I’m thrilled to be the new voice of a traveling woman at Daily Cents - an online community dedicated to what matters to women - finance, family, health, career and, now, travel! Pegged as their “Travel Cents expert keeping you “in the know” while you’re on the go,” I’ll be providing the site with insider’s tips and recommendations, timely travel information and insights.
Visit me at DailyCents.com, it’s “cent-sational!”
A True Story: From Meltdown to Rejuvenation
Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 05:11PM Have you ever had a meltdown; a life-altering collapse that rocked your world, then set you on a new path and a new way of thinking?
Globe-trotting visual artist, Lisl Dennis, experienced hers more than a decade ago along the muddy Nile River in the depths of West Africa amidst a cast of characters all too ready to sink her boat. Now, after eddying out into solitude and introspection, she emerges with humor, grace and an engaging multimedia program, to share her story with others.
Last weekend I attended her inaugural gathering at Studio de la Luz in the quirky little spa town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Incorporating morning yoga and breathwork, we spent the weekend learning, listening and sharing our own personal stories. It was an inspiring weekend that breathed new life and creativity into my life and left me inspired to: breathe deeper, dance more, love bigger, and dust off the peace within.
Lisl is taking this show on the national road, so check her schedule often to see how you can attend. Click here for more information.
*video courtesy of Lisl Dennis
Glasgow - A Brit Different
Monday, September 8, 2008 at 01:05PM 
If you’re picturing stiff-upper-lip Britishness, think again. Urban
Glasgow, with its dynamic music and arts scene, trendy cafés and
shopping galore, flaunts a hip creative vibe and flashy commercial
presence.
Without a doubt Glasgow is one of Scotland’s friendliest cities.
There’s a certain levity of spirit and genuine warmth among Glaswegians
that makes visitors immediately feel welcome - even if you can’t
understand a single rapid-fire, heavily-accented word.
Boasting a diverse offering of museums and galleries, restaurants and
pubs, architecture and shopping, this European Cultural Centre and
vibrant University town has style.
Planning a Glasgow getaway? I’ve already travel-tested it for you. Here’s my travel guide of where to stay and play.
Beauty and Brawn: Girls Rock at Red Mountain Spa
Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 04:50PM 
It’s day two at Red Mountain Spa in southwestern Utah, and I’m hitting the wall. My quads are exhausted from a six-mile morning hike and my abs screaming from three hours of afternoon exercise classes. I am tempted to bag tomorrow’s dawn patrol trek and afternoon mountain bike ride for downtime snuggled up with a good book in the villa’s plush furniture or deep-soaking in the oversized Jacuzzi tub, but the staff’s contagious energy and enthusiasm – and yoga bodies – inspire a change of heart.
I have come to Red Mountain with my friend Jan for a girl’s getaway weekend to jumpstart a new, healthier version of me. Nothing much, just a fifty-pound-slimmer, fitness-loving, adventure-goddess-beautiful, calmer version of me. The spa’s 4-day/3-night Chick’s Adventure Package includes all the necessary components: welcome gift & spa treatment; accommodations in a stylish villa suite; healthy yet delicious gourmet meals; complimentary bike; daily guided morning hikes; unlimited fitness classes; cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes; healthy living lectures; and full use of the resort’s pools, whirlpools, walking trails, strength training and cardio equipment.
A new breed of adventure spa, Red Mountain focuses as much on perspiration as relaxation. Outside, it’s red rock fantasyland; a primordial landscape of crimson cliffs, black lava and big blue skies where daily guided hikes, rock climbing outings and canyon-hugging bike rides exercise my body. Inside, it is pure seduction; where fluffy bathrobes, soothing spa treatments, healthy living and self-discovery classes expand my mind and recharge my spirit.
READ MORE @ DAILYCENTS.COM
Call of the Mild: Soft Adventure Meets Luxury Spas in New Mexico
Monday, July 21, 2008 at 04:12PM I’m just back from an action-packed week of river rafting, horse
back riding, mountain biking, hiking and even llama trekking. Better
yet, at the end of each day, I returned to world-class dining, exotic
spa treatments and luxurious lodgings.
Ready to launch your own New Mexico adventure? I’ve already done the legwork for you. Here’s my travel-tested lineup of where to stay, and play, in and around Santa Fe and Taos.
STAY:
I started off the week at a unique, locally owned retreat, Sunrise Springs Resort Spa,
a 70-acre tranquil eco oasis built around spring-fed ponds, fluttering
cottonwoods and organic gardens 12-miles from downtown Santa Fe. My
husband and I spent two nights, but could happily have stayed a week.
Between the extensive selection of healing treatments at the resort’s Spa Samadhi, the art & yoga classes at the Sages Arts Center and the inspired menu at the Blue Heron Restaurant
(don’t miss their freshly made ceviches!), there was plenty to tempt us
to extend our stay. Fourteen years ago, to the day, we eloped to Santa
Fe. Celebrating our anniversary over an exquisite dinner of conch
ceviche, crab and roasted corn flan and pan seared halibut at the
water’s edge beneath ancient willows and cottonwoods while a jazz
quartet played nearby was divine. Truly a special moment enjoyed in a
special place. You can bet we’ll be back.A Few of My Favorite Travel Things
Friday, July 11, 2008 at 04:28PM
Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes:
It’s day three. You swear you packed your favorite fleece zip-up. But
where the heck is it? Not a problem you’ll ever experience again if you
learn to organize your clothes in Cubes. With a different color for
shorts, socks, t-shirts and undies, you’ll find what you’re looking
for, fast. Better yet, no more blushing with embarrassment as the hot
guy in line behind you watches the security inspector riffle through
your Bridget Jones underwear.
Joby Gorillapod:
Lugging a bulky, rigid tripod has never been a practical alternative
for the type of on-the-go shooting that traveling photographers
encounter. Thanks to the cleverly designed pocket-sized Gorillapod,
I’ll never have to choose between sharp shots or carrying a tripod
again. The cleverly designed pocket-sized gorillapod - a bendable
tripod that secures to any surface, has legs that bend and rotate 360
degrees, and rubber feet for extra gripping power – is all I pack these
days. Slip it into a pocket, purse or day pack and capture those artsy
low-light shots of Paris at night, dimly lit tango clubs in Buenos
Aires or the final glory of a tropical sunset and impress em’ at home
with your postcard-perfect vacation snaps.
Provence: Pure Pleasure
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 07:26PM I’m just back from a walking tour in Provence with The Wayfarers and am still savoring the magical moments and remain bedazzled by all that I saw, ate and experienced.
The trip was chock-a-block with Impressionist landscapes of gnarled olive trees, endless horizons of bright orange poppies and vineyard rows, the wonderful, warm and sometimes irascible characters made famous by Peter Mayle’s books, picture-perfect hilltop villages, and of course, the famed Provençal cuisine.
Read the full article at DailyCents.com
You Had Me at Hello
Monday, May 5, 2008 at 08:35PM Lost in translation? A simple ‘hello’ might be all you need to communicate and turn your trip abroad into the travel experience you’re hoping for.
A linguist I am not. Four years of college French, and, when push comes to shove, the best I can manage is poorly disguised English avec un ridiculous Inspector Clouseau accent. A decade of part-time living in Mexico and my Spanish sounds like that of a four-year-old with speech problems. It’s not something I’m proud of. Believe me, I’d love to rattle off coherent streams of dialogue in a foreign tongue and be mistaken for a local. I have friends who pick up new languages as easily as I gain weight. But, no matter how many language audio tapes, computer programs, or continuing education classes I take - or how good I sound practicing in the car - once I hit terra incognito it’s a no-show.
Read the full article at DailyCents.com
Get Inspired with Learning Vacations
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 08:38PM I don’t know about you, but when I want to learn something new, get inspired or jump-start a budding passion, I want to go somewhere else to do it.
Sure, I can learn to cook at home watching Food Network, study a foreign language online, take yoga from a book or photography at my local community college. But, somehow, heading off to Tuscany, Provence, Mexico or a tropical island to do it is much more appealing. Away from the ordinary routines and obligations of home, it’s easier to open my mind and heart to new challenges, insights and inspirations.
Do something for yourself this year. Return home from your vacation with something more than postcards and souvenirs to show off. Instead, impress them with your newfound skills and enjoy yourself while you’re at it. Here are just a few specialty vacations sure to put you on the road to new horizons.
Read the full article at DailyCents.com
