Everybody needs a little time away from their busy and stressful lives. Sometimes trips that can get you into vacation mode fast are needed, but rarely booked. So I have a quick trip recommendation ready for you. Booking a trip to Cancun, Mexico is easy from many places on the East and West Coast, as well as Arizona and Texas and that allows you to
Just as I have written about the best Dallas Fort Worth Airport options, I have now found the best LAX hotel with shuttle airport option: The 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
There is no doubt that if you are looking to be wined and dined on your next vacation, then Crystal Cruises is the company you are looking for. This exclusive cruise company makes you feel as if you are staying in a luxury hotel, only it floats on majestic waterways! At least the Grand Europe Crystal Mahler ship does, it floats along the shores of
My arrival into "Heaven on Earth": Palawan, Philippines was nothing short of spectacular! If you're trying to choose where to go on vacation and the Philippines is on your radar, then do I have the place for you: Palawan, El Nido. It is a great place to start! I have not seen such pure beauty in a tropical island setting in quite some time, but
The Rocky Mountaineer is a luxurious way to visit Canada with all of its impeccable beauty. So forget about jam-packing your SUV for a long Canadian road trip and let the Rocky Mountaineer train take the wheel, literally. The Rocky Mountaineer gives travelers the opportunity to travel to “forbidden” places that are inaccessible by car. Although the below-freezing temperatures of the winter season can diminish
Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive Resorts are THE place to be this year. 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
Along the Pacific Ocean, the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico invites you to stay at its luxurious Casas en Puerto Vallarta: the boutique Casa Velas. This typically warm weather resort city entices adults to skip out on their usual work day and spend some time under the fiery Mexican sun! Guests of what the Mexicans call "Casas en Puerto Vallarta" are given a special
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
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 GA attractions and finding things to do in Savannah, GA. This surely will put you
Cesenatico is a port city located on the Adriatic coast of Italy. It is in the province of Forlì-Cesena, which is in the region of Emilia-Romagna, south of Ravenna. If you have not had a chance to visit the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, then have I got a treat for you! It's called Cesenatico and I had a chance to stay at the gorgeous Hotel
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
By Donnie Sexton Chico Hot Springs, a quintessential Montana resort sits in Paradise Valley, midway between the historic railroad town of Livingston, Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Chico is flanked by the Absaroka Mountains to the south and the almighty Yellowstone River to the north which is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states. Not too far from Pray, Montana, the ambiance of
It is no surprise that the Inn of The Five Graces lies squarely in 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 to enjoy. Each of the 24 unique suites in this small luxury hotel embraces the beauty and bold color of richly exotic
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
Monaco Spa: Thermes de Spa Whatever your quest is in your health, things like anti-aging, detoxification, slimming down, or deep relaxation, then this Monaco spa known as the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo is the exact place for you. It lies somewhere between technological worlds and a few islands of tranquility but either way, it is perfection. Read on for one amazing experience! Thermes de Spa
All-Inclusive Italy Just as the sun was beginning to peek into my 18th-century room at a luxury hamlet in Tuscany, I begin to wake out of one of the deepest sleeps I had been in for a while. The glow of the sun tossed shadows on to the whitewashed walls and hardwood floors and I was curled up in my white comforter with deep hunter
My Croatia Vacation: 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 have been in the travel business for over 5 years 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
Quietly, I sat alone in the brightly lit train station waiting to board the Rocky Mountaineer Train. I had arrived too early and had plenty of time to wait. Slowly I put my head back and with my eyes closed, I imagined the majestic train rolling into the station. Train travel had always been fascinating to me and this was my chance to ride on
Travelocity October on Travelocity! Every month I use my 25 years of travel experience on the Travelocity website about my latest travel experiences. I am a travel ambassador for Travelocity, and they like to call me one of their "Gnational Gnomads", which I think is super cute. This is an excerpt from those stories. You can read the entire article here on Travelocity: 6 Ultra-Indulgent
Coming around the backside and corner of the Hotel Fauchere, I entered going down the stairs and thru 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
Like a magic carpet ride, the scenery slips by the bi-level glass-domed windows, as you unplug and spend quality time with your significant other. Railway journeys have a way of tugging at your heartstrings by getting you to relax and unwind. You can move comfortably about the cabins, dive into quality executive chef cuisines, and even possibly spot a bear, a moose, a bald eagle
Belmond Hotel Splendido sits perched up on a hill in Portofino with its elegant view of the world in the Italian Riviera. From the many stars above a moonlit ocean to swaying palms overlooking the negative edge pool, it oozes life as "la dolce vita". The moment you step on to this amazing property you will fall in love. I already have two lovers, but
She flies over long distances in a precise migratory pattern and is known as ‘the wanderer’ in Australia. But here in the United States, we call her the Monarch butterfly. Flying overhead in search of nectar plants and basking in the sun, this week I felt like a butterfly as I explored the City of Scottsdale, AZ calling it the Scottsdale Invasion! Invasion of the
The Republic of the Maldives is known for that iconic image of over-the-water bungalows where the rich and famous frolic in the golden sun and turquoise waters. Where Maldives All Inclusive resorts are the name of the game and you never have to lift a finger (oh, except to call on your butler for another cocktail!) That image has been carefully crafted by these stunningly
The Champagne region of France is like no other wine region in the world. The nearest vineyards are only an hour from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) on the fast TGV train to Reims. Reims is a perfect justification for a tour of the Champagne Houses in Reims, but don’t forget to walk around the city and enjoy its Gothic Cathedral, a UNESCO world
How many times in your life have you been WOW’ed? WOW! That is what they call it here at the W Scottsdale. When I say that word, sometimes I say it with almost a silent whisper. WOW! (this is me whispering!). My brain gets overwhelmed by my enthusiasm for what my visual senses can’t quite get wrapped around and my words, even as a storyteller, are
MS Europa 2: An Introduction I have heard and learned about many impressive amenities and services on a ship, but never had I seen the total package put together like the MS Europa 2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, a German-owned company. No wonder Berlitz Cruise Guide gave the MS Europa 2, the highest point combination possible in their most recent visit on MS Europa2 in
Ready for a spa getaway and luxury cooking school? It was love at first sight, the minute I stepped out of the black BMW luxury transport and took a look at the Japanese lanterns and those "golden doors". I knew my lavish love affair had begun. I was greeted quickly by an attendant and my luggage was whisked away into my Asian-inspired upstairs suite overlooking
Half Moon Jamaica Far up ahead, I could see the majestic black wrought iron gates that would soon open up into a wealthy man’s grand tropical paradise: Half Moon Jamaica. I only wanted some down time to relax having already visited 12 countries this year at that point (and it was only May when I arrived in Jamaica). I knew I needed a break
There’s something slightly silly about being followed by your personal waiter to your breakfast table - him carrying your morning breakfast plate in his hands while walking directly behind you at the Grand Velas. As I sit, he takes my napkin and places it in my lap, asking me if there is anything else that I might need. Seriously, what else could I need? Feeling
How does a travel experience of a lifetime begin? It starts by making an iconic trip, such as Rocky Mountaineer, a priority in your life as a top life experience. When you come to the realization that the only scarce commodity that we all have in this world is TIME, then that changes the urgency in your life. Why not spend some time educating yourself
Luxury Firenze Hotel: IL Salviatino - Florence, Italy Exhausted from my overnight flight to Rome from the USA, and then my train ride to Florence, I was bound and determined to make it to my Firenze hotel to find my suite with a king-sized bed soon. It was not exactly in the center of Florence, but in a neighborhood on a hill overlooking Florence known as
French River Cruises - My Viking Journey This is my Viking journey. The Rhone River in Southern France has taken a long journey to get here. It started its prolonged journey as a glacier high up in the Swiss Alps before making its way down to the Chaîne des Alpilles, a small range of low mountains in Provence. It flowed through Lake Geneva before arriving in
Hotel Adler, otherwise known as the Adler Thermae Spa and Relax Resort in Tuscany, Italy We had arrived in this tiny little town in Italy in the middle of Tuscany and were anxious to see what was meant by this Italian “relax spa” called Hotel Adler. I had heard Italians relax differently than Americans, so I was ready to find out the differences at Hotel Adler.
What is value or smart luxury? It is basically staying in high-end or boutique hotels, an amazing bed and breakfasts, charming apartments, rentals cottages or anything that is considered in the luxury market at discount prices, for great price points or using your points in a loyalty program. Getting more bang for your buck with the same luxury stays, but just at discount pricing. Vacations
