The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

How to make the most of a road trip

By

When I picked up the rental car at the San Jose airport in the early morning, I was greeted with rainbows and mountains. A great start to a road trip. My plan was to drive to San Francisco where I hoped to drive across the Bay Bridge and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods. […]

PHOTO ESSAY: Quiet, quirky Bolinas

By

I made time for a slow drive up the coast of California on my way to Sonoma.  I did a bit of research and hit the road from the San Jose airport.  I had read that Bolinas is different than most coastal California towns.  They have actively tried to keep outsiders away, so of course […]

My top four vineyard picks in Sonoma and Napa

By

Now that you know my tips for surviving wine country, I will share my top five vineyards to visit in the Sonoma and Napa area. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of vineyards, and while I certainly had my fair share of wine, there are hundreds out there I have yet to explore. If […]

How to survive four days in wine country

By

I developed an appreciation for wine (i.e. became a wine snob) when I lived in Buenos Aires and explored the wine regions of Argentina and Chile. Upon returning home after two years of travel in Latin America, I was looking forward to the opportunity to experience more of my own country. Last year I learned […]

A taste of Italy in San Francisco

By

San Francisco is known as a foodie destination. I only had a few days to explore the city, so I decided a food tour would be the best way to get lots of small bites and learn about the culture and history of San Francisco.  After extensive research (and wiping the drool off my keyboard), […]

Portland’s Bridges at Night

By

Portland is becoming an annual trip for me. There is so much I love about the city.  The food is fresh, affordable, and creative.  Portland has the best concentration of craft breweries in the country. And I love the people, the culture, the vibe. On my recent trip, I wanted to leverage what I learned […]

My Top 11 Amsterdam

By

I absolutely loved my time in Amsterdam.  It is a city I would like to spend months exploring. There are so many things to see and do.  So if you only have a short time in Amsterdam, take a look at my personal top 11 list (because I couldn’t stop at 10) to help you […]

PHOTO: Frankfurt’s Alte Opera at Night

By

Alte Opera The Alte Opera (Old Opera) is my favorite Frankfurt site to visit at night.  One of my goals on this European trip was to work on my night photography. Based on the contrast of shadow and light areas in this scene, I decided to take multiple exposures and create an HDR image.  I […]

My top 5 contemporary art museums in Frankfurt

By

After a jam-packed itinerary in Amsterdam, I was looking forward to relaxing a bit in Frankfurt.  I wanted to drink German beer, try some German food, explore the neighborhood, and check out a few museums. I read that Frankfurt is considered the cultural capital of Germany. I’m not sure if that is true or not […]

Photo Essay: Old Jewish Cemetery of Frankfurt

By

One of my favorite discoveries in Frankfurt happened by accident on my last full day in the city. As you may know, I like to photograph cemeteries, especially in other countries and cultures.  I walked by the walled old Jewish Cemetery in Frankfurt and saw that the gate was locked. But I could peak through and […]