Latest News
Best Time To Go To New Zealand
The best time to go to New Zealand depends on what you want to do and how fussy you are about the weather. Having said that, there’s really no bad time to visit this beautiful country. Because New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite of those in North America, Asia, and […]
Non-touristy Glow Worm Caves – New Zealand
Glow worm “sightings” are on the must-see list for many visitors to New Zealand. This isn’t hard to understand. Who wouldn’t want to see the “tail lights” of tiny invisible insects light up the inside of dark caverns and wooded dells. It’s an ethereal experience and one of the unique natural wonders of New Zealand. […]
Santa Fe Opera – Musical New Mexico
Santa Fe Opera had been on my bucket list for years, and I finally got there last July. I’m happy to report that it was everything I’d hoped for and more. BTW, what I’d hoped for included an authentic travel experience (as well as world-class opera). As I’ve mentioned here before, two of my favorite ways […]
Best Santa Fe Hotel – New Mexico
Which is the best Santa Fe hotel? For a fairly small city (less than 150,000), Santa Fe offers a great selection of places to stay. This reflects the special fondness that many travelers have for the destination and – to a lesser extent – the fact that Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. […]
Romantic Turtle Island Fiji
Turtle Island is not just the most romantic resort in Fiji, it’s one of the dreamiest places in the world. I’ve written about Turtle Island before, but my husband and I recently visited again, and I can’t resist telling you about the improvements. But first – some Turtle Island things that didn’t change The scenery […]
Florence Cooking Lessons and a Recipe
Florence Cooking Lessons was contributed by reader Art Moldavia from San Diego. If Florence is on your bucket list, you’ll also want to read his earlier trip report: “Authentic Florence – Places to Eat.” In 1979, Sharon Oddson and her artist husband, Giuliano “Il Garga” Gargani, opened the fine Italian restaurant Trattoria Garga on Via […]
Authentic Florence – Places To Eat
Authentic Florence was contributed by Art Moldavia, a frequent visitor to Florence. In a note with this trip report, he reminded me that “Florence, once the capital of Italy, is recognized as the ‘Art Capital of the World.’ According to UNESCO, 30 percent of the world’s finest masterpieces can be found in Florence, where the Renaissance began.” […]
New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden wasn’t on my must-see list the first time I visited New York City. Nope. Instead, I chose to wait in line interminably to take the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building, and I rushed back and forth across Manhattan from one mega-museum to another. I don’t regret […]
Chappaqua, Where the Clintons Live
I’d be surprised if Chappaqua, New York is on your list of must-visit destinations. In fact, if you’ve heard of it at all you’re probably relocating to the area and looking for an upmarket community with outstanding public schools within commuting distance of New York City. In addition to a range of large custom homes, […]