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San Francisco, California
Charles and I just spent a few days in San Francisco at the end of January. It is my favorite U.S. city – always has, always will be (sorry, New York). Whenever I touch down at SFO, I always feel a sense of returning home, even though I have never lived there. Contrary to the headlines that portray San Francisco as a dangerous wasteland of homelessness, I experienced a city alive with culture, food, and natural beauty – reaffirming the…
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Paris, France
Last January, Charles and I went on an art jaunt to Paris over a long weekend. We flew out on a Wednesday red-eye and returned the following Monday. During those 96 hours, we went to three museums, visited with friends and long-lost relatives, ate extremely well, shopped and strolled in numerous neighborhoods, and in general, had a magical and memorable time in the City of Light. Here is an overview of our itinerary: Day 1: Thursday I scored a great…
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The Alentejo, Portugal
Following Lisbon and our day trip to the Setúbal Peninsula, Charles and I headed east to the Alentejo, an untouched, picturesque region dominated by vast plains, rolling hills, cork oak forests, and olive groves. It’s a land of wide-open spaces with a slower way of life – and very few cars on the road. It was the ideal change of pace from the hustle and bustle of lively Lisbon. The Alentejo boasts a rich history dating back to prehistoric times,…
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Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal
After Lisbon, Charles and I rented a car and headed east to the Alentejo countryside for three nights. On the way, we spent the afternoon exploring the Setúbal Peninsula. This gorgeous region, just a short drive from the city across the Tagus River, features an array of diverse landscapes, with beautiful Atlantic beaches to the west, dramatic cliffs hovering above a turquoise coastline to the south, and a fertile interior of vineyards, farmland, and open pastures. It is hard to…
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Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is an enchanting town and region located just outside of Lisbon. It’s known for its stunning palaces, castles, and rich, green landscape – all of which make for a perfect day trip from the city. The concierge at the Palacio Ludovice arranged a full day tour for Charles and me through the tour operator, I Go Portugal. We were picked up at the hotel by our charming and quirky guide, Sonia, who packed us into her Audi and maneuvered…
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London, England
Charles and I just returned from a quick jaunt to London. Oh, how I love that city, and for so many reasons. It’s urban, yet genteel. The streets are clean and the buildings are mostly low-rise, which provides a democratization of sky – whether blue or gray – for all to see and experience throughout the day. London is a true city, so there exists a hustle-and-bustle energy, but it’s a calmer, more courteous flurry, made even more civilized by…
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Lisbon, Portugal
Even before arriving, I knew I would love Lisbon. From what I’d read and the pictures I’d seen, it seemed like such a colorful and vibrant place. Plus, there have been many parallels drawn between Lisbon and San Francisco – my favorite U.S. city – like the undulating hills with beautiful views, the distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own unique character, and, of course, the big red suspension bridge crossing the bay (or the river, in Lisbon). So, after spending…
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Turin & the Langhe, Italy
On your first visit to Italy, it’s customary to start off with the “Grand Tour” – Venice, Florence, and Rome. For return visitors, you may want to see Milan and the lakes or Naples and Amalfi. If you should find yourself back in Italy for a third or fourth time, I highly recommend Turin, or Torino. I visited this vibrant city and the neighboring Langhe region in the fall of 2023 and was blown away by their beauty and authenticity…
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam had been on my travel shortlist for quite some time. In October of 2022, Charles and I were in London and tagged on a long weekend to visit the “Venice of the North,” as Amserdam is affectionately called due to its numerous scenic canals. I was hoping for a love affair, but the charm and allure receded after the first day – due in part to ADE, an annual electronic music festival that commandeered the city and had the…
