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Hondo Rodeo Fest Debuts in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
By Sylvia Lenore, submitted photos Yee-haw! The inaugural Hondo Rodeo Fest made its debut in Phoenix in November bringing a mix of Western rodeo and country music to Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix. Yes, you read that right … they brought a rodeo arena inside the baseball stadium, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Don’t forget the stadium’s bag policies for a stress-free experience). The three-day event running from Thursday to Saturday was a first of its kind indeed. The Hondo also took over the streets outside the stadium for the general public to experience their Stillery Street Festival. It’s a family-friendly market showcasing Western-themed wears and jewelry, food trucks, a…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore the Rolling Countryside of Burgundy, France
This guy above, Rick Steves, was my TV binge before Netflix even existed! Story by Tony West, Submitted Images Every American who visits France goes to Paris first. (That’s where the airport is.) But the French experience that graces American dining tables doesn’t come from Paris. It’s more likely to travel from Burgundy, France instead. This region of lush rolling countryside has long been a center of prosperity, culture and fashion. This gentle paradise reveals what makes France truly French. “Destination Burgundy” was presented at The Olde Bar Restaurant in Philadelphia’s Old City as a workshop by The Burgundy Tourism Board and Atout France. Emmanuelle Hézard (pictured) of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme…
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Cruising the Mediterranean to Greece, Italy and Turkey with Royal Caribbean
Story, photos by Dave Brosius Twenty years of marriage calls for something bigger than a mere sampler platter and a couple umbrella drinks. I know, you think I mean “also the cheesecake”. And while not wrong per se, you can do better. We say, plan an adventure that would be sure to put a mammoth-sized dent in the savings that you’ll have to explain to your accountant later with a car. The kind with the heavy card stock and embossed gold foil. Sorry, Sheila! So how did we mark our first 20 years? After a little debate, we came to a conclusion: A two week Mediterranean Cruise to Greece, Turkey,…
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Escape to a Private Island in San Diego, California at Loews Coronado
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Before someone jumps down my throat, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a peaceful waterfront escape, surrounded by breathtaking waterfront vistas on its own peninsula. According to the Oxford dictionary, a peninsula is a “piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water” which fits the bill perfectly as it has its own palm tree lined road – and road signs leading to the lobby. But it might as well be an island as it totally feels that way with no water taxi needed! Situated directly across from scenic and idyllic San Deigo, California, it is the ultimate luxury…
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Enjoy a Desert Oasis and Waterfall at Revamped Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Ever since I moved to Arizona almost seven years ago (!) as of January 2025, I have heard people in the valley refer to Tucson, Arizona as “The Dirty T”. I honestly had no clue why and as far as stereotypes go, you learn more along the way of life like the fact that the West Valley of Phoenix is “bad” which honestly reeks of racism but that’s a story for another time. But seriously, each time I would go down to visit Tucson and try to see it through rose-colored glasses, something really weird would happen that would eject me back to Phoenix.…
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Baby Sea Turtle Season Enchants Everyone in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Releasing baby sea turtles into the Pacific Ocean has been on my bucket list since I was a child! And I felt extremely blessed that Marriott Puerto Vallarta helped make this now adult gal’s dreams come true. We were talking about it for months and it felt almost out of reach toward the end of the summer and also my second trip to Mexico (early that month I took a Cancun birthday trip was the first week of September which I’ll post about soon). Just loading up that passport with stamps before it needs renewed again in fall of 2025! At some point…
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Las Posadas of Sedona, Arizona is a Hidden Gem Boutique Hotel with Homemade Breakfast
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Even though Sedona, Arizona is a magical small town, there are different sections to it like anywhere else in the USA. The place that needs no advertising because it is so mystical that mere photos, videos and vibes draw millions across the world each year… and there are limited yet immaculate roads because of its small stature and also rules set in place to allow no more building (i.e. ruining the beauty of the Red Rocks) in the area. Nestled in the Village of Oak Creek, Las Posadas of Sedona is located where you are driving in from Phoenix, Arizona – a good hour…
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Enjoy Desert Zen at Rancho de Los Caballeros Ranch Spa in Wickenburg, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Each day in the American Matrix is the same… wake up to an alarm, get jolted out of your restful sleep into the reality of you have to work to pay your bills or become homeless… the corporate slave to the system grind. Then get ready to slay the day in zombie mode. Rinse and repeat until your soul is pretty worn. This is not natural or how human beings are supposed to be. We’re supposed to be in nature, frolicking among other animals each day. Obviously impossible with greedy corporate inflation and the government to pay, but if we can find moments…
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Marriott Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Offers Beachside Relaxation Minutes from the Airport
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Nestled on a sandy strip between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay in Mexico, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers a combination of zen, nature and fun in the sun. We had been discussing this visit for months, finally making it a reality seemed so surreal and I was psyched. I ended up talking to a former teacher turned principal on the plane most of the flight down, discussing philosophy and the meaning of life. Pretty heavy travel talk, but I loved it! This mountain-meets-ocean resort is only 7 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport which is a relief in itself…
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Explore 5 Hidden Treasures Just Outside of London, England
Beyond the glittering core of London, England awaits a trove of splendid locales, waiting to be discovered. These places off the city center are untouched by the typical traveler’s itinerary, yet offer an unparalleled exploration experience, revealing a side of London many foreigners never get to see. Join the International Drivers Association team as we venture beyond the map’s edge to discover London’s secret sanctuaries. To get in the Cheerio spirit, binge these movie fan faves this fall too! “Off the tourist trail, there lies a tapestry of unique locales with their own stories, free from the usual crowds and ready to offer something unexpectedly delightful,” said Julianna Marshall, travel…
