150 Years of Tradition: Aboard Holland America’s Rotterdam VII

Cruise Views: Holland America and Rotterdam VII mark 150 years of tradition, transformation

Post By Guest Blogger Kathy Witt

One hundred eleven years after the RMS Titanic plunged beneath the waters of the North Atlantic 700 nautical miles east of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam VII made an unscheduled stop at that exact location for a moment of silence.

“More than 1,500 passengers and crew lost their lives, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and loss that has endured to this day,” Rotterdam’s Captain Bas Van Dreumel said. Many of the ship’s 2,222 passengers had gathered on Lido deck in blustery but sunny weather remarkably similar to what Titanic had experienced all those years ago.

“We honor the memory of the passengers and crew who showed grace and dignity in the face of unimaginable hardship and tragedy,” Van Dreumel continued. “And so, it is with deep respect and solemnity that we now dedicate this wreath to the sea, as a symbol of our remembrance and gratitude.

“May it serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made on that tragic night, and of the enduring spirit of humanity that continues to inspire us.”

For both lines, their respective transatlantic crossings were historic, with the former introducing the “ship of dreams”—the world’s largest, most opulent liner in 1912—and the latter recreating Holland America’s maiden voyage of Rotterdam I of 150 years ago.

Holland America has always been a company that honors its past even as it looks ahead to the future. From its founding in 1873 when it was called the Netherlands-American Steamship Company, it has linked Old World to New and played a crucial and prominent role in America’s immigration story, bringing one in 10 immigrants from Europe to the United States, and at a level of comfort and care few if any other steamship companies offered.

Since that first Rotterdam sailing, much has evolved and improved with the passenger shipboard experience—stabilizers, a technology developed in the 1930s, being at the top of the list. Early passengers making the crossing would have felt every roll, bump and wave of the sea. Not so today, thankfully. Accommodations were nothing like the restful havens now, with their comfy beds and sofas, flatscreen televisions, tile and glass (hot water) showers and Elemis spa toiletries.

On those early crossings, it was on the passengers to entertain themselves. Now there are endless options and an app to guide guests to the good times.

Aboard Rotterdam VII, a full schedule of programming includes enrichment lectures; wine tastings featuring gourmet food pairings from the ship’s various dining venues; exercise classes (tai chi, yoga, abs); pickleball games and tournaments; rousing rounds of trivia—the most popular activity aboard, according to Rotterdam’s cruise and travel director; arts and crafts, including new guided painting lessons; nightly poolside movies; a variety of live music performed in several different venues, including Rolling Stones Rock Room and B.B. King’s Blues Club; a World Stage with 270-degree LED projection for immersive programming and entertainment, including piano concerts, comedy acts, dance and music fusion shows and more.

Although immigrants traveling aboard HAL ships enjoyed three squares a day (a more generous meal plan than most ships provided), food served was fairly basic. Now round-the-clock choices tempt, from burgers and pizza at casual poolside eateries to classic fare in the main dining room to more upscale cuisine served at the ship’s specialty restaurants, including Rudi’s Sel de Mer French seafood brasserie; Pinnacle Grill, a seafood and steak house; and Canalotto’s Italian.

Find sushi made to order at Nami, sweet treats at Gelato’s and theme dinners like seafood boils and an Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner—a small plates extravaganza; everything from fried rice, quesadillas and roast pork to made-to-order deli sandwiches and freshly baked cookies (with chocolate chip being the hands-down favorite) at Lido Market; Dutch classics including pea soup and rustic ham and cheese buns at the Grand Dutch Café; chicken wings, soft salted pretzels and buttery popcorn the snack options served during the evening Dive-in movie; and basics like club sandwiches and cobb salads through room service.

From the art of cuisine to a world class art collection, everything on Rotterdam is designed to please, delight and wow. A 4.1 million art collection features an international roster of artists working in all mediums. Each staircase presents a theme—architecture, music, zoology—that is carried floor to floor like a vertical gallery. Sculptures, paintings, prints, fiber arts, collage—in all there are 2,645 works of art to enjoy, from small treasures like intricate altered books and musician silhouettes constructed of cassette tapes to major works, including cello and pan flute sculptures by Korean artist Yongsun Jang.

The public spaces are beautifully decorated, each conveying an individual theme and mood through color, texture and lighting and punctuated with dramatic artworks. Services offered include shops filled with boutique jewelry, designer fragrances, branded clothing and sundries, plus a small casino, fitness center and photo gallery. Beneath a retractable glass dome, the two-deck Lido pool area invites with swimming pool and a trio of hot tubs surrounded by plenty of chaises and couches, greenery and cozy nooks.

A library would not have been part of the experience on those early crossings and a spa virtually unheard of, but aboard Rotterdam the former is filled with books that may be borrowed for reading on deck or thumbed through on the spot while relaxing in an overstuffed chair and the latter, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, bustles with the buffing, polishing, pampering and destressing of a steady stream of guests.

Holland America is celebrating its history on several upcoming Heritage Cruises, each featuring retro happy hours, classic cruise games and activities and Dutch High Tea, including three Best of Norway cruises in 2023 aboard Rotterdam: July 15-29, Aug. 12-26 and Sept. 9-23. A number of transatlantic itineraries is also offered, including a 14-day Atlantic Sunsets and Exotic Isles cruise aboard Rotterdam, Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April 13-27, 2024. See all the options and get more information at www.hollandamerica.com.

Fast Facts

  • Holland America Line (HAL) marks the 150th anniversary of the company’s founding on April 18, 2023.

  • Rotterdam VII is Holland America’s third Pinnacle class ship. By the numbers: 99,836 gross tonnage; 894 feet in length; 2,668 passengers; 1,048 crew. By comparison, the RMS Titanic had a gross tonnage of 46,329 and a length of 882.75 feet. Passenger capacity was 3,320. The night Titanic sank, 2,240 passengers were aboard and only 706 survived.

BB-King – Deck 2&3 Midship Rotterdam – Holland America Line
  • HAL has carried more than 12 million passengers throughout its history, including two Netherlands nationals who founded one of America’s most iconic rock bands. Seven-year-old Edward and nine-year-old Alexander boarded HAL’s Ryndam with their parents, Jan and Eugenie Van Halen, in spring of 1962, arriving in New York City on March 9, 1962. Eleven years later, Van Halen—the band credited with “restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene”—was born.
  • A three-year-old who refused a PBJ featuring orange marmalade on rye, served to him aboard a Holland America ship in the 1980s, is credited for authoring the company’s first children’s menu. Brendan Bunts, sailing with his parents, Annmarie and Pat Bunts, met with the kitchen staff and came up chicken tenders, hot dogs, mac ‘n cheese and PBJ—made the “right” way. “Everyone knows it’s got to be peanut butter and grape jelly with the crusts cut off,” said Brendan’s mom, Annmarie Bunts, who has cruised 99 times with Holland America
  • Guests can download and take a 30- to 40-minute self-guided art and antique tour during their cruise that includes walking directions, artist interviews and background music.
  • Visit the Half Moon Bar for a history lesson in Holland America as told through craft cocktails like the Original, which celebrates the first Rotterdam through a blend of Dutch gin and hint of single malt Scotch.

Holland America Bread & Butter Pudding

  • 1 ½ pounds good day-old bread crusts trimmed and bread cubed.
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • quart whole milk
  • 6 eggs beaten
  • 3 egg yolks beaten
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup raisins
  • Powdered sugar
  • Grand Marnier optional

Preheat your oven to 325º.

If you’re planning to plump the raisins, now is a good time to get them soaking in the Grand Marnier. Use just enough to cover the raisins and let soak for about 30 minutes.

Place bread cubes in a bowl and drizzle with melted butter.

Grease ramekins with butter. You will need a large roasting pan to hold the ramekins.

Line the roasting pan with a dishtowel. This will keep the ramekins from slipping when you’re moving the pan in and out of the oven. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and toast until just golden, 8- 10 minutes.

Bring milk to a simmer over medium heat. In a large bowl, whisk whole eggs, egg yolks, and sugar. Gradually add in hot milk, continuing to whisk. Stir in vanilla.

Add half the breadcrumbs to the ramekins. Top with half the raisins. Repeat the layers again.

Ladle the egg mixture over the bread cubes and raisins. Let the bread stand for 20 minutes to absorb the custard.

Bring a kettle of water to a boil.

Place the ramekins on the towel in the roasting pan. Add enough boiling water to cover just halfway up the ramekins.

Bake the puddings in the middle of the oven for about 45 minutes. They are ready when set.

Carefully remove the roasting dish from the oven. Remove dishes. Let cool slightly.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Guest Blogger Kathy Witt is an award winning author and member of

SATW Society of American Travel Writers│Authors Guild

Author of Cincinnati Scavenger; Secret Cincinnati: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful & Obscure;

The Secret of the Belles; Atlanta, Georgia: A Photographic Portrait

Arriving Spring 2024: Perfect Day Kentucky: Daily Itineraries for the Discerning Traveler

www.KathyWitt.comwww.facebook.com/SecretCincinnatiNKY

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Oceania Cruises’ Regatta a trip of a lifetime that inspires the desire for more

By Special Guest Blogger Kathy Witt

When starry-eyed wanderlusters dream of that trip of a lifetime, don’t be surprised if Oceania Cruises’ Regatta glides into their mental picture. The ship is elegant but comfortable, exquisitely styled but approachable, expensive but worth every. single. penny.

Photo courtesy Oceania Cruises Regatta

Much of the allure lies within the ship’s luxury-level décor, finishing appointments and amenities – thanks to a multimillion-dollar stem-to-stern redesign in 2019 – paired with attentive service, an unstuffy attitude and warmly welcoming atmosphere.

Oceania Regatta’s Grand Staircase welcomes guests aboard. Photo: Kathy Witt

From sweeping Grand Staircase, its balustrades framing a gold-leafed tree against a silver backdrop and given soft illumination by the crystal chandelier to chummy lounge areas and seating nooks, to tastefully decorated staterooms and suites – each an oasis of calm and comfort with custom-crafted furnishings and designer accessories – this ship is catwalk ready.

DINING IN BEAUTIFUL DIGS

Regatta Toscana. Photo courtesy Oceania Cruises Regatta

The Grand Dining Room channels a stately five-star sensibility one might find in European restaurants, with seating, linens and tableware working in concert beneath a chandelier centerpiece that sets the stage for the global-inspired cuisine featured on the Chef’s Tasting Menu. Chicken ballotine, molten cheese souffle and caviar-stuffed potato fritters open an evening of gastronomy that moves onto Marseillaise fish soup, duck a l’ orange and butter-roasted Maine lobster and finishes with ice cappuccino parfait, apple crumble pie and a velvety-rich ice cream dish called “Elvis, the Fat Years.” (The chef is not without a sense of humor.)

Photo by Kathy Witt.

Two specialty dining experiences await at the Italian restaurant, Toscana’s, where family recipes of the Italian staff are incorporated into the menu, and Polo Grill, a classically styled steakhouse with all the time-honored food and furnishing traditions one would expect – including the tableside fanfare of preparing the Caesar salad. There is no upcharge for either restaurant, but reservations are required and should be made as early in the cruise as possible.

Tea time aboard Oceania Regatta. Photo: Kathy Witt
 

At Horizons, the English custom of four o’ clock tea is celebrated daily. Four-tiered, glass-topped carts laden with finger sandwiches, petits fours, crumbly scones with clotted cream and bite-size sweets roll from table to table, the white-gloved waitstaff plating up the goodies. As napkins drop in laps and tea is poured and sipped, a classical string quartet plays softly in the background.

LIBATIONS, LIVE MUSIC, LIBRARY

Whether shaken or stirred, Martinis offers the classic cocktail in a sophisticated setting that feels like the kind of place James Bond might foil an espionage plan – all Grecian blue and chocolate brown, silver-white marble and walnut paneling. Live piano music adds a dash of charm in the evening. Poolside, Waves sets the afternoon cocktail hour in motion with the Grand Bar a hotspot for pre-dinner gatherings.

Photo by Kathy Witt

Showtime in the Regatta Lounge might mean an afternoon watching an Oscar-winning movie or attending a guest lecture on astronomy or another topic. Evenings bring on the Motown classics or Great American Songbook standards, a 1920s floorshow accompanied by Prohibition-era cocktails or a dance party tribute featuring hit makers like Gloria Estefan and Michael Bublé.

An old-world aesthetic emanates from the library, from the glass-fronted cabinets shelving two thousand books to wingback and leather chair and ottoman seating groups to cushioned window seats overlooking the sea to the fireplace focal point. Above, a curved atrium ceiling charms with its painting of birds, florals and trees against a sky blue background. The library is a refuge for reading and working (if one must work on a cruise) where everyone tends to talk in whispers.

ONBOARD INDULGENGES

Regatta has numerous places to indulge in a little self-care, with the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center topping the list. The wellness retreat menu includes all those rejuvenating therapies that pair so well with a vibe of relaxed luxury, like the moisture-boosting Caviar Firm and Lift Facial. A selection of complimentary classes offers gentle guidance for finding your center: sunrise and sunset stretches, guided meditation and re-set breathing classes and yoga flow vinyasa sessions.

Some cruise lines host hairy chest contests and come-as-a-pirate party nights on their pool deck, but Regatta eschews these in favor of an atmosphere designed for R and R, with shimmering pool flanked by two whirlpool spas and surrounded by plump loungers and daybeds. A frothy cocktail in one hand and book or tablet in the other completes the picture of sliding directly into vacation mode.

Oceania is known for its onboard art collections, and the Regatta enchants with its paintings and sculptures splashing color and drama across the walls, surprising from pedestal perches tucked near the stairwells and posing within niches about the ship.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

Photo courtesy Oceania Cruises Regatta

At a time when many cruise lines are trimming housekeeping staff and duties, Oceania continues to offer twice-daily maid service to refresh and restock cabins and provide evening turn-down with those coveted Belgian chocolates placed on the pillow. Bathrooms are stocked with Bvlgari bath amenities – shampoo/shower gel, shave balm, lotion and more – fragrant with notes of green tea, the citrusy scent of Italian bergamot, cardamom and other spices. Complimentary 24-hour room service is an appreciated touch (and one many cruise lines not only limit in terms of menu options but charge a fee for) that includes items such as avocado toast, Tuscan kale salad, omelets, petit beef fillet and Thai coconut red curry.

Luxurious with an atmosphere of laissez-faire, there is never anything stuffy about Regatta. It strikes just the right balance that inspires dreams of future Oceania cruises.

PLAN YOUR TRAVELS

Featuring a beautifully re-inspired ambiance with decks resplendent in teak, custom stone and tile work and lounges, suites and staterooms showcasing designer residential furnishings, Oceania Regatta carries under 700 passengers. It is the flagship of a fleet of six designer-inspired ships of a cruise line known for its culinary- and destination-focused experiences. Cruises are offered across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific and epic 180-day Around the World Voyages.

For more information: www.oceaniacruises.com.

About Kathy Witt

Kathy Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer who writes a monthly syndicated travel column for Tribune News Service, is a regular contributor to Kentucky Living, Georgia and Travel Goods magazines and RealFoodTraveler.com as well as other outlets like County. She is the author of several books, including Cincinnati Scavenger (Fall 2022) Secret Cincinnati and The Secret of the Belles, and is working on another travel-themed book for Fall 2023 release. Kathy is a member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Kathy has a new interactive Cincinnati-themed book arriving summer 2022!

Follow Kathy on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

Heed the call of the wild with a cruise to Alaska

By Special Guest Blogger Kathy Witt

The more I see as I sit here among the rocks, the more I wonder about what I am not seeing.”

-Richard Proennek, naturalist, conservationist, writer, and wildlife photographer 

This is the mystery of Alaska. It is a place of wonder, with whole worlds in and beyond the glaciers you see right before you, the mountains that loom in the distance, the wild behind the horizon.

Last month, cruising Alaska also meant a return to Canadian waters  after an absence of two to three years due to the pandemic. The first two cruise lines to arrive in Canada were Holland America and Princess Cruises, both among a number of cruise lines offering different ways to explore Alaska, from small ship active adventure expeditions to larger ship voyages offering a classic cruise experience.

Glacial Bay National Park and Preserve. Photo credit: nps.gov/glba/

CLASSIC CRUISE EXPERIENCE, AMBIENCE

Holland America Line (HAL) celebrates seventy-five years in Alaska in 2022, bringing all that experience plus an elegant fleet of six ships to themed cruises and cruisetours that last from seven to 18 days. It also offers more cruises to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve for viewing the magnificent tidewater glaciers than any other cruise line. Enhancing the epic splendor of these journeys are rangers from the National Parks Service who come aboard to narrate the geology, history and ecology of Glacier Bay, calling out wildlife sightings and answering questions along the way.

Onboard, dining options range from poolside burgers to fine dining with a gourmet flourish, with tastes and atmospheres moving from authentic Italian to classic French to Asian traditions. The cruise line is known for consistently outstanding cuisine, paired perfectly with the pours available in the wine cellar, all selected by internationally acclaimed wine critique James Suckling. Throughout, HAL retains that touch of old-world cruising aesthetic blended with twenty-first century amenities and refined shipboard atmosphere.

Entertainment blends enrichment, with the Lincoln Center Stage bringing chamber music concerts and afternoon recitals; BBC Earth Concerts immersing guests in the wonders of the world through its natural habitats and wildlife; and deep dives into the destination through the talks, shore excursions, food demos and more are offered through its EXP programming – Explorations Central Discovery Center.

For the 2022 season, HAL resumed cruises to Alaska from the port Vancouver, Canada, and between Vancouver and Whittier. (Zuiderdam was first to Alaska, arriving in Vancouver on April 28, followed two days later by Koningsdam on April 30.) Three different seven-day itineraries are offered, including Alaska Inside Passage.

UNEXPECTED, UNCROWDED, UNFETTERED ADVENTURE

Expeditions to see humpback whales, sealions and other wildlife; hiking to outback country in Glacier Bay National Park; an evening kayaking to a shoreside campfire; biking an island teeming with bears. UnCruise Adventures’ ethos eco-focused and sustainable travel that is culture- and community-centric. Its seven-, 12- and 14-night small ship sailings are all about active fun, discovery and exploration.

UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Adventurer glides into Neka Bay in Alaska.
Photo: UnCruise Adventures

Enhancing the experience, both aboard and ashore, is the number of guests – less than 90 on most ships and as few as 22 on one – sharing in the adventures. Life onboard is casual and relaxed. Meals and pastries highlight local ingredients. Gear for snorkeling, paddle boarding and kayaking is available. Features like entry fees to national parks, UnCruise-only activities and shore visits and wine, beer and liquor (including daily signature cocktails) are included. Adding a personal touch to each sailing are the expedition guides and guest experts.

Kayakers explore Glacier Bay with UnCruise Adventures. Photo: UnCruise Adventures

Joining the list of themed Alaska adventures this season is the new seven-night “Wild, Woolly and Wow” itinerary, featuring Chichagof Island. (UnCruise Adventures has the only permit to visit this minimally populated island, one of Alaska’s ABC islands and fifth largest island in the United States.)

CASUAL FUN TIMES

Celebrate Carnival’s Big 5-0 with a cruise to Alaska.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines

The emphasis is firmly on round-the-clock, come-as-you-are fun aboard Carnival ships – especially in 2022, Carnival’s fiftieth anniversary. Lip sync battles, deck parties, karaoke, mini golf, top deck waterpark, a piano bar that rocks out with all the old familiars, jars and jars of colorful candy at Cherry on Top, Punchliner Comedy Club and Suess at Sea for the little ones (which includes a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast featuring special appearances by Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2) and so much more.

Nashville Hot Mac #BigChickenShaq

The watering holes are equally fun, with an island-inspired pub; a mystical, magical cocktail “pharmacy;” beer station; and a martini tasting that is all about the showmanship and kicky flavor combinations, like spicy chipotle pineapple. Dining is also lively, with outdoor venues Big Chicken (the restaurant of Carnival’s CFO – Chief Fun Officer – Shaquille O’Neal) and Guy’s (as in Fieri) Burger Joint and indoor Streets Eats and Steakhouse.

Carnival brings the party to Glacier Bay on its Alaska sailings.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival has several ships sailing Alaska, including Spirit, Splendor and Miracle, with each offering a full menu of shore tour options, everything from dog sledding in Juneau and catching a lumberjack show in Ketchikan to gold panning in Skagway and wildlife spotting in Sitka.

NEW PRINCESS, IMMERSIVE PROGRAMMING AND PUPPIES

Princess has been bringing adventurers to Alaska for over fifty years and knows how to show its guests a thoroughly magnificent time, both on land and at sea. Appealing to active cruisers with a zest for discovery, the line offers 12 unique itineraries and more than 20 cruisetour options, operating five upscale, custom-built wilderness lodges for its cruisetour passengers.

Majestic Princess (the sister ship to the new Discovery Princess) sits grandly in Glacier Bay.
Photo: Princess

As one of the six Princess ships cruising the Great Land in 2022, Discovery Princess marks her inaugural season as the youngest ship in Alaska. The 3,660-passenger Medallion Class ship brings next-level technology via a wearable device, Ocean Medallion, which expedites service and personalizes attention to each individual guest; enormous, made-to-entertain suite balconies – the largest at sea; Broadway-style productions in the state-of-the-art Princess Theater; and puppies, lots and lots of puppies.

Part of the line’s signature and award-winning North to Alaska program, Puppies in the Piazza give guests a chance to meet sled dogs and the handlers who train them for a life of dog mushing. New to the program this season are unique wine and seafood pairings, featuring entrées like fresh salmon with premium wines available only in Alaska; hot beverages headlined by “spiked” hot chocolate recipes; and Alaska beer and spirits experiences, including tasting flights, locally brewery tours and cocktails like Glacial Ice Chilled Martinis.

Princess has a unique program through its Discovery partnership to bring sled dog puppies onboard for Puppies in the Piazza. Photo: Princess

Princess had the distinction of having the first ship arrive in Canada this season since April of 2019, when Caribbean Princess called at Victoria, capital city of British Columbia. The four-day Pacific Coastal voyage arrived on April 6 before heading onward to Vancouver.

COUNTRY CLUB CASUAL

The line known for small ship luxury brings even more of its trademark welcoming elegance to Alaska in 2022. Oceania Cruises 684-guest Regatta underwent a redesign so transformative with new rich, warming color palette, shimming chandelier lighting, marble bathrooms and new and thought-provoking art that it is being called a re-inspiration.

Oceania’s cruises in Alaska bring guests the wide-open skies and cobalt glaciers of The Last Frontier.
Photo: Oceania Cruises

Suites and staterooms are sumptuous. Dining is gourmet with a plant-based focus. Afternoon tea is accompanied by a classical string quartet. The spa is designed with a holistic approach to wellbeing. Shows are inspired by the locale. Live piano music invites guests to gather or cocktails and conversation. An English-inspired library delights with thousands of books, including mysteries, classic literature and guidebooks. The overall onboard ambience is relaxed and casual amidst sleek splendor – jacket and tie not required.

Better than new, Regatta is the flagship of the Oceania Cruises fleet and features a beautifully re-inspired ambiance.
Photo: Oceania Cruises

The Regatta’s medium ship size means it can slip into ports larger ships cannot, like Alaska’s Wrangell Island, a former Tlingit Indian stronghold and Russian outpost, home to the Wrangell Museum and ancient petroglyphs. Onboard enrichment opportunities enhance the cruises – not just to Alaska, but to all Oceania destinations – with historians, naturalists and other experts offering lively programs.

About Kathy Witt

Kathy Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer who writes a monthly syndicated travel column for Tribune News Service, is a regular contributor to Kentucky Living, Georgia and Travel Goods magazines and RealFoodTraveler.com as well as other outlets like County. She is the author of several books, including Cincinnati Scavenger (Fall 2022) Secret Cincinnati and The Secret of the Belles, and is working on another travel-themed book for Fall 2023 release. Kathy is a member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Follow Kathy on Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.