Her journalism can be seen in CNN, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, The Daily Beast, Fodor’s, Apartment Therapy, Atlas Obscura, AFAR, Going, the Alcohol Professor, DAME Magazine, and MSN, among others.

She speaks on travel, working in travel and hospitality, volunteering, and female empowerment around the world. Her copywriting clients include tour companies, cruise ship dry dock companies, board game designers, bathtub manufacturers, and cruise wholesalers.

She also owns Drop Me Anywhere Tours for Women.

Carole has travelled to 70 countries and all 50 U.S. states and has lived in Budapest since 2017.

Her website is available here


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

I first visited in 2015 while working on a blog project about unplanned travel. Readers voted for the destinations I would travel to without a plan. They voted for Budapest as one of the most romantic cities in Europe. They were right, I fell in love with the city. I would then come for a month here and there in between trips while I was tour leading elsewhere. I finally moved here in 2019.

The moment I fell in love with Hungary:

I had traveled here while working on a blog I was writing about travel without a plan. The readers would vote on where I travelled without a plan and I would leave for there within two weeks (or even a day).

I asked them to choose the most romantic city in Europe (wherever they voted, I would be there on Valentine's Day) and they chose Budapest. They were right, I fell in love with the city. I realized it when I was on a short, nighttime Danube cruise. It was cold outside as it was February, not when most visitors come to Budapest, and still, I fell for the city.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

Not specifically an expat but, as I've always worked in travel, I've spent a lot of time in various places.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary? 

The architectural beauty and wonderful mass transit system in Budapest. Also, the quality wines. 

4. Friends are in Budapest for the weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

If they're here in the spring or summer, they have to go to one of the many festivals around town. They definitely should come in September for the Budapest Wine Festival at the castle (magical). It would depend a bit on their interests. That's the great thing about Budapest; there's something for everyone. My favorite thing to do is to walk around the city enjoying the gorgeous architecture and absorbing the atmosphere.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

I had never eaten duck before coming to Hungary. It's now my go-to when I go out for dinner with friends.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

A good Hungarian wine, some chicken with paprika, and something pickled.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

Egészségére (because it normally means I have a wine in my hand.)

8. What do you miss most from home?

Sometimes just general life things are easier there. Also, I grew up in Detroit and lived in Arizona so I miss Coney Island hot dogs and great Mexican food. 

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

Superhero? Ok, perhaps it's not a career. I mean Clark Kent worked for a newspaper. So I'd like to be a documentary filmmaker.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

Banker. I did when I was young, before working in travel. 

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

As I'm a travel journalist and own a tour company for women, it's sometimes hard to differentiate between work and vacations. I'm always in pursuit of a good story. I just spent some time in Flagstaff, Arizona and it was beautiful. And my friend from Budapest who has now returned to England came to visit and we enjoyed camping at the Grand Canyon.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

Oh, I wrote a whole blog about travelling without a plan, so I can't really say. There are so many places to experience.

13. Apart from temptation what can't you resist?

An opportunity to explore a new place. Also, springtime in Hungary is when I must get out of my apartment and enjoy it.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

I was a theatre kid so I was always hanging out with my friends rehearsing for some musical or concert.

15. Red or white?

Red in winter, white in summer.

16. Books or films?

Well, I'm a writer so I love a good book. But, in recent years, I've been watching more films or streaming TV shows. My goal next year is to get back to reading more. 

17. Morning person or night person?

Night. But that often means a cozy night at home streaming something or entertaining friends.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Well, it's a complicated world these days. I was very involved in assisting fleeing Ukrainians. I volunteered as a driver at the Ukrainian/Polish border for some time. So, that's a big issue. And what's happening in Israel and Gaza is just awful. So, I guess I feel most strongly about peace. 

19. Buda or Pest?

Pest

20. What would you say is your personal motto? 

People plan and God laughs.