Costa Rica

Freelance Travel & Lifestyle Writer

"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

"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

"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

"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

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

~Magical Maremma, Toronto Star

"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

"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

"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

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

~Brussels Sprouts Anew, National Geographic Traveler

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

~As quoted in Cigar Aficionado

"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

"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

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

~ Chasing The Northern Lights in Norway, Dallas Morning News

Give and Take in Costa Rica

February 15, 2014 by becca

Published in San Antonio Magazine March, 2014

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: caribbean, Costa Rica, ecotourism, volunteerism

Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

November 11, 2013 by becca

Stay: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo Eat: Papagayo Eat: Di Mare Drink: Tico’s Do: Make chocolate from the raw cacao seed at The Beach Chocolate Factory Do: Have a Rainforest Aromatherapy Massage

Filed Under: Track Me Tagged With: beach, Costa Rica, Luxury Travel

Storytellers Wanted: Immersion Travel Writing Retreat at Four Seasons Costa Rica

August 7, 2013 by becca

Like a fine bottle of wine, writing is meant to be shared — especially when the subject is an awe-inspiring or life-changing trip. WHAT: Writing workshop for aspiring travel writers WHERE: Four Seasons Resort – Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo WHEN: Thursday, November 7 – Sunday, November 10, 2013 HOW: Call (506) 2696-0198 for room […]

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: Costa Rica, Luxury Travel, workshop, writing

Write Your Own Ticket: Travel Writing Workshop In Costa Rica

July 5, 2013 by becca

Like a fine bottle of wine, writing is meant to be shared — especially when the subject is an awe-inspiring or life-changing trip. WHERE: Four Seasons Resort – Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo WHEN: Thursday, November 7 – Sunday, November 10, 2013 HOW: Call (506) 2696-0198 for room reservations and workshop registration. Whether you’re hoping […]

Filed Under: Featured Articles Tagged With: Costa Rica, workshop, writing