The Best Of Mérida. Mexico’s Newest Hot Spot.
“Where’s Mérida?” you wonder, and “Why should I go there?” I’m happy you asked. Mérida, Mexico, is the capital city of the Yucatán State. Its simple luxuries fly under the radar in terms of typical Mexican tourist destinations—more rustic, less bells, less whistles, and friendlier on the wallet. Long may that last. Recently, I spent three days uncovering the best of Mérida, Mexico, old school style with a pen and paper. Three days exploring boutiques, boutique hotels, hidden watering holes, and airy rooftop bars. Was...
5 of the Best Caribbean Beach Bars
My top five favorite Caribbean beach bars and restaurants are personal. They're based on my memories of food, wine, people, and views. My top five list might change over time, but these are the Caribbean beach bars and beach clubs that keep my travel memories alive and kicking. My Top Five Caribbean Beach Bars When assessing the best beach bars, suffice it to say that I have a few baseline requirements. A vibe that naturally pairs with the island’s culture is one. Combining tourists and...
Follow me to Antarctica, the most extreme place on Earth
My Antarctic travels reveal more than the differences between Weddell and Leopard seals. Or, how Gentoo penguins care for their young. My Antarctic travels reveal the power of the wind. And how much of an iceberg we really see floating above the water's surface. Antarctica evokes awe. I discover anything can happen in Antarctica—which is exactly the way it should be. Wondering about how to travel to Antarctica? Read on. A humpback whale breaks the water’s inky surface. Remains of barnacles, those ubiquitous ocean hitchhikers,...
How To Start A Travel Blog, I Mean, Website
Starting a travel blog turned out to be a bigger challenge than I thought. From learning the language of SEO and OptinMonster to overcoming fear of failure, and embracing vulnerability. My travel website, I am Lost and Found was a true labor of love. If you ever wondered how I started a travel blog, I mean, website, you are in the right place. Thank you, Brené Thank you, Brené Brown, part-time TED-Talker, full-time mother, and all-time story collector, for introducing me to my vulnerabilities. Nice...
5 Things To Do In Vienna That Will Make You Fall In Love
It's pretty easy to fall in love with Vienna, that magical 'City of Dreams' in Austria. And it's not because of the vast amount of things to do in Vienna—the palaces, gardens, or world-class food. It's about the harmony of the city. The symphonic undercurrent of Vienna captivates locals and tourists alike. There are so many things to do in Vienna that have been written about time and again. Here are five highlights that had me falling for Austria's enchanting capital city. I’ve come to...
The Best of Stowe: 10 of Life’s Littlest Luxuries
A few summers ago, my husband and I decided to head north. To live village life, country life, and a less rushed life, in the mountains of Stowe. My parents’ house was currently empty, and it seemed an ideal way to escape the oppressive DC heat. A way to break the monotony that had gradually manifested over the past few months. We packed up only the most essential items; our kids, our dogs, a few hundred Nespresso capsules, and cornhole. Our essentials, as it turned out, don’t...
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...
I wouldn’t go there if I were you (Why where we choose to travel matters)
The landline rings. I immediately know it’s my mother calling. From the way she says ‘hello’ I know something else—that I'm not going to like the conversation. I'm tempted to feign a poor connection and hang up. ‘A woman was kidnapped in Uganda', my mother says, her voice measured, with frantic undertones. 'At gunpoint’, she continues, ‘alone, while on safari.’ ‘I'm not going to Uganda for four months, Mom', I say, my voice measured, with annoyed undertones. ‘And, I'm 49 years old. I'm a grown-up.’...
The Claremont Hotel is Acadia National Park’s Hidden Gem
The Claremont Hotel and Acadia National Park are a Maine tour de force. The recently redesigned Claremont Hotel has upped the ante on guest experiences in an unparalleled setting. So, if a glass of wine on a wraparound porch facing sunset-tinged mountains excites you, look no further than The Claremont Hotel. And, if hiking mountains to 360-degree panoramic vistas excites you, look no further than Acadia National Park. Read on to discover why The Claremont Hotel, just outside Acadia National Park, is a waterside gem....
How To Spend An Unforgettable Weekend In Joshua Tree
There are countless ways to spend a weekend in and around Joshua Tree National Park. Bike, hike, climb, stargaze. Take a sound bath, watch the sunrise, and spot a shooting star. Rent a vintage Airstream or a modern Airbnb. How you spend a weekend in Joshua Tree is personal, and sometimes spiritual. Need some inspiration to plan a weekend in Joshua Tree? You’re in the right place. Desert skyDream beneath the desert skyThe rivers run, but soon run dryWe need new dreams tonight —In God's...