More than six decades ago, Southern California’s island of Catalina was memorialized in the Four Preps’ song, 26 Miles, in reference to its proximity to the populous region’s coastline. And though almost everything in the nation has changed in that expanse of time, Catalina remains unchanged. It’s been years since … Read more
When you think of Half Moon Bay, a California coastal city just 25 miles south of San Francisco, it conjures up the idea of romance and walks on the beach, while perhaps being holed up at a beautiful luxury hotel with a view of the bay. How true is this … Read more
“Look at this view,” said Scott Hillock, a local guide with the Tahoe Adventure Company, as we edged to the side of the path for a hiker to pass. “And it gets better,” he assured us as we continued along the trail. With my daughter, Kathryn, we three negotiated the … Read more
Sometimes, names don’t lie. At the Sinner, a sexy boutique hotel on Rue du Temple in the ever-fashionable Marais district, naughty boys and girls are welcomed with open arms. If you’re looking for an elegant Parisian hotel that embraces decadence, you’ve hit the jackpot. Bad Behavior Encouraged I checked-in in … Read more
Can you imagine a church-controlled town joining forces with one run by capitalists who made millions from tobacco products? That’s exactly what happened in Winston-Salem. Today the historic Brookstown Inn represents that common ground. Old Salem It all began in 1752 when 15 Moravians traveled south from Pennsylvania to North … Read more
Certainly one of the coolest innovations happening today in the hospitality industry is transforming vintage motels from yesteryear into swanky digs. In the 21st century, repurposed motels have become destinations in themselves rather than a one night’s stay off the highway. The Carmel Mission Inn definitely fits the bill. Saved … Read more
Itching to get back to international travel but looking for affordable long-haul flights? Meet Norse Atlantic Airways – a new airline offering affordable fares primarily between Europe and the United States. Founded by CEO and major shareholder Bjørn Tore Larsen in March 2021, Norse boasts a fleet of 15 modern, … Read more
In June 2021 golfer Jon Rahm secured his first major career win – the U.S. Open Championship – at Torrey Pines Golf Course. No stranger to this La Jolla setting, it’s the site of this Spanish golfer’s first PGA win, And, it’s a short walk from where he proposed to … Read more
Often compared to the Freedom Tower in New York, the London Eye, and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the Tokyo Skytree just celebrated its tenth anniversary. Providing a dramatic change to the city’s skyline in 2012, the Tokyo Skytree also gave the city a new television tower. And, it created an exciting … Read more
“Welcome to Renaissance Esmeralda,” greets Charlie, the bellman with a smile as wide as a fairway and as warm as the temperatures, when we check-in. Upon escorting us to Room 3071, he playfully queries, “Is your last name Marriott?” He explains that our room is one of only twenty with … Read more
On June 28, 1969, when police raided The Stonewall—a popular gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village—patrons fought back. That action led to a tipping point in the Gay Liberation Movement across the United States. One year later, New York City held the country’s first Pride Parade. Today, the entire … Read more
In Costa Rica you’re often greeted with the words “Pura Vida”. Simply put, it means pure life. With a perfect blend of Caribbean ease and American comfort amid the rainforest of Costa Rica‘s Green Coast, pure life describes the experience at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort. Located on … Read more
Beyond Arizona’s revered Grand Canyon and Phoenix’s five-star destination scene is a small-town getaway within the state’s pristine White Mountains – Pinetop-Lakeside. An area so welcoming and authentically down-home, it provides a much-needed visit to life’s simpler past. Less than four hours northeast of Phoenix and on average 25-30 degrees … Read more
Sidewalks bustle with visitors making shopping choices at owner-operated boutiques, restaurants offer alfresco tropical drinks on their patios, and hotels are booked solid. The onslaught of Modernism Week brings diehard architecture groupies to Palm Springs in mid-February each year. Modernism Week, actually a period of ten days, dives into the … Read more
I’m relaxing in a roomy Adirondack chair on the expansive lawn of Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth on coastal Maine. A few feet away is a boardwalk to the sandy crescent beach that protects the inn from an oft-wild Atlantic. It’s early evening, and a family beside me … Read more