These are two of my favorite destinations with an abundance of nature-based treasures:
Iceland where I had spent a month visiting venues in the four cardinal directions: Akureyri in the North, Westman Islands in the South, Egilsstadir in the East and Isafjordur in the West.
The Azores where I visited eight of the nine islands in this archipelago: Sao Miguel, Pico, Flores, Faial, Sao Jorge, Tercera, Graciosa, Santa Maria.
Bicycling and hiking are two of my three favorite sports activities. (The third is Nordic skiing.) These are two destinations that I adore:
When hiking the Dolomites, you almost feel like you can touch the clouds.
The Lofoten Islands in Norway are ideal for cycling. Here, the mountains meet the sea.
Wherever I travel, I include outdoor activities, whether cycling, hiking, walking or cross-country skiing. These are three venues that offer phenomenal hiking opportunities.
Hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites is a rigorous but enchanting experience.
To truly experience the drama and beauty of the Grand Canyon, I hiked all the way down to Phantom Ranch, stayed overnight and then hiked back up the next day. (Going down is definitely harder on your legs.)
All my many trips to Norway involved outdoor adventures, including hiking in Jotunheimen National Park.
Wales is blessed with so many natural and cultural treasures. And one way to get acquainted with what this country has to offer is by booking a stay at one of several unique accommodations that vary from the serene to the quirky. You can read about six of these in my latest article for ForbesLife.
Santorini has such a distinctive, dramatic profile as whitewashed buildings hover over an expansive caldera, and a narrow road zig-zags from the shore to the cliff top.
Patmos is one of my favorite Greek islands. It’s small (just about 7 miles long), scenic, only accessible by boat, and hardly thronged with tourists.
It’s so lovely wandering around the streets — many lined with marble — and exploring the neoclassical architecture on the island of Syros.
It seemed like I was the only one checking out the nooks and crannies on the Greek isles. This is an image from my wanderings in the Vaporia neighborhood on Syros, where I found numerous neoclassical mansions.
I managed to wander around Mykonos early in the morning before the narrow lanes were thronged with people. This is the scenic Little Venice neighborhood that’s noted for its proximity to the seafront.
Meandering around the relatively quiet streets of Mykonos, I found plenty of scenes that defy the obvious photos often taken of this Greek island.
Visiting or staying at Portmeirion Village on the coast of Wales is a not-to-miss experience. Sure, it’s where the cult classic, The Prisoner, was shot. But this quirky village is so much more: trails thread through woodlands, waterfront vistas are abundant, as are the diverse works of art on display.
No matter where you gaze, including through your windows, brings into view something fantastical.
Whether you’re an art lover, a gourmand, or someone who wants to connect with nature in a placid environment, a stay at the luxe Valverde Hotel won’t disappoint. Despite being located in the ever-buzzing Avenida da Liberdade, this hotel is a true sanctuary that appears relatively unremarkable from the outside, yet the interior feels like a cross between a private club and an art gallery, along with a courtyard resembling a botanical garden. This is my latest article for ForbesLife on the Valverde Hotel.
In Lisbon’s Amoreiras neighborhood, this 18th century aqueduct with its immense stone arches is part of the Water Museum in Lisbon. It treats visitors not only to a deep cistern in a cavernous, vaulted space, but also art exhibitions.
Lisbon’s 5-star Valverde Hotel is a sanctuary of peace and serenity, though it’s smack in the middle of buzzing Avenida da Liberdade. Their outdoor heated pool looks down on a verdant courtyard garden, a perfect place to curl up with a book and a glass of wine.
Exploring the art-bedecked and meticulously adorned public spaces, you can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of elegance.
In Lisbon’s Parque da Nacoes neighborhood that stretches along the Tagus River, it’s no surprise that most all the attractions are focused around water. I was especially enamored with the myriad volcano towers that erupt every few minutes, gushing water up, out, and into shallow pools.
The waterfront views couldn’t be more enchanting.
This giant, whimsical sculpture of an Iberian lynx, an endangered species, was created by Bordalo II. It soars above a pavement in the Parque de Nacoes neighborhood in Lisbon. The artist used objects found in junkyards, including computer parts, reflecting his sensibilities on materialism and consumerism.
This is probably one of the coolest coworking spaces around. Village Underground Lisbon (VULX), a nexus of creativity, culture and art, consists of stacked shipping containers and even a pair of double-decker buses. It’s down the street from the ever popular LX Factory.
I could’ve spent all day strolling along the scenic promenades in Lisbon’s Parque da Nacoes neighborhood where the water views are abundant.
Gondolas hovering above the Tagus River in this neighborhood that’s the site of the 1998 World's Fair.
I can’t think of a more beautiful and quirky bookstore. The name of this former printing shop turned bookstore, Ler Devagar, that’s located in Lisbon, means “read slowly.”
The roofless, 14th century Saint Maria do Carmo Church stands in ruins - it succumbed to the devastating earthquake that befell Lisbon in 1755. Yet, it’s home to a petite archaeological museum with an eclectic array of artifacts.
The Valverde Hotel in Lisbon is a gem for oh-so many reasons, including the lush courtyard garden that’s a placid sanctuary smack in the middle of the buzzing city. It’s centrally locally on the Avenida da Liberdade.
Everything is classy, even the hallways.
The hotel is often described as an oasis, which it is. The hotel feels like a townhouse that’s peaceful and serene with numerous public rooms replete with art.
Biking Denmark’s islands couldn’t be more idyllic. But on my last couple of days, I discovered a new restaurant on the island of Aero that captured my heart. Not only was the cuisine creative and tasty, but the entire ethic of the establishment, Marstang Mad and Vin, revolved around sustainability. I recently interviewed the two young owners about why they feel so strongly about locally sourced ingredients, how they established their wine list, and what are must-see and must-do activities and sights on the island. I recently wrote about them and their restaurant for ForbesLife.
Biking on Fyn (Funen) Island in Denmark couldn’t be more idyllic.
No matter the island where I bicycled, I found that Denmark is one of the most bike-centric countries in the world.
When biking and island hopping, I never tired of the dramatic interplay of sky, clouds and the water-based landscape at dusk.
At the Thorseng Nature Resort on Tasinge Island in Denmark, I arrived weary and departed refreshed, thanks to a comfy and spacious glamping tent, organic wines, creative vegetarian fare and, most importantly, a warm and welcoming vibe. I never tired of watching sunsets like this one from the beach that’s a short walk through a wildflower laden meadow.
On Langeland Island, this was one of several pieces of contemporary art I discovered at Hotel Rudkobing Skudeneshavn. It’s conveniently located near the ferries that course to the lovely islands of Aero and Stryno.
On Aero Island in Denmark, these charming cottages, including one with a thatch roof, line a stretch of sand in Marstal at Erik Hale Beach.
One thing that made my travels on Aero Island especially lovely was staying at the Aero Guesthouse and Cafe where breakfast is a warm, welcoming and sunny affair. This is one of the two rooms — along with the plant-filled outdoor terrace — with contemporary art where you can enjoy a wonderful cappuccino or a filling and tasty vegetarian breakfast.
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