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...
How I got a reservation at Eleven Madison Park—the best restaurant in the world. (And how you can, too).
A dinner reservation at Eleven Madison Park is coveted. Places like Eleven Madison Park are re-imagining their place in the new culinary landscape. The most inspiring example of this comes from Daniel Humm. Mr. Humm is the chef and owner of three Michelin-starred, Eleven Madison Park. I listened to his podcast with Guy Raz and was humbled. Eleven Madison Park has surprised the restaurant industry by creating completely plant-based menus. I only hope I can get in. My husband, Daniel, doesn’t understand why I would...
The Mighty Silverbacks of Uganda: How To Find Them
Last January, I received a text from a friend of a friend: ‘Happy New Year! Would you like to go gorilla tracking with me in Uganda?’ I stared at the screen for a nanosecond and wrote back, ‘Yes!’ A nanosecond later, I wrote, ‘Wait... what?’ So began nine months of planning that would eventually take us to see the indigenous Batwa Pygmies, through dusty local villages, over the golden savannah of Ishasha, into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and ultimately, to the magical moment of finding...
5 of the best unforgettable and over-the-top travel experiences
Vacation, as the dictionary states, is 'an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or in traveling.' Most of us are long overdue. So, when that much-needed vacation finally comes, make it an unforgettable travel experience. Read on for some much-needed travel inspiration. Travel, whether I like to admit it or not, comes with a certain amount of expectation. I might say, “Oh, I’m happy at any beach, as long as I can relax with a book,” or “I don’t...
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...
Packing Matters: 5 things I can’t do without
(Please note a few affiliate links below. I may receive a small referral fee should a product be bought through my site but rest assured, I only highlight products I own and use.) When my husband and I were engaged, he bought me an overnight bag from Coach. It was cherry red canvas, with camel-colored leather details. The regal Coach logo was embossed understatedly in the leather. I loved it and asked him where we were headed, assuming he was planning a weekend getaway. “This...
A Passport’s Life (and 10 places to go next)
Is your passport ready? Lately, I've thought much about where I have already been and more about where I would like to go next. I have taken a hard look at my soon-to-expire passport. What kind of life will my future passport lead? I have ten ideas, or so. I am an obsessive collector. At ten, I started collecting postage stamps, fascinated by the colorful, miniature designs and illustrations. By twelve, I was also collecting stickers; Hello Kitty, Miffy, scratch ‘n’ sniff, sparkly, and those...
Discover Why Esperanza is the Family Escape You Need
The resort we chose for spring break, not surprisingly, needed to be family-friendly. There is a difference, however, between family-friendly and completely geared toward kids. Striking that balance is never easy, many places have good intentions but fail. Esperanza, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, had been recommended to me over the years, so we went for it. It managed to combine all the touches that would make my husband and me happy: the gorgeous views, great food, and thoughtful service, as well as all the...
Traveling Around the Room
I've come to realize that the best way to travel these days, is through my travel memories. In many cases, those memories take the form of photographs that get stored in albums and tucked away on a shelf. But some of my favorite travel memories are in the form of the things I collected along the way. Due to recent world events, accessing those travel memories is as easy as walking around the house. Maya Angelou wrote, “Every storm runs out of water eventually”. The...