“Water, water, water….There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount..” -Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire The perfect transition from one surreal city to another ~ a vast desert full of mysteries. When heading back to Los Angeles from a tradeshow in Las Vegas we took the long way around through breathtaking Death Valley. From classic hotels to otherworldly hikes, there is so much to experience in this iconic area. We went off the beaten track on this trip, and sure were glad we did. Here are the most unique things we found to do in Death Valley ..read more

門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む。 An apprentice near a temple will recite the scriptures untaught For a spiritual reset after the commotion of Tokyo, and a fascinating glimpse into the ancient culture of Japan, I went on an excursion for two nights to the 1200-year-old idyllic Japanese mountain town of Nikko. Nikko is the perfect day or overnight trip from Tokyo, just about a two-hour train ride out of the city. I stayed in a traditional Ryokan hot springs hotel and enjoyed wandering the streets shopping for handcrafted treasures. I stopped in for delicious hot ramen and sake on my way to Shinkyo Bridge ..read more

Just say the words and we’ll beat the birds Down to Acapulco Bay With its stunning bay views, perfect beaches, and endless outdoor activities to choose from, Acapulco has long been a popular travel destination in Mexico. Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra used to frequent the resort town. The Princess Mundo Imperial Resort is a classic 1970s hotel designed to look like an Aztec Pyramid, and located on a quieter beach than the main tourist area of Acapulco Bay. Once you step foot in the Aztec oasis you may never want to leave. I stayed at the Princess duri ..read more

European charm, Pacific Northwestern natural beauty, maple syrup. Who could ask for more? I spent 3 days in Victoria on my way up to Alaska and absolutely fell in love with the city! It’s so lovely to walk around the romantic downtown, enjoy the views of the harbor, and enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking and whale watching. All the flowers were in bloom, and the weather was glorious. I’ll definitely be going back, as I want to make a road trip around Vancouver Island. For now, these were my favorite finds and what I would recommend doing if you visit Victoria for a long weekend ..read more

I can’t believe it’s already May! My mom always says she only wants to spend time with me for Mother’s Day, but I always get her a little something anyway. Holidays are notorious for creating waste, with most households generating 25% more trash compared to an average day. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to go green and still celebrate. Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I’ve got you covered with my favorite eco-friendly mother’s day gifts. Since Father’s Day is also coming up soon, I’ve put together a gift guide for dads as well. xx L Here is my guide to eco-fr ..read more

A peaceful breeze, beneath infinite stars a fire crackles. Far from the lights of the city, time loses its grasp on your consciousness. Yesterday’s worries dwindle, all you need is the river and the sky. An incredible way to experience the wonders of the Grand Canyon is to venture along the inside on foot or on water. If you’re looking to plan your next family summer vacation or are in need of a digital detox, consider a rafting trip with Western River Expeditions. From the breathtaking helicopter ride down into the canyon, to the thrill of the rapids and a refreshing swim during the hot day ..read more

South African wine – specifically Stellenbosch wine – is some of the best in the world. If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town and you like wine, you’ll definitely want to spend a day wine tasting around the region of Stellenbosch. We loved the town so much that we actually wished we had booked a night or two there to see more of it. Next time! Stellenbosch is a gorgeous little town just 50 km east of Cape Town. The University of Stellenbosch is a prominent fixture, with a whopping 30,000 students taking classes there. As a result, the town has a young-hearted, friendly and easygoing ..read more

“Visit Cape Town and history is never far from your grasp. It lingers in the air, a scent on the breezy, an explanation of circumstance.. ” –Tahir Shah, Travels With Myself Cape Town is a city so uniquely stunning it’s difficult to put into words. I look forward to going back and spending more than a few days. The beaches, the views, the food, are all incomparable. The feeling of setting foot in Africa for the first time overwhelmed me, as did knowing I was about to venture out on my first safari. Staying at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel was the perfect way to begin the journey ..read more

“Africa – You can see a sunset and believe you have witnessed the Hand of God. You watch the slope lope of a lioness and forget to breathe. You marvel at the tripod of a giraffe bent to water. In Africa, there are iridescent blues on the wings of birds that you do not see anywhere else in nature. In Africa, in the midday heart, you can see blisters in the atmosphere. When you are in Africa, you feel primordial, rocked in the cradle of the world. ” -Jodi Picoult Within the first few moments of our arrival at Chiawa Luxury Camp, we were swept away by the sheer authenticity of the exper ..read more

“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”  ― Isak Dinesen, Out of Africa Our wondrous safari journey into the heart of South Africa’s massive wilderness began after a few days exploring Cape Town and a stay at the historic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Weary from travel, the warm air hugged us for reassurance as we deplaned and made our way to meet the transport towards MalaMala. Nothing could prepare us for the wonders we were about to experience. Upon our arrival at Rattray’s Camp, we were welcomed by friendly staff who mad ..read more