St. Anton

Mountain Meditation, Austrian-Style

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

Fort Nassau Restaurant - Curacao

A Gem in the Southern Caribbean

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

Hiking couple

Making Hiking Trips Romantic for Couples

Hiking can be an excellent and healthy way for couples to bond, explore nature, and create cherished memories together without spending a penny. By choosing the most scenic trails, planning meaningful activities along the way, and staying mindful of each other’s comfort and fitness levels, you can transform a simple … Read more

Typical street scene - Mexico City

Mexico City, One Neighborhood at a Time

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

Ensenada souvenirs

South of the Border, Down Mexico Way . . . Ensenada!

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

Woman standing

Wellness Retreats: Top Destinations for Mind, Body, and Soul

We’ve all hit that point: the point where one feels burnt out, overloaded with work, and dragged under the tide of constant demands from upper leadership. Where one feels disconnected from themselves in their day-to-day life, caught in an endless cycle of wake, work, eat, sleep, and going from one … Read more

Hidden Gem Hot Springs of Japan

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

rafting

Adventurous Escapes: Best Spots for Outdoor Thrills Across North America

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

Found on Grand Ave.

It’s “Grand” – Grand County, Colorado

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

All About Love at The Barnes Foundation

Mickalene Thomas’s book confirms her status as a key figure of contemporary art. It features notable works arranged in thematic chapters, an interview with the artist by Hayward Gallery chief curator Rachel Thomas, and essays by scholars and curators that cover Thomas’s distinct visual vocabulary, drawing on themes of love … Read more

Marriott Puerto Vallarta Las Casitas

Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa

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

Tortoise at rum distillery

Walk, Don’t Run, to Barbados

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

Trouville beach

Normandy Celebrates Anew – A Visitor’s Roadmap

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