Best. Day. Ever. Deplar Farm.
Where to stay in northern Iceland? Deplar Farm is the one / In Iceland, there are more than 50 different words to describe snow. In Iceland, the population is so small that there's an app to make sure you don’t accidentally date your cousin. In Iceland, they joke, “What do you do if you get lost in an Icelandic forest?" Answer: "Stand up.” In Iceland, more than half the country believes in elves and trolls. I am enamored with Iceland, in awe of Deplar Farm,...
Searching for the peaceful life, at Amanzoe, Greece
Google Amanzoe. Go ahead, I’ll wait. With 156,000 search results, Amanzoe is hardly a well-kept secret. What can I say or write that hasn't already been said or written about this palatial property? How can I uncover beauty not instantly available by scrolling postage stamp-sized squares on the phone? Or, found in a quick Google search? Let me give it a try. But perhaps first, a few things you will find in a quick Google search of Amanzoe, because essentials are still important, naturally. Amanzoe,...
Uganda, what to see beyond the famous silverback gorillas
What to see, where to stay, and what to do, in Uganda / The famous silverback gorillas are certainly what put Uganda on the map for tourism. And rightly so, as it is the only part of the world where one can see these peaceful, majestic primates. There are none in captivity, so in order to spend any time with them, one must be prepared to travel far. And travel far I did, for a fleeting two hours observing them that I wouldn't trade for...
Up for a Challenge? Why the Best Family Resort In Punta Mita is The Four Seasons.
Read on to discover the best family resort in Punta Mita— The Four Seasons. Punta Mita is the sun-soaked, palm tree-dotted peninsula in Mexico. And it's one of the most luxurious spots in Mexico. For The Love of Travel I love traveling to hidden, off-the-beaten-path, inaccessible, far-flung destinations. I love hotels that are boutique in size, blend seamlessly into the environment, and whose entrances are easily passed unnoticed. The Four Seasons Punta Mita is not one of those places. Yet, it is as close to...
Culinary highlights and adventures at The Vines in Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina / Francis Mallmann may be one of the top chefs in the Americas, but as of January 2016, we had never heard of him. That is, until one snowy night at home we saw his episode of the Netflix docu-series, Chef’s Table. Each episode highlights a chef from around the world, and the footage and scenery intertwined with the food can be mesmerizing, especially if you watch it when you are hungry! Part of what makes Mallmann unique, is his use of cooking...
5 stunning villas that will inspire your next getaway
Planning a villa getaway Now is the time to start planning a villa getaway. Villas, as opposed to hotels, is a natural choice for social distancing. They are inherently secluded and allow guests to spread out. Villas erase the need for babysitters or restaurants since a personal chef can be one of the decadent perks of villa life. Finding the right villa can be a labor of love. It needs the optimal balance of indoor and outdoor living and is designed with views in mind....
Botswana is The Magic Kingdom
Why go to Botswana? Traveling to Botswana for a safari with my family remains one of my top experiences of all time. Having the opportunity to see the wildlife of remote Botswana and travel through the vast inlets of the Okavango Delta was life-altering. My hope is that Botswana stays as untouched and wild as the week we spent there a few years ago. Read on to discover the magic of Africa, Botswana, and the animals of the Okavango Delta. There is no sound I...
Is San Miguel the World’s Best City? You decide.
Exploring San Miguel de Allende, Mexico / Visit San Miguel de Allende between March and April. That's when the intensely vivid purple Jacaranda trees take over the already majestic landscape. But even if you miss the blooming Jacarandas, you won’t be disappointed. San Miguel is a city that is entirely built around color. Rich ochres, terra cottas, burnt oranges, and lush persimmon dress the Spanish Colonial architecture. They fill every street and passageway with warmth. Throughout the day, light bounces off the colorful stucco walls,...
St Barths is always a good idea
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this post will virtually write itself. With boundless blue skies, and streaks of white clouds that read more watercolor than a photograph, St Barths is one unending photo op after another. To paraphrase a famous quote "St Barths is always a good idea." I couldn't agree more. St. Barthélemy Not more than a speck in the West Indies, St Barths was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. With a population that hovers near 10,000, French-speaking and...
Finding love in Les Baux de Provence
Provence has its own aura, its own colorful, magical, vibe. It was hard to decide where, in all of Provence, we wanted to use as our base. In the end, we chose Les Baux de Provence, and the bucolic hotel Baumanière to stay in. It was truly the most lovely place from which to explore the French countryside, not to mention being one of the best hotels among so many beautiful choices. Bucolic Baumanière, Les Baux de Provence / In Provence, I fell in love...