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An unexpected treat in Lisbon! When looking for a centrally-located hotel in beautiful Lisbon, Portugal, I happened upon a Virtuoso Member property called the Valverde Hotel. A former home, this cozy townhouse-style hotel opened in 2014 and is a luxury boutique property with personal service, charm and elegance. It is …

Our black lab, Jessie, enjoyed a “dogcation” recently at the luxurious Belmond El Encanto with 92 suites and bungalows in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara. Though I’m sure she would have been just as happy to stay at a B&B, we wanted her to enjoy the panoramic view of the …

Our multi-generational family went to The Resort at Paws Up to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday. It was a lifelong dream to experience Paws Up glamping, and was a spectacular setting for a multi-generational getaway. We flew into Missoula, Montana and were met by a resort shuttle that took us …

The day began in the dark, bumping over the rough roads of the Serengeti. Our destination was a large, colorful hot air balloon which we found laying on its side. As hot air was pumped into the balloon, it began to take shape. As the balloon grew, the sun began …

Last month I had the privilege of traveling to Tanzania with three friends. Upon returning from a trip, I like to ask the question, “What was my favorite part? Here is my answer:  the crossing of the wildebeest on the Mara River. Our day began with us quietly waiting in …

I just returned from the most amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience in Uganda, where I was able to go on gorilla trek.  Did you know there are less than 900 mountain gorillas in the wild? My group of travel companions and I were able to meet a family of them face-to-face in …

The first thing that may come to mind when you think of Cambodia is most likely Angkor Wat. It is, after all, best known for this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest religious monument in the world. For amateur archaeologists, photographers, and adventurers, the site of this former ancient kingdom …

My July travels took me to beautiful Turks and Caicos. We spent the first two nights at Grace Bay Club and the remaining three at Como Parrot Cay. Talk about jaw-dropping water! It’s like stepping into a swimming pool – calm, crystal blue water on Grace Bay. And even better …

On our last trip to D.C., we had walked past the Old Post Office Building on Pennsylvania Ave. – a grand structure with a clock tower making it the third tallest building in the city. It was under redevelopment to be transformed into the luxurious 260-room Trump International Hotel. Opened …

“Nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished.” This saying really resonated with me. As a travel advisor, I consistently hear people say they are too busy to take a vacation and too busy to take time to care for themselves. The irony in this is that if you are not …