high schoolers about to launch | WTN? St. Regis Aspen | Highlight - Babylonstoren

Dear Traveler,

Despite the fact that it is school vacation this week, our family is home. Hockey season is almost over and today is our son's last home game. On Monday I dropped off chocolate milk for his team breakfast and seemingly out of nowhere my eyes teared up.

I'll admit I'm feeling quite sentimental as his high school hockey career and full time residence in our house is nearing its end. He'll be off to college next year and our home will be quiet.

Many of you have gone through a similar situation before or will be in the near (or somewhat near) future. It's hitting me earlier than I expected. I'm full of mixed emotions - pride about who he has become, sadness that he will be leaving home and wonder about what the coming years entail. Such is the ebb and flow of life. Full of transitions.

I'm off to the midwest this weekend - visiting friends in Chicago (where I grew up and one of my favorite cities) and my parents and daughter at school. It might not be a warm or tropical destination, but I'm looking forward to it just as much! And my daughter has informed me the forecast is 65 and sunny while I'm there - which I will happily take as it was 6 degrees here yesterday morning!

Americans love Italy and so do you! We've been planning many trips there over the last few months. Often a question comes up about - "Should we drive or take the train from ___ to ___?"

The answer is very dependent on the origin and destination and what options are in between. I'm a big fan of train travel in Europe - especially when it's high speed and non-stop. But occasionally I can be swayed for a car transfer if there is a charming stop on the way - a UNESCO World Heritage town or a special restaurant. Between Rome and Florence one of those spots is the medieval hilltop?town of Civita di Bagnoregio (see below), only accessible by pedestrian bridge.

I like exploring both options before I decide what to propose for you. I find the map below a helpful resource for an initial visual reminder of Italy's train system.

Another site I love is Rome2Rio . This is a valuable resource for looking up options to get from anywhere to anywhere else in the world. As an example, I looked up from my front door to 1 Michelin star restaurant Moto? in Kyoto, Japan. It takes 23 hours and 10 minutes. And it even includes the schedule for the Dartmouth Coach, which is a shuttle going to BOS airport from our town. Check it out the next time you're wondering how you can get from "here to there" by planes, trains, metro, cars or ferries.

Did you know there is a Resources page on truvaytravel.com? Check it out for more helpful tips before and during your travels.

Map key:

BLUE: High-speed trains?

DARK GREEN: trains

LIGHT GREEN: Regional trains

Last week’s most popular article was The Bucket List Family Told Us Their Best Travel Tips and Favorite Destinations . If you haven't read it yet, check it out for some inspiration on their favorite domestic and international destinations for families and a few of their favorite travel tips.

The inspiring articles below include secrets of the Louvre, the Met and the Prado that most visitors miss, the joy of the auntie-uncle trip and why 2024 is the year to visit the two most precious rhinos in the world.

A few of my favorite informational articles include hotel concierges reveal of the seemingly impossible tasks they’ve ever been asked, showing off status with your hotel bathrobe, the secret missing ingredient to truly refreshing breaks - mastery experiences (I loved this one!), the entrepreneur's guide to better vacation habits (great tips for all) and how to create a laid-back, European-style summer when you can't take a whole month off (includes good advice!).

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

Mimi

Below:

• This week's highlight - Babylonstoren
• Where to Next? The St. Regis Aspen Resort
• Articles to Inspire+Inform

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