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Splash Out in Tenerfie, Spain

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Expecting more of an African island vibe considering it’s close proximity to the continent, I was so surprised that Tenerife was absolutely Spanish. There was no doubt – I could have been in the center of Seville instead of 600 miles from the mainland (or as they say, the ‘peninsula’). Tenerife Highlights: Outdoors How can you stay inside at all while on a sunny island? The beaches are perfect, as is the pool scenes at many of the upscale hotels. But I also really loved driving down the coastline and…

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An Introduction to Ayurveda: At Adler Thermae in Tuscany, Italy

yoga studio adler thermae tuscany italy Eileen Cotter wright

To truly develop your entire being, body and mind, all have to be considered part of the journey. In other words, when I drink a ton of wine, it’s going to make my mood real crappy too. Exhibit A: All the Tuscan wine I could carry home from Sasso Di Sole. Anything in excess, whether it’s food, fun or just dwelling on negative thoughts means you’re going have a bad time. Awareness of this and of your connections inside and out are so important to feeling good. As I started…

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A Little Bit On Latvia: Photos from Riga

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Lativa was a treat. I don’t think I’ve visited a country in so little time that left such a lovely impression. The capital city is bright, clean and full of art – from dancing statues and street murals to contemporary monuments and homemade jewelry. Interactions were always intelligent and cozy, with many locals offering recommendations for activities and food as a warm welcome to the city. Helen from HelsBels and myself had an amazing, albeit quick experience. Not to mention, we got plenty of bang for our buck, even as…

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#IHEARTCANARIES: Heading to Tenerife

In just about a week I’ll be sunning myself on the beautiful island of Tenerife. It’s one of the Canary Islands – Spanish territory off the coast of Africa. The landscape is rugged, sporting volcanoes and fishing villages alongside miles of beaches with luxury resorts. What more could you want in a getaway? The best part is the whole week I’ll be staying at an oasis with great friends, off the grid and living easy. It’s a massive self-catering space complete with private pool and plenty of open space. In…

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Saying Hello to Winter: Chamonix, France

Sprawled out on the side of the mountain, my skis were still halfway up the mountain. I had hit a nasty ice patch, went flying in the air and landed heard on my helmet. I didn’t move for a couple minutes, fearing the worst. The wind was taken out of my lungs and I certainly landed on something sharp by my ribs. What erupted was not tears, but crazy laughter as I rolled over in the snow and faced the sun. Sure it was a garbage fall and a rookie…

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A Night Out in Clapham South: The Avalon

There’s nothing I can’t stand more than being stuck in the house on a rainy or overcast day as a London expat. It sets the mood for the week on how I feel and how productive I can be (read: not at all). When there’s any excuse to escape and do something out of the routine on a weekday, I’m all about it. A perk about living in a busy part of South London is the plethora of choices for places to eat. I can practically feel like I’m eating…

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Time for a #TasteofCatalonia!

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My awareness of wine is dismal. Although it’s slightly improved over the last decade (mostly because my budget helps me avoid the hooch) I still am stupidly new at various blends and qualities. In fact, last time I was in the Catalonia region of Spain, my then-boyfriend-now-husband and I only visited the Freixenet cava factory. While fun for new fans of the sparkling stuff, we definitely missed out on tons of other amazing wineries. And seven years later, so many more are earning awards, getting organic certified and offering variety throughout…

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Going with the flow at Seville, Spain’s “Feria” celebration

Although I am thousands of miles away, every April my heart goes right back to the dirt streets of Feria, where horses are ridden down temporary paths, skirts swish and drinks are poured by the dozen. I’ve never seen anything like it in person before – in the middle of nowhere on a massive abandoned lot in Seville, Spain, a pop-up tent city is erected and filled with traditional dancing, meals, music and lights that flicker until dawn. Every year the massive archway, that is dozens of feet high, marks…

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Tips for Adjusting to Short-Term Expat Living

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Moving to a giant city was a crazy adjustment. Boston is beautiful, but has a very small-town feel if you ask me – I felt like I knew everything and everything there. London’s neighborhoods are so vast and different, it can get overwhelming at times. In fact, it’s made me appreciate the outdoors a lot more and those moments we get to escape the bustling city life. Sometimes it gets so crazy in London, I’m ready to move off the grid and live a bit simpler. Wouldn’t be great to…

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How to Maintain Top Mental Health with Technology

tomtom Adventurer watch and fitness tracker

Being proactive about how good your mind and body feels is not a small task. It’s even worse when you’ve maybe let yourself get into a rut and everything seems like an impossible effort. I’m using this wonderful time in the world to best enhance my mental health with endless technological advances. It’s so fun and exciting to discover new ways to nurture my mind with online doctor consults, fitness trackers, light therapy and more. Here’s what has helped me the most lately! Track Your Exercise Efforts The top thing…

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