After an enchanting trip to Ireland 6 years ago and one successful book (A Smidgen of Irish Luck) authored, good fortune is sending me back to the Emerald Isle. #Smidgenofirishluck check out on my #BOOKSTORE page. Follow along LIVE as I begin in Dublin and wander into the southern countryside with a small Irish tour company, #InroadsIreland, that specializes in utilizing local accommodations and supporting restaurants/pubs in rural areas away from the beaten down tourist path

I was in Northern Ireland touring the Belleek Pottery Factory and the photo of the outside was not very inspiring, although the inside was a different story. Artistic craftspeople demonstrated their talents down to the finest detail. I remembered a photography technique from the professionals and turned around outside. That was my memorable shot from the morning. Love those lupins. #travelphotography #internationaltravel

Here are thoughts on the subject as they came to me: Know about a country's currency. Certain countries like Zimbabwe and El Salvador accept only US dollars as they do not have a monetary system. If that's the case, bring crisp new bills in small denominations. Your bank will help you before your trip. Plan ahead. **Remind me to tell you the story of my backpack full of money envelopes getting a total search by a diligent employee at TSA in Rochester on my way to Africa. Ta

Perhaps it is the April snowfall this morning outside my office window - 10 inches is the average for April in Western New York - that sent me immediately to my collection of photos from a December visit to Iceland a couple years ago. Hallgrimskirkja, a Luthern Church, in Reykjavik stands at 244 feet high - you can see it from any direction in the city - and is the largest church in the country of Iceland. Its distinctive architectural style - Expressionist - came about in E

Yesterday being Earth Day I consciously thought about how I remain careful to recycle, reuse and not pollute the environment. Small steps. One person. Bending over to pick up one or two beer cans on the edge of our property wasn't too much to ask of myself on my walkabout. One of the best surprises in my travel life was observing Japan with its huge population in a small goegraphical space and its intentionally clean environment. Everywhere I went in public spaces it was spot

Once upon a time - give it a date in the mid 70s if you must - I visited a wine cellar in Burgandy, France simply because it was the proper thing to do on a trip. Good wine ages along with people. A fine memory. #Burgandy #France #wine #internationaltravel #memory

Japan is one country that professes its traditions in a most spiritual way. Its cleanliness, quietness and orderliness captivate visitors and pulls from deep within them a depth of feelings. The lines, shapes and orderly designs of gardens and temples are purposely arranged for a person to be "in" the space and not to be passing through on the way somewhere else. Well, you can walk right on and miss the whole intent. Like anywhere in the world, you take away what you put into

There are no words, #NotreDame. The world stands with heads bowed and hearts aching. Between the Eiffel Tower and this magnificent cathedral, a trip to Paris is not complete without a visit here. It is a "must see" sort of landmark, and one to be returned to over and over. Now we are looking at photos of ruins and all the history that has gone up in flames. Remember #NotreDame. #NotreDame #Paris #France #Internationaltravel