I love to travel and experience new places, cultures, people and food. Another thing I love, is to put together the stories and pictures from some of these fascinating places, and bring them to life for others via travelogues.

Send me a note on my Contact page if you’d like information on having me present a travelogue for your group. (Note: Programs can be presented virtually or in person.)

Magical Marrakech

Magical Marrakech by Susan Brauer
Marrakech, Morocco

Founded in the year 1070, Marrakech was the first of Morocco’s four imperial cities. The clay used for many of its buildings and ramparts has earned it the name “The Red City.”

Today, Marrakech is made up of two distinct districts: The medieval walled quarter known as the medina, steeped in rich history, and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the modern “new city” (Guéliz district) which has sprawled outside the ancient walls.

Come and wander the narrow streets and alley-ways of the historic medina, experience the “carnival” that unfolds in its main square every night as the sun sets, and feast your eyes on the ornate architecture, colorful textiles, spice markets, and gardens, as we explore this remarkable city in Northern Africa.

Journey to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu by Susan Brauer
Machu Picchu

Built in the mid-1400’s and occupied for only about 100 years, Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish in their conquest of the Incan Empire in the 1500’s. It then simply “disappeared” until 1911 when, with the guidance of local farmers, it was discovered by explorer Hiram Bingham.

Join my journey through the towns, farms, and markets of the Sacred Valley. Then board the train to Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain, and finally, ascend to the summit to walk in the clouds among the temples, sanctuaries, and terraces that make up beautiful and astonishing Machu Picchu.

England’s Charming Countryside: The Cotswolds

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CotwoldsEngland.jpg
Cotswolds, England

The countryside area of South Central England, known as the Cotswolds, is renowned for its small market towns, winding lanes, and honey-colored stone cottages. Designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” the remarkably green, hilly landscape, picturesque villages, and many English gardens that burst with color in the summertime give the area the feeling of a beautiful watercolor in a storybook come to life.

Join me to meander through the charming towns, farms, gardens, and markets of the enchanting English region known as the Cotswolds.

Discover Santiago, Chile

Cerro Santa Lucia Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile

Santiago, the capital of Chile, is a tale of two cities. The downtown area and its surrounding barrios with broad, pedestrian-friendly boulevards, small cobblestoned side streets, and grand Spanish architecture, herald back to the city’s colonial past. In contrast, Las Condes―the city’s commercial hub―offers contemporary design and a sleek skyline that includes the 64-floor Gran Torre Santiago―the tallest building in South America. Add in the Andes Mountains, so close they feel like part of the architecture, and the Pacific Ocean just an hour’s drive away, and you’ll see that Santiago is truly a jewel of a city.

We’ll explore the bodegas, cafes, and shops of old Santiago, visit an artisans village that dates back to 1700s, and wander the modern, emerging neighborhood of Las Condes. We’ll also take a day trip to the seaport city of Valparaiso on the Pacific Ocean, and finally, ascend 10,000 feet into the amazing Andes Mountains for an afternoon of skiing.

Amazing India

Delhi India architeture mosque travel
Jama Masjid Mosque – Historic Old Delhi

India is a spectacular country famous for its ancient history, diverse culture, and ornate, world-renowned architectural sites.

This country of more than a billion people is a study in contrasts. Cities can overwhelm the senses with crowded sidewalks, chaotic traffic, and constant noise. But look further and you’ll also find quiet, leafy parks and gardens, intriguing shops and markets filled with colorful textiles, spices, and jewelry, and peaceful churches and temples.

Join me on a journey through the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur), walk along the Arabian Sea on “The Queen’s Necklace” in Mumbai, and catch your breath in the small, tranquil village of Siolim in beautiful Goa.

Paris: The City of Light

Paris sidewalk cafe street France city of light Eiffel Tower Louvre art museums
Sidewalk Cafe – Paris, France

Is there anyone who doesn’t dream of strolling the lovely streets of Paris, crossing its romantic bridges, and wandering through its art museums, parks, churches, and shops? Or having a picnic of wine, cheese, and baguettes on the Champ de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower?

Join me on a trip through the fantastic City of Light, visiting some of its most stunning, iconic sites where I’ll endeavor to share with you at least one mystery or fun secret about each one.  C’est magnifique!

Barcelona: Spain’s Mediterranean Jewel

Gaudi Barcelona Spain
Gaudi Chimneys – Barcelona Spain

Spain’s second most populous city, Barcelona, is an autonomous Catalonian community with its own heritage and language. Positioned on the northeast coast of the Mediterranean, it’s a city “open to the sea” and buzzes with energy from daylight well into the wee hours of the morning.

Join me as we explore the colorful neighborhoods, art museums, parks, and beaches that give Barcelona its beauty and dynamic rhythm. And we can’t leave without a visit to some of the extraordinary houses and sites designed and built by architect Antoni Gaudi that make this vibrant city truly distinctive.