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  • Home
  • Countries
    • Africa
      • Benin
      • Botswana
      • Cape Verde
      • Egypt
      • Ghana
      • Lesotho
      • Malawi
      • Namibia
      • Senegal
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Swaziland
      • Togo
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Asia
      • Armenia
      • Azerbaijan
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Georgia
      • Hong Kong
      • Indonesia
      • Israel
      • Japan
      • Jordan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Laos
      • Lebanon
      • Myanmar
      • Oman
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Tajikistan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Europe
      • Albania
      • Andorra
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Kosovo
      • North Macedonia
      • Malta
      • Moldova
      • Netherlands
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Serbia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Ukraine
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Caribbean
        • Anguilla
        • The Bahamas
        • Cuba
        • Dominican Republic
        • Jamaica
        • Puerto Rico
        • Saba
        • Saint Lucia
        • Saint Maarten/Saint Martin
        • US Virgin Islands
      • Central America
        • Costa Rica
        • Nicaragua
        • Panama
      • Mexico
      • United States of America
        • Alaska
        • Arizona
        • California
        • Hawaii
        • Montana
        • Nevada
        • Oregon
        • Utah
        • Washington
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • Guam
      • Marshall Islands
      • Micronesia
      • Palau
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Polar Regions
  • About Erika
  • Contact
  • Le Grotte di Frasassi, Marche
    Italy

    Guide to the Frasassi Caves in Italy

    Deep under the hills of Italy’s Marche region, you’ll find a subterranean world of delicate calcareous sculptures and fairytale spires. This ethereal wonderland—known as the Frasassi Caves (or Grotte di Frasassi in Italian)—is one of Europe’s largest cave systems and a highlight of travel to Central Italy. The Frasassi Caves are rich in whimsical formations. Gouged out by the Sentino River over the course of 150 million years, their sculpted chambers rival the most intricate on Earth.   THE GROTTE DI FRASASSI The Grotte di Frasassi are located in the…

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    Southern Italy Road Trip: Exploring the Puglia Region

    Aug 28, 2012

    Discovering Milan in One Day

    Jun 30, 2015

    Day Trip to the Cinque Terre

    Oct 30, 2015
  • Erechtheion statues
    Greece

    Visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens

    The ancient Acropolis of Athens is the beating heart of Greece. Crowned by the Parthenon, its Pentelic marble ruins—visible from nearly  everywhere within the city—tower above the modern Greek capital. Arguably the most important building in the Western world, it is regarded as the apotheisis of Classical Greek civilization. The Acropolis is the original home of democracy. The birthplace of modern philosophy. The cradle of Western Civilization. One of ancient humanity’s crowning achievements. And the absolute #1 place to visit in Athens (by a long shot).   THE ACROPOLIS OF…

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    Hilltop Churches in Naxos Greece

    Things to Do in Naxos: Largest Island in the Cyclades

    Mar 3, 2023
    Cute Street in Nouassa, Paros

    Guide to Paros and Antiparos, Greece

    Mar 31, 2023

    Things to Do in Milos, Greece

    May 3, 2023
  • Greece

    Things to Do in Milos, Greece

    Milos is an Aegean gem that features dramatic coastal landscapes and quintessential Cycladic architecture. The Greek island is home to picture-perfect fishing villages, ancient ruins, and remote sun-kissed beaches.  Yet despite its appeal, Milos still manages to fly under the radar. Outside of major tourist attractions like Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, the island is a treasure trove of secluded beaches, isolated swimming holes, and lonely dirt roads. Milos’ claim to fame, the venerated Venus de Milo, may have found a new home in the Louvre, but the island’s breathtaking scenery and…

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    Cute Street in Nouassa, Paros

    Guide to Paros and Antiparos, Greece

    Mar 31, 2023
    Santorini White Village and Blue Domes

    Two Days in Santorini: Gem of the Cyclades

    Jan 31, 2023
    Hilltop Churches in Naxos Greece

    Things to Do in Naxos: Largest Island in the Cyclades

    Mar 3, 2023
  • Cute Street in Nouassa, Paros
    Greece

    Guide to Paros and Antiparos, Greece

    The idyllic island of Paros—awarded best in Europe by Travel and Leisure in both 2018 and 2020—seems to have it all.  The pretty Greek island has managed to strike a balance between easygoing and bustling, rustic and cosmopolitan, amenity-filled and affordable. It blends laid-back sophistication with unspoiled Cycladic beauty. Though certainly not off the beaten path, Paros often takes a backseat to the more popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini. As such, the island remains enticing in its beauty, yet still shielded somewhat from influencer fame.   PAROS ISLAND: THINGS…

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    Things to Do in Milos, Greece

    May 3, 2023
    Erechtheion statues

    Visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens

    May 31, 2023
    Santorini White Village and Blue Domes

    Two Days in Santorini: Gem of the Cyclades

    Jan 31, 2023
  • Hilltop Churches in Naxos Greece
    Greece

    Things to Do in Naxos: Largest Island in the Cyclades

    The Greek island of Naxos is an unassuming gem. Boasting traditional Cycladic whitewashed villages and dramatic scenery, it is both understated and well-endowed. Naxos welcomes visitors with its laidback charm and sparkling Aegean waters. It may not be as renowned as nearby Santorini or Mykonos, but the island exudes a different vibe: one that is less commercialized, less Insta-famous, and equally beautiful.    TOP NAXOS ATTRACTIONS AND ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. It contains a wonderful balance of charming towns, photogenic scenery, ancient…

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    Cute Street in Nouassa, Paros

    Guide to Paros and Antiparos, Greece

    Mar 31, 2023
    Santorini White Village and Blue Domes

    Two Days in Santorini: Gem of the Cyclades

    Jan 31, 2023

    Things to Do in Milos, Greece

    May 3, 2023
  • Santorini White Village and Blue Domes
    Greece

    Two Days in Santorini: Gem of the Cyclades

    Santorini is a destination that needs no introduction. One of the most renowned islands in the world, it is quite simply a breathtaking place—with whitewashed villages tumbling toward the sea and cobalt waters scintillating under the Aegean sun. Considering its beauty, it comes as no surprise that the Greek island is a magnet for Instagrammers and honeymooners. Millions of tourists flock to its shores every year in search of the perfect white and blue backdrop. Although I often pride myself in straying away from the crowds, I could’t resist adding…

    Read More

    Hilltop Churches in Naxos Greece

    Things to Do in Naxos: Largest Island in the Cyclades

    Mar 3, 2023
    Erechtheion statues

    Visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens

    May 31, 2023

    Things to Do in Milos, Greece

    May 3, 2023
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“Traveling with kids is just parenting in another “Traveling with kids is just parenting in another location.” 

if I could get a dollar every time I heard someone say those words, I would probably be able to fund my next vacation. 
 
And I kind of get it, though I don’t really agree. 

Vacations aren’t really the same once you have little kids. You can’t just laze by the pool for hours and doze off with a book in hand.  Parenting duties don’t magically disappear when you buy a plane ticket. You still have to navigate sleep schedules, deal with tantrums, lug around an obscene amount of bags, and ensure bellies are full of snacks. 

So no, traveling with the kids does not magically make me feel more rested and relaxed. But it does fill my cup in so many other ways.

-It allows me to slow down and watch the kids interact with the world 
-It gives me a break from cooking and household chores
-It helps me feel like I haven’t fully abandoned the Erika that I was pre-kids
-It fills me with my happiest parenting memories 

And I think that it is great for the kids too. 

-It exposes them to other ways of living and helps them understand our shared humanity 
-It teaches them flexibility, adaptability, and patience 
-It ignites their curiosity about anything and everything 

This last trip of to Costa Rica was our first time traveling with two kids. It was sometimes stressful, sometimes difficult, always exhausting, rarely relaxing.

If you think that relaxation is necessary for a successful vacation, then you’ll probably agree that traveling with kids is just parenting with a different backdrop.

But if you travel for the thrill of new experiences, the break from routine, or the enjoyment of seeing new places, then traveling with kids is no obstacle. 

In some ways, bringing them along for the ride makes the experience even better.
Four days into our trip to Costa Rica, I left my c Four days into our trip to Costa Rica, I left my camera at our hotel near Rincon de la Vieja. I only realized my mistake once I arrived at the Monteverde Cloud Forest. And by that point, it was too late to turn around without disrupting our plans for the following day. 

Luckily, I was able to retrieve my camera en route to the airport, prior to returning home. 

I’m so happy I was reunited with my camera, but incredibly disappointed that I don’t have better quality pictures from the second part of our trip. 

Here are a few snapshots of the wildlife from the first three days.
2024. Another year come and gone. Wishing time wou 2024. Another year come and gone. Wishing time would slow down, but grateful for the memories made.
Happy due date to our sweet Selene! I have so many Happy due date to our sweet Selene! I have so many things to be thankful for this year, but the arrival of our new travel buddy tops the list. 

I can’t wait for this next year of adventure as a family of four!
It’s been a busy summer of travels to the Caribbea It’s been a busy summer of travels to the Caribbean, Minnesota, Europe, Seattle and Eugene. And then, just like that, I dropped Elio off to school for the first time. 😭 

Looking forward to a year of growth, new transitions, and expanding friendships. And of course, some new exciting travels whenever we can squeeze them in!
Snapshots of the incredible wildlife on South Geor Snapshots of the incredible wildlife on South Georgia Island 🐧 🦭
The White Continent. #antarctica #7thcontinent # The White Continent. 

#antarctica #7thcontinent #atlasoceanvoyages #whitecontinent #instatravel #erikastravels
Loving summer ☀️ Loving summer ☀️
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