Emily Hopkins

Your Hawaii destination specialist

Maui, Hawaii, is my second home.  It is one of my favorite places on Earth

Washington DC is for Wanderers

Washington D.C. is the city of my birth, long ago, at the now defunct Columbia Hospital for Women and Children.  The hospital closed many years ago, making way for condominiums and storefronts.  This is the story with many of the older modern buildings in cities that have become worn down over the years.  However, what does remain in areas throughout this city are the vestiges of the very early history of the District and the United States. 

Many of these historic buildings remain, amongst the more modern businesses, hotels and restaurants.  Take a walk along the side streets in Georgetown and the row houses speak of days when trolleys surged along tracks that have largely disappeared the memory of a new age.  I remember those trolley tracks, but never got to see a trolley. 

Down by the banks of the Potomac River, there are more recently added community walkways and gardens with people strolling, walking dogs and sitting on the various benches along the trail, with the Kennedy Center perched off in the distance.  My mother would go to see the National Symphony Orchestra play there every month.  We had a family friend who played the violin and she would occasionally take me along.  Eventually I was fortunate enough to meet Mstislav Rostropovich, the conductor at the time.

Growing up in D.C., as any school children who live there today can probably attest, we got to go to the best museums for field trips.  The Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Air and Space Museum, the Hirschorn Gallery of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and of course, the gorgeous monuments on the Mall.  My dad was a physicist, so our visits to the Smithsonian were looonnngg.  I remember the opening of the Vietnam War Memorial.  It was always such a somber place because actual veterans were frequently there. 

We had a great respect for these places and the surrounding gardens and fields.  In high school, I played in Ultimate Frisbee tournaments on the grass fields of the Mall, and we would go to the adjacent polo fields to watch visiting equestrian professionals from around the world ride amazing horses.  There was always something going on.  Rallies, sporting events, and international festivals were quite frequent and I owe a lot of my appreciation for international people to my consistent proximity to people who don’t look and speak like me. 

You can find every kind of food imaginable in the District.  Adams Morgan was always famous for international food experiences, and there is no shortage of open-air patio dining throughout town, perfect for a warm spring day with friends, family, or new acquaintances.  There are plenty of fine dining restaurants in the area, as well.  There are 25 Michelin starred restaurants, including minibar, by Chef Jose Andres, Metier and Kinship, by Chef Eric Ziebold. 

Since I left there, in my late teens, the area has changed and re-arranged and our favorite restaurant, Gusti’s, is gone.  My parents are no longer with us to regale anyone who would listen about the historic places and the people who came there before us to make a life.  But the C&O Canal is still there for folks to follow the tow path as far as they please, past the locks and the keeper’s houses.  The river still runs through Great Falls, where we would climb around the rocks,trying not to fall into the raging waters and gaze at the steep gorge walls on the Virginia side.  The museums are still there and there are new ones I haven’t visited yet. 

And yet, the street pattern remains largely the same from how Pierre Charles l’Enfant, et al. designed it in 1789.  Fun Fact: The traffic circles dotting the avenues radiating out from the center of the city may have been strategically positioned one cannon shot from each other for defensive purposes.  As a child, the process was described to me by my father and that was the story everyone knew about the city.  However, these days, everyone else is looking to bust myths, and they haven’t let this one slide.  I’ll just sit by, hanging onto my dad’s gift for storytelling.

Throughout this incredibly vibrant, diverse city, you will find echoes of the past, and visions of the future.  In the museums, on the ground and all around you.  The importance of many of these old buildings can’t be emphasized enough.  This was the formation of our nation, radiating out from what would become our nation’s most important metropolitan area.

Spain: Vibrant Colors and Vitality

Spain is a techni-color dream coat of cultures old and new.  Many different peoples have occupied the Iberian peninsula over the millenia.  The Celts, Iberian tribes, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, Muslims, Visigoths and, now, modern civilization makes this vibrant country continue to be a destination for explorers. Of the seventeen different autonomous regions of Spain, we will highlight four of the them: Catalunya, Andalusia, less well-known Galicia and the Basque Country.  I will point out particular locations from each that are historically significant on a global scale. 

Catalunya is on the northeastern coast, surrounded by high mountain ranges and the sea. Europeans flock to Catalunya in the summer. Americans are frequent visitors to Barcelona, but how far away from the city do any of these people ever go? North of Barcelona, the town of Gerona has old grey city walls that you can climp to the top and walk along for excellent views of the stony old town area and beyond to lush green forests.  The old section of the town of Tossa del Mar is completely surrounded by fortress walls. There, you can roam medieval streets dotted with restaurants and b&b rentals, in the shadows of the antique watchtowers. In these towns you will see the red and yellow-striped Catalan flag displayed on balconies and storefronts, a symbol of resilience and perseverance to all Catalan people.

The southern-most coast of Spain is the land of Andalusia, home of white-washed villages, Osborne Bulls, and bright, sunny beaches.  Heavily influenced by centuries of cultural exchange from every point on the compass, the colors of the world shine here on the Azulejo tiles that decorate every town. Here, you will find Flamenco dance shows and learn how to step to the gypsy rhythms. If you're feeling a bit peckish, you can visit tapas bars in Sevilla followed by wine and brandy tasting in Cadiz. Granada has the Alhambra, and in Cordoba- the Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcazar and Roman remains.  

Many people are unaware of the cultural riches and weather in Galicia. For someone looking for a challenge with religious significance, try having a wander on the Way of Saint James (El Camino de Santiago.) This is a network of pilgrimage routes that lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia. These routes start outside of Spain, in Portugal, France and even Malta, and wind their way through the beautiful towns and countryside of southern Europe. The Way is well-marked with the traditional scallop shell associated with St. James. There are hostels and other options for overnight stays along the way, and of course, a wide array of restaurants, bistros and cafes to relax and sip a glass of wine and prepare for the next few KM. Stay hydrated, my friends! The route is open to all who wish to take it, secular and non-. The weather is typically a bit cooler than the south and there are rainy days in Galicia, but when the sun is out, the greenery is unmatched.

Anyone who has ever visited the Basque Country will probably speak about seeing Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum, Guernika and Vizcaya Bridge. However, there is a lot more to see, do and eat in the Basque Country. In San Sebastian, known as Donostia, you can dine at any of the 11 different Michelin-star restaurants in town that serve some of the world's most famous fresh seafood and delicious pintxos. If you are looking to spend time golfing in a gorgeous environment, look no further than the Basque Country, including courses designed by Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal. 

As you can see, Spain is alive with cultural activities and never-ending historical heritage. Destinations throughout the country will appeal to a broad range of travelers. Whether you want to hike one of the thousands of trails across hills and plains, or you just want to vegetate in a chaise lounge on a long strip of sand, as the waves of the Med softly crash up and back on the shore, Spain has a place for you. If you want to explore red-brown dinosaur pits in the north, or white marble Roman theaters by the coast, we can get you there. From the green hills of the north, to the aqua-blue Mediterranean, the colors of all of the regions shine brightly.

France Travel Agent Expert

Do you like tiny medieval towns with enigmatic chateaus, churches and monasteries, surrounded by countryside, olives trees and vines? Have you ever attended a degustation (wine tasting) at a genuine winery? Or would you like to wander through an ancient archaeological site, like a Roman theater, still in use today? We can organize an unforgettable holiday for you and your companion(s) that can offer all of these options at once, in southern France. This is one of the world's most beautiful regions, IMHO, and I want to share it with everyone.

From the Pyrenees out west to the Alps back east, there is so much to see. Medieval walled towns among rolling hills, gently flowing rivers bordered by vineyards and wine domaines where you can stop for tastings as you drive from town to town along the provincial roads.  One of those provincial roads (D981) will take you to the Pont du Gard, a massive original Roman aqueduct, which is surrounded by trails that take you to more Roman remains. You can take the N106 to Nimes and find a very well preserved Roman arena that you can walk inside, self-guided. You can also visit the Iron Age Oppidum de Nages on a hilltop with wide open views of the valley below.

Then there are the beaches. The French Riviera is obviously famous and fabulous, but there are beautiful villages and towns the entire way down the coast. In these villages you will find top quality bars and restaurants for days. Holiday rentals are available all over, but don't try to find one in August (European Vacation). Antibes, Saint Marie de la Mer Beach and Plage de Bonporteau are very beautiful to visit and soak up some sun. Bring the sunscreen! (Plage means beach) 

The Occitania (the Languedoc) and Provence are the broad geographic regions that make up southern France.  Occitani was the name of the language spoken there before the Romans arrived, who then came to call the area the Langue d'Oc (language of the occitani). The depth of history in these lands, and beyond is staggering. When I take my rental car and drive inland to these remote little towns and scramble around the chateaus and pop down into the only restaurant in town, I am inspired to learn more and more about these places.  Incidentally, that restaurant will typically have some of the best food I've ever eaten at an amazing price. Not even kidding.

In addition to all of this, you can easily transit between Spain and France and onward to Italy, so don't miss the chance to cross the border if you're close. If you are reallly curious about southern France, I can point you to resources to look into the real estate values and options, as well.

Wandering Back Through Time, in Cinque Terre

Trying to make a list of all of the important places to go in Italy is a fool's errand.  Italy has the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, with 49. Try working all of them into one lifetime! There are Italians who will never visit all of them.  If you would like to try, give me the opportunity to make it happen for you!  However, if you only committed to one list of choices, you would be ruling out all of the other amazing places that you can visit.

Italy is a cornucopia of experiences for all types of travelers. Let me help you find the perfect place to spend your Girl's Trip, honeymoon, or skiing expedition.  We can set up a culinary holiday in Italy's food hub, Bologna, or an agriturismo stay in Umbria to learn about beekeeping. Or, you can go to Emilia Romagna to see some of Palladio's seminal architectural works. Italy is so much more than Rome.

The city of Rome isn't the only place to find the remains of a once great empire.  Every region has remains of old Roman towns, countryside villas and ancient trackways to discover. Every year, archaeologists are slowly making their way through different digs, patiently teasing out stories of the homes, battlefields and political centers of a rich history. So, go visit any of the hundreds of archaeological sites open to the public in Italy. I can access the resources and information needed to plan a deep dive excursion into ancient Rome. 

Italy also has a sporting life.  Largely dictated by centuries-old rivalries between neighboring towns, modern sports fans here are just as passionate about their home team.  Soccer, or calcio in Italian, is one of the biggest sports in Italy.  The main professional division, Serie A, is where you will find teams like AC Milan, Juventus and AS Roma. Each team has an arch-rival and when they face each other, you can feel the passion flowing though the stadium. You can be a part of the action and witness the passion at the San Siro, or Rome's Olympic Stadium, and have a great story to tell when you get home.

Watersports are very popular, with windsurfing, kitesurf and foiling available on every coast. Rec sports are well represented, like golf, tennis and pickleball. If you enjoy skiing, Italy has more than 450 ski areas in several different regions.  The Dolomites are very popular, as well as Abruzzo, Lombardia, and Tuscany. Rugby is played all over the country and you can even find baseball parks in some towns!

Europe is well known for its maze of hiking trails and Italy does not fall short of trails to wander about. There are apps that can be used to find trails that are suitable to every skill level. Many of the trails are very well marked, some even have emergency stations to call the local police, however, most won’t have those. If you choose to go out on a trail, go with a guide, take sunscreen, lots of water and appropriate outerwear and hiking boots. And tell someone where you are going, even if you are a group of people.

Just walking along the streets of the town where you're staying can be great for sightseeing, especially if you choose to stay farther into the hinterlands beyond the coast. My favorite cheap thrill when I go walking through these old medieval villages is to find a covered alleyway and just head down it, see what's hiding down there. If anyone ever stops me, the plan is to just act lost and ask for help, but I haven't had to use that one yet. These old towns are typically safe, just make sure to watch out for the cars. Everyone from the youngest lad to his nonna are flying around the next bend in a Fiat Panda.

The Cinque Terre ('five lands.' in Italian) are a group of tiny villages sprinkled along the coast, north of the city of La Spezia. There is a series of trails running between the towns that many people have profusely posted on their socials over the years. The views are dramatic, but the trails can occasionally be closed, have been washed out at times and I wouldn't rely on them all being available at the same time, ever again. I recently purchased 'una piccola casella' in a town just above the Cinque Terre. It needs a massive renovation, a mother's touch and some luck and I will be spending quite a bit more time there, where you will find me wandering around the hills and tiny villages that I love so much.

So, definitely reach out to me to start a conversation about travel goals and places to see and things to learn more about. Deep dives are my deal. I can even translate Italian for you if you've already been researching the different regions and places to visit. I look forward to hearing from you! 

Break Out Your Bucket Lists, It's Rome

I first visited Rome as a teenager. I was really into photography, archaeology and history, so this shutterbug was in heaven. There were excavations going on in the Forum and I was privileged to speak to an archaeologist about their work. He told me about finding evidence of Etruscan occupation predating the Roman layers and how much farther down they still had to go in most areas the city. I took the bait. 

In the years since then, painstaking excavations have slowly uncovered more layers, in more sections of the city, revealing the location of Caesar's assassination, the Basilica Ulpia, the Forum of Augustus, and Hadrian's Athenaeum. There is so much more to see, now, and more is being exposed every year. Don't miss out on all of the amazing progress that's been made since the last time you were there.

If it's your first trip to Rome, you will be walking into magical spaces from a time before plastics and microchips. You will be observing the craft of people with modern minds, using metal tools, wood and stone. Picture the white Carrara marble statues, but painted with vibrant colors. Do your best to visualize what these buildings looked like at full height. This is what you will find when you travel to one of the most famous cities on Earth. The truth of the story of Rome unfolds before your eyes.

There are still all of the usual attractions, Trevi fountain, Tempio Emmanuele, the Campo de Fiori, Vatican City, and the Colosseum. The buzz of Vespa's all around you can still be heard as you navigate the dense city streets. And there are great restaurants lining those streets.  Luxury hotels and accommodations are easily in reach, and outside of the city there are b&b's, agriturismos and boutique residence hotels for a more relaxed vibe during your stay. 

Day trips outside of the city are also a great way to learn more about the history of the empire. You can wander down to Ostia Antica to see the ancient port where the grain imports and slaves from Egypt, along with marbles, granite and travertine were brought in from every corner of the empire to trade. Or you can travel to Tivoli and visit Emperor Hadrian's expansive villa (200 acres!) site. 

The Roman empire covered all of Europe, England and eastward to India. Traditions and cultures meshed there, and traded blows as the world grew up more quickly every year. To visit this magical municipality is to witness a center of human growth and innovation that still buzzes, more than 2,000 years after it's birth.  Let me help you get there to 'go back in time', or just enjoy what this millenium has to offer.