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.
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.
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.
On the island of Aero in Denmark, every summer, established artists and art students put on an exhibition around the scenic Soby Harbor. This delightful seahorse was created by Christian Aagaard Ovesen.
As an artist who’s in love with nature, I was delighted to explore Tickon - Tranekaer International Center for Art and Nature on Langeland, Denmark. Trails weave through the 200-acre forested grounds of the Tranekaer Castle. Like all the naturalist installations here, this one - by artist Alfio Bonanno - was created from materials found in the park itself.
Each section of Montclair — it’s a city with four different downtowns — is blessed with abundance green spaces.
In Upper Montclair, I wandered through a bucolic landscape at Yantacaw Brook Park where it’s easy to sit mindfully on one of the many benches just staring at the clouds and their reflections in the placid water.
In Montclair Center, the grounds of the bucolic Van Vleck House and Gardens are networked with shaded paths that course through dense woodlands. Well-placed benches beckon visitors to sit and stay awhile.
When I travel all the way to Tahiti, I can assure you it’s not for sun, sand and sea. No, for me a trip to Tahiti is all about connecting with the verdant and wild interior. Tahiti has hikes and activities for all skill levels, whether you’re a thrill seeker or you prefer a more chill vibe. I recently interviewed Gisele Moana Tromeur, Tahiti’s first female nature guide, on her recommendations. Here’s my article for Forbes Life.
Ridgefield, Connecticut has managed to preserve and maintain so many green spaces that they have an entire book devoted to these. (The Ridgefield Walk Book is sold in town.)
The Woodcock Nature Center is one of these green spaces.
One of the loop trails in the Woodcock Nature Center wanders beside wetlands and across snow-covered pedestrian bridges over the myriad waterways. When I recently hiked there, I was completely alone in the woods that are laden with old oak, maple and hickory trees as well as a network of low stone walls,
At most any posh accommodation, pampering is de rigueur. But, I look beyond the spa features and wine tastings, craving myriad outdoor experiences. Two luxe properties in Aberdeenshire, Scotland are not only set in bucolic surroundings, but both are rich in activities that connect guests with the natural environment. This is my latest for Forbes on Glen Dye & Cottages and The Fife Arms.
Whether I travel to far-afield locales or domestically, I often gravitate to non-urban environs. These are a few of my photographs that focus on some of my favorite subjects: sky, mountains and trees.
I derive a sense of comfort from nature.
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