the most breathtaking ones you will find anywhere in North America. Where is “up here”, you ask? “Up here” would be the summit at Crystal Mountain Resort, where, after a brief ride on a gondola, you are afforded one of the most fantastic views of Mount Rainier that you may ever see.

Read More
2023, Won't You Wander With Me? The Final Epistle From a Travel-Filled Missile

The year 2023, with all of its ups and downs, peaks and valleys, and trials and tribulations, has come and gone — as has another 365 days here on All Things Wanderful. So now it’s time to take stock. What caught people’s attention? What fell flat on its face? Were you, the loyal readers of this increasingly-sporadic travel blog, entertained, or at least mildly amused? Did you find the content contained within this digital rambling wreck informational? Enlightening? Perhaps even erudite?

Read More
Fire Walk With Me... to the Twin Peaks Landmarks Waiting Just Outside Seattle

Have you ever wanted to sit down at the Double R Diner with a damn fine cup of coffee? Or maybe take in the view of the gushing falls next to the Great Northern Hotel? Perhaps get a glimpse of Sheriff Truman’s retro Ford Bronco? While the titular town of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s mind-bending murder mystery series “Twin Peaks” may not exist in real life, a handful of landmarks and landscapes seen and used in the show are out there — and only a short drive from downtown Seattle.

Read More
7 Healthy Habits for Family Travel: A Guide to Well-Being on the Road

Traveling with your family is an exhilarating adventure, but it’s crucial to uphold healthy habits throughout your journey. From staying adequately hydrated to selecting accommodations that encourage an active lifestyle, these key points form the foundation for a well-rounded and enjoyable family travel experience. Here are some essential practices to keep in mind for a healthier and more memorable family adventure.

Read More
Minneapolis' George Floyd Square is a Reminder of How Far We Still Have to Go

The events of May 25, 2020, when a former Minneapolis police officer put his knee on a man’s neck and kept it there until he could no longer breathe, and the summer that followed, when millions marched in the streets of cities not just across the United States but all around the globe — amid a worldwide pandemic the likes of which hadn’t been seen in a century, no less — created a chapter in our collective history that won’t soon be forgotten.

Read More
Lake Michigan is Officially Among the Most Picturesque Landscapes in the U.S.

Look, folks, here’s the deal: Lake Michigan doesn’t need your approval. It doesn’t need your accolades, or your superlatives, or your constant-but-warranted praise. It doesn’t need you to remind it that it is the greatest of all the Great Lakes, better than Lake Superior or Huron or Ontario... or that other one that we almost don’t even need to mention (because, come on, that’s just laughable).

Read More