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Explore With Cassie

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

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

    Go Truffle Hunting, Foraging for Flowers & Shopping in Force with Italy Charme

    June 15, 2026 /

    Truffle Hunting in Italy Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Go truffle hunting in Italy! No pigs here at Agriturismo Ramusè but sweet dogs sniffing out the golden mushrooms, Cocker Spaniel mixes of the tan colored Electra and fuzzy Briciola. These pricey pups either come pre-trained at $3,000 to $7,000 Euro per dog or you can hire a Northern Italy truffle dog trainer for about $1,000 Euro a month. Paolo Ciccioli, owner of Agriturismo Ramusè and former truffle exporter to London, led us on a mountainside adventure in the drizzling rain where the black mushrooms were almost popping out of the ground because of the downpour. I thoroughly enjoyed…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Gift Guide for the Grinch this Holiday Season

    December 16, 2024

    Hurricane Irma Displaces Single Dad, Daughter to New Jersey

    September 25, 2017

    Chill Out, Recharge with Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center in Pescadero, CA

    October 31, 2018
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Live like a Queen in an 1,000 Year Old Castle, Castel di Luco in Italy

    June 8, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Sleep like a queen in a 1,000 year old castle! Castel di Luco is said to be built on a sacred forest where Pagan rites were celebrated because of the magical waters lurking below. Evidence of the castle goes back as far as 1052 and has survived religious rulers, aristocratic families, invasions, liberations, prisoners, murders, births, marriages and no doubt illicit love affairs fit for a modern day romance novel. Throughout all this time, it has maintained its status as one of the rarest and most unique castles in Italy’s Piceno region, with a surprisingly intact appearance as a medieval architectural structure. We…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Experience Luxury at Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose CA, the Only Boutique Hotel on Santana Row

    October 19, 2017

    Amina Slays Southern Cuisine with African Influences in Old City, Philadelphia

    August 12, 2024

    Recharge in Nature at Arizona’s Artists Home in Cottonwood

    October 10, 2023
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    How 5 Gyres is Fighting Microplastics: A California Love Story of Activism and Science

    March 30, 2026 /

    Meet Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen: the Environmental Power Couple Behind 5 Gyres Story by Irina Abraham Somewhere among the California hills, there lies a piece of paradise adorned with legends of Steve McQueen’s buried motorcycles, carefully crafted dinosaur sculptures, and breathtaking sunsets.  The most fascinating thing about this place is its residents: there is a poet, a gold-bearing athlete, a muralist, and a promising young filmmaker. A power couple runs the place – Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen. They have sailed the roaring seas, unearthed precious dinosaur bone, and were a part of a team that discovered plastic micro beads were taking over The Great Lakes. Lucky to be…

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    Irina Abraham

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    Dreaming of Tropical Paradise? Explore Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

    March 10, 2016

    Women Putting Arizona Wines on the Map

    May 23, 2022
    The Flower Fields

    Float Through The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California

    February 20, 2024
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Best Las Vegas, Nevada Photo Spots from a Model and Photographer

    March 2, 2026 /

    Best Photo Spots in Las Vegas, Nevada Story and videos by Cassie Hepler, Photos by Delfin I’ve been modeling professionally since college at Penn State University as a side hustle while I earned that Communications degree. And let’s face it, models were the original influencers but, like professional. After graduating and delving into the world of journalism fully in Philadelphia, I wrote a column at The Times Herald. At that point it was taboo to apparently model and have a brain so I was called into the office for questions about my modeling. My response was, “And this is a problem how…?” They had no response and released me back…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025

    Saint Benjamin Brewery Offers Craft Beer with a Side of History

    December 19, 2017

    Making Weekend Waves at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey

    November 20, 2019
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots to Visit this Fall

    September 8, 2025 /

    Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots We all know the East Coast has some of the best leaf peeping area across the USA. But nothing can relate to Pennsylvania’s breathtaking fall landscapes where the mountains and trees are lined with various autumn colors glowing in the sunshine. From the Pocono Mountains north of Philadelphia to the Laurel Highlands, it’s a must-see for anyone who is obsessed with exploring fall colors across the world. It’s the little things like nature’s beauty in life that make life worth living. Sometimes you have to step out of the rat race and regroup in peaceful serenity. Growing up in Central Pennsylvania and then living…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Concord, California Offers Country Cool Coastal Vibes in Small City Setting

    October 3, 2018

    Lots of Fall Fun at the Pour the Core Festival at the Philadelphia Navy Yard

    August 15, 2018

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

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

    How Mobile Office Vans Are Powering the New Era of Remote Travel

    July 21, 2025 /

    The workplace as we know it is dead. Not metaphorically speaking – it’s literally transforming before our eyes. In 2019, roughly 9 million Americans worked from home, but by 2024, that number has nearly quadrupled to 35 million people working remotely. What started as a pandemic necessity has evolved into something much bigger: a complete reimagining of where and how we work. But here’s where it gets interesting. While most remote workers settled into home offices and coffee shops, a growing tribe of professionals discovered they could take their office anywhere – literally anywhere – with mobile office vans. This isn’t just about working from pretty places anymore; it’s about…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Enjoy a Desert Oasis and Waterfall at Revamped Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona

    December 9, 2024

    Exploring Overland Expo West as a Woman Who Wanders

    June 16, 2025

    Cool Down Inside Pristine Kartchner Caverns in Benson, AZ

    August 17, 2022
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Exploring Overland Expo West as a Woman Who Wanders

    June 16, 2025 /

    Photos, video, story by Cassie Hepler My first experience at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona was overwhelming and awesome! Sponsored by Subaru, I had no idea what I was getting into expect for camping in the woods at the Flagstaff Extreme campgrounds where I previously climbed around in the trees like an Ewok. With over 400 vendors and created by a woman, it’s “educating and inspiring through overland and adventure travel events” which means you will learn literally every camping thing, gadget, gear, RVs, trucks, off-roading and more at this massive moving outdoor convention. After this Overland Expo West 2025, it shifts across the USA to the Pacific Northwest…

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    Cassie Hepler

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

    May 12, 2025

    United Kingdom Fast Fashion Store Primark Crosses Pond to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

    January 22, 2019

    Explore Lehigh Valley Humane Society’s Garden Paw-ty at Domaine Pterion Vineyard

    July 22, 2024
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Explore Maui, Hawaii from Aston Maui Hill Resort in Kihei on a Budget

    May 26, 2025 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Getting to Maui, Hawaii for this vacation was like pulling teeth! Originally I had booked The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali through my Marriott affiliate deals which was a steal… but it was over my birthday on September 7 and we all know what happened then – the tragic Lahaina fires. Immediately I canceled everything once it happened that August and had to fight with The Westin to get refunded, but eventually it happened. My heart broke for this beautiful island and its amazing community of people. So once the new year rolled around in January, my friend offered to book her…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Spend 24 Hours in the Mountain Town of Norcia, Umbria in Italy

    May 25, 2026

    Beware of International Travel Scams with this Epic List

    July 14, 2025

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

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

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

    May 12, 2025 /

      Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I come from a family of entrepreneurs who owned small businesses. My grandfather Hepler owned his own carpentry company and my father started Hepler Geothermal heat pumps and air conditioning in central Pennsylvania before being green was considered cool. My brother now runs it and is slaying – without any advertising needed. My grandmother on one side was a nurse and the other was working for a bit as a paralegal, without the formal education. We’re natural born hustlers and even my niece when she was in elementary school started a side hustle selling slime! Pecan And Wine Festival So supporting small…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Visit California Wineries the Classy Way with San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour

    June 12, 2019

    Philadelphia’s 2018 Flower Show Just Adds Water

    August 16, 2018

    Exploring The Sedona Film Festival for a Weekend in Sedona, Arizona

    March 23, 2026
  • Destinations,  Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Corduroy Lodge Offers Cabins, Airstreams and Motel in Pinetop Lakeside, Arizona

    April 14, 2025 /

    Where to Stay in Pinetop-Lakeside Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I stumbled upon Corduroy Lodge years ago when I booked a random night in-between blogging adventures in Pinetop-Lakeside and honestly just loved the vibe! So I kept in touch and we kept hoping for snow but it didn’t seem like Northern Arizona wanted to this year so I just booked random dates. Well… I got what I wished for! But fortunately the tail end of the snow as my Honda Civic is not the best low-to-the-ground car for icy roads. I wish I could tell my younger self to buy something more rugged but I was thinking fast…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Enjoy Caribbean Sea Views in Every Room at AVA Resort Cancun, Mexico

    August 4, 2025

    Explore Spiritually Uplifting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona

    June 14, 2018

    Workhorse Brewing Company, a New Hidden Gem in the Philly Suburbs

    June 26, 2019
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Recent Posts

  • Refresh your Soul in the Turquoise Caribbean Sea at S Hotel Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • Go Truffle Hunting, Foraging for Flowers & Shopping in Force with Italy Charme
  • 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

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