Archive for April, 2010

In Search of the Silver King

The old salt saying goes, “the bluer the water, the bigger the fish.”  It’s not just a catchy line, and nowhere is it more evident than Southwest Florida. With waters ranging in color from radiant turquoise to royal blue, the mighty tarpon has been migrating here annually for centuries. By the late 1800’s anglers were coming

Birds of a Feather

What a hoot, so to speak, to be asked to write about where best to view Florida’s beautiful birds. Following The Great Florida Birding Trail led me to some unforgettable encounters and an eye-opening education. Previously, the only bird watching I had done was in my own backyard in Southwest Florida, but I didn’t

A Christmas Tail

Our first “child,” an English Springer Spaniel named Teagan, was just two and a half years old when we had her put to sleep. It was one of the worst days of my life. She was a beautiful, enthusiastic and affectionate dog. But, shortly after she was a year old, she began exhibiting hostile behavior …

Don’t Just See the Circus, BE the Circus!

ANYONE can fly through the air with the greatest of ease at the Tito Gaona Flying Trapeze Academy - I’m uncoordinated, non-athletic, and let’s just say my muscles and cardiovascular system have been on vacation for about a year. Oh, and I just turned 50. But Tito Gaona’s trapeze school boasts students of all ages and

You Go Girl!

Move over, Hells Angels, biking ain’t what it used to be. Professional, fashion-conscious and headstrong, female motorcycle enthusiasts have emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Women’s clubs are sprouting exponentially with memberships mostly comprised of career women who refuse to take a back seat. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, one in twelve U.S.

Finding Nemo

If you liked Finding Nemo, you’ll love finding Mote. It delivers all the drama and color that captured your imagination in the fun fish tale, but here, it’s real. Colorful reef fish, toothy sharks and sensational sea turtles swim right before your eyes. You can actually pet a velvety “Mr. Ray” at the Ray Touch

Forgotten Florida

Nestled amid the glitzy high-rises on Longboat Key lies Forgotten Florida; The Sandpiper Inn. An anachronistic single-story resort perched on the Gulf, the intimate enclave is a step back in time… to when innocence prevailed and nature ruled. I have a passion for wildlife, but also for domesticated creatures. Which is a key reason my husband

Romantic Anguilla

Once upon a time... Fairytales do come true. And sometimes, twice. Ten years ago, Patrick and I eloped to an obscure Caribbean island known mostly to the rich and famous. We agreed on Anguilla because neither of us had been there, and on Cap Juluca Resort for its striking Moorish architecture. Its majestic white domes, parapets

Friend-Ship: Sailing the Islands of Abaco

“It’s not a glitzy vacation,” I warned my friend Tracey, a former party diva. “There are no nightclubs, no casinos, no scheduled activities.” Now a devoted wife and multitasking mother of two – three, if you count their therapy dog – Tracey was about to turn 40. Friends since our single days, we planned a

Palm Beach, Florida

The minute you cross the bridge to Palm Beach you know you've entered another world, one of European-styled mansions, spotless palm-lined streets, long sandy beaches, and Worth Avenue. The rich and famous live and play in this exclusive city that oozes wealth, privilege and high-octane glamour

London and Paris: A Whirlwind Tour

We arrive in time for traditional afternoon English tea, unaware that The Dorchester was recently named London’s top tea venue by the Tea Council of Great Britain. I also admit I didn’t know this hotel was among the top ten in the world when I booked our rooms. They say you’re either smart or lucky.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is rich in history, and in the late 1800s, "rich" was the operative word. It was a grand time of magnates, marvels and magnificent monuments... theatrical resorts, lavish architecture and conspicuous luxury.

Brunch Anyone?

Brunch (brunch) n. [Colloq.] a meal that combines a late breakfast and an early lunch According to Webster’s, “brunch” is a noun, but common usage suggests otherwise and we’ve been brunching for more than a century. Englishman Guy Beringer coined the portmanteau (combination of words) in 1895 when he wrote, "Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting.

Fresh, Not Frozen

Every Saturday morning, a farmers' market blooms along Lemon Avenue at Main Street. Colorful umbrellas and tents pop up before 7 a.m., the stands underneath bursting with organic produce, fresh cut flowers, beautiful bromeliads and orchids, homemade cookies and an imaginative array of arts and crafts.

Lite Bites

When you're hungry for quality but not quantity, savor a myriad of morsels at Sarasota's award-winning restaurants. Sampling hors d'oeuvres, antipasti or tapas is a playground for the palate and easy on the purse in any language.

Eagle Island, Georgia

If your idea of Paradise is an uninhabited island with fishing, crabbing, boating and bonfires, you’ll be in hog heaven at private Eagle Island. Just 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and 10 minutes from the Intercoastal Waterway, the island is accessible only by boat, ensuring privacy as well as anonymity. It's a naturalist’s wonderland; 10

Forgotten Florida

Perched amid the glitzy high-rises on Longboat Key lies Forgotten Florida. The Sandpiper Inn is reminiscent of "the good old days" - when the only sounds heard were laughing gulls and lapping waves. You can do as much or as little as you please. We opted to embrace the sun, sand, sea and quiet. And

Eastern Caribbean Cruise

From denizens of the deep to divas of the media, the IFWTWA Conference at Sea on Holland America's ms Eurodam was a multi-sensory delight. Enlightening workshops and wine tastings at sea punctuated ports of call that included Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay. Beautiful, historic and sizzling hot meccas all. Of course,

Riviera Maya, Mexico

While local Mariachi bands are a year-round treat in Riviera Maya, the area becomes a sizzling spotlight for jazz luminaries at the annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival each November. We were among the priviledged journalists permitted to get up close and personal with the likes of Al Jarreau, Sergio Mendes, Pat Martino, Spyro Gyra and

Hot Dog Digs

The hot trend in travel is for resorts to cater to pets as well as their owners, and Sarasota overlooks no "de-tail" while leading the pack. In this pet-friendly paradise, every dog has its day, whether it's uptown, downtown, beachside or bayfront. Here's the scoop on a few favorite hot dog (and cat) digs.

British Virgin Islands

Join us on a not-so-ordinary sailing trip throughout the British Virgin Islands. Of course, the islands are gorgeous. But so are the owner-operated boats that comprise the membership of the Charter Yacht Society of the BVI. This non-profit organization represents the cream of the crop - both in vessels and crew. We spent two nights each

Talking Travel

Talking Travel with Roy Lowey is a production of Travel Talk Radio Network at WTMY 1280 AM. It is broadcast live Sundays at 5 p.m., and AVAILABLE 24/7, WORLDWIDE, at www.ttrn.com. Lisa is a frequent guest and occasional co-host on the show.  Click on a segment to listen! Ireland Anguilla Hot Travel Deals Baltic Sea Cruise Cleveland BVI

Cruising the Baltic Sea with Crystal

Everyone looks glamorous. It’s like being in a movie, and we are all stars. The Captain’s Welcome Reception is some combination of senior prom night and the scene from the film “American President” when Annette Benning joins Michael Douglas at the White House State Dinner. Fanfare, photos, free-flowing drinks and hors d’oeuvres, clinking glasses, muted

St. Maarten: The Good Life

Sometimes, less is less. And I wanted more. Romance, fine dining, nightlife, shopping, a change of pace and culture. My husband, not so much. He craved quiet time, a sunny beach… and a really great massage, but then, so did I. We both needed to at once rejuvenate and relax. Not that our hometown of

Ireland… Forty Shades of Green

Green has been fashionable for centuries. It is the color of nature; it soothes, refreshes and heals. A strong energy that attracts positive power, green represents honesty and truth. How fitting that Southern Ireland is blanketed in green, and according to a song by Johnny Cash, forty shades of it. Verdant valleys look like patchwork quilts

Getting Personal in the British Virgin Islands

“There’s a spirit among yacht crews – a can-do attitude. If I were stranded in the Sahara desert and could choose 12 people to help get me out, I would pick 12 ‘yachties.’ I don’t know how they would do it, but they would.” ~ Tim Schaaf, Charter Yacht Society Aptly dubbed the “Sailing Capital of
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    Saturday, Sep 4
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