What Makes a Trip Feel Special
It's rarely what you planned—and almost never what you paid for. I don't travel the way I used to. There was a time when I approached every trip with an itinerary in one hand and a list of "must-sees" in the other.
The Genevieve
When people think of California wine country, they usually picture Napa. If they're visiting the Central Coast, they often stop in Santa Barbara or spend an afternoon wandering the Danish streets of Solvang. Fewer discover the Santa Ynez Valley.
Camp Lucy
Sometimes you're not looking for a destination. You're simply looking for somewhere that feels a little farther away than it actually is. That's how I found Camp Lucy. I wanted to escape the energy of Austin for a few days, and what I discovered instead was an entirely different landscape. Rolling hills, ancient oak trees, and quiet country roads replaced the city's constant movement.
Sitka Lighthouse
There are very few places that make you feel as though you've stepped completely outside the world. The Sitka Lighthouse is one of them. The experience begins with a short boat ride across the water to your own private island.
The Stephanie Inn
There are few things more comforting than watching the Pacific Ocean from the warmth of a crackling fire. At The Stephanie Inn, that simple pleasure becomes reason enough to visit.
Set along the quieter southern end of Cannon Beach, the inn enjoys one of the area's most beautiful views, with Haystack Rock rising from the shoreline just beyond your window.
Dromoland Castle
Some historic hotels preserve the past. Dromoland Castle allows you to step inside it. From the moment I arrived, I couldn't shake the feeling that this place had been quietly collecting stories for centuries.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Some hotels are a place to sleep after a day of sightseeing. Grand Hotel Tremezzo is the destination itself. Perched along one of the most coveted stretches of Lake Como, the hotel feels almost suspended between the mountains and the water.
San Ysidro Ranch
Some places are beautiful. Others feel as though they were created for romance. San Ysidro Ranch has quietly welcomed some of history's most notable guests—from Winston Churchill, who spent time writing there, to John and Jacqueline Kennedy, who chose it for their honeymoon.
Red Fox Inn and Tavern
When people think of luxury in Virginia’s Hunt Country, they often think first of Salamander Middleburg — and for good reason. It is polished, expansive, and undeniably beautiful.
Post Hotel
What makes the Post Hotel quietly exceptional is that you do not expect it to be.
White Birch Inn
The White Birch Inn is proof that sometimes the most memorable stay is the one you never planned on finding.
Hotel Iroquois
The Hotel Iroquois was a complete surprise to me — largely because it was never the hotel I originally intended to book.
Concord’s Colonial Inn
The Concord’s Colonial Inn is one of my favorite places to stay — and not because it is luxurious in the traditional sense.
Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa
One of the challenges I’ve found in Jackson is that price does not always align with experience. Some properties are exceptionally expensive, yet still fail to create the atmosphere or emotional warmth I’m looking for.
Zion Mountain Ranch
At Zion Mountain Ranch, distractions fade quickly, replaced by open skies, quiet porches, and the slow rhythm of the American West.
WellSpring Spa and Woodland Retreat
I first discovered Wellspring simply because it was one of the only places left to stay near Mount Rainier after a last-minute booking. The only remaining option was a tent cabin tucked into the thick woods.
The Yachtsman Hotel & Marina Club
At first glance, the property appears almost deceptively simple — reminiscent of a throwback roadside motel from another era. But the experience changes the moment the door opens.
Rockwater Secret Cove Resort
These tent accommodations create a rare combination of immersion in nature and genuine comfort.
Cuthbert House
The Cuthbert House in Beaufort, South Carolina, is a place where history and comfort intertwine. Built in 1790, this grand home has recently undergone a meticulous renovation.
Under Canvas Mt Rushmore
I’ll admit, South Dakota and Mount Rushmore weren’t initially high on my list, but these tent cabins became the perfect surprise.