California

Freelance Travel & Lifestyle Writer

"Brussels is as textured as the tapestries that put it on the Medieval map."

~Brussels Sprouts Anew, National Geographic Traveler

"The ancient city’s main square sits just behind the one-time convent (now a sleek, restored, boutique hotel), the silence is so ponderous one might think the entire staff and every guest has taken a vow of silence."

~Cognition and Reflection - Organic Spa Magazine

"Huts made from cow pies look like gingerbread houses—some are being repaired by women so concentrated in their tasks they resemble painters fretting over a canvas."

~India in Style Virtuoso Traveler

"Like a pointer finger, a rainbow as thick as a column, illuminates the sky above Castello di Vicarello."

~Magical Maremma, Toronto Star

"A sudden herd of reindeer crosses our path like a truck running a red light."

~ Chasing The Northern Lights in Norway, Dallas Morning News

"In bygone days hungry wolves skulked along the newly built Nevsky Prospekt like rapacious adversaries from a children's story."

~St. Petersburg: City of Dreams Mariner

"We’ve exchanged our car for a boat and we’re heading across rollicking seas to Skellig Michael—an immense rocket of stone that explodes amid water straight toward the sky. Just visible on its face are steps that we know lead to the remains of a centuries-old monastic settlement high above the ocean."

~Irish Indulgence, The Ring of Kerry -- CAA Magazine - Canadian Automobile Association

"Villages with colorfully painted houses seemed torn from the pages of a storybook. You’ll want to linger in them, as we do, for scones or a pint of beer. Even the narrow undulating roads, lined with hedgerows and flower-flecked meadows thrills."

~Irish Indulgence, The Ring of Kerry -- CAA Magazine - Canadian Automobile Association

"Being with him in the the room where he paints . . . is like being a string on Itzhak Perlman's violin or a pot in Thomas Keller's kitchen."

~Beyond The Tango, Toronto Star

About Hotel Guanahnai: “[Its} as if Paris put on flip flops, but still donned a little black dress.”

~As quoted in Cigar Aficionado

"The crowd cheers. And, a royal band emits a euphonious serenade. I dismount the immense beast by ladder, snuggle my elephant’s crusty, swishing trunk and accept a well-deserved flute of champagne from a nattily clad waiter."

~Yoga Overlooking the Taj Mahal - San Antonio Magazine

"I see an oceanscape turbulent with blues. They mottle the water like smudges, bits of sapphire, jade and rich turquoise splayed out in a frenzy of Van Gogh-like brushstrokes."

~Next Stop Paradise, Austin Monthly

"While I wait for the bartender at Dukes I ponder the big question: would I rather be Miss Moneypenny or a Bond girl? It's easy to meditate on such things at Duke's Hotel."

~Bar Bash Washington Flyer

"The city of Lucerne nestles the water--scattering around its edges and up the mountain like a slowly spreading spill."

~Swiss Treat Washington Flyer

"We follow a path abundant with draped, fading prayer flags that flap in the cool wind like colorful bird's wings. Pine trees scent the chilly air, and the faraway rhythm of rural villagers at work sounds like nature's solemn hymn."

~Taking the richer road less traveled in China Austin American Statesman

Soul of Sonoma: Sante Restaurant

July 6, 2015 by becca

Published in Destination of the World News July, 2015

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: California, dining, luxury, restaurants, review

Los Angeles, California

October 25, 2014 by becca

Stay: Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Stay: Four Seasons Westlake Village Do: Visit Philen Pharms for an Heirloom Farming Experience

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: California, food, Los Angeles, spas

A Moveable Feast: A destination Thanksgiving can still be all about the food

October 20, 2014 by becca

Published in San Antonio Magazine November, 2014

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: Austin, California, chefs, cooking, dining, food, holiday travel, italy, Luxury Travel, Maldives, Orlando, Spain, Thanksgiving

Top Places to Visit in California

September 9, 2014 by becca

Published in Bridal Magazine September, 2014

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: Beverly Hills, California, honeymoon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, weddings

San Diego, California

May 13, 2014 by becca

Stay: The Grand Del Mar Eat: Addison Eat: Amaya Drink: Poolside at The Grand Del Mar Do: Get “The Grand Masterpiece” facial at The Grand Del Mar Spa Do: Take surfing lessons at Rusty’s Surf Shop

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: beaches, California, Luxury Travel, San Diego, surfing

Urban Playgrounds: Our favorite kid-friendly cities

March 24, 2014 by becca

Published in Virtuoso Traveler April, 2014

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: Austin, California, Canada, Children, Florida, Hawaii, Honolulu, kid-friendly, New York, Ontario, Orlando, San Diego, Texas, Toronto, travel, Vancouver, Washington DC

Napa Valley, California

December 9, 2013 by becca

Stay: Silverado Resort Eat: Oxbow Public Market in Napa, a hip spot chock full of artisan-fueled cafes Eat: Thomas Keller’s French Laundry still wows this girl (in Yountville) Do: Hall St. Helena for wine tours and tasting Do: Mud Bath at Dr. Wilkerson’s Hot Springs Resort

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: California, Luxury Travel, Napa Valley, vineyards, wine, winery

Sonoma Valley, California

December 7, 2013 by becca

Stay: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa Eat: Boon Fly Cafe for Breakfast Eat: Sante at Mission Inn Drink: El Dorado Hotel and Kitchen on the Sonoma Square

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: California, Sonoma, vineyard, wine, winery

San Francisco, California

November 28, 2013 by becca

Stay: Ritz Carlton San Francisco: an urbane city hotel with timeless grace Eat: Parallel 37: farm-to-table globally inspired cuisine Eat: Bocanova (in Oakland’s Jack London Square): Relish the crab-topped deviled eggs Do: Take a dip at the Dolphin Club Stay: Kimpton Hotel Triton Eat: A16 Eat: Louie’s (for breakfast) and the […]

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: California, San Francisco

Los Angeles, California

November 24, 2013 by becca

Stay: The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Eat: Culina Restaurant Do: XOXO Spa Do: Q Salon for Hands & Feet

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: Beverly Hills, California, Los Angeles

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Soul of Sonoma: Sante Restaurant

Los Angeles, California

A Moveable Feast: A destination Thanksgiving can still be all about the food

Top Places to Visit in California

San Diego, California

Urban Playgrounds: Our favorite kid-friendly cities

Napa Valley, California

Sonoma Valley, California

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles, California

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