Hi, I’m Lisa Garrett!
Your guide to cruises, Europe, and memorable adventures.
I’m a professional travel advisor, retired engineer, obsessive trip planner, and lifelong travel enthusiast.
I didn’t grow up traveling the world. The furthest afield my parents took us was Canada to go fishing.
And I detest fishing.
We didn’t even make it to Disneyland, despite living in Arizona. (I still blame my little brother Jeff, who broke his leg right before our planned family vacation.)
So as an adult—finally in charge of my own vacations—I decided to make up for lost time.
My engineering career taught me to solve problems, pay attention to details, and—perhaps most importantly—research everything.
Those skills come in pretty handy when you’re trying to figure out the best neighborhood to stay in, how to get around a European city, or which cruise is actually right for you.
I’ve now taken 50 cruises across 11 different cruise lines, and I’ve traveled extensively throughout Europe, often planning multi-city trips using trains and public transportation.
That experience is what I bring to Waves and Cobblestones—and to my sister site, Travel to Lyon, where I share my in-depth knowledge of one of my favorite French cities.
Why I created Waves and Cobblestones
I created Waves and Cobblestones to share the travel information I want when I’m planning my own trips.
I’m not interested in simply checking destinations off a list. I want to know:
What’s actually worth my time?
How do I get there?
Where should I stay?
What should I book ahead?
And what do I wish someone had told me before I went?
I’m a jeans-and-sneakers traveler who would rather explore a historic neighborhood, visit a museum, find a great local restaurant, or wander down a cobblestone street than spend the day shopping or partying.
My goal is to help you make the most of your vacation time—with practical advice based on places I’ve actually been and things I’ve actually done.
Two ways I can help
Want to plan your own trip?
Explore my travel guides, destination advice, cruise tips, and itineraries.
Prefer to have an expert help?
As a professional travel advisor, I can help you plan and book a cruise or vacation that fits your interests, travel style, and budget.
Why you can trust my travel advice
I’ve traveled in all kinds of ways—solo, with my husband Chris, with extended family, and on multigenerational trips.
I’ve sailed everything from huge cruise ships with thousands of passengers to upscale and luxury lines, and I’ve planned European trips around trains instead of rental cars. (Driving in a foreign country? Yikes!)
I’ve learned how to navigate unfamiliar cities, figure out public transportation, and—perhaps most importantly—recognize when something everyone says you must see just isn’t worth your time.
And when something doesn’t live up to the hype?
I’ll tell you that, too.
Because travel advice is more useful when it comes with an honest opinion.
I’ve also been featured and quoted by travel publications and websites including MSN, Explorers Away, Wander Era, Our Woven Journey, XYU and Beyond, Flannels or Flip Flops, and A World to Travel, and have appeared on travel podcasts sharing my travel and blogging insights.
What does my perfect travel day look like?
Pretty much this:
⭐ French pastries for breakfast (which may explain why my pants always shrink on vacation).
⭐ Museums and historic sites—with plenty of nerdy details about history, architecture, and language.
⭐ Wandering through neighborhoods and soaking up the local atmosphere.
⭐ A market visit and a picnic lunch.
⭐ Plenty of unplanned time to explore and discover something wonderful.
⭐ Public transportation when my feet have had enough.
⭐ And, of course, really good food.
If that sounds like your kind of vacation, I think you’re going to like it here.
Where did the name come from?
Waves represents our love of cruising.
Cobblestones represents our love of exploring historic cities in Europe and beyond.
Some of my favorite travel memories have come from wandering historic neighborhoods, figuring out the local transit system, finding a fantastic restaurant, or stumbling across something wonderful that wasn’t in the guidebook.
Those experiences inspired the name—and the kind of travel I share here.
Explore Waves and Cobblestones
🗼 Europe Travel
City guides, itineraries, transportation tips, things to do, and practical advice for planning independent European adventures.
🚢 Cruise Travel
Cruise line experiences, cruise reviews, cruise ports, money-saving tips, and advice for getting the most from your cruise.
🌎 Destinations
Travel guides and ideas for destinations worth adding to your itinerary—from famous cities to places that may not be on everyone’s radar.
Ready to travel?
Whether you’re dreaming about your next cruise, planning a European adventure, or simply looking for inspiration, I’m glad you’re here.
Get my travel tips →
Happy travels!
— Lisa