The three hours I spent horseback on sage covered pastures are what I came for. My studded cowboy boots coated in a light layer of dust, frayed horse reins sliding through my hands as I tried to steer my new friend J.D. towards the 800-pound Corriente cows I was learning to push to the next pasture. A true cattle drive.
Read MoreThe past few years you may have seen pictures on social media of sleek black cabins in the woods, their oversized windows reflecting the nature surrounding them and interiors designed to be a hygge dream for minimalist millennials. Well, those pictures are most likely of a Getaway House cabin, which to be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to until the company opened their latest outpost this month outside Nashville…
Read MoreI had just scooted into the velvet banquette, my hand reaching for the amber glass of ice water and eyes taking a quick scan of the menu when Greg leaned over the well-dressed table and matter-of-factly whispered, "We're coming back". Before arriving I was aware of the strong possibility that a taste of Blackberry Farm may not be enough and that a return visit would be inevitable. This Relais & Chateaux property had…
Read MoreI sometimes get asked why I return to Naples over and over again when Florida offers so many great oceanside towns. The curiosity of the question stems from the fact that many travelers don't give much thought to the Sunshine State's West Coast, instead planning their vacations along the Atlantic in hot spots such as Miami or Palm Beach. To them, the Gulf Coast is the sleepy (dare I say boring) cousin to the East, but the towns lining this stretch of unspoiled coastline are not to be overlooked…
Read MoreWe all dream of the picture-perfect holiday season. A time full of family togetherness, Christmas lights, warm hot chocolate, nostalgic movies and all things merry-and-bright. But often times the reality is a month of endless to-do lists and busyness, causing us to (ironically) barely catch a glimpse of the holiday magic we're striving to create. Sometimes to fully appreciate the wonder of the season, we have to step away from the day-to-day and see it in another light. If you're looking to add some timeless tradition to your Christmas season, I have two words for you: Biltmore Estate.
Read MoreThough the calendar may say Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, we all know it actually starts the Friday before Memorial Day. With an extra vacation day and temperatures rising, Memorial Day is the perfect time for you to take that long weekend getaway you’ve desperately been wanting! Since it’s tough to pack in a full agenda and find time for much needed relaxation into just a few days, holiday weekends are great spent at resorts that…
Read MoreBack in February we took a siblings trip with Greg’s family to New Mexico. When his sister pitched the idea of taking a ski trip, our initial thought was “great!”. Then she mentioned doing it in New Mexico and we were a bit confused;. to be honest, I didn’t even know New Mexico had skiing! She and her husband are pros are finding cool, off-the-beaten-path destinations, so, knowing they…
Read MoreLast month I visited New Mexico for the first time and fell in love with the Southwestern town of Santa Fe. Between its rich history, art scene and landscape, Santa Fe has a unique fingerprint. It’s small but vast and diverse. My hope was to experience as much of it as possible during our stay, including lodging, as the area is home to some great properties. So, we split up our time at two hotels - El Rey Court our first night and Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado when we returned from Taos. These two hotels have extremely different settings and vibes, both showcasing the area in their own way, and I…
Read MoreJust south of Tampa, Sarasota is a unique town pairing world-class beaches with a thriving arts and culture scene. Here you’ll find towering palms, turquoise waters and barrier islands - Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lido Key - all waiting to be explored, while just minutes away lies downtown, the hub for museums, galleries and venues such as the Sarasota Opera, Florida Studio Theatre and the Sarasota Ballet. This town holds a very special place in my heart…
Read MoreI love being able to check new places off my bucket list and that's exactly what I did back in April when Greg and I met up with his parents to visit the oh so charming Southern city of Charleston, South Carolina. Horse-drawn carriages leisurely make their way down picture-perfect cobblestone streets, where colorful antebellum homes and Spanish moss adorned oaks are the rule rather than the exception. Though relatively small in size, Charleston offers…
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