We began the month of May with 2 back to back trips to São Paulo.
São Paulo is a place of art, music, culture and great food. We love walking the main streets and taking the sights in.
We always end our night in São Paulo back at our hotel with a caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail!
We arrived back in New York the following morning. With only hours to spare, we took an essential nap. We would be flying back to São Paulo in the evening.
With sunny skies, we walked through the streets to do some shopping!
We explored new areas of São Paulo. It was a full day of going in and out of shops.
Nothing like a Caipirinha to end a good day! “To a day well spent, and a night of rest well earned. “
It felt so good to be back in Barcelona. American Airlines only flies to Barcelona from JFK seasonally which means April through October. Being in Barcelona feels like being in a vibrant, energetic city with a Mediterranean vibe. The architecture is mixed with old and new.
Marianne and I had no destination in mind. We enjoy just walking all the iconic streets like Las Ramblas which are bustling with activity, while the historic streets in the Gothic Quarter which offers a glimpse into the past.
Las Ramblas in Barcelona is known for a large pigeon population. The city is actively trying to manage the density of the pigeons.
We aimlessly walked down different streets to see what we would come up upon.
Time for life lunch!
Feeling content, we continued our walk around Barcelona.
After checking out the Marina, we wondered through the streets of Barcelona. With are good fortune, we came upon the Cathedral of Barcelona.
The Barcelona Cathedral is located in the Gothic area dating back 500 years ago. Admission was free, so we merrily walked inside to walk the enchanting grounds.
We thoroughly enjoyed being back in Barcelona and getting to immerse ourselves in a blend of history and culture with modern energy.
Marianne and I were so happy to start the month of March in Paris. An extra bonus was working with 4 of our buddies from San Francisco. Traveling with friends for over 30 years, is like going on a family vacation.
First stop was a little shopping and a must visit to a local boulangerie. The smell was divine and the baked goods so scrumptious.
Marianne and I left the girls behind, to enjoy a stroll around Paris before meeting up for dinner. One must take advantage of the warm sun shining.
Marianne and I enjoyed our walk around Paris taking in all our favorite sights. Before meeting up with our friends for dinner, we stopped at an outdoor cafe to enjoy watching the Parisians walking by.
Dinner was at Cafe Du Commerce.
Le Cafe do Commerce offered an authentic French dining experience, with it’s classic bistro charm.
So many laughs shared with our dear friends in Paris over a delicious meal.
A journey well shared is a journey well enjoyed! Packed with friendship and ready to explore is the greatest part of being a flight attendant!
MILAN
Our second trip in March was to Milan. Unfortunately, I was under the weather and didn’t get to walk the picturesque streets of Milan. However, Marianne and I did meet up to enjoy dinner together.
MADRID
Marianne and I were ready to take on Madrid. One minute the sun was shining, the next a strong gust of wind, followed by hail hitting our faces. Without hesitation, we took cover in a nearby store. To our amazement, we found lots of fun treasures.
Always a joy to walk the streets of Madrid to experience its vibrant culture and history.
Madrid is a compact, walkable city. Walking in Madrid is a great way to experience the city’s charm.
It was time for a cold beverage.
Marianne and I had an enjoyable day exploring the heart of Madrid. It was time to jump on the bus to take us back to our hotel!
Such a great feeling, when we realize we are on the correct bus going in the right direction. VIVA MADRID!
NEW HAMPSHIRE
My last fabulous trip in March was to the beautiful state of New Hampshire with my dear friends from home. New Hampshire’s natural beauty was enhanced by the snow, creating a picturesque winter wonderland.
Our time together was full of fun and never ending laughter. Close friends are truly life’s treasures.
It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your wonderful friends that you surround yourself with that are your diamonds.
March was definitely filled with great walks, good eating and being merry in all wonderful places.
March was filled with great walks, good eating and being merry in all wonderful places shared by new and old friends.
Our first trip in February was back to London. Marianne and I had planned on going to a new spot called the Lookout. Even though tickets were not available, we were going to take the train over to see if we could get in.
On our way to our destination, we enjoyed the unique architecture. We were almost at our destination, when we noticed a group of people in a line. To our delight, we read a sign that said free tickets for 3pm. It was now 2:50pm. We hurriedly scanned the code, got the tickets and joined the line. We looked at each other and laughed. We had no idea what lied ahead for us.
After a short wait, we went through security and we were put on an elevator to go up!
HORIZON 22
WOW WEE! We had stumbled upon something spectacular. Horizon 22 is London’s highest free viewing platform with 300-degree views of London and it’s most icon landmarks.
Even though it was overcast and raining on and off, we were thrilled with the amazing views of the whole city.
On the way out of the building, we asked the security guard where our intended destination the Lookout was. He pointed to the door next to his building. We were steps away from the Lookout, but I believe our incredible find of Horizon 22 was meant to be.!
LEADENHALL MARKET
With excitement in the air and umbrellas in our hands, we set off to find Leadenhall Market, a place which we had never been to before. Leadenhall is a buzzy , beautiful airy market in the heart of London, that boasts a selection of boutiques, shops, restaurants and bars. It was definitely a hidden gem with stunning architecture dating back to the 14th century.
Of course, we checked out all the pubs from the outside to decide which one would be a perfect fit for us.
We definitely found our perfect pub! We loved the ambiance and the other friendly patrons at The Golden Goose.
Now it was time to find a place for dinner. We changed it up this time and found a Greek restaurant. The food was delicious.
A perfect end to a perfect day, savoring every last bite of this delicious meal. Remember don’t let a little rain stop you from going out. There are so many great adventures that await you just steps away!
BACK TO LONDON WE GO
Our 2nd trip in February was back to the rainy exhilarating city of London. On this trip, we were going to checkout another lively market.
SPITALFIELDS MARKET
Spitalfield Market brings together local creatives and artisans, independent retailers and a few well known brands under one historic roof. It was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon in London!
We truly enjoyed our visit to Spitalfield Market. It was such a colorful and rich experience with all the food and shopping. As many of you might know, I’m obsessed with beautiful scarves. I immediately fell in love with a cozy pink scarf and had to purchase it.
If you love it, buy it! Whoever said money can’t buy happiness!
With new treasures in our bags, we decided to stop off at The Golden Goose The welcoming energy was high and the cold beers were flowing.
May you all find the joy in finding your pink scarf!💗💕💗
FINDING NEW PLACES IN MADRID
My 3rd trip in February was to Madrid. It was a perfect mix of culture, food and amazing weather shared with my dear friend Karmen.
I was so excited to be in Madrid. I am watching the Bachelor and to my delight the last show was filmed in Madrid. My goal on this trip was to find the beautiful lake that the Bachelor show had filmed at.
Karmen and I were so thrilled to find the Retiro Park Lake. It’s a popular spot with the city’s residents, who go there to sunbathe and enjoy rowing boats.
We enjoyed walking around the lake, taking in the park views, the boat rowers and the different statues and everything the lake has to offer. It is definitely the “Central Park” of Madrid.
After our fabulous time at the park, we were ready to indulge in a late lunch. The hotel recommended Triana, a restaurant in the purest Andalusian food style which is food prepared in fresh ingredients , lots of seafood and olive oil.
It was an ideal place for lunch. I am not a big seafood lover, however there was a thinly slice steak on the menu which was delicious.
Cheers to Marianne in London! You were truly missed today!
Thank you Karmen for joining me in a walk around Madrid which enabled us to discover amazing new spots!
READY TO TAKE ON PARIS
My last trip in February was to our beloved Paris.
It was a gorgeous day in Paris. We took the train over to see Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and walk around the Latin Quarter before meeting up with some of our crew members for dinner. Unfortunately, the lines were too long to go inside the churches.
We never let crowds hinder our good time! We continued our walk over to the Latin Quarter which is one of the oldest districts in Paris.
The Latin Quarter in Paris is a lively, historic, and intellectual neighborhood that’s home to the Sorbonne, France’s oldest university.
Marianne and I love doing what Parisians do…sit at a cafe looking out and watching the people walk by, observing the street life and enjoying the atmosphere while sipping our drinks.
It was time to walk over and meet some of our crew members for dinner at a cozy French restaurant.
It was a splendid night with delicious food and fun conversation! I especially loved the French onion soup!
As we leave Paris, Marianne and I have a sense of enchantment and a deep appreciation for Paris’ culture and beauty.
February was filled with many new treasures every time we ventured out. “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty , charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
Great start for the new year! Three fun trips to London in January!
Marianne and I were so happy to work our first trip of 2025 with Camaryn to London. We decided to take advantage of London’s world-class theater productions! We got tickets to Hamilton!!!
Time was ticking, it was almost time for the show!
Hamilton is at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End.
Hamilton was truly a remarkable show. It was fast-paced with powerful storytelling told through modern and hip-hop music. We were thrilled to get to see Hamilton especially in London!
For our second trip to London, Marianne and I decided to explore Parliament Square Garden. It is an area of significant historic and symbolic value.
BIG BEN
Big Ben is probably the world’s most famous clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. Originally the site of the royal palace of London. Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons. An interesting note is the chimes of Big Ben were first broadcast by the BBC on 31 December 1923, a tradition that continues to this day!
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Westminster Abbey is a royal church in the centre of London with thousand years of history. The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066. Also, Queen Elizabeth had her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey.
So much history to enjoy!
PALACE OF WESTMINSTER
The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, commonly called the Houses of Parliament.
We continued our walk on The Thames Path which is a walking route that runs along the River Thames in London and passes by the Houses of Parliament.
We crossed over the Westminster Bridge to see a beautiful view of the London Eye.
We left the Parliament Square area and headed back towards our hotel to find a Pub for dinner. We were delighted to come across The Larrik. We enjoyed a nice dinner .
Good bye London, we will be back!
Our last trip in January was another enjoyable trip to London. This trip, we decided to walk the streets and do some shopping. Rain or shine, it was not going to dampen our spirits.
We always have fun discovering interesting shops.
After shopping, we came upon a busy restaurant with delicious looking plates. Without hesitation, we went in to indulge in the yummy looking food.
For us two girls being so widely traveled, we actually did not know what type of food that we were eating. However, it was delicious! After dinner, we kindly asked the waiter what type of food we were eating….he proudly said, “Turkish.”
We still had some energy, so we decided to stop in and enjoy a night cap at one of our favorite Pubs near our hotel.
The Herron is so cozy with tables in front of the fireplace. It was a great way to end a day of walking in and out of the rain.
London has truly captured our hearts! It was a great start to 2025!❤️
What a way to end 2024! Marianne and I couldn’t believe our good fortune that we finally got a trip to Rio de Janeiro, a city in Brazil known for its natural beauty, beaches and annual carnival.
This is my grand view from my balcony at our hotel. How lucky are we to stay in one of Rio’s beachfront resorts. With the sun shining, we decided to go straight out to explore Rio’s beaches. Rain was forecasted for the afternoon. Therefore, we had to take advantage of a beautiful sunny day in Rio.
We set out to go to the most well known beaches in Rio de Janeiro , Copacabana and Ipanema. Both are considered iconic and widely recognized around the world. It was about a 30 minute walk down to the beaches.
On our way to the beach, we came upon these fun swings. I couldn’t have said it better “This Is Living.”
The beaches in Rio are known for their stunning clear waters, sunny spots and white sands with the great Sugar Loaf Mountain in the background as seen in the photo above at Ipanema Beach. The boardwalk, like all of those in Rio, is better described as a walkway fashioned from black and white Portuguese tile.
Happily, we walked about 2 miles on the boardwalk, thinking we would have time to enjoy the beautiful sand and water amongst all the beautiful people. Unfortunately, the weather changed drastically and a torrential rain storm occurred. We had to take cover quickly!!
We waited out the storm in a near by restaurant!
A perfect spot, the beer was cold and the food was yummy!
We made it back to the beach between the rain. We were the only one’s left to enjoy the beach. We would have loved to do what we do best…people watch!
We needed to take cover because the rain began to come down again hard.
We started to walk the 2 mile trek back to our hotel. Unfortunately, the rain started to come down hard, so we decided to uber back to the hotel. At first, we thought everyone had the same idea, so many cars, but none of them were moving. Our Uber driver did not speak English. After sometime, he informed us with google translation that the road ahead, where are hotel was located was closed due to the flooding water. We googled back to him that we would like to get out and walk. He googled back… NO!! It’s not safe to walk because of the Bandits! WHAT!!! After about 45 minutes of not moving, people were jumping out of cars and walking in the direction of our hotel. We informed our Uber driver that we wanted to walk. He said ok, but stick with the crowd, which we did and no bandit activity occurred. Thanks to our Angels for always looking after us!
We made it back to our hotel to enjoy a much needed caipirinha drink down at the pool. All and all, it was a great 1st day in Rio.
Marianne and I eagerly woke up early the next morning to go on a 6 hour tour to see Christ the Redeemer, the Selaron Steps and Sugarloaf Mountain.
CHRIST THE REDEEMER
Marianne and I were awestruck with the giant, mountain top statue of Jesus Christ. Christ the Redeemer is a masterpiece which expresses the feeling and the blessing of the Brazilian people. The statue is considered one of the 7th wonders of the world due to its tremendous name and its size. It is the largest monument with Art Deco design. The statue was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet tall at the top of the Corcovado Mountain.
The view from the Christ the Redeemer is breathtaking! It is a an amazing panoramic and 360 degrees, offering view of the city, bay and ocean.
Christ the Redeemer with its open arms is seen as a gesture of embracing all who visit, regardless of their faith. It.s such a powerful symbol! Marianne and I will treasure this visit to Christ the Redeemer and will always be touched by it’s beauty.
ESCADARIA SELARON
Our next stop was to the Selaron Steps, which is one of the famous landmarks of Rio. The steps are a work of a Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron who claimed it as his tribute to the Brazilian people. He envisioned creating a living work of art to transform a run-down set of steps. He wanted to bring life and color to the Lapa neighborhood.
The art at the Selaron Steps is a collection of thousands of tiles from around the world. The tiles are mosaic of colors, patterns and messages that represent the diversity of the world.
SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN
Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak that rises 396 meters high (1300 feet) and presents a bird’s eye view of Rio.
Marianne and I took a cable car to the summit.
Such an awesome view of Rio from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
We were able to take in the incredible sight of the Christ the Redeemer.
As we walked around the top, we were astounded with the overwhelming gorgeous view of Rio!
Visiting Sugarloaf was such a rewarding experience seeing the mountains, lakes, beaches, and oceans surrounding the bustling city of Rio.
We are so blessed to end 2024 by basking in the beauty of Rio de Janeiro! Every corner of Rio is a sight to behold. Not even the pouring rain could dampen our appreciate of this beautiful city. Our endless adventures in Rio will stay with us forever!
So happy that our dear and fun friend Camaryn also worked a trip to London and was able to join us for a fun filled layover.
London is one city that takes their Christmas lights seriously. The streets, squares, pubs and shops are all lit up with dazzling lights. You can’t resist being immersed in their Christmas spirit.
We left our hotel before the festive London Christmas lights were turned on. So we enjoyed the grand boulevards illuminated in all their glory with the stores adorned with beautiful decorations.
Always a must that we stop in at Harrods, the world famous store with luxury shopping!
The Londoners take pride and joy in decorating their beautiful homes for Christmas. It gives you a feeling of exhilaration walking down the different streets!
To our excitement, the lights on the streets were beginning to turn on. Let the magic of the Christmas lights begin!!
Every street you turned down are filled with twinkling lights!
Christmas spirit galore!!
What a day full of lights and joy!
Best way to end our fabulous day….a pint at our local English Pub!
English pubs are a typical part of British culture, and are a place where people can gather with friends and family in a friendly and fun atmosphere.
Happy Christmas to you all from London. May your hearts be filled with joy as bright as the Christmas lights around you! Embrace the warmth of the season with glowing lights and happy hearts.
Marianne and I have not been back to one of our favorite places since before the Olympics. It felt so good to be back in Paris just in time to enjoy the Christmas season.
The spirit of Christmas in Paris was not dimmed by the rain. Marianne and I set out to immerse in the Christmas vibe by shopping and seeing the Christmas decorations and lights.
We persevered in the rain! We moseyed in and out of many fun shops!
We stopped at a warm and cozy cafe to dry out for a while.
On the road again! To our good fortune, the rain had subsided.
Marianne and I savor every moment, every blessing that being a flight attendant has given us.
Hotel de Ville
The Hotel de Ville is a beautiful 19th century building which is now the city hall of Paris and features a number of displays on French History.
We continued to walk down the street to the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market: La Magie de Noel.
La Magie de Noel is part traditional Christmas Market and part holiday carnival.
La Magie de Noel is a popular holiday experience. The Tuileries Garden is near the Louvre. This Christmas market had everything, such as an ice skating rink, Ferris wheel and over a hundred chalet stalls, selling all manner of French foodstuffs, gifts, and wine. It definitely put us in the Christmas spirit.
The sun was setting, the air was getting cooler; it was now time to walk back to our hotel and stop along the way for dinner.
Paris glowed with Christmas lights at every corner we turned.
Nothing better to end our day with a mouthwatering steak dinner.
Paris truly put us in the Christmas spirit.
We will never let a little rain stop us from having fun, especially in Paris.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
We arrived at JFK from San Francisco in the wee hours of the morning. Waiting for our shuttle, we were struck with a nostalgic feeling looking at the TWA Hotel in front of us. The TWA Hotel is set in the iconic former TWA flight Center. The hotel was originally built in the 1960s when TWA was thriving. Now the hotel has been revamped and the entire aesthetic orbits around TWA’s Brand, with 3 core themes: airplanes, bright red and the 1960s.
The shuttle came and brought us to the crashpad to get a couple of hours rest before working the evening flight to Milan.
Jaw-dropping views of the Alps before landing in Milan.
Time to put our walking shoes on to enjoy shopping in Milan from designer boutiques to department stores. The grocery stores are also amazing.
All tuckered out from our shopping experience, it was time to energize!
We found a quaint pub with couches to relax on before venturing out to shop again.
We could not resist stopping when we came across Christmas in Chocolate at the Park Hyatt Milano Hotel.
After walking and shopping the streets of Milan, it was time to enjoy an Italian dinner. We decided on pizza!
That’s Amore!!
It’s always fabulous to stroll around Piazza del Duomo at night. The Cathedral is all lit up and looks absolutely breathtaking.
The Duomo is a sight to behold, no matter how many times we see it. To our hearts content, we ate, shopped and definitely were merry in the beautiful city of Milan.
Marianne and I were so thrilled to be back in London. We had no agenda for our layover. We just love walking the streets of London to experience the diverse neighborhoods, iconic landmarks and vibrant atmosphere. Our layover in London was so much more than expected and better than we imagined.
Christmas is well and truly on its way in London. The lights on the streets are going up. We did a little shopping and kept wondering the different streets. To our delight, we wondered down a street and found many people going into a building that looked very inviting. We wanted to see what the big attraction was! As one says, “ We hit the lottery!!”
MERCATO MAYFAIR
Mercato Mayfair is a hip market in an old stained-glass church, with food stands, eateries and a vaulted wine cellar. The food hall is located in St. Mark’s Church, which was built in the 1820s. It was deconsecrated in 1973, now offering two floors of worldwide cuisine and to our happiness a rooftop bar!
We were a little overwhelmed on what our food and drink choices would be. We opted to stay simple and have a beer along with nachos. Delicious!!
To our good fortune, we got the perfect spot on the rooftop to witness the beautiful sunset.
This rooftop bar was definitely a hidden gem and we were blessed with no rain.
We continued our walk to take in the contagious fun London vibe.
The spirit of London as a city is captivating.
Savoring the London vibe, one sip at a time in a cozy pub.
A perfect ending to a fun layover in London. Every mile we walk, gives us a new story.
Proud to be wearing our pink scarves as we leave London. Marianne and I wear the pink scarves the entire month of October to raise awareness about breast cancer, honor survivors, and support those battling or recovering from this horrible disease.
“Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope!”
Come Fly With Me 