Traveling Through Europe With Mom

Christmas markets, river cruises, Italy, and slow, meaningful journeys

Suitcases & Coffee is about traveling through Europe with Mom — especially Christmas markets, Viking River cruises, quiet streets, good coffee, and the kind of travel memories that come from slowing down and enjoying the journey.

After my dad passed away, my mom and I began traveling together more often. What started as a few trips quickly became a tradition of wandering Christmas markets, exploring quiet streets in Rome, and discovering that some of the best travel memories happen in between the big sights.

Traveling through Europe with Mom has taught me that the best trips are not always the smoothest ones. Sometimes they are simply the ones where you slow down, share a coffee, and enjoy the journey together.