Tour Okavango on a mokoro, the dugout canoes of the Bayei people, traditionally carved from jackalberry and sausage trees but now often made from fiberglass. Lodge guides paddle the boats (or pole them like Venetian gondoliers) past lechwe antelope, painted reed frogs, and flocks of purple herons. Most lodges offer mokoro trips between June and October. Photo by Athena Lao/Flickr.
Tucked away in the hills South of San Francisco you'll find Filoli—16 acres of English Renaissance gardens, nature preserves and a fabulous mansion—a true hidden gem. The hundred-year-old property takes on new life with each season and a stroll through their country estate or meticulously kept grounds will literally make you stop and smell the roses. As a kid I remember thinking I had been transported into Alice in Wonderland, but no, I was not allowed to paint the roses red. Now I take comfort in the relaxing atmosphere, pick up some tips for my own garden and treat myself to their English tea service! Free tours of both the grounds and home make it worth the trip anytime of year. I recently learned that Filoli is a lovely acronym from the estates founder, William Bourn's, credo: "Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life." Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Included in your admission ticket to the fabulous De Young Museum, is access to the observatory tower. The views of Golden Gate Park, the Pacific and the city around you are more than special (and worth the ticket price). Keep in mind the fact that they close the tower at 4:30 PM, so be sure to plan your visit within the museum around the chance to get up top and back down. A special museum experience made even more spectacular with this view. Soak it up.
Be sure to check out their website for the lovely story as to how the original Farley's location began. Know that this is the perfect place in Potrero Hill for coffee, tea, community and most definitely, your favorite magazines. If you're waiting on a table at Plow or looking for a great spot in the sun at the new parklet, Farley's is your place.
The historic and modern center of the city, the Piazza del Duomo (the square surrounding the cathedral's base) remains a popular meeting place, hangout and hub of Milanese life. Local vendors setup shop (selling fresh coconut in the summer, toys and tourist wares), kids run and play (free from traffic) and shoppers trickle in from the walking street surrounding the huge plaza. The statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy, is the best place to meet, sit, recharge and watch the city go by. Image courtesy of Ronnie Pander, wikicommons
If you want to get away from the crowds in Santorini, try Megalochori - one of the prettiest, quietest little villages on the island. The town's location further inland, away from the caldera cliffs, removes it from the typical tourist itinerary. A beautiful bell-tower archway frames the entrance as you drive into town, which is easily accessible by a short car, taxi or bus ride from any part of Santorini. Megalochori features a maze of extremely narrow cobblestone streets passing by hundreds of traditional white-washed houses and churches with accents of bright blue. Let yourself get lost. At the the center of Megalochori is a sleepy town square, with two tavernas and bougainvillea-covered patios. Sit in the welcome shade and order a vibrantly-hued Santorini tomato salad, grilled souvlaki and sesame & honey-coated feta. Try Restaurant Raki (above) in the town square, where the locals go. (Live Greek music at night.) And since Megalochori is the heart of Santorini's wine industry, be sure to visit a winery, where you can meet the local vintners and sample their goods. If you are looking for a very quiet village and a low-key, relaxing day, this is a wonderful place to visit. Sometimes a really lazy day is just what the doctor ordered. www.santorini.com/villages/megalochorivillage.htm
The small town of El Chaltén in southern Patagonia has been called the trekking capital of the world due to its proximity to Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two of South America’s most rugged peaks. It’s also the jumping-off point to reach Aguas Arriba Lodge, a new six-room mountain cabin in a nature reserve next to Glaciers National Park. From El Chaltén, you follow a gravel road along Las Vueltas river to the emerald green Lago del Desierto, then take a short boat ride across the lake. If you’re more hard-core, put your luggage on the boat and hike three hours through the forest to reach the lodge. Photo courtesy of Pablo Castagnola/Anzenberger/Redux. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
Marrakech as one of the most popular Morocco travel destinations, offers for travelers the possibility to be the perfect start city for a private luxury desert tour to spend a night or more in a luxury desert camp / bivouac in Erg Chegaga / Chigaga dunes. As every private tour present in Top Desert private tours directory, the 3 days luxury desert tour from Marrakech to Erg Chegaga dunes is just an example of private tour package. Top Desert offers you the possibility to customize every single minute, add any available activity and extend the duration of your private luxury desert tour. This private luxury desert tour can be taken with a luxury desert camp / luxury bivouac or a private luxury desert camp / private luxury bivouac. The difference is in a luxury desert camp, you can meet other travelers spending the night there also. In the private luxury desert camp, there will be just people you love and you. You will have your own Berber team serving you. The luxury desert tour from Marrakech is perfect for you if you are looking for a luxury stay in the desert to enjoy its tranquility and to purify your spirit before coming back to modern life and its stress.
Wander around the outdoor Viktualienmarkt in Munich and you become overwhelmed by the sights and the smells of the open air market. It is hard for us to understand that this is how the locals do their day to day shopping. The smells draw you in for a taste and before you know it your hooked and buying. If you are a cheese lover this is the place for you, they are always more than happy to show off their goods.
Dominican friars mixed medicines at the original workshop in Florence starting in 1612. The Venice branch is also a traditional apothecary, selling herbal elixirs. Most shoppers, however, come here to buy modern perfumes and gaze at the antique interior. Salizada S. Samuele, San Marco 3149, 39/041-522-0814. Photo courtesy of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.
There is nothing like serendipity. It is particularly easy to appreciate in the vast, untouched beauty that is Slovenia. Come for the hiking, skiing, river running, spelunking, biking and stay for the food. And wine, and beer for that matter. We spent the morning hiking around Lake Bohinj on the well-maintained trail in gorgeous May weather. Located in the Bohinj Valley of the Julian Alps, it's part of Triglav National Park and the largest lake in Solvenia. The hiking is easy and the views of the lake and snow-capped peaks are magical. We were stunned when we walked out of the wilderness to find the rustic and charming Pizzeria and Spaghetti House Don Andro just opening for lunch. Our group sat on the patio and started ordering a variety of menu items including salads, pastas and pizza. The food began coming out of the kitchen and it looked incredible. First bites and everyone at the table started looking at each other in disbelief; this might be the best pizza ever! In the middle of nowhere. Now, being famished from the 12KM hike around the lake might have had something to do with it, along with the beers we used to help us rehydrate, but it was delicious pizza. In fact, everything we ordered was fresh and tasty, all miles from civilization. If you are visiting Lake Bohinj, you need to find Don Andro. The setting is spectacular, staff are friendly and make great recommendations and you won't find a better place to eat within 100KM. It could be the best pizza anywhere...
One of my favorite campgrounds in Big Sur is the big open meadow at Andrew Molera State Park. It's great for large groups and it's one of the best bases for hiking and surfing in the area. More than 20 miles of trails run throughout the park's bluffs and headlands; two of which cross a stream and finish at a sandy cove. The beach has a point break that's popular among local surfers (read: nonlocal surfers are expected to be respectful and follow the rules of the waves.) There's also an outfitter headquartered inside the park that leads horseback rides along the shore. Andrew Molera State Park is located 20 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. (831) 667-2315
On Lummi Island, about two hours from Seattle, you can bike miles of farm roads, hike to the summit of Baker Mountain, and take a “wild foraging-and-feasting” sea kayaking trip with Elakah Expeditions to prowl the coast for nori, sea lettuce, and bull kelp. Photo by Evil Erin on Flickr.com. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.
There is nothing like the power of water. What it's done along the one mile trail through the Radovna River gorge is an engineering masterpiece. Built on wood scaffolding, the trail winds its way down river, crisscrossing the current in the decent. The canyon walls stretch 300 feet skyward in some spots, enhancing the remoteness of the experience. The trail only drops about 1000 feet in the mile walk, making it easy for most hikers. The railings and decking are all impeccably maintained and blend beautifully into the geologic landscape. The trail ends at incredible cascade called Sum Falls, where the river bottom drops out leaving a 50 foot water feature that is truly the cherry on top of the cake. The Vintgar Gorge trail is also easy to get to if you're staying in Bled. Only a few miles from town near the hamlet of Zgornje Gorje, you could spend the day walking the 8 mile roundtrip if so inclined. Or, rent a bike in Bled and ride out to the trail. We hiked in May and did not see another soul on the trail. The tranquility was deafening; the water, a pulsing liquid crystal. Slovenia is one of the more pristine place on the planet and the Vintgar Gorge punctuates the beauty. Don't just stand there, get out for a walk...
If you're looking for the best way to experience the largest urban park in the United States; lace up those shoes and head out for a long walk or jog through the magical Golden Gate Park of San Francisco. There are so many trails to choose from that there isn't enough room to explain. Just know that you have endless ways to soak up this majestic park by foot. My favorite route includes hitting the path from the Nopa area (the Northern Panhandle) and following the dirt jogging path along John F. Kennedy drive past the Conservatory of Flowers, De Young Museum, frisbee golf course and finishing up near Spreckels Lake (just before the buffaloes). See SF at her best on the trails of Golden Gate Park.
It's 4am when I am brusquely awakened by the vigorous shaking of my tent. Time to get up for our hike up Sossusvlei, the lofty red sand dunes in the southern part of the Namib desert. I am not an earlier riser by habit and very rarely wake up naturally to see the sun creep into the morning sky. So, reluctantly and still half asleep, I slap on some clothes and brush my teeth. After a short drive in the pitch black, we begin our ascent, slogging through sand to the top, still not fully awake. Then we wait. Soon the sky starts to stir. Yellow and red flickers emerge on the horizon, quickly and completely turning our sandy surroundings into a deep crimson red. Spectacular! I'm always a bit skeptical of these early morning touristic awakenings, but this was most definitely a sunrise to remember.
This 21-island archipelago off the northeast coast of Brazil is a dream destination for Brazilians and international visitors alike—especially surfers, who find reef and point breaks as well as hard-hitting beach breaks. From December to March, the wind blows every day, ensuring constant waves that come in bigger than just about anywhere else in the country. To book a trip, contact Lauren Maggard of Jet Set World Travel, (312) 574-1186. Photo courtesy of Crystian Cruz/Flickr. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
It has been a decade since the major museums on the Museumplein—a grassy square connecting Amsterdam’s main art centers—have all been open at the same time. Here’s what to check out at the Van Gogh Museum. Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and The Potato Eaters are just a few of the masterpieces on display as part of the “Van Gogh at Work” exhibit. Paulus Potterstraat 7, 31/(0) 20-570-5200. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
On the last Sunday in May, Friuli wineries participate in the Cantine Aperte winetasting festival. Jermann (reservations required) pours floral blends known as super whites. At Pighin (shown), visitors can sample Friuli’s delicate pinot grigio and tour a historic stone cellar. Cantine Aperte is May 26. This appeared in the May 2013 issue.
A day trip to historical Oxford is a perfect break from the bustle of London. Work up an appetite exploring the many colleges, hidden meadows, and meandering canals. For lunch there's always the covered market, but my pick is a hearty plate of bangers and mash from The Big Bang. Mix and match your sausages, gravy, and mash from the extensive menu of artisanal selections. My pick was the Oxford links (when in Oxford...) and the whole grain mustard mashed potatoes. Both were excellent and perfectly complimented by sides of tangy, crunchy cabbage and a pile of sweet peas. Oh and don't order until you check out the secret menu, hidden under your chair! We had quite the time finding the restaurant. Google maps led us astray, as the restaurant had recently moved. I've mapped the location to Oxford Castle, but really the restaurant is in a little shopping courtyard nearby. It's worth the effort to track it down! http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2013/04/oxford-england-bigbang-daytrip-christchurch.html
The rolling hills of Napa Valley make for great hiking--they're not too tall, so it's not too strenuous, but the views of the vineyards and surrounding nature are priceless. If you have the good fortune to visit more than once, in different seasons, you can appreciate how the hills change from deep green in the late winter and spring to tan in the dry summer and fall months. The same holds true for the grape vines--the vines bud in the spring, giving way to full green leaves in the summer and vibrant shades of red and orange in the fall, and then the leaves fall off in the winter, revealing the twisting shapes of the vines and the yellow mustard that grows in the vineyards. Some of the Napa Valley's best hiking is in the northern part of the valley, near Calistoga, but check the website below for more suggestions. This photo was taken in the hills behind the Meritage Resort and Spa, just outside Downtown Napa.
The ecotourism company Wilderness Safaris has been operating mobile camps in Botswana for 30 years. Today it runs 16 lodges in the Okavango Delta. Three private, parquet-floored tents at Little Mombo Camp feature outdoor showers and private decks that overlook the floodplains of the vast Moremi Game Reserve. You’ll see elephants—Botswana has more than any other country—as well as lions, leopards, and hyenas. Accommodations must be booked through a tour outfitter such as Travel Beyond. From $2,431. (800) 876-3131. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
A walk around the town of St Ives is a delight and something I have enjoyed doing for years. The sea has so many different colours- azure blue, turquoise, white- and on a stormy day there is grey. The sand glistens in the morning sun here and there are beautiful gardens resplendent with sub tropical plants. There are narrow alleys and artists at work, inspired by the light. Visiting the many galleries is a pleasure, as is discovering a small garden or a seat beside the sea front. There are several beaches here, from Porthminster which is perfect for families to Polmeor that attracts surfers. I recommend a walk along the seafront and a wander up the backstreets to see the small gardens and artists studios. There are some great places to eat- you can't beat the local seafood. One last word on eating in the street or on the beach- watch out for the seagulls as they will grab a sandwich out of your hand !
Headquartered about an hour north of the city, Royal Tichelaar Makkum has been making traditional Dutch pottery and tiles for more than four centuries. In Amsterdam proper, the design store Frozen Fountain sells modern Makkum pieces, including handpainted earthenware bowls crafted by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius. Prinsengracht 645, 31/(0) 20-622-9375. Photo courtesy of thomasseyck.com. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
Neelkanth, meaning the blue-throated reincarnation of Lord Shiva, is located inside Sariska National Park, about 45 mins from Amanbagh (http://www.amanresorts.com/amanbagh/home.aspx). It situated on a plateau high in the hills and the drive up there is simply spectacular. Surrounded by mountains, this ancient temple town is home to the ruins of more than eighty temples dating back to the 6th century. Neelkanthteshwar, the most famous temple, is even older. Make sure you take enough time to explore your surroundings here. I suggest early mornings or late afternoons–as the light will be at its best. Just like Bhangarh (http://www.afar.com/highlights/bhangarh-city-of-ghosts) – this is an enchanted place with much to give if you're open to it.
These days, any spa worth its sea salt offers Lomi Lomi massage, but knowledge of the technique was once restricted to five Hawaiian lineages. Westin Moana Surfrider therapists train with these families, keeping the tradition strong. 2365 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii, (808) 922-3111. Photo courtesy of the Westin Moana Surfrider. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.
After braving the Blue Lagoon and Azure Window crowds, Ghar Lapsi is the ideal spot for swimming in Malta's pristine waters. A tiny inlet and small fishing village, this is the place to experience Maltese summer like a local. The calm waters and rocky shore are a safe haven for fish, making this a fantastic spot for snorkeling and diving. A small cafe provides simple dishes and the perfect perch for relaxing the afternoon away. Buses infrequently visit the hamlet, so if you're adventurous, hitch a ride with a friendly local driver after you've explored the nearby Mnajdra temples. Just don't forget your bathing suit, although that didn't stop us from jumping straight in!
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