Blue Rock: A Beautiful Mini-Break in the Blue Ridge Mountains
A butterfly floats out from the greenhouse door as I walk in. Its pale amber and brown wings catch the breeze. Inside, the smell of ripe tomatoes fills the air—intoxicating in the way only farm-fresh vegetables can be. It’s early morning at Sunnyside, a farm in Washington, Virginia, just 90 minutes west of where I live in Washington DC. Earlier, I’d spent time speaking with Sunnyside’s Vegetable Production Co-Manager at the Flint Hill Latin Market. Nik Kohl had Asian pears, tomatillos, purslane, herbs, and other...
Hacienda AltaGracia in Costa Rica is the best choice for wellness
Hacienda AltaGracia is the Costa Rican wellness resort everyone is talking about. Never-ending choices of activities and treatments to nourish mind and body in a tropical, fairy-tale setting. THE WELL, Hacienda AltaGracia’s spa, is a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Good luck choosing between wellness experiences, off-property excursions, where to eat, what to eat, or where to lounge. There are more than enough choices at Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort. There just isn't enough time. Our twin-engine Cessna glides over the mountainous interior of Costa Rica....
This Pendry Hotel is Baltimore’s Ultimate Community Center
Community centers are public spaces where people gather for activities, social support, and public information. The introduction of radio, TV, and the internet may have downgraded the need for community centers, but they were local lifelines at one point. “What does this have to do with Baltimore’s Sagamore Pendry Hotel?” you might be asking. Be patient—I’m getting there. Rec Pier: A Brief History The Sagamore Pendry Hotel was originally a former cargo warehouse located at the top of Recreation Pier in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood....
Sveti Stefan, Modern Day Luxury in a 15th c. Village
Imagining the past at Sveti Stefan, Montenegro / The 15th-century island village of Sveti Stefan is a dot in the Adriatic Sea—no cars, golf carts, or bicycles, just narrow pedestrian lanes and thousands of stone steps. The perimeter is a mere 1.2 miles, only accessible by foot along an isthmus from the mainland, and only if you are a guest at the hotel that now occupies the entire island. Yes, a dot in the Adriatic, but if someone asked me to spend a year there...
5 Travel Wish List Destinations That Will Inspire
I am Lost and Found’s original tagline was ‘Luxury Travel.’ Over the years my travel tastes evolved and ‘luxury travel’ felt limiting. Plus, I wasn’t only traveling to luxury hotels anymore. So I changed it to ‘Adventure and Luxury Travel.’ Eventually, even that felt limiting. I thought about the goals of my site. I am Lost and Found inspires travel—so ‘Inspiring Travel’ it is. Ready for inspiration? Follow along for five travel wish list destinations I’m dreaming about right now. It’s another sticky, steamy day...
Enchanted. Why Mii Amo is the best Sedona spa.
Mother/Daughter Adventures at the Best Sedona Spa Air is air. Of course, it can be humid, dry, or wet. It can be conditioned or heated, still or sticky—the adjectives are endless. When I visited the Mii Amo spa in Sedona, I looked for words to describe the air. How did it feel? Neither crisp, nor brisk, nor thin, nor heavy. Then, it dawned on me. I wasn’t feeling anything. The air was imperceptible. The beauty of not noticing the air is that my other senses...
Mukul is The Best Family Resort in Nicaragua—Hands Down
Mukul, An Auberge Resort, Nicaragua / Nicaragua may be Central America’s best-kept secret, or maybe the secret is already out. It’s a little hard to tell as Mukul has a way of being at full capacity while simultaneously making you feel like you have much of the place to yourself—just the right amount of buzz, activity, and beachy retreat: a difficult balance to strike. Mukul is a place for those searching for a luxury hideaway experience in an off-the-beaten-path locale. Then take your pick:...
The end of the road in José Ignacio, Uruguay
Travel to Uruguay's famous small town / Depending on when you travel to Uruguay's José Ignacio, you could either find a sleepy fishing village or a crowded jet setter’s playground. Chances are, you will love José Ignacio either way, as there is just so much to fall in love with. Well off the beaten path and fantastically difficult to get to, José Ignacio combines some of our favorite things in one place: untouched beaches, casual but fabulous food, and a chill vibe. Lunch at the...
Is Amangani the Best Lodge in Jackson Hole?
We are well on our way to Amangani when I see ‘WOAH’ on a red octagonal sign that would normally read ‘STOP’. We’d been in Jackson Hole for a total of 30 minutes. Little did we know that ‘Woah!’ would become the buzzword of this trip among the Teton mountains. Amangani, here we come. Nerves of Steel, in Jackson Hole There have been precious few trips where wildlife has played such a central role in our experience. Safari in Botswana was certainly one of them, and gorilla tracking in...
How To Experience the Low Country at Palmetto Bluff
Montage Palmetto Bluff is a well-preserved river town, complete with Low Country marshlands, a bird sanctuary, and centuries-old live oaks on the May River in South Carolina. Striking the right blend of highly-curated activities, creative dining options, and varied accommodations, Palmetto Bluff has everything it takes to experience a little Low Country living. Not long ago, I read an article that sought to quantify the value of ‘things' versus ‘experiences.' The writer argued that happiness associated with things (jewelry, cars, electronics) is relatively short-lived compared...