Luxury travel is more than just flying first-class, visiting the world’s most exclusive destinations, staying in 5-star hotels, and indulging in gourmet food. It’s about experiencing all of these things in comfort, style, and, most importantly, safety. High-end travelers face unique challenges, from safeguarding valuable belongings to avoiding potential scams … Read more
Join me in my travels more than 6,000 miles from home (an 11-hour flight, followed by a two-and-a-half hour drive) to the tiny Austrian town of St. Anton – to work out. The event was the eighth edition of the Mountain Yoga Festival. My travel companion, Ada, was my instructor … Read more
All photos credit: Anne Kazel-Wilcox unless otherwise noted. The sun is setting in Curacao as I sit in Fort Nassau, sipping Blue Curacao liqueur. From this historic restaurant, a former 1700s fort used to defend the Dutch against invading enemies, I have nearly 360-views of the island. The lights of … Read more
Europe stands as a culinary gold mine, renowned for its iconic dishes and deep-rooted traditions connecting food and drink to its diverse cultures. From Tuscany’s rustic landscapes to Bordeaux’s vineyards, each region offers unique insights into local heritage through its gastronomic experiences. For food and wine enthusiasts, embarking on a … Read more
Confession: My wanderlust has taken me around the world and to all seven continents as well as countless capitals … but not to Mexico City. Forget all the warnings. Mexico’s largest city, the Western Hemisphere’s most populous and a metropolis recognized as one of the world’s top 10 in size … Read more
Having lived in the San Diego area for decades, I’ve traveled across Southern California’s Mexican border countless times. And on each occasion, it has been the same. Though less than an hour away, the minute you enter Mexico – you feel it. It’s diverse, exciting and so foreign that I’ve … Read more
Japan is renowned for its hot springs, or onsen, which have been part of Japanese culture for centuries, initially associated with religious purification practices by Buddhist monks. Over time, they became integral to samurai traditions and later evolved into popular communal spaces during the Edo period. Since then, an entire … Read more
North America is a diverse natural playground for thrill-seekers, from towering peaks to rushing rivers and icy frontiers. Adrenaline junkies looking for the next great American adventure should ask what they’re looking for in their next destination – strenuous mountain hiking in the Rocky Mountains? Tranquil iceberg kayaking in Alaska? … Read more
All Photos Credit Cynthia Dial A land of lakes and streams, forests and wildlife, the Continental Divide and the Colorado River – meet Grand County, Colorado. Some back story: I’ve visited several of the Centennial State’s destinations over the years, but I kept missing Grand County. That changed. After landing … Read more
Beach resorts can have a generic quality—wherever you are in the world, there’s an infinity pool surrounded by canopy beds and a swim-up bar serving mai tais. The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa features those familiar luxuries, but the resort also has a deep sense of place informed by … Read more
All Photos – Credit: Cynthia Dial When I received an invitation to participate in Run Barbados, my reaction was a resounding “yes” – until I remembered – I don’t run. So, how does one make the most of an organized run when you’re not ready for a relay? For on-the-go … Read more
Suffice it to say there will be no shortage of visitors to Normandy this summer … what with an 80th year anniversary D-Day celebration the likes of which the region had probably not seen for at least five years thanks to the COVID travel interruption and its aftermath. On a … Read more
“It’s easy,” I was told of the San Diego/Tijuana’s CBX (Cross Border Xpress). As a San Diego resident, what I remember was a long ago flight from this Mexican border town which was preceded by a search for the long-term dirt parking lot then a taxi to the neighboring country’s … Read more
Picture this. Ascending the Vienna State Opera House’s marble staircase beneath gilded gold embellishments to attend a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni – mere days after toasting with a straight-from-the-barrel-drawn beer and sharing an oversized pretzel at Salzburg’s Augustiner Brӓu beer garden. Welcome to a week in the life of … Read more
Most visitors to Palm Springs, California never think to venture beyond its fringes. Definitely the jewel in the crown of the famous Coachella Valley, it is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. If you’re on a little road trip to the California “desert” as its affectionately referred, … Read more