Authenticity in food is a very fluid concept, especially when looking for authentic food from a specific country. Authentic Italian food to the baker on the corner in Tuscany could be different from the pastry chef down the street, much less the difference in different regions of Italy. In fact, the same recipe can taste different from chef to chef and all of them will
Over the last few weeks, I was looking through and editing old photographs when I started thinking about our bucket list for families that I made. When I was in college, my friends and I used to watch a television show about these families that were traveling around the world. They were marking things off their family bucket list as they voted to do the
Puerto Vallarta is THE place to be. Mexico is easy to get to and they have laid out the red carpet for your visit. In fact, your vacations begin from the moment you step foot off the airplane or the cruise ship that brings you here. You will soon notice the mesmerizing cobblestone streets lined with cafes, shopping, and boutique hotels along with a lively
Get yourself into that Southern mood, the sweet sickness that is Savannah's lure. I call it le mal doux, which is French for "the sweet sickness". How? You ask? Try reading (or see the movie) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil before you take on the task of visiting Savannah attractions and finding things to do in Savannah, GA. This surely will put you in
In the sleepy hills of Mexico lies one of the most gorgeous towns I have ever seen, San Miguel de Allende. This picturesque town is sure to give you all the “wow moments” of a big city, but with the pleasure of a small-town atmosphere. Don’t expect to find a fast-paced lifestyle in Saint Miguel, Mexico-- but rather a tranquil one. One that slowly evolves
Of all the choices of small Mexican fishing villages to visit, Zihuatanejo is a hard one to put into any type of grouping. Zihua (pronounced “zee-wha”), for short, is up against the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, with cliffs, deep ravines, and a gorgeous bay. The fact that it is in the state of Guerrero—probably closer to Guatemala than it is the USA—also makes it
✦ Palawan El Nido My arrival into what I call "Heaven on Earth" was nothing short of spectacular! If you're trying to choose where to go on vacation and the Philippines is on your radar, then man, do I have the place for you?! Palawan El Nido Resorts will blow you away! In fact, I have not seen such pure beauty in a tropical island
The State Hermitage Museum is full of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the second-largest art museum in the world containing over 3 million pieces of art! And it is a MUST VISIT anytime you find yourself in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was founded by the Empress Catherine the Great in 1764 when she acquired an impressive collection of paintings from Johann
Victoria House, Ambergris Caye, Belize Victoria House, Ambergris Caye, Belize Belizean Resort We Arrived in Ambergris Caye! Hot and sweaty after coming off a whirlwind Cessna plane ride from Belize City to the island of Ambergris Caye, having flown overnight, I was ready to "get my vacation on". The taxi driver was waiting for us at the airstrip and it
UPDATE! Grand Velas Los Cabos Named #1 Luxury Hotel in Mexico, #8 in the World by TripAdvisor’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Cabos San Lucas, Mexico For me, going on a real vacation has become increasingly important over the years. Since I work in the industry, many times I feel like I am photographing everything, never knowing what I will find. I really do enjoy my work
Photo by Four Seasons Bora Bora Overwater Bungalows and Island Lodges This stunning French Polynesian jewel, otherwise known as Bora Bora, is the epitome of luxury travel and the place to be for anyone looking to embark on an idyllic and once in a lifetime honeymoon. It is here where you will be able to wistfully laze the days away in your over-the-water
The French Quarter I was with my girlfriend over on Royal Street in the French Quarter at the diamond store. She’s from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, so when I sent her a message I would be visiting New Orleans and that I was looking for the best things to do in New Orleans and luxury or boutique hotels in New Orleans, she immediately went to work and
Written by: Donnie Sexton With my first visit to the Galapagos Islands, I was anxious to experience first-hand what so many of my photographer friends rave about this unique destination off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos can be explored in two ways. Land-based trips start on one of four islands that offer accommodations, then you can hook up with local tour companies for day
Palace on Wheels is one of the luxury trains in India that travels through the majestic landscapes of Rajasthan within India’s Golden Triangle. Powered by a traditional steam engine, the Palace on Wheels train made its inaugural journey in 1982. It was THIS train that started the era of luxury trains in India. This train has given rise to other luxury trains, such as the
✦ Here is WHY You Should Visit Portofino! ✦ Portofino, Italy Portofino, Italy is a small fishing village along the Italian Riviera known for its good looks and visitors: the Hollywood crowd and beyond! But you don't have to be a celebrity or wealthy to visit this gorgeous seaside town in Northern Italy. For me, it is the perfect town. The half-moon shaped harbor, with
Santorini is just one of the Cyclades Islands in Greece that literally has everything I want in an island – hidden and blue-domed churches, stunning sunsets, volcanoes rising out of the Aegean Sea, cave houses you can stay in, and whitewashed stone buildings that dot the landscape. Know that your Santorini holidays will be one you'll remember for a very long time, as I still
Honestly, people tell me all the time “you have the best job in the world” and “do you need an assistant?” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard those words. And it is true, I love to travel and I love my job. And I do have the best job in the world, but do you want to know why? I earned
Buenos Aires - A Comprehensive Guide on What To Do! Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and currently home to more than 40 million people! It is also the capital of Argentina and known as the “Paris of South America!” I can honestly attest to that, as this city is absolutely gorgeous with its European-style buildings and architecture. It is as if you
So you are going to Mykonos? Mykonos is loaded with great beaches (and churches) and in my humble opinion, they have some of the best beaches in all of the Mediterranean. Mykonos beaches are a paradise whether you’re looking for swimming, sunbathing, beach parties, or any type of water sports. You can visit the Mykonos beaches throughout the day by renting a car/moto (like I did), by
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer Dr. Cacinda Maloney’s exclusive guide to the Rocky Mountaineer Train features a wealth of insider tips for your trip on the famous Canadian Rockies train. It includes researching, planning, booking, and finally, embarking through Canada on the rail journey that dreams are made! Since Dr. Maloney is a Rocky Mountaineer Ambassador, she has seen and been on multiple trips and
In my opinion, there’s no such thing as bad travel. Any opportunity to get away and immerse ourselves in the sights and sounds, scents and tastes of another culture is a proposition that should be embraced. However, there are some occasions when a getaway demands a little extra luxury, a little extra romance and a little something extra special. If you’re thinking of popping the
Coming around the backside and corner of the Hotel Fauchere, I entered going down the stairs and through the back door. Unbeknownst to me, I came at it all wrong and should have entered thru its glorious navy-blue double French front doors with red and white striped awnings out in front and even a black rocking chair on the sidewalk to get the real flavor
Aiguablava is a small indention of a bay on the Costa Brava Coast in Catalonia, Spain. It rests quietly along the Mediterranean Sea with miles and miles of Spanish coastline. As I sit out on my balcony, staring at the beauty and charm of the Bay, I am struck by the simplicity of it all. It has an old world charm about it that is romantic as
When it comes to making a decision about where to stay when you are planning your trips to Europe, one thing that I always look for is consistency within a brand, such as the Raddison Hotel Group. I have traveled every six weeks of my life for over 25+ years and so I have stayed in my share of hotel rooms! I recently visited a
Walking the city streets and along the St. Lawrence River of old Quebec City, I felt as if I could hear the sounds of the past from the old shipping boats that came into the harbor. In fact, Old Quebec City was built upon the St. Lawrence River, where the French merchants brought in goods from far away lands. Along with the stunning visual surroundings,
Positano, Italy is a gorgeous slice of Heaven, ok, I mean "beach town" in Italy along the Amalfi Coast. It is famous for its colorful buildings, excellent restaurants, and perfect location for honeymooners, and really anyone who wants to enjoy the Italian sun! With its winding roads that lead down to the sea, there are plenty of cafes, shops, and boutique hotels to stay at.
Photo by: Kendra Lee Photography Sometimes you just need to get away. So why not make it a local event? Here in Arizona, we call those “Staycations”. We have such an array of resorts and hotels in Phoenix and Scottsdale that it is worth it to just give yourself a break and do a “Staycation AZ”. Recently I had a chance to get
For years, I have been enamored with Spanish architecture of colonial origins, from San Miguel de Allende, Mérida, and Oaxaca City to Guanajuato, Puebla, Guadalajara, and Cuernavaca, Mexico. Back in the day, it was called "New Spain" during the colonial era of Mexico in the 16th to 19th centuries. Mexico has more sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list than any other country in the
It was over a year ago that I had typed these words to the top of my bucket list on my website, Croatia Vacation. I had been in the travel business for over 5 years at the time and I often hear about all the wonderful places to visit in this world. Whisperings of Croatia island hopping and amazing Croatia resorts have been going on
Doha, Qatar is located within a tiny Arab nation that has unbelievable architecture, a huge expatriate population, and the highest per capita income in the world! As the smallest country in the Middle East, it has grown in population super fast over the last 40 years. Back then it was a desolate desert with virtually little going on other than a lonely Sheraton Grand Hotel
Air travel has become such a hassle over the last couple of decades, especially since 09/01/01. I can almost remember what it was like BEFORE that happened. Now, lines at the airport have continued to get longer while the list for prohibited items on a plane has increased. However, the one thing that has improved about air travel is the business class choices that are
It is no surprise that the Inn of The Five Graces lies squarely in Santa Fe, New Mexico, known as the "Land of Enchantment." With a clearly magical touch, internationally acclaimed importers, Ira and Sylvia Seret of Seret & Sons have created a living masterpiece for all of us to enjoy. Inn of the Five Graces Each of the 24 unique suites in this small
Just as I have written about the best Dallas Fort Worth Airport options, I recently found the best LAX hotel with a shuttle airport option: Hyatt Regency LAX. As one of the 777 properties of the Hyatt Hotel Corporation, it is an interesting fact that the first Hyatt House branded motel was a small LAX motel located near the airport. Decades after the first Hyatt
Have you ever wanted to feel like being a part of a community while on vacation? That is one thing I loved about the community of Quivira Los Cabos in Los Cabos, Mexico. It is a luxury residential resort community that has a lot to offer including the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort, The Towers at Pacifica, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas, and a
Along the secluded beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Hyatt Ziva stands out among the crowds of Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive Resorts. This is because of its comfortable atmosphere and location RIGHT on the beach. Yet, the Hyatt Ziva is also located only about two miles from downtown Puerto Vallarta. This is an excellent location, as guests can easily catch a 5-minute Uber ride into the
