Category Archives: RECIPES

THE SANTA MARIA, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL & GOLF RESORT IN PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

It’s brand new and utterly wonderful. The Santa Maria Hotel & Golf Resort opened in February, 2018, and is already Panama City’s first-choice stay for golfers, business persons and luxury travelers. Located in the exclusive Santa Maria Panama community—eight miles from Panama City and seven miles from the Tocumen International Airport—the resort perfectly suits contemporary […]

CAL-A-VIE HEALTH SPA, AMERICA’S MOST PERFECT DESTINATION SPA

The second I win the lottery, I’m calling Cal-a-Vie and booking an extended stay. Why do I love the spa? Here are just a few of the many reasons: LOCATION Nestled in a valley surrounded by lavender scented hills, Cal-a-Vie sits 40 miles north of San Diego and seven miles inland from the Pacific coast […]

TEN REASONS KIDS LOVE ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND

Cross my heart, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas is the tip-top, absolute best resort in the Caribbean for kids of all ages. Why? Many reasons. Here are ten: 1. Atlantis sports what is probably the greatest waterpark on earth. Covering 141 acres, the wet and wonderful playground includes 18 different thrilling, chilling water slides, two splashy […]

LUSCIOUS RECIPES FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST KITCHENS

The very best (no fooling), the most divine (really) recipes from people and places (all totally superlative) to make for gift giving. (Marvelous to the max!) COFFEE RUB SEASONING MIX A coffee and spice and everything nice recipe from Jim Leonardo, chef of Vinology, the spiffy wine-bar and restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Recipe HERE.   […]

OURAY COLORADO, HOT SPRINGS & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Whoever first said, “The best things come in small packages,” had to be thinking of Ouray. This teeny tiny Colorado town covers only about 0.84 square miles, yet it overflows with appeal. Located in southwest Colorado, near the Four Corners where Colorado meets up with Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, Ouray sits in a box […]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING APPLE MUFFINS

AUTUMN. APPLES. ABUNDANCE. ACTION PLAN: Make ABSOLUTELY AMAZING  (gluten-free, low-calorie, nutrient rich, healthful and wholesome)  APPLE MUFFINS.     ABSOLUTELY AMAZING APPLE MUFFINS Yield: 12 muffins. 1/2 cup and 1/3 cup gluten-free oats 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon allspice Big pinch nutmeg Big pinch cloves 2 eggs 2 […]

BEST RESTAURANT IN NAPLES, FL, & FLATBREAD RECIPE

Wish The Local restaurant was local—to me that is. The restaurant is local to lucky residents of Naples, FL, which I think is essentially unfair. It may be jealousy talking, but folks in Naples get all the breaks. They enjoy great weather, sand and sea and a cornucopia of other pleasures. I don’t see why […]

FABULOUS FRENCH HOTEL BARGE CRUISE AND RECIPES

Shhh!…keep this between us as it’s not too cool for a travel writer to claim a favorite cruise. But when it comes to barging, I’ve taken two trips that I adored above all the others and just can’t stop praising them. Both were on the same Horizon II, one of the luxurious hotel barges in […]

PETIT TROIS IN LOS ANGELES AND FABULOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Oh man, I’m hungry. All I can think about is the original Petit Trois in Los Angeles. This restaurant proves the proverb that good things come in small packages. Really good things. Really small packages. Located in a strip mall on Highland just off Melrose, the narrow French-focused bistro seats only 21 lucky folks on […]

SUNSET AT THE PALMS, NEGRIL, JAMAICA AND CHICKEN RUNDOWN

I know where Santa Claus vacations. And I know why he chooses Sunset at the Palms in Negril, Jamaica. The resort is the polar opposite of the North Pole. Here wooden treehouse-style guest rooms sit on stilts surrounded by tropical splendor.   A profusion of palms and ferns and bamboos fill the property, covering the […]