Each spring, the Washington DC area erupts in colorful flowers. Cherry blossoms are the most famous, of course, and everyone waits with bated breath for the National Park Service to announce when peak bloom is expected. But there are plenty of other flowering trees and pretty petals to get excited about. From magnolias and eastern […]
Parks and Gardens
The Top Attractions in Paris You Must See
Paris has been my favorite city in the world since I first visited as an awe-struck teenager. Several trips since have cemented its place in my heart. I love the easy walkability along leafy streets lined with elegant eggshell-hued buildings. Its café culture and incredible restaurant scene are unmatched. Then there are all the interesting […]
How to Spend Two Days in San Jose California
You might not be familiar with San Jose, California, but you’ve almost certainly heard of Silicon Valley. Apple, Facebook, Google, Netflix, PayPal, Ebay, Twitter, and a slew of other tech companies are all headquartered here. San Jose is the Valley’s largest city and on par with Zurich and Oslo financially. But San Jose has more […]
Atalaya Castle and Brookgreen Gardens, SC
Atalaya Castle and Brookgreen Gardens are two gems of the South Carolina Low Country. Both date to the 1930s and are the stunning creations of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Archer, a railroad heir, purchased four former rice plantations along the coast. Their romantically named home, Atalaya Castle, came first and is designed in a […]
Alishan, Taiwan: Hiking Above a Sea of Clouds
The Alishan National Scenic Area is one of the most magical places in Taiwan. It covers over 400 kilometers of mountain terrain ranging from ancient cypress groves to manicured tea terraces. Alishan is famous for its “sea of clouds” sunrise and spring cherry blossom display, though I most enjoyed the wide array of hiking trails […]