Past travel and thinking about traveling fill my daydreams. I love reading travel sections, looking at maps and clipping reader recommendations. I don't want to watch a travel video; I want to be there.

My passion for travel has taken me to most of the United States, The British Isles, all of Europe, Canada, Mexico, Haiti, Hong Kong, China, Russia and Israel. I have so much more to see!

I've gone alone on two separate 90 day bus and train trips through Europe, hitchhiked solo through Ireland for a month, spent 8 days with my little sister in the dead of winter in Beijing, took a group tour of Haiti with some missionaries, joined a girlfriend in Israel for a wedding, a bus tour behind the Iron Curtain, a quick jaunt with my oldest sister to London, many work-related jaunts and lots of trips with my husband.

Because I have relatives who have lived their whole adult lives in Mexico, I've seen much of that country. In fact Tom and I honeymooned in Cuarnavaca and Taxco.

As Tom's health began to fail, we had to modify our trips. We took one three week van trip that proved too difficult for him. The constant van motion exacerbated his chronic pain. We then went to NYC/Montreal for a ten day stay. As Tom's condition deteriorated we tried weekends away or short cruises. Finally we stuck to one day overnights at great local hotels.

This has turned out to be a very effective getaway. There is minimal packing, we don't want to "see" anything, we have the luxury of lovely hotel and room service, and we spend it alone, not detracted by the world. We have done this about three times a year and love it.

After more than 17 years of Tom's pain increasing he has been able to ?hold the line?so to speak. His pain is still ll very much with us but he has better control of it. Consequently he has been able to do more which means we planned a big trip together to Italy.

Although it was difficult it was incredibly successful. So much so that we will try it again in a few years, providing Tom is still able to give it a go. He does want to improve his stamina, his neck muscles for looking up at ceilings and his biceps, so he can lift himself off the car seats while being driven through Rome. The stone streets are murder on his back leaving him a mass of pain once we get to the destination.

Besides Italy he joined me for a four day weekend at My One & Only Palmilla Resort in Cabo for my nephew Michael's wedding. This was a luxury resort which was very accommodating. We had a heavenly time.

The only thing I liked better than travel is travel at a bargain. In fact, I won't travel unless I can do it economically. I don't see any point in spending a fortune for a room when I don't intend to be in it other than to sleep. To get the best rates I search the Internet for bargains, travel off-season, go as a courier or use frequent flyer miles. There are so many ways to save on travel it only makes the pleasure of it more sweet.

Mind you, I often have to skip bargain hunting when Tom and I travel together. His physical needs dictate the manner in which we travel. First Class works best when dealing with constant pain. So I have to let go of my frugality and enjoy! It's a wonderful trade-off when I can be with the man I love.

You can find photos of some of my travels on the Personal Photos link.

Please enjoy my favorite discount travel website: www.frommers.com