Tag: travel

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More than outdoor adventure, eat and drink your way in and around Banff, Canada

The article Banff Bites and Sips was first published in Taste and Travel Magazine in the Jan. – March 2025 issue (Pages 54-57). While the Northern Lights unexpectedly streamed in surreal colors during my visit to Banff in October and the stunning turquoise glacial lake and mountain view setting felt like stepping into a postcard at every turn, the thriving culinary scene is another reason … Continue reading More than outdoor adventure, eat and drink your way in and around Banff, Canada

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Memorable Wines to Discover at Santa Barbara’s World of Pinot

We were thrilled to be invited to the 25th Anniversary of the World of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara for a weekend-long seaside celebration of this delicious and storied wine. The event was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara over 4 days, from February 27 – March 1, 2025. Attendees included wine aficionados, sommeliers, winemakers, and those who just love outstanding food and wine. A Thursday … Continue reading Memorable Wines to Discover at Santa Barbara’s World of Pinot

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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This new boutique hotel is reason enough to visit Jackson Hole

Relish in cozy luxury at a boutique hotel and spa In this quintessential western town, dressed up in holiday lights, an archway of antlers from the National Elk Refuge frames the Town Square. The Boy Scouts are exclusively allowed to collect them on National Park land, often fetching up to $14/pound at the Elk Fest auction, last year earning around $218,000 for their finds. Most … Continue reading This new boutique hotel is reason enough to visit Jackson Hole

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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Like a mini Paris, Europe’s most underrated city deserves your time

This article on Ljubljana was first published in Taste and Travel Magazine (January – March 2025) on Page 13. Ljubljana’s Old Town feels like a mini Paris. Spend a few captivating days in Slovenia’s small fairytale capital filled with Medieval and Baroque buildings standing side by side and an illuminated river with a romantic stretch of outdoor cafes, restaurants, and bridges. Dine on local dishes … Continue reading Like a mini Paris, Europe’s most underrated city deserves your time

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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Find Solace at Laguna Surf Lodge

This article was first published on JohnnyJet.com, MSN.com and a different version on Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine print. While sipping wine on a patio hanging above the ocean, I marvel at the pulsating waves of the vast Pacific Ocean below me. The long-cresting waves crash along the coast, as surfers careen back and forth on the renowned Thalia Street surf break, embodying a vision from … Continue reading Find Solace at Laguna Surf Lodge

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awake, breathe, jet away, Palm Springs

DesertX 2025 inspires with thought provoking art installations scattered across Greater Palm Springs

From March 8 through May 11 of 2025, visitors can discover 9 art installations across the Coachella Valley. The thought provoking pieces from international artists can be discovered across Greater Palm Springs, with several clustered in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Desert. Download the DesertX app or log onto DesertX.org to plot your journey across the surreal desert landscape and watch as the … Continue reading DesertX 2025 inspires with thought provoking art installations scattered across Greater Palm Springs

Unknown's avatarMelissa CurtinLeave a comment
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LaLaScoop’d our favorite hotel stay of 2024 – seen in UPROXX

Melissa Curtin (@lalascoop): Xela Tulum – Mexico Privacy and intimacy are the ultimate luxury. A secret door awaits as you enter through a jungle-laden path to a dramatic 12-foot weathered wooden door with clay pots and gurgling water. The new Xela Tulum feels like your own private villa, with just 12 rooms, located on the quieter south side of Tulum, Mexico. The rooms are mere steps from … Continue reading LaLaScoop’d our favorite hotel stay of 2024 – seen in UPROXX

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breathe, calm, jet away, mmm...tasty, Palm Springs, topFAVs

Coachella Valley’s Date Farms are Doing Sweet Things for the Community

After touring and dining on date farms, you might learn a thing or two about the production of the chewy sweet plump dates. The sweet, locally-grown fruit is often found in restaurants all over Greater Palm Springs, especially in date shakes. Sample for yourself at the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine festival. We became incredibly curious about this popular treat when our own solo … Continue reading Coachella Valley’s Date Farms are Doing Sweet Things for the Community

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breathe, calm, highbrow, jet away, Palm Springs, primp&pamper, topFAVs

10 Ways to Get to Know Palm Springs

Nestled between three striking mountain ranges, this sunny Southern California oasis has lured travelers in search of inspiration and relaxation for more than a century. The valley’s 9 resort cities – known as Greater Palm Springs – provide an incomparable blend of cultural experiences for every type of visitor. Plan an incredible time in the desert with some of these favorite activities.  1.   Visit a Museum … Continue reading 10 Ways to Get to Know Palm Springs

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Delicious Surprises

Some people love surprises, some people don’t. But if you love discovering bold new flavors, exotic foreign cuisines, and creative takes on traditional dishes, you have to be willing to be surprised. It’s this adventurous spirit that keeps my passion for food alive and drives me to keep exploring the dining scene.  This adventurousness manifests in many ways, but I want to share one shining … Continue reading Delicious Surprises

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