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Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Italy
Perched on the wooded promontory of Il Dosso d’Avedo, the 18th century Villa del Balbianello commands panoramic views of Lago di Como, making it one of the most exclusive estates in the Italian Lakes. A Franciscan monastery first occupied this site in the 13th century, its twin campanili remaining a part of the present-day design. In 1785, Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini purchased the property and converted the monastery building into a villa and added the loggia for optimal viewing of…
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Old City, Jerusalem, Israel
I recently returned from a two week mission adventure to Israel, and it was an experience like no other. Naturally, I’ve been asked by friends and family what I loved most, and I find it difficult to respond. Spending so much time immersed in the history and culture of the Holy Land was mind-blowing. It’s hard to choose favorites when I loved just about everything that crossed my senses. I will say, however, that the afternoon I spent exploring the…
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Getaria, Spain
This tiny coastal village on the Cantabrian Sea packs a big punch. Aside from its picturesque old town centered around the dramatic Gothic Church of San Salvador, Getaria is renowned for its grilled fish jatetxeak (restaurants) and rolling hills covered in Txakolí vineyards. Txakolí (pronounced cha-ko-LEE), a refreshingly young and fruity white wine with slight acidity and effervescence, is served throughout the Basque region. For me, it was love at first sip. The most noteworthy jatetxea in town is Elkano,…
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Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
It started off as an overcast October morning in eastern Tuscany’s Val di Chiana. Charles and I had spent the prior day, in the rain, exploring San Gimignano and Siena, both beautiful historic cities—but both overrun by tawdry tourist shops and overpriced restaurants serving mediocre food. We were seeking a more authentic Tuscan experience, and it was suggested that we visit Arezzo. A city known to art lovers, Arezzo is home to Piero della Francesca’s most celebrated fresco cycle, Legend…
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The Luberon, Provence, France
Experience the magic of Provence as I relive my driving tour of the Luberon. This fertile basin is located in central Provence, bordered to the north by the Monts de Vaucluse and to the south by the Luberon Massif. What lies in between is a land lush with lavender fields, ancient olive groves, and well-kempt vineyards. The region is also home to some of France’s most picturesque villages-perchés – Medieval towns built on rocky crags with commanding views that stretch…
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Storm King Art Center, Mountainville, New York
I’ve always wanted to visit Storm King Art Center. My boyfriend, Charles, and I pass it every weekend on the way to our country house in the Catskills. From the New York State Thruway you can catch glimpses of the grounds and several sculptures, but I’m fairly certain that traveling at 75 MPH isn’t quite how the artists intended their works to be viewed nor experienced. Luckily, Storm King is easily accessible, and we took advantage of its close proximity…
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Wynwood, Miami, Florida
It’s not my grandparents’ Florida. This was the thought that kept circling my head as I made my way down NW 2nd Avenue in the newly reclaimed arts district of Wynwood in Miami. A world away from the retirement communities in Boca Raton that I grew up associating with Florida, Wynwood looks like a scene out of downtown LA or Brooklyn. Warehouses and shuttered factories have been converted into trendy galleries, art venues, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. The Wynwood Arts…
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High Road to Taos, New Mexico
The High Road to Taos is a stunning scenic byway that connects Santa Fe with Taos. The well-signed route guides travelers through the pastures and meadows of the Pojoaque River Valley, the badlands of the high desert, the rolling foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Range, and the dense pine woodlands of Carson National Forest. Along the way are numerous Native American pueblos and Spanish villages steeped in history and tradition. In more recent times, a few of these villages…
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The Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut
Attention New Yorkers – if you haven’t been to Philip Johnson’s Glass House, you should consider planning a visit this coming spring or summer. Located in bucolic New Canaan, Connecticut, it’s only an hour away by car from the city, and roughly 90 minutes by train via Metro North from Grand Central Station. A tour of the house and property along with lunch and shopping in town make for a lovely warm-weather day trip. My partner, Charles, and I visited…
