In trying to decide all the reasons to visit Paris, France, there are undoubtedly too many to name. And there are few reasons not to visit this historic and stunning City of Light. But in narrowing some of the things that sparkle brightest within the city -- especially for a first-time visitor or one with little time to take in her beauty -- frequent traveler, travel writer and avid adventurer Kathy Petrino shares what shines most in good ole’ Paris.

This European city has her Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre -- all can’t-miss sites for nearly all tourists, as Kathy Petrino would attest. But this travel blogger suggests some other notable jewels among Paris’ streets. The Luxembourg Gardens are 61 acres of green space that not only provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris, but share various activities for guests of all ages -- kids included -- as well as vast beauty, including 106 sculptures, a Grand Basin and formal gardens of blooms. Best yet -- it’s free! The Paris Catacombs showcase skull-and-boned lined tunnels 65-feet beneath the city, stretching miles and honoring the dead of the 18th century. Also, the Musee Rodin, a lesser known museum in the city, but this former residence of a famed 19th-century sculptor now houses much of his own work as well as his personal collection of pieces, including paintings from Van Gogh. Paris has much to see, attests Petrino, and hidden gems everywhere.

With a temperate climate showcasing every beautiful season across statewide mountains and valleys, and a variety of historical sites littering nearly every corner, the state of Pennsylvania provides ample reasons for visiting year-round. From spring to summer, fall to winter, avid traveler Kathy Petrino has explored parts of this northeastern U.S. state and shares a few reasons why checking it out is worth the time and effort.

Kathy Petrino, a travel writer as well as adventurer, recommends the Gettysburg battlefield first and foremost. A turning point site in the Civil War, Gettysburg, Pa. is where approximately 50,000 Americans lost their lives and it remains hallowed ground today. The cemetery provides a sense of history in addition to spaces where the battle was fought, which tour guides even reenact for guests. Also vital toward Pennsylvania’s history, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton. Take a glimpse at a former working coal mine and descend 300-feet into the earth via mine car to explore how old-time mining occurred within the state.

For more fun, the Laurel Caverns near Pittsburgh also travel 46 stories deep into the earth for exploration of the largest cave system in the state. And Pennsylvania is big on amusement parks -- Hershey Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Kennywood, Knoebels and Waldameer are across the state, all ranging in size and scope for families to enjoy.

Many sports fans don’t travel much farther than their local stadium, rooting for the home team. But for those avid sporting fans with a desire to view the BIG game or defining locations in the history of baseball, basketball, football, hockey and more, avid traveler and writer Kathy Petrino has a few suggestions. Among her many travels across the globe, Petrino has identified several destinations that the biggest fans must see, must experience, must capture in their entirety to truly appreciate the game.

And nearing the top of that list is Fenway Park -- even for those who immensely loathe those Boston Red Sox. For lovers of America’s favorite pastime, seeing the Big Green Monster in person as well as cheering within the stadium is a bucket list goal. Plus, and Kathy Petrino will note, the vendors surrounding and within the field are top-notch. In Iowa, tucked away in Dyersville, baseball lovers -- and movie lovers -- can discover the Field of Dreams movie set, an iconic landmark for many sports fanatics. Then across the Atlantic, in London, the United Kingdom’s largest soccer stadium, Wembley, is not just a place for amazing sporting events, it’s also the scene for fashion, theater and art. Soccer, which is notably the world’s sport, also brings in visitors worldwide to stadiums in Brazil -- Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo -- and Spain’s Camp Nou in Barcelona, both of which Petrino recommends for those football fanatics.

It can be rainy. It can be chilly. But it’s scenic, innovative and filled with things to explore. Seattle, Washington -- cleverly also known as Emerald City -- has tourist attractions to its brim. From the Space Needle to Pike Place Market, Seattle is known for many things, including its historic grunge music scene and being the founding place for Starbucks coffee. But avid traveler and writer Kathy Petrino dove a bit deeper into this city in the Northwest United States to discover more of what makes it so magical for residents and visitors alike.

As adventurer Kathy Petrino found, Seattle has much to offer everyone. For all ages, she suggests Seattle’s waterfront with its Great Wheel, Seattle Aquarium, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, ferry rides among piers and many options for dining. The infamous gum wall is worth a glimpse -- near Pike Place Market, it’s a silly stop where anyone and everyone can leave their mark on the city. Petrino also recommends the Seattle Underground, a true adventure underneath the current city where one can view former storefronts and signage as well as streets. In traveling the world, Petrino has seen many sights and in Seattle, she notes ample shows, hiking opportunities, festivals, parks and more to make the absolute most of seeing the city and enjoying what this Emerald gem has to offer.

Traveler and writer Kathy Petrino visits many locations across the U.S., sharing her adventures with others who follow similar footsteps. The wandering soul of Petrino discovered both history and charm within one of America’s top destinations: Charleston, S.C. Known as the Holy City, the city is beautifully draped in Spanish moss with nearby beaches for a full trip. Among the best things to do in Charleston, Petrino suggests walking, carriage or boat tours to learn the history and see a variety of sights. The Battery is among can’t-miss locations, stretched along Charleston’s southern edge with water views and historic homes. Nearby Fort Sumter offers a true view of the nation’s history as the spot where the first shot of the Civil War was fired in 1861. And for a real southern shopping excursion in the Holy City, Kathy Petrino says Charleston City Market must be visited with its unique treasures and a glimpse of the old south.

Kathy Petrino works hard as a prolific travel blogger. In part, this is because she feels that anyone reading her blog will know more about some unusual and exciting travel destinations than they knew before. Kathy naturally wants to help her readers have a wonderful vacation with fewer of the pitfalls she discover when she travels. Of course, Kathy Petrino is also into convincing readers tovisit her favorite places time and time again because the more people visit, the more those destinations will thrive.

Among Kathy Petrino’s best recommendations isa visit to Mackinac Island, Michigan. The first thing you’ll notice when you visit Mackinac Island is that there is plenty of fudge, but no motor vehicles. Mackinac Island, an island and resort area of less than four square miles, passed a local ordinance prohibiting motor vehicles a while ago and the residents like it just fine. The islandis located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island draws tourists as a throwback to the type of seaside leisure that was common at the turn of the 20th Century. While the island is known for its fudge, there are plenty of activities to help work it off,. You can take in a round of golf, or hike and bike the pounds off.

San Francisco’s travel association and city, county and state efforts dedicated $9 billion in 2017 alone to the coastal California city’s tourism spending -- a prominent recognition of the growing global destination this seaside spot has become. Every day that year, approximately 69,000 visitors were welcomed into the area with an approximate spending of almost $25 million each day to accommodate those guests. According to avid traveler and budding travel blogger Kathy Petrino, these vast expenditures dedicated to tourism demonstrate San Francisco’s place among international travel.

With one of the most photographed and famous landmarks in the world at its center -- the Golden Gate Bridge -- San Francisco also boasts other notable landmarks across the city. Petrino noted the famed Alcatraz prison, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Castro District and the city’s historic cable cars. Also notable, said Kathy Petrino, are the rolling hills that create the city -- cities dotted with unique architecture, intriguing neighborhoods and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Add the cool climate and frequent fog to the mix, San Fran becomes a city of mystery and romance, aiding its colorful and rich past. Petrino notes that this coastal destination is able to annually increase its visitor count due to this inherent beauty as well as fabulous food fare and a historic diversity unlike most other locations in the country.

With a temperate climate showcasing every beautiful season across statewide mountains and valleys, and a variety of historical sites littering nearly every corner, the state of Pennsylvania provides ample reasons for visiting year-round. From spring to summer, fall to winter, avid traveler Kathy Petrino has explored parts of this northeastern U.S. state and shares a few reasons why checking it out is worth the time and effort.

Kathy Petrino, a travel writer as well as adventurer, recommends the Gettysburg battlefield first and foremost. A turning point site in the Civil War, Gettysburg, Pa. is where approximately 50,000 Americans lost their lives and it remains hallowed ground today. The cemetery provides a sense of history in addition to spaces where the battle was fought, which tour guides even reenact for guests. Also vital toward Pennsylvania’s history, the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton. Take a glimpse at a former working coal mine and descend 300-feet into the earth via mine car to explore how old-time mining occurred within the state.

For more fun, the Laurel Caverns near Pittsburgh also travel 46 stories deep into the earth for exploration of the largest cave system in the state. And Pennsylvania is big on amusement parks -- Hershey Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Kennywood, Knoebels and Waldameer are across the state, all ranging in size and scope for families to enjoy.

This who read Kathy Petrino’s blog know her as an enthusiastic traveler who not only wants to see the whole world, but who also wants to share everything she learns about her travels with her readers. Kathy loves to write about everything she sees and posts everything on her travel blog. Kathy Petrino’s greatest wish is for everyone to have the same great experiences she has had, because that keeps her favorite destinations thriving.

One of Kathy Petrino’s favorite destinations is among the world’s best-kept secrets; the small Arizona town of Sedona. For years, Sedona has grown in popularity, even though many stay away because they assume it’s too trendy and thus too expensive. Kathy wants her readers know it’s possible to see Sedona without shelling out big bucks. There are many great free things to see and do, but she likes to help them know how to do as much of that as possible because Sedona is worth seeing. Even walking the streets of Downtown Sedona can be fun, since that is where most of the nicest shops and restaurants are. It’s also fun to visit some of Sedona’s famous “vortexes,” remnants of the New Age movement that7 hit the town a couple decades back. These “vortexes” for spiritual reasons. It is believed they can facilitate prayer, meditation, and healing.

Because she is such a prolific blogger, it is now well-documented that Kathy Petrino is a very happy and prolific traveler who wishes to see as much as she can while she’s still on this planet. And we all benefit greatly from her experience because Kathy loves to write about all of her travels. She apparently has a strong desire to share everything she experiences, so that others can experience what she has. See, it’s good to enjoy your travels, but it’s better to tell others about them, so that the destination thrives to the point that you can visit again.

Kathy Petrino considers herself as an explorer, so she treats every destination as a new discovery. She has a lot of favorite destinations, but among her favorites is the Coachella Valley, located smack dab in the middle of Southern California’s Low Desert. And while the area isn’t as popular as it once during its heyday back in the 1950s and 1960s, when the Rat Pack ruled the roost, there is still a lot to recommend in the area. That includes the nostalgic vibe, which transforms visitors to a simpler time, when Frank and Dean and Sammy ruled Palm Springs, which is the center of the region and the main town in the Coachella Valley.

The Low Desert area features many fully-restored hotels and rental homes that will transport visitors back to the post-War 20th Century, when things were simpler. There are also numerous festivals to celebrate the old days, and many vintage stores to help you fit in. Of course, there is also the Coachella Music Festival, one of the best festivals in the country, where none other than Beyoncé stole the show just a short time ago. The area is also a Mecca of sorts for hikers and rock climbers, who get up into the hills via the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. That also love to explore Joshua Tree National Park, ad Salvation Mountain.