JOURNEYS

Jackson Hole

2009-09-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

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Stay at - The Wort Hotel
Jackson Lake Lodge
Jenny Lake Lodge

Go shopping - right in town, or at Teton Village

Eat at - The Blue Lion
Nora's Fish Creek Inn
Jedediah's House of Sourdough

Take side trips to - Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Snake River Canyon

Be sure to visit - the National Elk Refuge at the north end of town on the way to Grand Teton National Park. Don't miss the antler arches in the Town Square, or stops to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar or the Silver Dollar Bar at The Wort.

Best time of year to go - Memorial Day to Labor Day, occasionally early September

Best things to buy - Western art, antiques, photography, sculpture, clothing, food

Best indulgence - watching the sun rise over the Tetons

Fly into - Jackson (JAC) or Salt Lake City (SLC)

Transportation - Rent a car unless you are bringing your own. Most of downtown Jackson is quite walkable, but you will need a vehicle to get up into the National Parks and explore the local scenery.

Colorado Springs

2009-06-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

Stay at - The Broadmoor

Go shopping - The Promenade Shops at Briargate
The Citadel
various art and antiques galleries in the area

Eat at - The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor
Charles Court at The Broadmoor
Craftwood Inn, Manitou Springs

Take side trips to - Pikes Peak
Cripple Creek
Garden of the Gods
Royal Gorge Bridge
US Air Force Academy

Be sure to visit - the chapel at the US Air Force Academy.

Best time of year to go - June through October

Best things to buy - art, antiques, clothing, Western and Southwestern gifts, spa, wine

Best indulgence - dinner and dancing at The Penrose Room after a day of spa treatments

Fly into - Colorado Springs (COS) or Denver (DIA)

Transportation - Rent a car unless you are bringing your own. Community and charter bus service and taxis are available. Take the Cog Railway at Pike's Peak.

Amana Colonies, Iowa

2009-06-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

A lovely quiet oasis of creativity spread among seven historic villages just off Interstate 80 in southern Iowa, home of Amana appliances, Amana Woolen Mills and Amana Furniture, where you can lose yourself for a few days surrounded with handmade quilts, preserves, broomsticks and out-of-this-world German home cooking.

Stay at - Clarion Inn Amana Colonies, Williamsburg (on I-80)
Zuber's Homestead Hotel, Homestead

Go shopping - in the villages of the Amana Colonies
Tanger Outlet Mall on I-80

Eat at - The Ronneburg
The Ox Yoke Inn

Take side trips to - Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Kalona Historic Village
Nauvoo, Illinois

Be sure to visit - the many arts and crafts studios in the villages. The Clarion Amana Colonies has an indoor waterpark if you are bringing children.

Best time of year to go - June through September

Best things to buy - Amana woolens, furniture, clocks, crafts, quilts, antiques, wine, preserves

Best indulgence - dinner at The Ronneburg with a glass of German white wine after a day of sightseeing

Fly into - Cedar Rapids, Iowa (CID)

Transportation - A car is a necessity; rent one unless you are bringing your own.

Hana, Maui

2009-06-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

Synonymous with serenity, Hana is a tiny jewel of the Pacific nestled on the north shore of Maui at the end of a scenic but forbidding highway, your own Bali Hai, where the pace slows to a near standstill alongside black sand beaches.

Stay at - Hotel Hana Maui/Sea Ranch Cottages

Go shopping - most available shopping is at the resort, little in town

Eat at - Ka'uiki at Hotel Hana Maui
Paniolo Lounge at Hotel Hana Maui
Hana Ranch Restaurant, Town Center, part of Hotel Hana Maui
Mama's Fish House, Paia, if you are flying in or out of Kahului (short drive from Kahului Airport)

Take side trips to - Road to Hana
Paia
Hana Bay
Black sand beaches
Ohe'o Gulch
Wai'anapanapa State Park
Lindbergh's Grave, Kipahilu

Be sure to visit - the black sand beaches in the area, and attend a resort luau if you can

Best time of year to go - February and March, during prime humpback whale season

Best things to buy - Hawaiiana, art, woodcarving, clothing, local food

Best indulgence - sitting out on the lanai in a private hot tub at a Sea Ranch Cottage overlooking the ocean, under moonlight, after a day at the spa

Fly into - Hana Airport (HNM) or Kahului (OGG). Kahului is the main airport on Maui, with regular service to the US Mainland, Honolulu, and the other islands, and is a 57 mile scenic, but challenging, drive from Hana. The Hana Airport is much smaller, and has flights from Kahului and Honolulu. I recommend flying directly into Hana unless you have someone taking you into Hana, or have driven the road previously and are familiar with it. It will take several hours to drive from Kahului to Hana, so don't be fooled by the distance.

Transportation - Hotel Hana Maui has courtesy transportation to and from Hana Airport, which can occasionally be arranged for other locations near the resort. Courtesy pickups at Hana Airport by the resort transportation must be prearranged. If you are renting a car, you must pick it up at Kahului Airport. Off-site resort activites generally include resort-provided transportation. Private air charters can be arranged to the neighbor islands. The town itself is very small and quite walkable.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

2009-05-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

Not to be confused with Niagara Falls, nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is a charming storybook bed-and-breakfast village on the Canadian side which each summer hosts a world-famous theatrical festival in homage to the playwright George Bernard Shaw.

Stay at - The Oban Inn

Go shopping - up and down the streets of the village

Eat at - The Dining Room of The Oban Inn
Prince of Wales Hotel for afternoon tea
The Buttery
There are a number of local wineries with terrific restaurants - try Hillebrand Estates

Take side trips to - Niagara Falls, Toronto

Be sure to visit - The Shaw Festival
local wineries
Niagara Falls, if you're so inclined and have never been

Best time of year to go - When the Shaw Festival is on, April through October. I favor August.

Best things to buy - Shaw miscellany, books, British goods, tea, preserves, housewares, culinary, local souvenirs, wine

Best indulgence - Great seats for an evening performance of a favorite Shaw play, after an idyllic meal

Fly into - Toronto (YYZ) or Buffalo (BNIA)

Transportation - Rent a car. If you're coming from the US, remember you'll be crossing a border into Canada, and will need a current passport. There are taxicabs and horse-and-carriage operators in town. There is also a shuttle from Toronto airport to Niagara-on-the-Lake, if you'd prefer not to drive.

Oak Park

2009-05-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

One of the loveliest and most liveable suburbs of the metropolitan Chicago area and an architect's dream, Oak Park is a few miles west on the Eisenhower, home of McDonalds' founder Ray Kroc, writer Ernest Hemingway and Prairie architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings in the world.

Stay at - The Carleton of Oak Park

Go shopping - Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street

Eat at - Philander's, The Carleton
Poor Phil's, The Carleton
Hemmingway's, The Write Inn

Take side trips to - downtown Chicago

Be sure to visit - the many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Oak Park
Hemingway Museum

Best time of year to go - April through October

Best things to buy - Local arts and crafts, antiques, furnishings, clothing

Best indulgence - An evening at Philander's with live music

Fly into - Chicago O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW)

Transportation - Take suburban cabs from the airports, which have a flat rate to Oak Park. While in Oak Park, there are good local cabs available, and much of the downtown is very walkable. Elevated trains ("The L") runs right from downtown Oak Park to downtown Chicago and The Loop. Unless you've driven your own car to the Chicago area, you shouldn't need one, but rental cars are readily available at both airports and in the suburbs.

Kauai

2009-05-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Bali Hai, South Pacific, the quintessential pot of gold at the end of the island rainbow, the oldest, wettest, greenest, and arguably most beautiful of all the Hawaiian islands.

Stay at - Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club at Nawiliwili

Go shopping - north shore, south shore and Lihue
Be sure to shop at Kilohana Plantation for some great arts and crafts

Eat at - Gaylord's at Kilohana
Duane's Ono Char Burger
Duke's Canoe Club

Take side trips to - Oahu
Maui

Be sure to visit - Kilauea Lighthouse
Ke'e Beach
Poipu

Kauai Museum in Lihue
Hanalei
Princeville

Best time of year to go - February and March

Best things to buy - Ni'ihau shells and shell leis, art, Hawaiiana

Best indulgence - A helicopter ride over Mount Waialeale and along the Napali Coast. I recommend Jack Harter.

Fly into - Lihue (LIH)

Transportation - Rent a car at Lihue Airport. Kauai has one road which runs from the north shore to the south, with very few traffic lights in between, lots of covered bridges, and plenty of scenery. A car is the only way you'll get around, as public transportation is essentially non-existent.

Rome

2009-05-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

The Eternal City, ancient and powerful, moving, filled with life, art, wonder, and the seat of Christendom.

Stay at - The Excelsior

Go shopping - Via dei Condotti
Via del Corso
Piazza Navona

Eat at -La Pergola
Trattoria Monti
L'Eau Vive
Imàgo at the Hotel Hassler

Take side trips to - Assisi
Florence
Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este
Castelgandolfo

Be sure to visit - St. Peter's
The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums
The Colosseum
The Catacombs
The Spanish Steps
The Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome

Best time of year to go - Holy Week through September

Best things to buy - designer clothing, leather, art and antiques, wedding dresses, stationery, religious articles

Best indulgence - sitting on the rooftop of the Hotel Hassler at the end of the day gazing over the Eternal City

Fly into - Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport (FCO)

Transportation - Get a private car and driver if you can. The Archeobus is a reasonably priced alternative for visiting Roman archeological sites. Watch out for gypsies if you're seeing the city on foot.

Sitka

2009-05-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Summer home of the humpback whale, once the capital of Russian America, home to the Tlingit, fur traders, artists and writers all spread out over Baranof Island and the Alexander Archipelago nestled under the shadow of Mount Edgecumbe, Sitka is a cultural and aesthetic goldmine for those who ply the waters of the Inside Passage.

Stay at - I recommend you visit Sitka as part of an Inside Passage Cruise, aboard Princess, Holland America or Regent Seven Seas

Go shopping - in town

Eat at -Ludvig's Bistro
The Channel Club

Take side trips to - Alaska Raptor Center
Fortress of the Bear
Sitka National Historic Park and Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center

Be sure to visit - St. Michael's Cathedral
Sitka Pioneer's Home
New Archangel Dancers

Best time of year to go - mid-to-late summer, up through Labor Day

Best things to buy - Fine Alaska clothing, souvenirs, artwork, jewelry, Native Alaskan art and culture, Russian-American art/icons and religious articles, gold, fish, books

Best indulgence - tendering in from ship to shore, with Mount Edgecumbe in the background in exquisite two-dimensional light and shadow as orcas play in Sitka Sound

Fly into - Sitka (SIT) if you're going directly there, otherwise fly to Vancouver (YVR) or Seattle (SEA) and take an Inside Passage Cruise

Transportation - If you are arriving by cruise ship, much of Sitka is walkable or transportation can be arranged by shore excursion. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska operates 'Sitka Community Ride,' an inexpensive community bus.

Buckhead

2009-05-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

Stay at - The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead

Go shopping - across the street at Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza

Eat at - The Dining Room and The Lobby Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton
Pano's & Paul's
Twist

Take side trips to - downtown Atlanta
CNN Headquarters
Underground Atlanta
The World of Coca-Cola

Be sure to visit - Lenox Square Mall
Phipps Plaza
take a drive through the gorgeous neighborhoods in Buckhead if you're able

Best time of year to go - spring and fall, but Atlanta is fairly temperate year-round. Buckhead is gorgeous in bloom.

Best things to buy - fashion, luxury items

Best indulgence - Hanging out in the Lobby Bar at the Ritz-Carlton after a full day of shopping (they serve a very credible afternoon tea if that suits your schedule). If you got your hair done at Vidal Sassoon while at Lenox Square, even better.

Fly into - Atlanta (ATL)

Transportation - You can entirely headquarter at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, go shopping across the street at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, and do completely without a car. But if you feel you want one in Atlanta, rent one. MARTA runs throughout the metropolitan area, and taxicabs are good. The hotel has complimentary local transportation.

Key West

2009-05-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

Stay at - Westin Key West Resort & Marina, and Sunset Key Cottages

Go shopping - in town, on Duval Street

Eat at - El Meson de Pepe (Cuban)
Latitudes on Sunset Key (take launch from the Westin)
Cafe Marquesa
Blue Heaven
Sloppy Joe's Bar and Hog's Breath Saloon

Take side trips to - Sunset Key
the rest of the Keys

Be sure to visit - Audubon House
Ernest Hemingway House
Key West Aquarium
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Don't miss the Sunset Celebration every evening at sunset in front of the Westin

Best time of year to go - November through March

Best things to buy - Cuban and tropical souvenirs, Atocha coins, jewelry, tropical clothing, music, stationery, housewares, Audubon prints, art

Best indulgence - going to Sunset Key by motorlaunch from the Westin and having a leisurely lunch

Fly into - Key West (EYW), or Miami (MIA) and drive a car. High speed catamarans operate daily from a number of ports on the west coast of Florida, including Fort Myers/Fort Myers Beach/Naples/Marco Island.

Transportation - Much of Key West is very walkable. Unless you're planning to explore more of the rest of the Keys, you don't need a car, and can use the conch train, trolley, and taxis to get around.

Taos

2009-05-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Stay at - La Posada de Taos

Go shopping - in town, and at Taos Pueblo

Eat at - Joseph's Table
Lambert's
Old Blinking Light
(an old favorite, Brett House, is catering-only these days)
Rancho de Chimayo

Take side trips to - Santa Fe
Chimayo (on the High Road)

Be sure to visit - Taos Pueblo
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
the several art galleries and museums in the area

Best time of year to go - May through October, or the Christmas holidays (don't miss the Posadas)

Best things to buy - Southwestern art, jewelry, textiles, storyteller dolls, kiva ladders, wood carvings, photography, local gourmet

Best indulgence - Comfy beds, chill air, kiva fireplaces and hearty breakfasts, served up with fascinating conversation. Short of that, the best indulgence is going to Taos Pueblo and visiting with the locals.

Fly into - Albuquerque (ABQ)

Transportation - Rent a car from Albuquerque, unless you have your own.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

2009-05-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Coast has its own particular charm, and drama. This little artists' colony nestled on the beach less than two hours from Portland is always worth the scenic drive to get there.

Stay at - The Ocean Lodge

Go shopping - walking the streets of Cannon Beach

Eat at - Newman's at 988
Lazy Susan Cafe
Sweet Basil's Cafe
Arch Cape Inn

Take side trips to - Seaside and other coastal Oregon communities
Portland

Be sure to visit - Haystack Rock
Seaside Aquarium
Ecola State Park
the art galleries

Best time of year to go - mid- to late summer

Best things to buy - local souvenirs, toys, organic, seaside, books, gourmet, art

Best indulgence - dinner at Newman's at 988, before or after a walk on the beach

Fly into - Portland (PDX)

Transportation - Rent a car from Portland unless you are driving your own. Once in downtown Cannon Beach, many things are walkable.

Venice

2009-05-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

La Serenissima, the Queen of the Adriatic, an Italian wonderland maze of islands, bridges and canals, pigeons and brides, champagne and string music, a place for the eternal romantic to glide down a heavenly canal.

Stay at - Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin, Giudecca Island

Go shopping - take the private launch to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) and start walking

Eat at - Fortuny Restaurant at the Cipriani
Osteria Enoteca San Marco
Harry's Bar

Take side trips to - Murano

Be sure to visit - Piazza San Marco
Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale di Venezia)
Bridge of Sighs
St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco a Venezia)

Best time of year to go - late summer

Best things to buy - Murano glass, masks, leather, lamps and lampshades, paper products, lace

Best indulgence - private gondola ride, sitting in Piazza San Marco watching brides, floating in the saltwater pool at the Cipriani

Fly into - Venice Marco Polo (VCE)

Transportation - Rail, bus and taxi all connect the airport to the city. When in the city, walk or take water transport. Hire a car and driver for excursions into the countryside. The Hotel Cipriani has a private launch which will take you to San Marco in four minutes.

Vancouver

2009-05-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Gateway to Alaska, Vancouver is unrivalled in its beauty nestled between mountains and sea in the Pacific Northwest, summer home to countless cruise ships plying the waters of the Inside Passage, a smart, urban populace with plenty of green spaces among the highrises dotting the waterfront.

Stay at - Fairmont Waterfront (modern, waterviews)
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (historic, have their own house dog)

Go shopping - on Robson Street

Eat at - Sequoia Grill at the Teahouse, Stanley Park
English Bay Cafe (go there for the sunsets, and ask for a window table)

Take side trips to - Victoria
Whistler

Be sure to visit - Stanley Park, and don't miss the Vancouver Aquarium
Canada Place
Gastown
Chinatown

Best time of year to go - around Labor Day

Best things to buy - china, crystal, arts and crafts, clothing, local food

Best indulgence - watching the sunset over English Bay, or hanging out at Canada Place with a glass of champagne in hand as ships disembark

Fly into - Vancouver (YVR)

Transportation - Taxicabs are great in Vancouver. And much of the city is very walkable, above and below ground. Public transporation includes bus, streetcar, SkyTrain and West Coast Express (commuter rail). There is a SeaBus which connects Vancouver to North Vancouver across Burrard Inlet.

Lahaina

2009-05-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Once a whaling village, now a charming tourist destination on the west side of Maui below Ka'anapali Beach, Lahaina retains much of its historic walkable charm, day and night, with waterfront views of both Lanai and Molokai.

Stay at - The Plantation Inn, Lahaina

Go shopping - downtown Lahaina, Cannery Mall, Whaler's Village in Kaanapali, and in Wailea

Eat at - Longhi's (have a steamed artichoke and a glass of white wine midafternoon and people-watch)
Pacific'O's
Gerard's at the Plantation Inn
Mama's Fish House, Paia
Thai Chef (get the Thai toast and Thai iced coffee)
Aloha Mixed Plate (best sunset with the least expensive view)
The Feast at Lele (best luau on the island, done by the people who do Old Lahaina Luau and Pacific'O's)

Don't miss - U'lalena at Maui Myth and Magic Theater
Warren and Annabelles
Be sure to take a whalewatching excursion out of either Lahaina Harbour or Ma'alea
Bicycle down Haleakala

Take side trips to - Haleakala (bicycle down if you can, mid-morning)
Hana
Paia
Kapalua
Wailea
Kihei

Be sure to visit - Maui Ocean Center in Ma'alea

Best time of year to go - February and March, when the humpback whales are giving birth

Best things to buy - Hawaiiana, art, clothing, local food and food products, local music

Best indulgence - The Feast at Lele
Get your hair cut by Pascal Fournier at Le Salon

Fly into - Kahului (OGG) and rent a car, unless you're willing to fly into the West Maui Airport at Kapalua

Transportation - Rent a car, preferably a convertible. Downtown Lahaina is very walkable. Most tour companies provide their own transportation for activities.

Mexico City

2009-04-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

One of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, with a population of over 22 million people, nearly the total population of the entire country of Canada, far more sophisticated and European than strangers might realize, with a strongly beating faith-filled heart, beautiful people, music, food, art, gardens, and the miracle of roses in December.

Stay at - The Marquis Reforma

Go shopping - Street market in the Zona Rosa (Londres 154), gift shops at La Villa, San Angel. There's a marvelous shop near Hacienda de los Morales with antiques, artwork and sculpture that's a don't miss on my visits to Ciudad de México.

Eat at - San Angel Inn, Calle Diego Rivera 50
Fonda el Refugio, Liverpool 166, Zona Rosa (fabulous for lunch, great lollipops finish the meal)
Hacienda de los Morales, Cómo Llegar Vázquez de Mella 525

Be aware - Many restaurants have dress codes that require women to have their arms covered. In the nicer restaurants, men will be in business suits and ties, and women smartly dressed.

Take side trips to - the pyramids at Teotihuacán if you must, Puebla

Be sure to visit - La Villa de Guadalupe/Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Zócalo, Diego Rivera Murals
Xochimilco Floating Gardens
Chapultepec Park

Best time of year to go - Feast days in December, 8-13th, or any other Marian feast days. If you are there for the feast days in December, don't miss the Mañanitas a la virgen de Guadalupe on the night of December 11th at the Basilica de Guadalupe. Weather can be lovely late winter through early summer, and again in the fall, but is temperate year-round.

Best things to buy - Religious articles, Guadalupana, art, sculpture, clothing, local folk art, silver.

Best indulgence - Dinner at San Angel Inn surrounded by monastic gardens in the company of statesmen. If you're very brave, try street food in front of La Villa de Guadalupe, but choose wisely. Spend an afternoon being serenaded to on the canals in Xochimilco, and get a private vessel if you're able.

Fly into - Mexico City (MEX)

Transportation - I recommend getting a private car and driver if possible. If you take taxicabs, have the concierge at your hotel arrange them. The Zona Rosa is very walkable.

The Great Smoky Mountains

2009-04-26T21:01:00.000-07:00

The quality of light and shadow in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is unmistakable, dotted with spectacular scenery and retreats rustic and resplendent.

Stay at - Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee

Go shopping - in Pigeon Forge

Eat at - Blackberry Farm (rooms are on the American Plan; gourmet box lunches are provided)

Take side trips to - Townsend
Pigeon Forge
Gatlinburg
Knoxville

Be sure to visit - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Best time of year to go - May through October, unless you want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays with family at Blackberry Farm

Best things to buy - local Tennessee arts and crafts

Best indulgence - Sitting in a rocker at dawn on the veranda watching a Tennessee sunrise

Fly into - Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS)

Transportation - Rent a car and drive to Walland

Honolulu

2009-04-25T04:21:00.000-07:00

Stay at - Westin Moana Surfrider

Go shopping - on Kalakaua Avenue, the International Marketplace and at the Ala Moana Mall

Eat at - Duke's Canoe Club (casual breakfast buffet with Diamond Head views on Waikiki)
The Hanohano room (elegant dinners and drinks overlooking Diamond Head and Waikiki)
La Mer
The Golden Dragon

Take side trips to - the neighboring islands of Kauai, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, Molokai or Lanai

Be sure to visit - The Bishop Museum
The Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbour
The Polynesian Cultural Center

Best time of year to go - February through June.

Best things to buy - Hawaiian arts and crafts, jewelry, Niihau shells, local souvenirs, designer clothing

Best indulgence - Walking barefoot on Waikiki while the sun rises over Diamond Head

Fly into - Honolulu (HNL)

Transportation - Taxi, limousine or shuttle to the hotel, then take taxis or the Wiki Wiki bus as necessary. Take interisland flights to neighbor islands.

Paris

2009-04-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

The City of Lights, a diamond on the Seine, Paris is eternally for lovers.

Stay at - Hotel de la Tremoille

Go shopping - All over the city

Eat at - Tour d'Argent
Le Jules Verne, Tour Eiffel

Take side trips to - the French countryside

Be sure to visit - The Louvre
Montmartre
Notre Dame
Sacre Couer
Champs d'Elysses

Best time of year to go - in the spring, when everything is in bloom

Best things to buy - flowers, perfume, fashion

Best indulgence - taking the bateaux mouche by night

Fly into - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Transportation - take The Metro (subway) or taxicabs, or walk

Istanbul

2009-04-24T11:14:00.001-07:00

The bridge from East to West, spanning two continents, two cultures, cradle of civilization, Constantinople. There is nothing more incredible than being at the shores of the Bosphorus and contemplating what the city has seen.

Stay at - Çırağan Palace Kempinski

Go shopping - the Grand Bazaar

Eat at - Tuğra Restaurant at the Çiragan Palace

Take side trips to - Kusadasi, Ephesus

Be sure to visit - Hagia Sophia
The Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace

Best time of year to go - Spring through fall. Summers can be hot.

Best things to buy - gold, carpets, clothing, jewelry, spices

Best indulgence - Sipping champagne on the Bosphorus

Fly into - Istanbul International Atatürk Airport (IST)

Transportation - metro, train, taxi, or foot

London

2009-04-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

Steeped in tradition and history, London is the undisputed capital and crossroads of the Western world, the heart of an empire and heartbeat of a generation.

Stay at - The Capital Hotel, just a stone's throw from Harrods in Knightsbridge

Eat at - The Capital Restaurant at The Capital Hotel
Borshtch 'n' Tears (Russian, 46 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge)
The Tate Gallery Cafe

Go shopping - Harrods

Take side trips to - the English countryside

Be sure to visit - Buckingham Palace
The Tate Gallery

Best time of year to go - mid-April through June, and late August to mid-September

Best things to buy - China, crystal, lace, linens, tea, biscuits, gourmet, books

Best indulgence - Walking through the Food Halls in Harrods

Fly into - London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) or Stansted (STN)

Transportation - London taxicabs are excellent, as is public transport. Take the tube (Underground) and buses, and walk where you can.

San Antonio

2009-04-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

Take equal parts Amsterdam and California Mission, and you have the lovely city of San Antonio, with it's splendid Riverwalk, an enchanting jewel of Texas.

Stay at - La Mansion del Rio

Go shoping - On the Riverwalk

Eat at - Las Canarias at La Mansion del Rio
Boudro's on the Riverwalk

Take side trips to - the San Antonio Missions

Be sure to visit - the Riverwalk

Best time of year to go - April or May

Best things to buy - Mexican souvenirs on the Riverwalk

Best indulgence - Having dinner by candlelight aboard a boat on the river

Fly into - San Antonio (SAT)

Transportation - taxicabs, walking

Carmel-by-the-Sea

2009-03-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hidden jewel of the California coastline, Carmel nestles itself snugly between beach and hillside with picturesque cottages, antique shops, dog-friendly dining and magnificent night air.

Stay at - The Highlands Inn

Go shopping - Downtown Carmel

Eat at - Pacific's Edge Restaurant at The Highlands Inn

Take side trips to -Monterrey
Big Sur
San Francisco

Be sure to visit - Carmel Mission
Pebble Beach

Best time of year to go - late April or early May

Best things to buy - Antiques, collectibles, tableware, linens, gourmet, dog couture

Best indulgence - Dinner a deux at La Boheme Restaurant (which sadly, has now closed)

Fly into - San Francisco (SFO)

Transportation - Rent a car and drive down the Pacific Coast Highway through Monterrey to Carmel

Orlando

2008-08-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Home to world famous theme parks, Orlando is only an hour from both east and west coast beaches of Florida and the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, and can be a destination worth considering even if you are not enamored with cartoon mice.

Stay at - Portofino Bay Hotel

Go shopping - Mall at Milennia
numerous outlet malls in the greater Orlando area, including on International Drive
specialty shops in Downtown Disney, Universal's Citywalk and inside the theme parks

Eat at - Bice in Portofino Bay Hotel
The Brown Derby at Disney MGM Studios
Le Cellier Steakhouse and The Rose and Crown Pub at EPCOT

Take side trips to - the Space Coast
Busch Gardens in Tampa
Tampa/St. Petersburg

Be sure to visit - World Showcase at EPCOT
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Sea World

Best time of year to go - November through April
(EPCOT holds a Food and Wine Festival annually in November and a Flower and Garden Festival in April)

Best things to buy - Designer products at Millenia, theme park souvenirs, country-specific products in World Showcase in EPCOT (the Japanese pavillion particularly has an impressive array of Japanese products)

Best indulgence - Sitting outside at sunset at Portofino Bay and listening to Musica della Notte, then taking water taxis by moonlight

Fly into - Orlando (MCO)

Transportation - Rent a car or take a taxi to your hotel and use shuttles to and from the parks

Canadian Rockies

2008-06-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

Stay at - Banff Springs Hotel
Chateau Lake Louise
Jasper Park Lodge (all part of the Fairmont Hotel chain, formerly Canadian Pacific Hotels)

Go shopping - in the gift shops of the hotels and in downtown Banff

Eat at - The Waldhaus Restaurant and Pub (Banff Springs Hotel)
The Banffshire Club (Banff Springs Hotel)
Bow Valley Grill (Banff Springs Hotel)
The Fairview Dining Room (Chateau Lake Louise)
Tom Wilson Steakhouse (Chateau Lake Louise)
Walliser Stube (Chateau Lake Louise)
*Edith Cavell Dining Room (Jasper Park Lodge) (if you have only one meal, have it here, and always ask for window tables in the dining rooms that have a view, including this one)

Take side trips to - Calgary (stay at the Fairmont Palliser if you need to overnight)

Be sure to visit - Lake Louise, even if you don't stay there
go rafting on the Bow River

Best time of year to go - mid-June through early September

Best things to buy - geodes, crystals, art work, photography, clothing

Best indulgence - getting a spa treatment at the Banff Springs Hotel overlooking the Bow River

Fly into - Calgary (YYC)

Transportation - Rent a car, or take a guided tour (Maupintour is excellent, and some Canadian Rail tours and Grey Line include the Canadian Rockies)

New Orleans

2008-06-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

New Orleans is the gracious lady of the Mississippi, where Cajun, Creole and riverboats collide. With jazz in the French Quarter and stately homes in the Garden District, this is the Crescent City, the eternal home of Mardi Gras, where lassez les bon temps rouler finds poignant meaning in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. She is the ultimate survivor.

Stay at - The Windsor Court Hotel

Go shopping - In the French Quarter and on Canal Street

Eat at - Commander's Palace
The Gumbo Shop
Cafe du Monde

Take side trips to - Algiers
Biloxi

Be sure to visit - the Garden District by streetcar, Bourbon Street, the New Orleans Zoo

Best time of year to go - late April during Jazz Fest, or during Mardi Gras

Best things to buy - Antiques, furniture, beignets, pralines, gourmet

Best indulgence - any meal at Commander's Palace, breakfast at St. Ann-Marie Antoinette

Fly into - New Orleans (MSY)

Transportation - taxis, streetcar, walking

The West of Ireland

2008-06-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Stay at - Dromoland Castle, County Clare
The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
Ashford Castle, Cong

Go shopping - in any of the villages

Eat at - Dromoland Castle
Any local pub

Take side trips to - The Burren
The Cliffs of Moher
The Ring of Kerry
Adare
Galway

Be sure to visit - Knock

Best time of year to go - May through September

Best things to buy - Belleek pottery, Waterford crystal, antiques

Best indulgence - Being at a local pub until the wee hours listening to local music and drinking Guinness

Fly into - Shannon (SNN)

Transportation - Hire a car and driver for day trips into the countryside

Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida

2008-05-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Just off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida, the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands offer the most spectacular seashelling in North America, and a sanctuary to birds and wildlife.

Stay at - Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa

Go shopping - on Sanibel at Periwinkle Place, and on Captiva
Coconut Point in Estero

Eat at - La Dolce Vita on Sanibel
The Mucky Duck and The Bubble Room on Captiva
Gramma Dot's on Sanibel

Take side trips to - Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers
Naples

Be sure to visit - the Ding Darling Nature Preserve on Sanibel
Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Sanibel Lighthouse
The Edison Estate, Fort Myers

Best time of year to go - November through April (crowds are lighter in November-December, peak season in Christmas-Easter)

Best things to buy - Seashells, local arts and crafts, paintings

Best indulgence - Take the Sanibel Harbour Princess out for a sunset cruise or Sunday brunch

Fly into - Fort Myers/Regional Southwest Airport (RSW)

Transportation - Rent a car (tolls to Sanibel are $6; causeway entrance is just beyond Sanibel Harbour)

Mackinac Island

2008-05-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

Mackinac Island, set in the Straits of Mackinac off northern Michigan, is one of the few places in the United States where one can completely step back into another era, with grand sweeping hotel verandas, Carleton Varney splendor, and absolutely no motorized vehicles to break the spell.

Stay at - The Grand Hotel

Go shopping - in town on the main street near the ferry terminal, and at the hotel

Eat at - The Grand Hotel. Since the rooms are offered American Plan, breakfast and dinner are included daily. There are a number of dining options available at the hotel. There are a number of other excellent restaurants on the island (check a local dining guide for current offerings).

Take side trips to - Sault Ste. Marie
The Algoma Central Railway to Agawa Canyon

Be sure to visit - historic Fort Mackinac

Best time of year to go - in June, when for ten days the island holds its annual Lilac Festival

Best things to buy - Fudge, local souvenirs, Grand Hotel memorabilia

Best indulgence - take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the island, or a spa treatment at the hotel

Fly into - Pellston, Michigan (PLN), 12 miles south of the ferry terminal

Transportation - Take a cab to the ferry terminal, take a ferry to the island. No cars or other motorized vehicles are allowed on the island, but other forms of transportation (bicycles, horses, horse-drawn transport) are available.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

2008-05-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

For sheer opulence, intrigue and romance, there is no better way to wind one's way through the Alps between Paris and Venice than on the undisputed Queen of the Rails, the Orient-Express.

Stay - in your compartment aboard the Venice Simplon Orient-Express

Go shopping - at points on either end, and in the Boutique on board. Indulge in a new hat or accessory before boarding to make a stylish and memorable entrance.

Eat - in one of three Restaurant Cars aboard the train, and in your compartment

Take side trips to - the train runs from Paris to Venice, with optional boarding in London. Optional side trips and hotel stays can be taken on either end, either in Paris or Venice or through the Italian or French countryside.

Be sure to visit - the Bar Car

Best time of year to go - June through September

Best things to buy - Orient-Express souvenirs on board, lamps, crystal, timepieces, leather, scarves, collectibles.

Best indulgence - Watching Switzerland pass by outside the window while being catered to in comfort and luxury inside.

Fly into - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Venice (VCE); alternately, London Heathrow (LGW) or London Gatwick (LGW) for pre-boarding the train in London

Transportation - take a taxi to and from the train, and water taxis in Venice

Optional journeys can be made to Rome, Istanbul, Vienna, Prague, Budapest and Krakow. Check for current itineraries of special journeys offered. The Orient-Express makes occasional day trips between Venice and Rome.

Las Vegas

2008-05-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Stay at - The Mirage

Go shopping - Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace
The Fashion Show
Shops at Bellagio
Encore Shops at Wynn Las Vegas

Eat at - La Cirque, Bellagio
Mon Ami Gabi, Paris (great daytime peoplewatching from the sidewalk cafe outdoors)
Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris
The Buffet, Bellagio
Kokomo's and California Pizza Kitchen, The Mirage
Foundation Room, House of Blues (private club, members and guests only)

Take side trips to - Hoover Dam, Lake Mead
Grand Canyon

Be sure to visit - the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
The Bellagio Gardens and Gallery of Fine Art
Get tickets to a headliner show and/or one of the many Cirque d'Soliel shows

Best time of year to go - October-November, February-April

Best things to buy - clothing, art, jewelry, designer goods, gambling/casino souvenirs

Best indulgence - Having dinner or desert and drinks atop the Eiffel Tower late at night overlooking the Bellagio Fountains

Fly into - Las Vegas/McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Transportation - Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Don't bother renting a car unless you're planning on doing some self guided excursions out of the city. Much of the Strip is walkable.

Florence

2008-05-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

The cradle of the Renaissance nestled amid golden Tuscan countryside, Florence is an Italian city beautiful.

Stay at - Villa San Michele in Fiesole, overlooking Florence

Go shopping - Downtown Florence, and on the Ponte Vecchio

Eat at - San Michele Restaurant at Villa San Michele, and have spectacular dinners with all of Florence at your feet

Take side trips to - Rome
Venice
Pisa

Be sure to visit - Il Duomo
Michelangelo's David
Uffizi Gallery

Best time of year to go - June or September

Best things to buy - Paintings, fine leather, antiques

Best indulgence - Getting a room with a view overlooking Florence in a monastery designed by Michelangelo

Fly into - Rome (ROM/FCO)

Transportation - Hire a car and driver to take you to Florence, or take the train, then take local transportation or day cars once there

Victoria, B.C.

2008-05-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

A short distance away from either Seattle or Vancouver by flight or ferry on Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria is the most British of North American cities.

Stay at - The Empress

Go shopping - Downtown Victoria. Go by pedicab if you'd rather not walk.

Eat at - The Bengal Lounge at The Empress (have the lunch curry buffet), The Empress Room at The Empress
The Dining Room at Butchart Gardens

Take side trips to - Seattle
Vancouver
Whistler

Be sure to visit - Butchart Gardens

Best time of year to go - late August, as close to Labor Day as possible, when the weather in the Pacific Northwest is best

Best things to buy - British souvenirs, crystal, china, lace, Murchie's Tea, Rogers Chocolates

Best indulgence - Afternoon Tea at the Empress

Fly into - Vancouver (YVR) or Seattle (SEA) and take a ferry to Victoria

Transportation - Rent a car or take a Gray Line package which includes bus and ferry

Santa Fe

2008-05-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the southwestern United States, is one of the hidden jewels of the desert about an hour's drive from the main airport in Albuquerque.

Stay at - Ten Thousand Waves

Go shopping at - The Plaza

Eat at - The Shed
Santacafe
Rancho de Chimayo

Take side trips to - Taos
Chimayo

Be sure to visit - The Chapel at Loretto

Best times of year to go - May, when the lilacs are in bloom on Canyon Road
October, at the peak of fall color
December, in the days leading up to Christmas

Best things to buy - Jewelry, pottery, paintings, Christmas decorations

Best indulgence - Rent a private pool at Ten Thousand Waves, or have a spa treatment. Their Nightingale Facials are famous. Ask if they'll arrange for you to have WATSU.

Fly into - Albuquerque (ABQ)

Transportation - Rent a car