Category Archives: Travel

Imported French Fashion in the Minneapolis North Loop

The latest from my Mill City Times writings: Imported French Fashion in the Minneapolis North Loop: http://millcitytimes.com/news/cest-chic-boutique-imports-clothes-and-accessories-from-fran.html Read about French fashion imports; good photos too!

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House of Talents Showcases African Artisans

For the last several weeks, it has been my pleasure to write small business profiles that appear in Mill City Times, an online newspaper in Minneapolis in downtown neighborhoods on both sides of the Mississippi River. Here is the latest piece on Kate Herzog and her special shop, House of Talents: Article by Merle Minda […]

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Morocco Calls.

Once there, you can never forget. Our trip to Morocco, staying with the Ambassador and his wife in Rabat at the time, then traveling around the country by car remains so very fresh in my mind. Leaving Rabat, we drove north to Tangier, stopping at little restaurants recommended by the Ambassador. Then spent one night […]

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Romantic Places — Beyond Valentine’s Day

Romance is nice year ’round, not just for Valentine’s Day. As a long-time married partner, I urge you to take time to put romantic moments, places and vacations in your life. And they don’t have to be the most expensive spots in town — it’s all about ambience, atmosphere and the right partner! Some of […]

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Rental Car Blues

The Rental Car That Wasn’t There – Twice!! My favorite travel columnist/trouble-shooter, Christopher Elliott, www.elliott.org, says that “people assume that a reservation number means you have a reservation – and that is not necessarily true!” I learned this the hard way a few months ago – twice – once in deep France and again unexpectedly, […]

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Iconic Holiday Excursions Around the World

A Personal Concierge Makes it All The More Joyful Holiday in St. Barts Guest blog courtesy of Time & Place, vacation rental providers. http://www.timeandplace.com I count on my concierges to create a holiday experience beyond the guest’s imagination. Broomfield, Colorado (PRWEB) November 07, 2013 In time for the holidays, Time & Place announces it is booking […]

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Do’s and Don’ts of Travel Insurance!

            If we needed a reminder, this is it. 89-year old Dodge Melkonian and his wife Jill, 65, of Clearwater, FL, were cruising along the coast of southern Turkey with Azamara Cruises when Dodge fell at night in his cabin and broke his hip.  Considering their age and the adventurous nature of the cruise, the […]

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A Night in an Enchanted Castle!

It is the perfect setting for a murder mystery. After some fairly tricky driving, we found our way to Chateau de la Verrerie, the Glass Castle, http://www.chateaudelaverrerie.com, situated next to a misty lake deep in the Berry, a department in the Loire south of Paris. Seemingly, we drove forever through flowering fields, having veered off the […]

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Keeping Your Stuff Safe Overseas!

Simple reminders for passport, cards and cash safety. Recently, a friend asked advice for her teen-aged daughter who would be traveling in Europe for the first time. She asked what to do with her passport and credit cards while walking around on the streets; wanted to know about using hotel safes; taking travellers’ checks or using […]

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France trip with my spouse doing all the juggling, driving and talking!

  Written by Guest Blogger: Roland Minda This is a lavishly laudatory spouse review plus trip highlights. It was intended to be brief, but now a little indulgence as to length!  (P.S. I often call my wife by her nickname, M2, for her name, Merle Minda.) This trip took us first to 5 glorious days […]

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