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Win Four Fabulous Nights in Carmel, California
Win a luxurious four-night stay for two in beautiful Carmel, California! Enjoy innovative meals and fine wines at Carmel’s landmark Cypress Inn and Carmel Valley’s award-winning Bernardus Lodge. Visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, walk white-sand beaches, stroll through vineyards, and enjoy scenic surroundings during the day. Relax by an open fire in the evening. […]
Best Places to Walk in Northern California
I love to walk and I recently took advantage of a great opportunity to experience the best places to walk in Northern California. It was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions that authentic travelers make because we’re open to spontaneous adventures on the road less traveled. A friend of mine had planned a walking trip from […]
Award Winning Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, California
While it can be foggy along the Carmel coast, the sun shines 320 days a year about 15 minutes inland in Carmel Valley. This makes the lucky people who are staying at Bernardus Lodge happy. The sunshine also makes many, many acres of grapes very happy. Northern California insiders know that Carmel Valley produces wonderful wine and […]
The Cypress Inn, Carmel, California
My husband and I just spent two wonderful days in Northern California at The Cypress Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and I can’t decide what I loved most about it. First of all, the inn is pet-friendly and standard schnauzers, labs, and cocker spaniels give it a homey feel and provided natural ice breakers for meeting other […]
Authentic Luxury Travel Wins “Best of Show”
Last night’s surprising success at the San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards was wonderful, but it didn’t make me want to jump up and do a little end zone dance. Authentic Luxury Travel won “Best Topic-based Blog” and “Best of Show” in the Websites category, which is very exciting, but most of […]
A Villa In Sicily For the Holidays
I know you’re already thinking about the winter holidays. Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving on November 27, and many travelers around the world will observe Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year. Have you ever considered renting a villa in Sicily for the holidays? I’ve already written about vacation rentals in Maui , Tuscany and Florence – […]
Vacation Rentals in Hawaii – Maui & Big Island
Vacation rentals in Hawaii are perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together. As I said in an early post on this topic, rental homes cost considerably less than a flock of hotel rooms and provide more space, privacy, and conveniences. And what could be more authentic than staying in a real home instead of […]
Preparing For A Healthy Trip
I write this blog because I want you to enjoy your travels, and I know it’s really hard to have fun away from home if you’re not feeling well. For several years, I was beset with minor illnesses on the road, and I eventually developed a strategy for preparing for a healthy trip. Here are […]
The Best Travel Bag
Comfortable shoes can make or break a trip, and the right handbag is almost as important. So what does the best travel bag look like? If you design it yourself at Forever Frogs it can be as wild or low-key as you want. I’ve already had fun customizing a messenger bag with a long strap that […]
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 […]
Great Deal at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Maui
I rarely write about big hotels because I think it’s more likely that travelers will have authentic experiences in boutique places or heritage properties. However, I visited this property in July, and I think you might want to take advantage of this great deal at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. The hotel will be 20 years old […]
Tuscany – Rome Luxury Hotel Package
The Hotel Majestic in Rome is one of my favorite places, so the press release about this Tuscany – Rome luxury hotel package caught my attention when it appeared in my email inbox. Here’s the deal: two nights at the Hotel Majestic and two nights at the Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort in […]
Use ZocDoc to Find a Doctor in ……
What happens when – in spite of all your good health habits – you get sick while traveling? How do you find a doctor in San Diego, New York, Boston or another U.S. city? You can ask your hotel concierge for a recommendation, but have they vetted this person or just gone to the Yellow […]
Luxury China Tours with an “Insider”
Luxury China tours with an insider John Locher loves to talk about China. The Southern California-based marketing and business development consultant attended the 2008 Beijing Olympics and became enamored with all things Chinese. He’s returned seven times – and now takes small groups of visitors with him on luxury China tours When we chatted, I […]
