Is an Italy trip complete without a trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa? We didn't think so. We made it a point to schedule some time during our tour of Italy to stop and be sure that the tower was still leaning. They have not stood it up straight and it has not fallen over yet so if you are in the area and haven't seen it - do it.

No matter how much time you have to spend in Florence, spend it wisely. There is so much to see and do in the birthplace of the renaissance that you can easily be overwhelmed. Whether you want to experience the arts, culture, history or great food, Florence is your place.

Spending the night in a medieval Tuscan castle is something that most people only dream about doing. However, it is easier than you think. Throughout Italy, there are castles that have been converted into accommodations for tourists. Some of them plush and luxurious while some of them still retain their minimalistic 12th century charm. We got the opportunity to rent out an entire castle and its associated farmhouses for our wedding.

Amtrak's Coast Starlight is a train adventure that runs the west coast of the United States, from Los Angeles to Seattle.  While train travel has lost a lot of its popularity due to the reduction in cost and increased convenience of air travel, it can still be a lot of fun to experience.  The Coast Starlight is one of the most scenic routes that Amtrak offers.  We decided to make the trip from Los Angeles to Oakland (San Francisco) over the Thanksgiving weekend aboard the Coast Starlight.