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,...
On and Off the Beaten Path, in Tokyo
'On and Off the Beaten Path, in Tokyo' is the second in a series of monthly articles I’ll be writing for CIRE Travel. CIRE is a luxury vacation, honeymoon, and corporate travel agency, known for 'making impossible arrangements possible'. I couldn't be happier to be a part of a team that is so dedicated to inspiring and organizing travel for their clients. ____________ On and Off the Beaten Path, In Tokyo ‘IRASSHAIMASE,’ sang the three Japanese saleswomen in unison, all with bright smiles, flawless make-up,...
Reykjavík, Iceland: ‘Should I go to the Blue Lagoon?’
The first question anyone would ask when I spoke of our upcoming trip to Reykjavík, Iceland was: ‘Are you going to the Blue Lagoon?’ It would lead one to think that it is the only place worth seeing in the entire country. The Blue Lagoon had not originally been on our hit list, as I thought it would be overcrowded and gimmicky. As it turned out, we ended up arranging it at the last minute, just 12 hours before boarding our flight home to DC....
Sailing Croatia: Why I never took the same trip twice. Until I did.
Sailing Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast / Nearly three years to the day of our first sailing trip along the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, we found ourselves there again. The same boat, but a new captain, crew, islands, bays, and coves to explore. Not too much had changed there in those three years, and in the best possible way. Swooping seagulls, secluded island villages, schools of iridescent fish, and the gentle flapping of the Croatian flag off the stern of the boat as we motored...
Snow-capped Summer in Chamonix, France
Face to Face with Mont Blanc, Chamonix, France / You don’t have to be an intrepid mountaineer to get up close and personal with majestic Mont Blanc in Chamonix. You can do as we did, which was to take the first cable car up and be gratified instantly. We stood on the chilly observation deck, gawking at the looming mountain, not believing it could be so cold up here, while at the base the July temps were soaring into the high 70s. Suddenly, what could...
Dunton Hot Springs, A Home away from Home
Dunton Hot Springs is a remote getaway filled with wildlife and hiking adventures, farm-to-table meals, and a western vibe that had us dreaming of simpler times. Dunton Hot Springs—a little escape from reality in the cool, breezy San Juan mountains of Colorado. Remote, restorative, and secluded, are buzzwords that have always piqued my curiosity when reading about travel, but never as much as they do at this particular moment in time. I long for fresh air and wide-open spaces. I have a pressing need to...