The Baroque Cities of Sicily... and How to Find the Ideal Place to Volunteer

Noto to Self: Explore Sicily's Baroque Cities

Solid. Multi-layered. Fantastic.

There are too many adjectives to describe the Baroque cities of Sicily's Val di Noto to fit into one article (but we gave it our best shot!).

In an effort to recreate the grandeur of Sicily after a devastating earthquake, massive structures were constructed in what came to be known as Sicilian Baroque... CONTINUE READING >>

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Making a Difference in the Dominican Republic

When we heard there's a cruise that focuses on making a positive impact in the community it visits, we immediately thought, "where do we sign up?"

Join us as we train -- while sailing -- for our volunteer activities aboard our ship, plant trees in an ongoing reforestation project, construct water filters with a clean water initiative, and pour concrete floors in homes in the community.

But all work and no play make your GypsyNesters dull boys - so we're going to show you the beauty of the Dominican Republic - hit the beach!.. CONTINUE READING >>

How to Find the Ideal Place to Volunteer

We talk quite a bit how volunteering rocks!

But where to start?

See 9 tips to give your time and get back joy from our friends at Next Avenue

See our full schedule of events, where you can meet up with us, and where we'll be taking you next! 

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

Headed to the Dominican Republic! Follow Along Live!

Making a Difference in the Dominican Republic - Follow Along Live!

When we heard there's a cruise that focuses on making a positive impact in the community it visits, we immediately thought, "where do we sign up?"

Join us LIVE as we train -- while sailing -- for our volunteer activities aboard our ship, plant trees in an ongoing reforestation project, construct water filters with a clean water initiative, and pour concrete floors in homes in the community.

But all work and no play make your GypsyNesters dull boys - so we're going to show you the beauty of the Dominican Republic - and give power snorkeling a go!.. FOLLOW US LIVE! >>

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See our full schedule of events, where you can meet up with us, and where we'll be taking you next! 

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

Galápagos on Your Bucket List?... and Getting Called an Ugly American

The Galápagos on Your Bucket List? What You Need to Know to Go

The Galápagos Islands had long been on our bucket list. 

 Finally tuition-free when our youngest graduated from college, we treated ourselves to the adventure of a lifetime.

 Here's what we learned about how to get there, what to pack, what to expect and how to prepare for one of the most fascinating... CONTINUE READING >>

 Also on GypsyNester.com this week:

That Time I was Called an Ugly American

I met the meanest woman in the world on cruise ship.

David & I were sitting in a near-empty onboard restaurant after an afternoon cooking class, and had a jovial group of fellow classmates seated with us – new friends from all over the world.

 Yes, we were a bit loud. Yes, we were critiquing the food – we had prepared it, after all – and, I was being exceptionally... CONTINUE READING >>

Our Top Instagram Photos of 2015!

Wow - what a year! We're so grateful for tons of travel, the release of Going Gypsy, new friends from all over the world (that includes YOU!), and a spectacular wedding!

Our most liked photos on Instagram included our African photo safaris in Tanzania and South Africa, our river cruise through Holland and Belgium, and our bike tour in Sicily.

Cheers to 2016 everyone - let's make it shine!

Leave us a message here

Follow us on Instagram - don't miss a single pic in 2016!




Watch What Happens As This Pair Ages 70 Years

As makeup artists transform them from 20s to 90s, their love grows

We were blown away by this five minute video - a must-must-must see!

We remember talking about aging together when we were young - how amazing it would have been to do something like this.

Watch this emotional video on Next Avenue > >

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Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

Only by Air: Alaska's Extremely Remote Tundra Villages

Ever since our youngest, The Boy, took a job as a pilot in Alaska we have been intrigued by the unique corner of Alaska that his small airline serves.

He flies to about two dozen little native villages that are only accessible by air - there are no roads in or out of the harsh tundra.

These are some of the most remote settlements anywhere in the United States... CONTINUE READING >>

Also on GypsyNester.com this week:

We've Been Accepted into the Southern Festival of Books! Come see us in Nashville!

Big, big news! 

We (and our book, Going Gypsy) have been accepted into one of our favorite book events - The Southern Festival of Books in Nashville!

Humanities Tennessee has been throwing this great event for twenty-seven years, and its popularity has inspired hundreds of similar book festivals.

Because of their dedication to the written word, the festival is free to all who want to celebrate the joy of reading!

Join us and two hundred of the nation's most prominent authors for three days of fun, interaction, and - because it's in Nashville, music!... SEE MORE ABOUT THE SOUTHERN FESTIVAL OF BOOKS AND HOW YOU CAN MEET US THERE >>

Ever wonder what's up next in GypsyNesterLand? Want to find out where you can meet us or where we'll be bringing you next? Click here to find out!

New dates!

October

9-11
Nashville, Tennessee, Southern Festival of Books, featured speakers and book signing - Saturday, October 10th, 12:00 pm, Legislative Plaza Room 12 (Corner of 6th and Union) "Ditching the Daily: Chronicles of Simple Living, Finding Joy, and Letting Go" with Scott Dannemiller and Alex Sheshunoff

Book signing 1:30 at the Signing Colonnade

13
Nashville, Tennessee, Discover Nashville with Viator

23 - November 1
Italy, Biking the Southern Coastal Villages of Sicily with VBT 

November

6-8
Woodstock, NY, Women at Woodstock, featured speaker and workshop, see why Veronica loves Women of Woodstock so much!

8-18
Passports with Purpose fundraiser for schoolchildren in Kenya

See all of our events!

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

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Do People Live in the Galapagos Islands?

So do they? We get asked this a lot, actually.

Truth is, we didn't know until we got there.

Say Galapagos and what pops to mind? For us, no doubt as for many folks, it was the image of giant tortoises.

They may well be the most famous attraction of these islands, but... CONTINUE READING >>

Also on GypsyNester.com this week

YOU are #GoingGypsy!

Post your best #GoingGypsy moments on Facebook and Twitter and be automatically entered to win an autographed first edition of Going Gypsy!

We want to see YOU in a favorite travel moment, celebrating a milestone, hugging your loved ones, conquering a fear, or posing with the cover of Going Gypsy!

We’ll be sharing your fun on Facebook and Twitter – and you could even be featured here on GypsyNester.com!

Click here to see how easy it is to share your #GoingGypsy moments!

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

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Cedar Key – Florida’s Spare Key

It's clam-tastic!

Cedar Key sits just off the coast in the northwest corner of the Gulf of Mexico, clear across the state from the well-known chain of islands down south.

The locals like to call it the "Island That Time Forgot,” and it certainly does have... CONTINUE READING >>

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Eating (and Drinking) Our Way Through Newfoundland

As with everything about life in Newfoundland, the food revolves around the sea. 

Pictured: David kisses a cod!

In fact, seafood is the main reason that settlers from Europe came to the island in the first place.

See all the wonderful ways Newfoundland prepares the catch of the day!... CONTINUE READING >>

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Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef – Bucket List, Check!

A visit to Queensland, Australia without getting underwater on the Great Barrier Reef would be unthinkable! 

As soon as Lady Elliot Island, a highly protected coral cay only accessible by air, came into view, we knew we were about to embark on an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

Because the southern tip of the reef is outside the tropics, the cooler water temperatures have kept the coral... CONTINUE READING >>

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Summer Travel Idea: Escape to Breathtaking Newfoundland

Breathtaking vistas, natural wonders, and fabulous people (so nice, we actually felt guilty at times!) combine to make the island of Newfoundland one of our favorite places on earth.

Here's why we think Newfoundland should be at the top of everyone's bucket list... CONTINUE READING >>

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Five Things Not to Miss in The Galapagos Islands

The Blue-footed Booby"Weird" birds & giant tortoises, playful sea lions & active volcanoes - here are the top 5, not to miss, incredible experiences in the Galapagos Islands!... CONTINUE READING >>

Also on GypsyNester.com this week:

We've Been Selected as Viator Ambassadors!

We're pleased to announce that we've been selected as 2014 Viator Ambassadors!

What does this mean, you ask? It means that we, and six other lucky travel bloggers, get to share our Viator experiences from all over the globe! 

The only problem? How will we ever choose where to go first?... CONTINUE READING >> 

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A Prince of an Island

You've heard the word picturesque, right? Trust us, this is not a word we throw around lightly - it's a bit fancy-schmancy for everyday use.

BUT there can be no other word to describe Prince Edward Island. Pretty and quaint, it's as if you've wandered into a painted picture.

Join us as we explore this beautiful island, learn about her people, her seafood, her farms, and her famous bridge. Find out why PEI is called The Cradle of the Canadian Confederacy and how foxes built mansions... CONTINUE READING >>

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Whitewashed Beauty and the Birth of a God: Greek Isles of Delos and Mykonos

The sun-drenched charm and dazzling blue seas of the Greek Islands of Delos and Mykonos captivated us beyond our wildest dreams. 

Get lost with us in the whitewashed alleys of Mykonos and among the ruins of the birthplace of the sun god Apollo... CONTINUE READING >> 

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Bucket List Alert: A Week in The Galápagos Islands

We're asked about our favorite places quite often and The Galápagos Islands are always part of the conversation. There's nowhere like it on Earth - we frolicked with sea lions, were blown away by Giant Tortoises, swam with iguanas and sea turtles (half the fun is underwater!) and hiked up to a live volcano! And that's just for starters. Here's our journey... CONTINUE READING >> 

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Fjords, Carnivorous Plants and Standing on the Earth's Mantle in Newfoundland

Join your GypsyNesters as we trod upon the Earth's mantle, discover the breathtaking beauty of a fjord by water, dodge carnivorous plants, devour a traditional Jiggs Dinner, frolic with massive amounts of butterflies, and learn what a pudding sock... CONTINUE READING >> 

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