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Aloha! Choose your Big Island Adventure around your hotel stay

The Big Island of Hawai‘i offers abundant opportunities to choose your own adventure and your choice of where to stay shapes the story. One moment you’re standing before an erupting volcano (which happened twice during my visit between December, 2025 and January, 2026), the next you’re driving past snow-capped peaks, coffee farms, waterfalls and beaches dusted in black, white or even green sand. As the … Continue reading Aloha! Choose your Big Island Adventure around your hotel stay

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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Celebrate America250 in the Washington, DC

As America marks its 250th birthday, the best place to celebrate the nation’s remarkable journey is Washington, DC. During this once-in-a-generation milestone, the capital comes alive with special exhibitions, commemorative events, and a renewed sense of patriotism that extends far beyond the National Mall. Wander through free world-class museums showcasing the country’s history and innovation, marvel at iconic monuments illuminated against the night sky, and savor the … Continue reading Celebrate America250 in the Washington, DC

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
breathe, calm, jet away, mmm...tasty

We booked a trip to Crete around two design forward properties

Phāea Blue and Phāea Cretan Malia  Upon landing on Greece’s largest island, it becomes immediately clear that Crete is the birthplace of olive farming. The drive in any direction consists of miles and miles of ancient olive groves. While squeezing through one lane villages and spiraling up and down rugged mountainous terrain, it’s easy to appreciate how high-quality olive oil, known locally as liquid gold, … Continue reading We booked a trip to Crete around two design forward properties

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
awake, breathe, calm, jet away, mmm...tasty

Escape the Crowds in Santorini: Top Tips for a Relaxing Visit

Santorini is an intensely beautiful Greek island that draws visitors from around the world every summer to experience the iconic caldera, legendary sunsets, charming whitewashed villages with blue domes, and a culture that celebrates great food and wine. But the crowds can be intense, especially around sunset, in the capital city of Fira and the cliff-hugging picturesque town of Oia (“eee-ah”). The high-season crowds can … Continue reading Escape the Crowds in Santorini: Top Tips for a Relaxing Visit

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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Unexpected Discoveries in Lubbock, Texas

Choosin’ Texas, I Can Tell Ten Unexpected Discoveries in Lubbock, Texas Not just cowboys and tumbleweed – Lubbock, Texas is like a multifaceted diamond in the rough. There’s a lot going on in this city of 300,000. Located in the heart of West Texas – about a 45-minute flight from Dallas – this “Hub City” is home to ranching, winemaking, songwriting, Texas Tech University, and … Continue reading Unexpected Discoveries in Lubbock, Texas

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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Juneau, Alaska: Top Activities for Cruise Visitors

Whether you have a few hours between shore excursions or several days to explore, Juneau invites you to create a unique Alaskan adventure. Nestled between towering mountains and the pristine waters of the Inside Passage, Alaska’s capital offers far more than a typical cruise stop. One moment you can be savoring fresh-caught seafood at a waterfront café, the next hiking rainforest trails that lead to breathtaking … Continue reading Juneau, Alaska: Top Activities for Cruise Visitors

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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Nashville Beyond The Honky-Tonk

The neon guitars of Broadway begin glowing long before sunset, when Nashville’s famed honky-tonks begin to spill music out into the streets. Inside more than 30 bars, bands play nonstop free live music from every genre. The experience is a rite of passage for Nashville’s new visitors. But beyond Broadway’s crowded American jubilee lies another Music City – one where historic studios, intimate listening rooms, and world-class … Continue reading Nashville Beyond The Honky-Tonk

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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From Silence to Sparkle – Death Valley to Las Vegas Road Trip

Maybe it was ironic that I arrived in Death Valley National Park, thinking about life and death. My mom had just been admitted to a hospital on the other side of the country and sleep felt impossible knowing she was there alone. In the middle of this beautifully vast, yet unforgiving landscape, I found myself wondering not only what adventure the next day might bring, … Continue reading From Silence to Sparkle – Death Valley to Las Vegas Road Trip

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Discover Riverside’s Go Go Bird at Farmhouse Collective: Perfect Food Stop between Los Angeles and Palm Springs

Cruise, Crunch, Repeat: Go Go Bird Is Our New Favorite Roadside Bite Just a year old, the Farmhouse Collective in Riverside, California makes the perfect easy pitstop for amazing affordable food options between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Grab the best eats at the best prices – either to-go or dine at an outdoor table under a mister to keep cool. The buildings of Farmhouse … Continue reading Discover Riverside’s Go Go Bird at Farmhouse Collective: Perfect Food Stop between Los Angeles and Palm Springs

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
breathe, calm, mmm...tasty

Coastal Cravings: Best New Bites and Beverages from Malibu to Long Beach

Southern California’s coastal dining scene is heating up – with an exciting wave of restaurant openings, fresh menus, and innovative culinary concepts. From Malibu’s new laid-back wine bar and gourmet marketplace, to Santa Monica’s elevated Pakastani-Indian cuisine, to Marina del Rey’s casual patio, and Long Beach’s new multimillion-dollar refreshed panoramic waterfront lounge in view of the Queen Mary, there’s never been a better time to … Continue reading Coastal Cravings: Best New Bites and Beverages from Malibu to Long Beach

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