Hi – I’m Diana, a life-long New Englander, born and raised on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Being the Sagittarian that I am, I’ve always had a passion for traveling and New England is one of my favorite places to explore.  It’s unique charm and personality are tough to beat. It really has the best of everything.   Rich history… Beautiful shorelines… Breathtaking mountains… Cool cities… Iconic foods… Fascinating Museums… Stunning Gardens… And so much more.

New England and Beyond is my quest to give you an insider’s view into what makes New England special so you can have an amazing and unforgettable visit no matter where you are headed. I’ll share highlights of my travels, along with some interesting history, local tips and fun facts that are sure to help prepare you for your visit.

If you’re looking for some great ideas for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and fun things to do in New England, then you’re in the right place.

Come along for the ride as we travel through the main streets and back roads of New England to see what we may discover.  Whether you are a local or out-of-towner, you’re sure to get some great insights into this beautiful northeastern part of the U.S. 

How “New England and Beyond” Got Started

While quarantined at home at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, I came across a coloring page one of my daughters had given me with the phrase “Do more of what makes you happy”. When I read those 7 little words, something really resonated. Life is short and I should take more time for myself to do the things that make me happy. I found myself taping this new inspiration to the wall to serve as my daily reminder.

While such a simple concept, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. For many, including myself, the pandemic has been a time of self-reflection and reassessment of the many aspects of our lives. My journey through this process provoked a profound sense of restlessness and an urge to learn and grow began to emerge. I guess one might call it my “Midlife Awakening“. 

One day, the idea to create a blog came to me totally out of the blue. While blogging was never something I considered, the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. Something about it just seemed perfect.

Sometimes we take things for granted. Like living in what I consider to be one of the very best parts of the country. When we were unable to travel with all the pandemic restrictions, I came to realize I didn’t have to go far to explore some truly amazing places. There are so many areas close by which I’ve yet to visit and many more that I would love to explore again.

So here we are…and that is how New England and Beyond was born. 

More About Me

While I continue to work in the IT/Cybersecurity field by day, New England and Beyond helps me find that time to do more of the things that make me happy. I get to explore, learn and spend time having fun with my family and friends. New England and Beyond has become my passion and I’m so excited to share it with you.

In addition to my love for travel, I’m a single Mom to two amazing daughters in college and 4 mischievous cats. I’m obsessed with reading real-life spy novels, am fascinated with hot air balloons and I truly believe that laughter makes life better.

Enjoy and Happy Travels!