Notes from the Road

Real trip stories, planning tips, and a little midlife honesty, one post at a time.

Destinations | Sample Itineraries | Midlife Perspectives | Travel Tips

Africa Diaries: The Moments That Stuck With Me

Francine Azel 8/20/26 Francine Azel 8/20/26

Africa Diaries: The Moments That Stuck With Me

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South Africa Dream Come True

Francine Azel 8/16/26 Francine Azel 8/16/26

South Africa Dream Come True

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Why I Skipped Napa for a Local's Wine Passport (And You Should Too)

Francine Azel 7/30/26 Francine Azel 7/30/26

Why I Skipped Napa for a Local's Wine Passport (And You Should Too)

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The Mistake That Costs My Clients Double Every Time

Francine Azel 7/16/26 Francine Azel 7/16/26

The Mistake That Costs My Clients Double Every Time

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Francine Azel 7/8/26 Francine Azel 7/8/26

Did We Do Enough?

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Amalfi Coast

Francine Azel 7/3/26 Francine Azel 7/3/26

Amalfi Coast

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She Came With a List. I Gently Disagreed.

Francine Azel 7/3/26 Francine Azel 7/3/26

She Came With a List. I Gently Disagreed.

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Costa Rica

Francine Azel 6/18/26 Francine Azel 6/18/26

Costa Rica

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Why Women Need Women-Only Spaces Now More Than Ever

Francine Azel 6/12/26 Francine Azel 6/12/26

Why Women Need Women-Only Spaces Now More Than Ever

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Why I Hired a Safari Expert (And I'm a Travel Agent)

Francine Azel 6/4/26 Francine Azel 6/4/26

Why I Hired a Safari Expert (And I'm a Travel Agent)

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I Was Researching It for a Client. Then I Found the Castle.

Francine Azel 5/28/26 Francine Azel 5/28/26

I Was Researching It for a Client. Then I Found the Castle.

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The Restaurant Said No. I Showed Up Anyway.

Francine Azel 5/21/26 Francine Azel 5/21/26

The Restaurant Said No. I Showed Up Anyway.

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The Promise I Made on a Highway in Maine

Francine Azel 5/8/26 Francine Azel 5/8/26

The Promise I Made on a Highway in Maine

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She Didn't Want My Help. I Came Anyway.

Francine Azel 4/29/26 Francine Azel 4/29/26

She Didn't Want My Help. I Came Anyway.

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Paris to Provence… The Mother-Daughter Trip of a Lifetime

Francine Azel 4/29/26 Francine Azel 4/29/26

Paris to Provence… The Mother-Daughter Trip of a Lifetime

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London

Francine Azel 4/25/26 Francine Azel 4/25/26

London

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Puerto Rico

Francine Azel 4/25/26 Francine Azel 4/25/26

Puerto Rico

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France: Bordeaux, Paris Mont Saint Michel & Normandy

Francine Azel 4/25/26 Francine Azel 4/25/26

France: Bordeaux, Paris Mont Saint Michel & Normandy

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Portugal: Lisbon, Douro Valley & Porto

Francine Azel 4/25/26 Francine Azel 4/25/26

Portugal: Lisbon, Douro Valley & Porto

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The Empty Nest Era Is Ending.

Francine Azel 4/24/26 Francine Azel 4/24/26

The Empty Nest Era Is Ending.

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