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A Boutique Hotel Lover’s Guide to New Orleans
A Boutique Hotel Lover’s Guide to New Orleans

I’ve been delighted by the evolution of NOLA’s boutique hotel landscape in recent years. Design-minded hoteliers and creative entrepreneurs have created dreamy hideaways in historic buildings in compelling neighborhoods beyond the French Quarter. These five boutique hotels currently top my list of where to stay and play in NOLA…

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The Buck Stops Here
The Buck Stops Here

New Cuyama is the Central Coast’s true “Wild West” in spirit. Unassumingly tucked away along Santa Barbara County’s far eastern edge, the under-the-radar, sparsely populated high desert community saddles the rugged, undiscovered borders of Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. Known as the “Hidden Valley of Enchantment,” the Cuyama Valley is ensconced by the dramatic Sierra Madre Mountains and the La Panza and Caliente Mountain Ranges. This unique crossroads and distinctive geography create a strangely unfamiliar sense of place ripe for exploration.

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A Seafood Lover’s Guide to Portland Maine
A Seafood Lover’s Guide to Portland Maine

The waters of Maine yield some of the nation’s best seafood, and the bustling maritime hub of Portland is the epicenter of the state’s culinary scene. I spent four delicious summer days eating my way through the harbor town, devouring pristine oysters, tender chunks of lobster meat, fresh seasonal crab, Maine mussels and more inspired fare. These restaurants proved that Portland is a true pescatarian paradise.

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Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma
Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma

Perched on six acres, Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant in Forestville is the perfect place to base a Sonoma County adventure. The intimate 25-room property continually ranks among the best hotels in the country thanks to its impeccable hospitality, well-appointed rooms and Michelin-starred restaurant. The central location makes it a convenient base for exploring all sides of Sonoma, while enjoying the homey feel of a countryside retreat. Owned and operated by a brother-sister duo whose family has been farming in Sonoma County for five generations, the cheerful staff make you feel like part of their extended family from check-in through check-out. 

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Charleston is for Eaters
Charleston is for Eaters

Charleston is a dream destination for recreational diners. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a concentration of truly amazing restaurants in a city of this size anywhere else in the United States. Last March, I spent four days devouring Charleston with my friend Jenny on an adult-style spring break. And let me tell you, adulting in Charleston is incredibly delicious. I can’t wait to do it again.

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Argentina in Three Regions
Argentina in Three Regions

Argentina presents a compelling blend of cosmopolitan cities, natural wonderlands and delicious wine country. It’s a vast, diverse country known for gauchos, tango and Malbec. It’s 100% Latin American in spirit, yet some of the architecture and cuisine reflects a strong European influence.

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Sweet on Savannah
Sweet on Savannah

Savannah, Georgia is a true Southern charmer. My delightful three-night stay entailed seriously good eats, historic walkabouts, a bit of shopping and even some ghost hunting.

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Down East on the Coast of Maine
Down East on the Coast of Maine

Given Maine’s coastline is technically larger than that of California’s, four nights and five days road tripping down east barely allows you to scratch the surface—as I discovered on a recent visit. Vacationland’s craggy shoreline is made up of beaches, bays, peninsulas and inlets and a network of more than 4,600 islands, so the opportunities to be on the water are indeed endless. The landscape of forests and farmlands is lush and green. The charming and hospitable small towns exude that classic New England vibe and serve up fresh-as-it-gets seafood. Hello, lobster rolls and oysters!

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Discovering Tasmania
Discovering Tasmania

Tasmania is remote and wild in the most delicious ways. The small island state off the south coast of mainland Australia faces Antarctica to its south and is home to vast areas of undeveloped lands protected as nature preserves. A big part of its beauty is it’s not on everyone’s radar—yet. Buzz about “Tassie” has been building since the opening of the outrageously daring MONA museum courtesy of an eccentric Tasmanian billionaire. The thriving culinary scene entices food and wine lovers and the great outdoors beckon hikers and campers. While it does get its fair share of visitors these days, Tasmania’s hidden gem quality remains 100% intact. Between the wildness and its smaller population size (just over half a million), Tasmania feels like its own little country or planet. There’s zero sense of hustle and bustle; even the biggest cities of Hobart and Launceston with the largest population concentrations feel quite chilled out. My six-day introduction to Tasmania included four nights on the rural east coast and two nights in Hobart.  

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A Week in Venice
A Week in Venice

Venice had long been on my mom’s travel bucket list, so in honor of her 70th birthday the two of us embarked upon a mother-daughter trip to celebrate the milestone properly—with an adventure that was all about living the good life, Venetian style.

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