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Explore 24 Hours in the Beautiful French Provençal Town of Lourmarin, France
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler After our amazing experience in Cotignac, France, our press trip group was whisked away by our amazing driver Sophie to experience the charming small town of Lourmarin, France. It is located in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in Southeastern France. The people who live there are called Lourmarinois, which is très (very) difficult to pronounce. Part of the Luberon region, it is composed of three mountain ranges: Lesser Luberon, Greater Luberon and Eastern Luberon. There’s a whole lot of Lou’s happening here and it can be very confusing – especially when you’re not driving and following maps. Just try to…
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Explore Nice, France in the Calmer Shoulder Season of October
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler It’s been almost a year since I’ve been on French soil in the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten which was like doing a wine tasting, just dipping my tongue back into the delicious culture of France. So when the Atout France (Explore France) tourism board reached out for a media mixer earlier this year at the Arizona Biltmore, I was all in. We kept in touch through all the many debacles I’ve had this summer (I will fondly remember 2025 as the summer from hell) and went ahead and booked this press trip for October, right before Halloween week. Originally, I was going…
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8 Budget Hacks for Last Minute Getaways
Story by Cassie Hepler This economy is complete shit and the American tourism world is taking a hit with no one wanting to visit our current fascist regime country. So if you’re itching to bust out of it, join the club! Whether you’re trying to get out of ‘Merica or just across the country for a change of pace, I’ve got you. I’ve been traveling the world since I was 16 years old when I caught the travel bug and have learned a lot in my many years since. Let me share some of my secrets with you! Escape the ordinary with last-minute getaways on a budget and stay sane…
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What To Do in Saint Martin Island in the Caribbean Sea
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I’m finally starting to share my “vacation” experience in Saint Martin! Saint Martin is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea and is actually two separate countries, divided between its northern French side, called Saint-Martin, and its southern Dutch Netherlands side, Sint Maarten. I say vacay in quotes because it was perhaps the strangest travel experience I’ve had yet so prepare for a doozy of a story. I had won a week stay on some random online raffle and one of the only intriguing options to me among many more plain places was Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Originally my photographer friend was…
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Cassie’s Cars and Casita Oasis in Arcadia, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler After about a month at the AirBnb Hobbit Hole studio stay in Tempe, Arizona, it was time to find a (more) permanent space . The train going by at all hours of the night was killing my sleep pattern although I did enjoy the birds and outside kitchen space every morning. I was determined to find something peaceful and serene in a quieter location of the city and closer to the airport. Everyone I met kept telling me how much I would love Arcadia and after scoping out some other locations (including Scottsdale which I learned from a local the nickname is “Snotsdale” because it’s…
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Philadelphia International Airport Lands American Express’s Prestigious Centurion Lounge
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “To the great city of Philadelphia, I am so grateful to bring this back home to you.” – Chef Michael Solomonov, on being named best chef in the country at the James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago, 2017. AMEX’s Centurion Lounge tapped Mike as its menu man. The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection was recently honored in becoming one of only nine airports in the world to offer travelers a uniquely unique and unforgettable way to hang before, between or after flights. On October 19th (prior to an official October 31st opening), media were invited to preview American Express’s Centurion Lounge and to witness what was in store exclusively for AMEX…
