Category: Special Interest Trips
Fall Colors ? Check out Story, Indiana
Story, Indiana – gateway to the best-ever fall colors Brown County State Park in Southern Indiana is my favorite place for autumn leaf peeping. The trees here turn magnificent shades of red, gold, and burnt orange in late September or early October and stay that way until winter arrives. Many “peepers” stay in nearby […]
Bermuda Like a Local
Each time I return to Bermuda, I enjoy it more. I’ve always liked the islands’ combination of tropical climate and old-world English ambiance, and on a recent trip, native Bermudian Barb Jones gave me a great insider tip: “If your readers want to enjoy Bermuda like a local, they should visit during one of […]
King Pacific Lodge: Whales in the Wilderness
Since I wrote this, King Pacific Lodge has been moved and is now, primarily, catering to fishermen. For details, go to King Pacific Lodge. Seeing whales in the wilderness had been on my bucket list for quite a while before I read about King Pacific Lodge in Canada. In the meantime, I’d seen whales at […]
Abu Dhabi – Sir Bani Yas Island Wildlife
Abu Dhabi – the UAE’s hot new destination Dubai was the first destination in the United Arab Emirates* to draw large numbers of overseas visitors, but now that city is sharing the spotlight with Abu Dhabi. Here, one of the big draws is Sir Bani Yas Island, home to an Arabian Wildlife Park and three luxury Anantara resorts. This island was […]
Best Bermuda Hotel – The Reefs
Best Bermuda Hotel? I think it’s The Reefs Resort & Club on the south side of the main island (see map below). This beautiful family-owned resort is geographically not far from the Fairmont Southhampton – but a world away in terms of amosphere. At The Reefs, we couldn’t stop staring at the beautiful beach just steps away and loved snorkeling over the coral […]
Sedona Arizona Like A Local
Sedona Arizona is famous for its red rock formations, “high vibe,” and hiking opportunities. These features make it one of the most popular destinations in the American West. Stand and watch the sunset turn mountains from red, to orange, to gold and you’ll be surrounded by travelers speaking German, Swedish, Japanese, and multiple other languages. Tourists or travelers? […]
Personalized Tours: In Eastern Europe On the Trail of Franz Kafka
Tyn Church on Prague’s Old Town Square Authentic travelers are adventurous. Unlike tourists, we’re open to the unexpected and crave out-of-the ordinary experiences. It’s not that we never go on tours; it’s that we don’t go on “normal” tours that race from one “top attraction” to another. I’ve already shared with you one Personalized Tour: […]
Tips for Planning 3G Trips
Tips for Planning 3G Trips: Authentic luxury travelers know that planning any customized trip takes considerable time, and when multiple generations are involved it makes the process even more challenging. Having said that, the popularity of “3G” (three generation) family vacations is soaring because so many busy people want an opportunity to re-connect with kids, […]
Personalized Tours: Snorkeling in Palau and Yap
Personalized Tours: Snorkeling in Palau and Yap. This is Jellyfish Lake, Palau. Sometimes the most authentic way to experience a destination is with a small group led by an expert guide. Such was the case when my neighbor Daira Paulson went snorkeling in Micronesia last year. “We took a Sea for Yourself snorkel trip to […]
New Zealand – Hot Spas and Good Times
Majestic scenery and a clean, green environment draw visitors to New Zealand. We hike through native forests; kayak in crystal clear water; bike past picture-perfect views and, if we’re smart, we recover by soaking our bodies in water warmed by the country’s geothermal hotline. Thermal spas throughout New Zealand offer pools of naturally-heated water where […]
Australia’s Top Five Experiences
Paul Hogan (AKA Crocodile Dundee) promised to “slip a shrimp on the barby” for us and Americans and others flocked to Australia in record numbers. Will Oprah Winfrey have the same impact on Australian tourism? We’ll soon find out. The four shows she taped down under will air January 18 -21, and rumor has it […]
Napa Valley, California, USA, for the Holidays
Where to celebrate the holidays? That seems to be the question everyone is asking these days. If you’re looking for a small community with Currier & Ives appeal, I suggest you head to Yountville in Northern California’s Napa Valley. If you read my earlier post on Yountville, you already know that this small town is […]
My Favorite New Zealand Trifle Recipe
One of the great joys of authentic travel is getting to know local people in the area you’re visiting. I’ve lived in New Zealand and watched tourists rush around the country visiting the same sights that every other overseas visitor is seeing (the places where big buses are stacked cheek-to-jowl in the parking lot). These […]
India – Trade Deals & Top Hotels
I felt very smug this week when President Obama, traveling in India, announced that the U.S. would soon begin trading more with this South Asian nation. Trade deals with India are not new to me. I’ve been making them for years. In fact, each time I’m in Delhi I acquire so many “bargains” that I […]
