There is much to be said about a boutique hotel, where the accommodations do not exceed a dozen or so rooms, the location tucked away somewhere serene, the grounds heavenly, and the amenities meticulously considered. This sort of recluse I crave all the time.
As I stated earlier this week, we are coming to the best travel months of any year – you know, past the summer rush with college students and lots of families and group travelers crowding every city or town, most anywhere in the world. Driving the prices for accommodations to high season rates, and the locals to grow inpatient with all the chaos. I do my best to stay away the summer months and plan my trips in early Spring or Fall. For this very reason – I have decided to share some interesting suggestions for those of you planning to vacation like me – semi-off-season, or what I like to call ‘adult vacationing’
A decade ago, I was in Hawaii staying at the Sheraton Waikiki Honolulu, where there were statues and images of fully grown sea turtles all throughout the decor in the lobby, and I didn’t understand as to why. Then one day, while napping at poolside, I heard the faint sounds of excited reactions to something. I opened my eyes to a group of hotel guests and passersby along the man-made walkway, watching something in the water. Naturally I had to see also what all the fuss was about. So I walked over to the railing and looked down to see someone messing with a sea turtle, poking at him with a stick just so he could snap a photograph. Smacking the poor thing and taunting it, while spectators demanded that he stop the stupidity. I was heart-broken to say the least and wished I could go down to the water and offer up my opinion to the human, mishandling the beautiful creature. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by sea turtles and hope to someday be …
Here’s an interesting concept for those who would rather do something extraordinary during a layover – than just sit or pace the boarding area of a crowded airport – take advantage of a mini tour offered by these flight connecting destinations: Here’s something you might enjoy – Michigan’s Lavender Labyrinth
As Airbnb stay become more popular, I realized this list of beautiful homes is in line with the theme here and worth a mention: Here are some of my favorites from this list of many:
I haven’t yet adventured to go on an actual road trip through Europe. I always feel train travel is sufficient in getting me to where I needed to go without the stress of driving while on vacation in a foreign country. Although, a friend of mine who lives in England took me on weekend road trips throughout the country last March and this past May and since then I’ve been thinking – is it something to experience at least once, with a loved one or even a friend to explore outside my comfort zone-driving on foreign soil. And just as I’ve been contemplating, this bit of article popped up on my screen. A road trip from Rome to Paris Now, I have been to all of these destinations, except Reims and Stresa and perhaps I can chart my own romantic or otherwise road trip to see destinations unreachable by RailEurope. But I will say, if you haven’t been to these amazing and beautiful places, and want a fairly simple and planned road trip, then reach …
I’ve traveled enough to learn that the best season for those folks without children in school or otherwise retired, is the moths of September and October. Although, the secret is out and those with new born babies or pre-schoolers have also realized the fact, the least crowded time to travel and the best of weather is early Fall as well. So the concept has taken a new hype. So, if you are planning a trip right about now for departure sometime in September or October, here are some helpful suggestions:
Never would I have imagined the truly beautiful towns across America that made it on this list, until I had the chance to travel throughout coastal England and get a glimpse of why it is that some of these very towns in the U.S. were named after those in England. ]
As I have said before – here’s to a slow start to a Sunday morning and a few travel reads from yours truly to keep you entertained –
The very private Mustique Island, streamed across my screen the other day, while searching for a secluded island getaway I’ve been considering for a week long hideaway early summer in 2019. Just a hundred miles west of Barbados, just in case you are wondering, this island provides with me just the right amount of privacy, and the simplest pleasures to help you disconnect from the brutal realities of every day life. With a dozen or so villas to choose from to rent, and invite a close nit of family or friends to share in the experience. Although it was difficult to choose my favorite property, I have to say Villa Tortuga stuck with me and so the planning begins now with an email-invite to a handful of family members proposing for a trip in June 2019. Here’s to crossing my fingers we can make it happen. {featured image source}
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