On a beclouded winter day, when the sun cast a soft glow through the subdued haze and a mild gust stirred the air, I had the pleasure of visiting the South Coast Botanic Garden...
Upon passing through the main entrance to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, one is greeted by tall palms flanking the drive like sentinels at attention. I couldn’t help whispering aloud, Ah… the...
Not to be confused with the beach by the same name in Florida, Coco Plum Beach was my favorite beach on the island of Great Exuma, and easily the most beautiful beach I have...
The first thing that came to mind when I visited Alderbrook Resort & Spa was a dearly loved poem by Robert Frost: “The Road Not Taken.” Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…...
Cats are amazing creatures: Intelligent, beautiful, strong and graceful. They have been celebrated in poetry and fiction, depicted in paintings and sculptures, and immortalized in myths and legends. The ancient Egyptians even had a...
When I was a university student living in Europe as part of a study abroad program, my favorite places to visit were museums. They offered me a kind of solace. They were where I...
Picture, if you will, Los Angeles as it is today: a sprawling, populous city of about 4 million people. A world center of international business, media and trade. A city of economic and cultural...
The best way to explore the many cays in the Exumas is by boat, and Island Boy Adventures made the experience wonderful. We chartered a private half-day tour so that we could visit...
Nestled on a gently sloping hill overlooking the powdery-sand beach of Emerald Bay on Great Exuma, Grand Isle Resort & Spa captures all the magic of the Exumas in the Bahamas. This resort is...
If you’ve been bitten (or at least nibbled on) by the travel bug, you’re probably already daydreaming about where you and your family would like to go on your next vacation. The idea...
I had few expectations before visiting the Exumas in the Bahamas. I was more concerned about safe flights and staying healthy. Even the prospect of rain did not trouble me. I actually love the...
Hearst Castle was once a vacation home belonging to newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. It sits high atop a hill in San Simeon, California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its location is certainly beautiful, and...
Food is an essential part to any gathering. Choosing the right BBQ caterer is an extremely significant decision to make when you are hosting or planning an event. If you do not have the...
The Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Bilox is a great choice for a getaway. In need of a weekend away, I booked a night at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Bilox for...
John Muir once said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” He was right. Who can resist the call of the great outdoors? Nature pulls at the soul, floods the senses, and rejoices...
Nestled in a glade near the Columbia River Gorge in the beautiful state of Washington, Skamania Lodge makes for a lovely escape to the Pacific Northwest. While the Lodge itself is charming and handsomely...
Seldom have ancient ruins stirred one as do those of Pompeii. The catastrophic eruption that buried this seaside resort town in AD 79 preserved it with remarkable detail. So much so in fact, that it is...
Legend has it that a beautiful Multnomah princess gave her life to save her people by jumping off the high cliff overlooking the water of the Big River, now known as the Columbia River...
One of the best things about the Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa is its location. It sits atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The surf pounds the rocky shore below, while sea gulls...
Sarmizegetusa was the capital of Dacia (present-day Romania) before its conquest by the Roman Empire in the early second century AD. Built right into the mountains of the Carpathians, the main fortress was...
My favorite attraction at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California has always been Ghost Town. Perhaps it’s my fondness for history and all things historical that draws me there, but whatever the reason, it...
Western Texas is a grand place. Big sky, big stone monuments, big mesas, even the cattle are big. And of course, Big Bend National Park. It’s also a place of big pleasure. From short...
