• Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
Confetti Travel Cafe
Celebrate Travel, Culture, Connection
Author

Sophia Smith

Sophia Smith

Sophia Smith is a lifestyle blogger, graphic designer and travel enthusiast. She is very passionate about eco-friendly and green topics, sustainable travel, eco beauty, and conscious business. Sophia's other hobbies centre around her love for yoga, wellness rituals and living in balance with nature. She loves sharing meaningful content that inspires people. Sophia has contributed to a number of publications including Eco Warrior Princess, Sivana Spirit, Carousel, Cause Artist, Austin Fit Magazine, Awaken, Literally Darling, Stay at Base, and Read Unwritten. You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Sophia Smith.

  • Africa/Middle EastArt & CultureInternationalInternational Destinations

    A Journey Through Saudi Arabia’s Open-Air Living Museum

    by Sophia Smith August 28, 2024
    by Sophia Smith August 28, 2024

    If you want to learn about the mysterious Saudi Arabia that just opened to the world, make sure to journey through the  Saudi Arabia’s Open-Air Living Museum in AlUla, Saudi …

  • Getting ThereStaying ThereTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    5 Practical and Encouraging Tips for Baby Travel

    by Sophia Smith January 22, 2024
    by Sophia Smith January 22, 2024

    Taking a baby on a trip may be an exciting and challenging experience. I know the mix of joy and nervousness that comes with organizing a trip with your child …

  • SoutheastU.S.U.S. Destinations

    Must-See Destinations in Atlanta

    by Sophia Smith November 22, 2023
    by Sophia Smith November 22, 2023

    Atlanta, Georgia: a mosaic of history, culture, and relentless innovation. This dynamic Southern metropolis, draped in a history as rich as its oak-canopied streets, presents an ever-evolving tableau that captivates …

  • InternationalStaying ThereTravel & LifestyleTravel TipsU.S.

    Picking the Right Family Vacation Rental

    by Sophia Smith November 2, 2023
    by Sophia Smith November 2, 2023

    Vacationing with family is an odyssey—a blend of thrill, exploration, and rejuvenation. While each day promises adventures and the creation of priceless memories, it’s the preparatory steps that often determine …

  • CoastalSoutheastU.S.U.S. Destinations

    Best Florida Campgrounds to Reconnect With Nature

    by Sophia Smith October 2, 2023
    by Sophia Smith October 2, 2023

    We frequently neglect to pause in our hectic world and re-establish our connection to environment. The outdoors can have a significant positive effect on our mental health and general wellbeing. …

  • Food And DrinkGetting ThereStaying ThereTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    Healthy Eating While Flying: Before, During, and After

    by Sophia Smith August 21, 2023
    by Sophia Smith August 21, 2023

    Borders have been crossed and people have been connected in previously unthinkable ways thanks to air travel. The realities of long-haul travel are sometimes overlooked in the wonder of flying …

  • EuropeInternationalInternational Destinations

    A Diverse and Rich Architectural Tour of Scotland

    by Sophia Smith June 5, 2023
    by Sophia Smith June 5, 2023

    Welcome to Scotland, a country rich in legends and home to breathtaking vistas. This nation is dotted with the remnants of long-gone tribes, illustrious clans, bloody conflicts, and stubborn resiliency, …

  • EuropeInternationalInternational Destinations

    5 Stunning Vacation Destinations in Montenegro

    by Sophia Smith May 8, 2023
    by Sophia Smith May 8, 2023

    The little Balkan nation of Montenegro is home to a remarkably varied scenery that ranges from the breathtaking Adriatic Sea shoreline to the lofty peaks of the Dinaric Mountains. It’s …

Search

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Flickr

On Instagram

People don’t talk enough about one of the best r People don’t talk enough about one of the best reasons to have kids. When they’re little, they bring you all kind of treasures: rocks and sticks and leaves, crayon drawings, books they want you to read. 

But once they’re adults, sometimes they introduce you to other things in their world. 

Yes, I was into some of the early graphic novels. But I’m thoroughly enjoying my son’s loan of his Akane-Banashi manga series!
.
#manga #mangá  #akane-banashi #yurisuenga #takamasamoue #rakugo #rakugaki #japanesemanga
Great night out at The 1905 jazz club to hear the Great night out at The 1905 jazz club to hear the Charlie Porter Quartet. Album release for the latest; Portland Sketches.
.
Bonus: treated to an artist painting while the band riffed.
.
@the_1905 @charlieportermusic #jazz #improvjazz #notthestandards #jazzmusic #jazzclub #jazzclubs #albumrelease #confettitravel #portlandjazz
When I first arrived in Astoria, I decided to go u When I first arrived in Astoria, I decided to go up to the Astoria Column. Picked up my annual for for a whopping $5, which also gives you one entry to a few of Astoria’s museums. 

The Astoria column is 125 feet tall and sits on Coxcomb Hill, at an elevation of 600 feet. The column was dedicated in 1926.
.
I have fond memories of bringing my kids here. I’d spend the dollar to buy them each one of the little wood glider kits atbtge gift shop. We’d put them together, then trek up the circular iron, 164 step staircase to the top. Outside, you’ve got a 360 degree view. The Columbia, the Pacific, the bridge, the ships, Long Beach Peninsula, the mountains. 
.
For the kids, the best part was getting to throw the gliders off the top of the column. Yes, this is allowed and encouraged, and it’s a hoot. 
.
I watched three women together having a blast. I watched families, where dad stayed down on the ground to retrieve the gliders while the kids threw them. I watched couples take selfies.
.
My kids would go back down the stairs, retirve their gliders (or maybe it was someone else else’s that they found) and we go back upstairs to do it again. No, i dudbt buy them another glider. We git oyr exercize though! 
.
Yes, I bought a glider. Yes, i threw ut down. Yes, I retrieved it. And I’m taking it home as a littke souvenir.
.
#astoria #astoriaoregon #oregoncoast #oregonnw #oregonlife #atthecoast #confettitravel #takeatrip #roadtripping #roadtrippingusa #northwestcoast #pacificnorthwestisbest #oregon #traveloregon #traveloregoncoast #astoriacolumn #gliders #confettitravel
A 1959 Rolls Royce Silvercloud! . Yes, the Cannery A 1959 Rolls Royce Silvercloud!
.
Yes, the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa has this beauty to take you to and from your trip to one of Astorias’s many restaurants. Driver John gave me the scoop and some of the best places to eat and sites that I shouldn’t  miss!
.
#cannery #cannerypier #cannerypierhotel #astoria #astoriaoregon #bar600 #oregoncoast #oregonnw #oregonlife #atthecoast #luxehotel #boutiquehotel #confettitravel #takeatrip #roadtripping #roadtrippingusa #northwestcoast #pacificnorthwestisbest #rollsroyce #rollsroycesilvercloud #1959rollsroyce #vintagerollsroyce
I’m here is Astoria, Oregon, enjoying a wonderfu I’m here is Astoria, Oregon, enjoying a wonderful stay at the Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa!
.
The hotel design and decor, the service and all else has been amazing. Im finding that I am especially fascinated by the hotel construction. Built 600 feet out in the water, a skip away from the confluence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean, how this hotel came to be is the story I’ll have to tell.
.
That doesn’t mean I not enjoying the view, the room, balcony, fireplace, soaking tub with water view, the Finnish sauna and hot tub, and food and drink at Bar 600.
.
#cannery #cannerypier #cannerypierhotel #astoria #astoriaoregon #bar600 #oregoncoast #oregonnw #oregonlife #atthecoast #luxehotel #boutiquehotel #confettitravel #takeatrip #roadtripping #roadtrippingusa #northwestcoast #pacificnorthwestisbest #womentraveler #romanticgetaways
I was really excited to make a batch of the Italia I was really excited to make a batch of the Italian Easter Bread I grew up with. My mom would make these each year and we loved them. She could barely get the first out of the over before we’d begmhovering over her waiting for a slice. 

I eventually got the written recipe by staying with and sort of-kind of making us measure the ingredients as she went along. 

Its a pastry dough stuffed with a mix of ricotta cheese, cooked Italian sausage, raw eggs, bkack pepper, italian dried red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, grated parmigiano-reggiano, and a just a bit of tuma cheese (i used mozzarella). Add slices of hard-boiled egg just before folding the dough over lengthwise.
.
We called it cavissone. Some call it calzone.
.
#easterbread #foodiefavorites #favoritefoods #ricotta #ricottacheese #italianbread #italianpastry #myfavoritefood #snacking #justenjoy #confettitravel #sicilianbread #sicilianeasterbread #eastertradition #italianeasterpie #calzone #chicagofood #chicagoneighborhoods
Just a sweet little lavender bouquet from my frien Just a sweet little lavender bouquet from my friend, Maggie.
.
#girlfriendsbelike #girlfriendsarethebest #bouquetdefleurs #lavender #lavenderbouquet #simplethingsinlife #myladieswho #confettitravel
Fabulous lunch with a girlfriend at Mirakutei at t Fabulous lunch with a girlfriend at Mirakutei at their Clackamas, Oregon restaurant. Wonderful, fresh seafood, and so much more on the menu I need to try!
.
#mirakuteipdx #mirakutei #sushilovers #sushilunch #sushidate #sushi #clackamas #clackamasoregon #seafoodlovers #freshseafood #confettitravel #hamachi #salmon #eggplänt #salmoncollar #salmoncollar
A stroll along Olympic Sculpture Park. Great birth A stroll along Olympic Sculpture Park. Great birthday week; great touring, nourishing and joyful visits with two girlfriends! Lucky me! 
.
#seattlelife #seattlevisit #sculpturelovers #sculpturepark #olympicsculpturepark #waterfrontparksandiego #walkwalkwalk #walkingintherain #seattlewa
Seattle’s Volunteer Park Conservatory has wicked Seattle’s Volunteer Park Conservatory has wicked collections!
.
#volunteerpark #volunteerparkconservatory #volunteerparkseattle #citygarden #conservatory #conservatoryofflowers #pnw #pnwlife #pacificnw #citywalk #cityparks #gardenideas #gardentour #learnaboutplants
Great fun exploring Seattle’s Freemont neighborh Great fun exploring Seattle’s Freemont neighborhood! 

Photos aren’t great; too much in and out of shops and coffeehouse and bakery, canal stroll, and too much joyful conversation! Great gf  visit!
.
#freemont #freemontstreet #seattle #seattleneighborhoods #seattlelifestyle #walkwalk #walkwalkwalk #freemonttroll #freemontbridgeseattle
Seattle’s Gas Works Park! For as many times as I Seattle’s Gas Works Park! For as many times as I’ve visited this city, this was my first visit, which is kinda crazy!
.
#seattle #gasworkspark #gasworks #walkinthepark #takeawalk #pacificnw #favoritecityparks #cityparks #seattlewa #lakeunion
The weather could not have been worse, but I still The weather could not have been worse, but I still strolled some of my old Seattle waterfront haunts, including Pike’s. Ha! Even the photos aren’t great because I had to hold my umbrella as well! The waterfront was one big expanse of gray fog and you could barely see the ferries and ships. But I still enjoyed seeing what I could and walking the Overlook.
.
#seattle #waterfront #pikeplacemarket #pikes #pikesplace #seattleoverlook #emeraldcity #confettitravel
So after Kalama, I enjoyed a day with my daughter So after Kalama, I enjoyed a day with my daughter and SIL and kiddos. Time with my grandbabies and the family’s menagerie of fur-babies;  They took me out to eat and there was chocolate cake afterwards. Life is good. (family catch-up photos soon…) 

The next morning, it was on to Seattle! Im so hapoy that I’ll get to see two different friends this trip. But first  solo day to see the Ai Wei Wei exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. 

Beyond fabulous! Wei Wei is only a few years older than I am, and I’ve been stunned for a very long time by the breath of his work and the importance of his work. Yes, my visit to China adds to how I’m drawn by what he has to say. 

And it’s also very true that the things he’s talking about are too close for comfort with what we’re seeing here. 

#weiwei #weiweiseattle #revolt #artcontemporain #artofinstagram #protestart #revolutionary #artexhibits #sam #seattle #seattleartmuseum #confettitravel #internationalartists
Traveling up the #i-5 from #portland, I stopped at Traveling up the #i-5 from #portland, I stopped at the Kalama Mountain Timber Market in Kalama, Washington.

Great artisan market in a beautiful building right on the Columbia river. Lots of natural beams and natural woods and black; so well done. It was a sunny day and a lot of people were out walking the promenade along the riverfront. 

I went to see the restored Chief Lelooska totem pole, which is housed inside. This totem was carved from a 700 year old Western red cedar. 

#kalama #washington #washingtonstate #mountaintimbermarket #totem #totempole #chieflelooska #storytelling #storytellingart #travelwashington #roadtripping 


Mold-a-Rama is alive and going strong at Chicago’s Field Museum!
.
I so loved these as a kid and kept a few from my collection for many MANY years. And it was a major thrill for me when I got my kids to see these too! Definitely one of my favorite souvenirs of all time😜
.
#moldarama #fieldmuseum #fieldmuseumchicago #chicagogram #myhometown #travelsouvenirs #travelsouvenir @fieldmuseum
Hi all! Well, it’s a hella long flight from #pd Hi all! Well, it’s a hella long flight from  #pdx to #dfw to #eze, but I made it to Buenos Aires and I’ve been having a fabulous time exploring! What a dynamic, beautiful, fascinating city this is! So very rich in energy, art, music, dance, architecture, food, diverse barrios, and all else that makes up a great city to get to know. There is so much to share!
.
#buenosaires #buenosairescity #sudamerica #walkwalkwalk #exploreargentina #visitargentina #citylovers #solotravel #sólo #womentravellers #womentravelsolo
I haven’t been clamming this summer, or the past I haven’t been clamming this summer, or the past few actually. This last beach walk , I watched as all these people made their exodus to the waterfront. Shovels and clam guns and plastic bags and nets, and water boots and hip waders..

.
🌊.
.
#waves  #walkwalkwalk #seaside #seasideoregon #oregoncoast #oregoncoastline #oregoncoastlife #clamming #razerclams #shellfish #getoutside  #foraging  #harvesting
Wonderful beach watching weather, waves and wildli Wonderful beach watching weather, waves and wildlife this entire Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks, Seaside,OR!
.
🌊.
.
#waves  #walkwalkwalk #seaside #seasideoregon #oregoncoast #oregoncoastline #oregoncoastlife
The sun was bright and warm this long weekend; won The sun was bright and warm this long weekend; wonderful for long walks at low tides at the tidal pool, for exploring the estuary, for walking the Promenade, for the many making the pilgrimage out at low tides with clam guns, shovels, bags and buckets.
.
🦀.
.
#seaside  #seasideoregon #clatsopcounty #atthebeach #holidayweekend #longweekends #beachwalks #sunsetcaptures #beachsunsets #walkwalkwalk

Follow Us

Follow Us

Categories

About Our Editor

About Our Editor

Nancy Zaffaro loves to travel and explore, write and take photos. At home and away, she enjoys hearing people’s stories and feels at home just about anywhere. Learn more about Nancy and the rest of CTC's contributors.

U.S. Destinations

Write For Us

International Destinations

Food & Drink

  • Home
  • Our Site
  • Contributors
  • Write To Us
  • Write For Us
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Flickr

@ - All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top
Confetti Travel Cafe
  • Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy