Carmel-by-the-Sea, also known as Carmel, just might be the cutest town in the United States. It’s an unusual combination that I just can’t define in a few words: buildings decorated with Spanish tiles, English-style cottages, 40 courtyards and passageways, too-cute shops and cafes, one of California’s most beautiful historic missions, and a unique beach at [...]
Toronto Off the Beaten Path
As I continue my focus on quality travel experiences, including travel that emphasizes the slow, experiential, and mindful, I am highlighting off-the-beaten-path choices for well ...
Photo Friday: A California Castle Winery
You probably know that I love the California wine country. One reason I love it so much is the variety of wineries, from small boutique wineries that can be visited only be appointment to the can’t-miss architectural statements that make a very big impression. Castello di Amorosa is one of those big wineries that you [...]
Traveler of the Week: Natalie from Near Afar
One thing I love to see among travel lovers is people who also love their hometown. I can’t really say that I have that feeling about my hometown of Sacramento (although I am crazy in love with Northern California), but Natalie of the travel blog Near Afar is fortunate to live in Toronto. She writes [...]
The Best Place to See Caravaggio in Rome
The topic of this month’s ArtSmart Roundtable is artists. You may know that I usually write about the Italian Renaissance, and this time I’m sticking with Italy but fast-forwarding at least 100 years to the master painter Caravaggio. I want to share what I think is the best place to see his work, where it [...]
Photo Friday: Point Reyes Lighthouse
I’m counting down the days until the end of the semester and the beginning of my summer vacation. Unlike other summers, this one is still unplanned. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I haven’t been able to set anything in stone, but the picture is slowly starting to become clearer. I knew all along that I [...]
Artisanry & An American in Florence
One aspect of culture that has long fascinated me is the blend of old and new. Now, when talking to my students, I am reminded of the importance of what comes before–they are unaware of typewriters and unaccustomed to using non-digital dictionaries (i.e. dictionaries in book form!) and seem uninterested when I bring up things from [...]
Asilomar State Beach at Dusk: A Photo Essay
One of the biggest lessons that I constantly learn and relearn is to get out, even when everything is telling me to stay inside, for the sake of doing something different. While relaxing at home is comforting and necessary, being outside, especially in nature, is rejuvenating and important. It’s always those days that I do [...]
Piazza della Signoria in Florence: Photo Friday
Piazza della Signoria One of the most fun aspects of being a “social media reporter” at the Florens2012 conferences was that I had access to places I wouldn’t normally have, like the Palazzo Vecchio, where most of the week’s events took place. This was especially meaningful to me because of my deep interest in Renaissance [...]
Welcome! I'm Jenna. This Is My Happiness reflects my passion for culture, art, and travel. I write about these topics with the aim of providing a deeper look at destinations. I also write for Travel Mindset and am an AFAR ambassador.
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