By Kathy Strong Those who know me aren’t surprised that I have a special affection for bed & breakfasts. I owned one of the first ones on California’s Central Coast and I authored the state’s first bed & breakfast guide book, Recommended Bed & Breakfasts: California. Part of my adoration of this sector of hospitality …
One early winter morning in 2012, in a sleepy train station in Guadalajara, the Jose Cuervo Express redefined the “Tequila Sunrise” experience. Along some 40 miles of restored train tracks and over two hours, travelers were transported back in time with tastings and music before arriving in the heart of Tequila for a full day …
There are bucket list trips and then there are bucket list trips! Boutique tour operator Crooked Compass is once again paving the way to experience the Pacific’s last frontiers in its unique style. A maximum of seven guests will be transported by private aircraft through the remote areas of the history- laden Solomon Islands and …
Do you really need five more reasons to visit Mykonos? The answer is probably ‘no’ unless you are looking for an A-list way to experience it—at Kenshō Ornos. Undoubtedly one of the most famous Greek islands, Mykonos is known for its stunning beaches, cosmopolitan vibe and vibrant dining scene. Vacationers flock from all corners of …
Story & photos by Barbara Beckley So. I’m driving through Mission Beach in San Diego… Predictable oceanfront apartments, quirky clapboard beach houses, corner bars. Then I turn right – Oh My Gosh! I’m in Polynesia! Behind the “Bamboo Curtain” Entering the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, I truly am in another world. High-beamed Fiji-style …
By Kathy Strong Laguna Beach has been an exclusive haven for the arts for nearly a century, as well as the sparkling jewel of Southern California’s own scenic Riviera coastline. A year-round destination, Laguna shines brightest in the summer months. Gentle ocean breezes combine with some of the cleanest beaches, water and air on the …
If you’ve tuned into the news recently, you’ve probably seen footage of the devastating flooding in and around Yellowstone National Park. As all five entrances to the world’s first national park shut down within a mere matter of hours and all visitors were evacuated to the surrounding communities, the team at Austin Adventures got down …
An intimate property submerged in forest in Mexico’s Punta Mita is set to welcome guests to an innovative stay this December. Naviva®, A Four Seasons Resort will be the brand’s first adult-only tented resort in the Americas. A nature retreat featuring 15 luxury tents nestled amid 48 forested acres on a private peninsula overlooking the …
A short trip from the SoCal desert floor leads to the tiny forested town of Idyllwild, always a welcome departure on a scorching summer day. Your journey up Highway 74 climbs and curves, then glides past horse pastures and ranches on the way to the mountain retreat, embraced by the San Bernardino National Forest. The …
A spectacular drone light will join the star-filled dark skies above Jasper National Park this fall during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival. Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and part of UNESCO’s Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. The park is also the largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve …
About an hour’s drive from the Palm Springs desert, not far from the designer outlets and casinos, is a modest city brimming over in late-1800’s California architecture at every turn. Take a perfect summer daytrip to discover vintage California history, then toast the day with a concert under the stars. In Redlands, summer nights are …
Since 1990, Verde Canyon Railroad has carried nearly three million passengers through a wild and scenic canyon, on its historic route completed in 1912. The breathtaking journey fills all the senses (and every camera) all while leaving no trace. A stone’s throw from the hillside mining town of Jerome, Verde Canyon Railroad’s Clarkdale depot is …