I had just scooted into the velvet banquette, my hand reaching for the amber glass of ice water and eyes taking a quick scan of the menu when Greg leaned over the well-dressed table and matter-of-factly whispered, "We're coming back". Before arriving I was aware of the strong possibility that a taste of Blackberry Farm may not be enough and that a return visit would be inevitable. This Relais & Chateaux property had…
Read MoreAt times it's hard to see the positives amidst the pandemic we find ourselves in, but two that I can think of are cherishing extra given time with loved ones and a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors. And, when the two are combined, wonderful memories are sure to be made. As I seek safe ways to travel this summer, one thought keeps coming to mind: glamping! If done right, glamping gives you the hotel experience (something I've been missing!) while being socially distant and in the outdoors - a win win!
Read MoreStrange. But normal. But strange. That’s how it felt to be back in the air after four months grounded. To say I was hesitant to board a flight right now is an understatement. I have been one of those overly cautious people since a world with COVID-19 became our reality. You know the ones. Rarely leaving home, wiping down everything that comes near the vicinity of the house, reluctant to be around people who haven’t been as cautious as me. It hasn’t been until the last few weeks that I’ve felt comfortable running errands and getting take-out, so the decision to board a plane with dozens of strangers was not taken lightly. But ultimately, the…
Read MoreNine times out of ten, if I had to choose between a hotel or vacation rental, I’d choose the hotel for the amenities included, but in this new world we currently find ourselves living in, I know I’m not alone when I say a house rental sounds very appealing versus a traditional hotel, given the built-in social distancing and safety it provides…
Read MoreSet on the southernmost tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a maze of limestone streets nestled safely inside ancient city walls that rise dramatically from the sea. The Pearl of the Adriatic, as it is affectionately known, is easily a contender both for Europe’s most beautiful city and for the best preserved medieval city in the world. Once you pass through its gates you won’t want to leave, as you will be captured by the narrow alleyways packed with cafe tables, green-shuttered buildings with their terra-cotta tiled roofs, and hidden doorways in walls that lead to rocky coves perfect for enjoying a sunset…
Read MoreStay at home. Shelter in place. Quarantine. No matter what you call it, so many facets of life are currently at a standstill, especially anything related to travel. Fortunately, technology is changing our at-home experience and since we can’t leave to explore the world, the world is coming to us - an incredible gift since now more than ever we could all use an escape! From virtual tours of museums and national parks, to live streams of stunning hotel views and natural phenomenons, cooking classes and yoga on the beach, there’s something to satisfy every type of…
Read MoreOftentimes, I find myself impulse shopping before a getaway, because after all, the vacation wardrobe is part of the fun, isn’t it?! Sadly though, those destination specific items more often than not don't work with my day-to-day routine, resulting in them collecting dust in my closet until the right opportunity comes along again (which sometimes never comes). With a desire to shrink my footprint and streamline my packing process, I turned to…
Read MoreFor most travelers, Montana is an unintentional afterthought for a winter vacation. The state's climate and iconic national parks lend perfectly to the summer months, and for those who do enjoy traveling to cold destinations in the winter, ski towns in Colorado and Utah typically are first in mind. But those who have ventured to Montana in the winter months know exactly how great it can be! And while skiing is the main draw this time of year, don't cross Big Sky Country off your list if hitting the slopes isn't for you… There are plenty of ways to enjoy the state!
Read MoreI sometimes get asked why I return to Naples over and over again when Florida offers so many great oceanside towns. The curiosity of the question stems from the fact that many travelers don't give much thought to the Sunshine State's West Coast, instead planning their vacations along the Atlantic in hot spots such as Miami or Palm Beach. To them, the Gulf Coast is the sleepy (dare I say boring) cousin to the East, but the towns lining this stretch of unspoiled coastline are not to be overlooked…
Read MoreI’ve spent the first few weeks of 2020 dreaming and planning for the year ahead, so of course, travel aspirations are on my mind. Below are the 20 hotels and resorts that I have my eye on for 2020. Some have been on my radar for awhile while some are new discoveries. Some have been around for a century or more, some are set to open this year. From a small lodge in Washington that will transport you back to the glory days of summer camp, to a stay fit for royalty at the Palace of Versailles, the list is…
Read MoreWe all dream of the picture-perfect holiday season. A time full of family togetherness, Christmas lights, warm hot chocolate, nostalgic movies and all things merry-and-bright. But often times the reality is a month of endless to-do lists and busyness, causing us to (ironically) barely catch a glimpse of the holiday magic we're striving to create. Sometimes to fully appreciate the wonder of the season, we have to step away from the day-to-day and see it in another light. If you're looking to add some timeless tradition to your Christmas season, I have two words for you: Biltmore Estate.
Read More26,505. That's how many miles Sophie flew in her first 12 months! Having a baby changes your life in just about every way possible. We have loved traveling as a couple, and didn’t want to give that up, but knew it was going to look very different once we became parents. So, we confronted our hesitations and embraced the challenge of traveling with a baby head on. We knew we would need to test the waters, so at 3 months old, Sophie boarded her first flight on a trip to…
Read MoreLike many millennials, Tulum, Mexico slinked its way onto my "must-visit" list in recent years, as the countless glossy photos of this eco-chic paradise that filled my Instagram feed intrigued me. Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum is a land of macramé hammocks, acai bowls and white sand beaches, where environmentally friendly standards are the norm and strong emphasis is placed on culinary arts and wellness. These days this boho beach town offers visitors the opportunity to…
Read MoreHave you ever booked a trip off of a single photo? Literally one picture? I have. I’m continuously searching for intriguing properties or inspiring places to put on my must-visit bucket list, and the hunt of finding where we might go next is almost as exciting as the travel itself! Knowing we would have a few days free after our trip to Italy this past summer, I began searching for a new place to explore. I wanted to discover somewhere different, somewhere unique… And then I saw a picture of Aman Sveti Stefan, and knew that our next adventure would be in Montenegro…
Read MoreThe Big Sky of Montana is ominous this night - different from the colorful vistas that are usually associated with the nickname - but beautiful in its own right. Lightning flashes repeatedly over the mountains in the distance, and we move quickly toward our tent to avoid the downpour that seems imminent. The storm reaches us shortly after we get under cover, raindrops pelting the canvas that's keeping us dry. But the fire is already crackling, its warmth and glow a stark contrast to…
Read MoreOh, Italy! Is there anywhere with more delectable food than this glorious country? The pasta, the pizza, the wine… it’s a tough combo to beat and the Italians know how to do meals right. We recently returned from Italy, with part of our trip being spent on the Amalfi Coast in the charming town of Positano. We visited Positano in 2017, after which I compiled my city guide of where to stay and what to do, and having revisited I would stand by those recommendations. Having returned from this trip, I want to dive deeper into where you should eat while in Positano…
Read MoreThough the calendar may say Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, we all know it actually starts the Friday before Memorial Day. With an extra vacation day and temperatures rising, Memorial Day is the perfect time for you to take that long weekend getaway you’ve desperately been wanting! Since it’s tough to pack in a full agenda and find time for much needed relaxation into just a few days, holiday weekends are great spent at resorts that…
Read MoreLike clockwork, February rolls around and the cold, dreary days can almost be heard screaming, “It’s time for the beach”. With sunshine on my mind, I began researching where we could get away and relax for a long weekend in March. My bucket list of tropical destinations is not lacking, but the main criteria for this trip was…
Read MoreBack in February we took a siblings trip with Greg’s family to New Mexico. When his sister pitched the idea of taking a ski trip, our initial thought was “great!”. Then she mentioned doing it in New Mexico and we were a bit confused;. to be honest, I didn’t even know New Mexico had skiing! She and her husband are pros are finding cool, off-the-beaten-path destinations, so, knowing they…
Read MoreLast month we took our first flight with Sophie. She was three months old at the time and we were ready to get out of our newfound comfort zone and back to traveling even though that meant we had to face a daunting hurdle - flying with a baby. To be honest, this was a day I had been nervous about well before I was even pregnant. As a anxious flier at times, the thought of having to shift my focus from staying calm to taking care of a little one seemed…
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