I’m sitting on the deck of my tent (an understatement, canvas walls, yes, but also full bed, wood floor, and shower bath) gazing over the savannah grasslands at snow-capped Kilimanjaro, when I hear a rustling. Elephants! Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, located in the savannah grasslands beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, is world renowned for its elephants. It’s … Continue reading
Category Archives: Experiences
Splurge-worthy five-star art-immersion weekends in Ireland
Save your pennies—or rather, your dollars—and splurge an art-centric weekend in Ireland. Two of the country’s finest properties, the five-star Merrion Hotel in Dublin and the ultra-haute Ballyfin, in County Laois, have teamed to offer Inspiring Irish Art Weekends that showcase each property’s museum-quality art collection. I haven’t stayed at The Merrion, but I have … Continue reading
Postcard from New Hampshire: Inn at Thorn Hill
Where: Inn at Thorn Hill, located in Jackson in New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley. The inn is situated on a hillside, with mountain views, but is just steps from Jackson Village, with its handful of shops and restaurants. What: Two-night getaway package booked through TravelZoo and including lodging, breakfasts, afternoon tea with sweets, one three-course … Continue reading
Roaming Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast
I attained enlightenment in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Not the lights-flashing, God-appearing, Hallelujah! type of enlightenment, but rather a far-more-subtle, restorative, all’s-right-with-the-world kind. This enlightenment hit me not while clambering over the Giants Causeway, not while swigging a dram of whiskey at Bushmills, nor while white-knuckling my way across the tightrope known as the Carrick-A-Reed … Continue reading
Ranting & roaring: Skiing Newfoundland’s Marble Mountain
Like every Newfoundland driver I’ve encountered, Ralph MacWhirter zips along the island’s serpentine, snow-packed roads at speeds that mock posted limits and gives merely a passing nod to stop signs. Left hand on the wheel of his Buick Park Avenue Ultra and right hand gesturing, he turns to me, grins and asks: “Where ya to?” … Continue reading
What’s to love about Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, once a pass-through en route to sexier Utah destinations, is now a destination in its own right. A frenzy of recent developments has remade the city’s core and added upscale shops, innovative museums, and fun shops. Don’t miss these draws. City Creek Center: This $1.5 billion project, funded by the real estate … Continue reading
Postcard from South Africa: Safari scenes
Sharing a few pics from my recent Extraordinary Journeys safari to two &Beyond lodges, both on private preserves in South Africa. I’ll tell you more about it, soon. Continue reading
A visit with Nova Scotia folk artist Barry Colpitts
EAST SHIP HARBOR, NOVA SCOTIA—It’s easy to find Barry Colpitts’s home gallery. Folk art adorns the house, lawn, barn, shed, fence, car, even the mailbox and truck. Hand-carved, two- and three-dimensional birds and fish, saints and sinners, mermaids and fishermen, augment every available surface. Even shutters, trim, railings, and newel posts have been transformed into … Continue reading
Destinations / England / Europe / Experiences / Touring
Soaking up history in Bath, England, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city and home to England’s only hot springs, is an easy day trip from London via train. I only spent about six hours in this delightful city—with most of that exploring the Roman Baths and the Thermae Bath Spa’s New Royal Bath, but I hope to return and immerse myself … Continue reading
Destinations / Dispatches / Europe / Experiences / Scotland / Touring
Aston Martin DB9 + James Bond + Isle of Eriska = luxury escape
Be Bond, James Bond: Put yourself behind the wheel of an Aston Martin and tour some of the iconic locations featured in The Spy Who Loved Me, From Russia with Love, and Skyfall. On the Luxury Ashton Martin 007 package, you’ll drive an Aston Martin DB9; stay two nights at Isle of five-star Isle of … Continue reading
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