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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada Besides Gambling

    March 9, 2026 /

    Story and videos by Cassie Hepler, Submitted Photos I’ve never enjoyed gambling. Watching my hard-earned money disappear within seconds and not returning anything tangible is not my idea of a good time. I do however like to watch people gamble as a lot of my friends enjoy it. I legit learned in two hours watching someone that Blackjack, or 21, is literally counting cards except you’re not supposed to count cards. I also learned that if you get free play from a casino (which seems to be drying up like the desert in summer), to just stick to penny slots and hit buttons. For real, I have no clue WTF…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Animatronic ‘Xtreme Bugs’ Invade Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University

    November 20, 2018

    PNC’s ‘LumiNature’ Winter Light Show Illuminates Philadelphia Zoo

    November 27, 2023

    Escape to a Private Island in San Diego, California at Loews Coronado

    December 30, 2024
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Exploring the South End of the Strip at The Berkley, Las Vegas in Nevada

    February 23, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I almost gave up on Las Vegas, Nevada. My first visit was with the vagtastic voyage gals via Philadelphia in 2010 I think for a blow out birthday bash at The Luxor which yes, some of those stories will forever stay in Vegas. Fast forward to the last couple of times I visited and honestly, it was giving Get Out vibes each time. I couldn’t see the allure or appeal of staying anywhere on the strip, it just seemed too fast and stressful. When you go from city to city, there is no downtime only chaos and confusion to the next spot. I…

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    Explore the Buttercup Valley, Imperial Sand Dunes in Yuma, Arizona

    March 10, 2025

    Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls by Road Trip

    June 4, 2024

    Sabores de Tucson Festival Celebrates Mexican Culture, Community and Culinary Flavors

    June 2, 2025
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    A 300-Day Nomad’s Guide to Why Slow Travel is Superior

    February 16, 2026 /

    Meet Ian Poh Jin Tze from Singapore in Southeast Asia who has quite an impressive resume and has mastered the art of slow travel. If you have no clue what that is, keep reading because it could just change your life. Q: Please tell us about how you became a world traveler? A: I am a storyteller – through the lens of my camera and the rhythm of my pen. For years, I’ve been chasing stories, capturing fleeting moments and uncovering truths that others might overlook. My work has graced the pages of prestigious publications like Singapore Airlines, Eater, Asian Food Network, and Le Cordon Bleu, and I’ve had the privilege of authoring…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    How to Become a Successful Muralist and Nomad

    June 5, 2023

    Women Putting Arizona Wines on the Map

    May 23, 2022

    Supporting Small Businesses at Pecan and Wine Festival in Camp Verde, Arizona

    May 12, 2025
  • Day Trips,  Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Tips and Tricks for Hassle Free Disabled Travel

    February 2, 2026 /

    You might think that this story doesn’t pertain to you or your family because no one is disabled – yet. Key word is yet! Literally in the blink of an eye, you too can be considered disabled from a car crash, a freak accident or through no fault of your own or just age – and we all will get old if we are lucky enough. For me, I have a large rods and screws from a scoliosis fusion right above my hipbones to my chest and I might need to be fully fused to my hipbones someday. I also learned over the summer that if anything further traumatic happens…

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    Explore 5 Hidden Treasures Just Outside of London, England

    October 28, 2024

    Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls by Road Trip

    June 4, 2024

    Don’t Steal from the Petrified Forest in Arizona

    April 23, 2021
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Drink the Pope’s Wine at Châteauneuf du Pape near Avignon, France

    January 26, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Taste one of the best wines in France at Châteauneuf du Pape! We started with a leisurely lunch at Château des Fines Roches with an outstanding selection of fine French cuisine paired perfectly with each outstanding glass of wine. The red with the chocolate dessert was so decadent, it’s almost felt naughty eating it and enjoying the wine pairing! Only a half hour from Avignon, it makes a great day trip to explore more of the French vineyards and countryside in South of France. Using rocks on top of the soil, it is how they capture the unique and rich earthy flavors in…

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    Cool Down at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona

    October 10, 2023

    Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses

    December 27, 2017

    Vault Brewing Company Expands Bank Brewery to Yardley Warehouse

    December 21, 2017
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Ancient Theater in Orange, France is the Most Preserved Roman Theater in the World

    January 19, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Once upon a time, two Pennsylvania gals decided to go to Rome, Italy all by themselves – without cell phones. Oh yes, you read that right… it was the early 2000s and all they did was make phone calls and send crappy text messages by pressing a series of buttons repeatedly to spell out words – positively archaic by today’s standards. So I left my cell phone behind in Philly but took the crappiest camera that produced some of the worst photos I’ve ever taken. Back then we were told by locals that two women traveling alone must be either transvestites or prostitutes…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Spiritually Uplifting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona

    June 14, 2018

    Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses

    December 27, 2017

    Visit the Eccentric Fonthill Castle Built Out of Cement and Trash in Bucks County, PA

    July 25, 2018
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Explore the Largest Medieval Gothic Palace in the World at Palais des Papes in Avignon, France

    January 12, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler After a restful night at Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis in Avignon, France and a hefty European style buffet breakfast with lots of espresso, we were up and at ’em to meet with our fabulous tour guide to take us around the city and explain exactly what we were looking at. This was the end of the South of France press trip so we were getting weary and myself, a bit weak from not having downtime to rest my still healing body. But I instantly liked Manu and a little French birdie told me sometimes he sings for his guests and I enthusiastically asked…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Down the Shore at Long Beach Island’s Daddy O Hotel in New Jersey

    August 19, 2024

    Saint Benjamin Brewery Offers Craft Beer with a Side of History

    December 19, 2017

    Philadelphia Flower Show’s The Garden Electric Shines at Pennsylvania Convention Center

    November 6, 2023
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Stay at Affordable Architectural Gem Medieval Town of Avignon, France

    January 5, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler We hopped back into our upgraded Mercedes van this time with our driver Sophie from Provence Reverie after finishing our absolutely fabulous French Palace experience at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide in Gordes, France. It felt like we were still soaking in all of that dreamy day and then literally we were driving on the streets of Avignon, France. No for real, like the cobblestone streets with these giant, circular cement pillars that rose from the ground where you had to provide a pass to get through. It was rather rad because you’re getting the walking tour, without the walking but also watching the…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Hurricane Irma Displaces Single Dad, Daughter to New Jersey

    September 25, 2017

    Sleep in a Glamping Dome at Tirrito Farm in WillCox, Arizona

    July 1, 2024

    Handling Late Night Arrivals without the Stress

    August 1, 2023
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Explore French Palace Airelles Gordes, La Bastide in Gordes, France

    December 29, 2025 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler A little awkward here because I was standing cliffside in Gordes, France! This was just the tip of the beauty iceberg as we enjoyed a very chic lunch at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, a Provençal Palace in the heart of Luberon. Ironically (or not), I was wearing an interior matching dress made in India and the whole palace was dripping in luxury, a lot from other countries because back then collecting exotic items and materials – literally the wallpaper was fabric – was seen as the ultimate status symbol. Mere peasants could only dream of traveling! Every plate a true French masterpiece while…

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    Escape to a Fairytale Fever Dreamscape at Il Falconiere in Cortona, Tuscany Italy

    June 1, 2026

    Make the Most of Your Visit to Los Angeles, California

    September 20, 2019

    A Guide to Exploring the Ancient Monasteries of Meteora, Greece

    June 10, 2024
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Explore 24 Hours in the Beautiful French Provençal Town of Lourmarin, France

    December 22, 2025 /

    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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Recent Posts

  • Live like a Queen in an 1,000 Year Old Castle, Castel di Luco in Italy
  • Escape to a Fairytale Fever Dreamscape at Il Falconiere in Cortona, Tuscany Italy
  • Spend 24 Hours in the Mountain Town of Norcia, Umbria in Italy
  • Explore an Italian Castle and Wine at the Top of Charming Village of Dolceacqua
  • Explore Affordable Luxury on the Italian Riviera at Europa Hotel in Sanremo, Italy

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