Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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