Francis Malbone House is located on Thames Street in Newport, RI’s historic harborfront district.Known for its distinctive wealth and nautical history, it’s no surprise that Newport’s renowned mansions are a must-do for anyone visiting the town. The quieter delight, however, are the beautifully restored mansions-turned-luxury inns, with equally impressive legacies in this harborside town. Just an hour outside of Boston and within easy getaway distance from anywhere in New England, Newport offers a lively historic yet sophisticated maritime getaway, especially in the quieter spring season.
Two of Newport’s most sophisticated inns are owned by Will Dewey, a gifted innkeeper and owner of the Francis Malbone House and Hilltop Inn, Both perfect examples of historic preservation done well, each is within easy walking distance to all of Newport’s distinctive restaurants, shopping and harborfront attractions. Enter either one of these inns and you’re transported to a tranquility that quickly helps to shake off the stresses that precipitated your getaway. I was lucky to explore both of Will Dewey’s inns on a recent trip to Newport. Read on for to learn more about these fabulous inns and view a gallery of photos.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
One of my most memorable holidays was a summertime heli-hiking vacation in the Canadian Rockies with Canadian Mountain Holidays. And, it delights me when a company that’s already great, does something even better. Case in point, the new “CMH Summer Adventures” (formerly CMH Heli-Hiking). As if heli-hiking wasn’t exciting enough, they’ve added ropes courses, zip-lining, via ferrata, yoga getaways and women’s weeks-and brand-new for this year, painting and cooking workshops, cancer survivors’ retreats and exclusive trips with great Canadian explorers to their summer lineup. The CMH Summer Adventures season will run from July 6 to September 7, 2010. See details below.
The new Summer Adventures for 2010 will include a unique opportunity for active and creative types to participate in a Painting Workshop with Liz Wiltzen in the Bugaboos (August 31-September 5). Liz combines 10 years of guiding experience in the Bugaboos with 20 years of painting, to provide guests with real-time hiking experience in the storied Bugaboos, as well as hands-on artistic guidance in the painting of them.
With CMH’s new Stretch & Stir cooking workshop, guests can join sisters Sandra Davis and Julie Sagan in an alpine experience that mixes yoga, cooking and Heli-Hiking in the iconic Bugaboo Mountains (August 20-23). Chef Sandra Davis creates mouth-watering delights from her catering business The Saucy Gourmet, while her sister, yoga master Julie Sagan, stretches her clients at the Bikram Yoga West Edmonton Studio.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Summer arrives too quickly for most families, which is why early spring is the perfect time to plan a family vacation. With everyone overscheduled and pressed for time, this can be a vacation that gets families and kids outdoors, keeping them active and sharing adventurous pursuits. Here are five great ways for families to travel and enjoy the outdoors altogether.
photo by kk+
1. Finding Nemo in Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. - Share the wonders of the deep as you swim over shallow coral reefs off Villa Aquamare in Virgin Gorda. Lying just 20 feet from shore is an underwater world teeming with parrot fish, groupers and sea turtles. For the more adventurous, families can take out one of Aquamare’s kayaks for a safe and easy paddle to a deserted beach. www.villaaquamare.com
2. Zip and Dip in Saint Lucia - Take a ride up to the mountain peaks and zip through the lush Saint Lucian rainforest on the popular zipline, keeping an eye out for lizards, parrots and monkeys. Then plan on a family dip at your stylish digs at Cap Maison in a private roof terrace pools or Jacuzzi. www.capmaison.com.
3. Stargaze from atop a Rainforest - From your comfortable aerie 1,100 feet above the Caribbean Sea at Ladera, use the resort’s sky maps to connect the dots and find more constellations than you ever knew existed. Then get into your private plunge pool to plan the next day’s beach excursion. www.ladera.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Taos New Mexico: a sovereign nation, an ancient culture, a millennium away from urban life and one of my favorite places on the planet. Continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years, the Taos Pueblo houses an American history few know. El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa, a well-known leader in alternative energy and luxury eco-friendly hospitality, has now opened the doors to you with the People of the Pueblo educational experience an inspirational and educational Native American adventure.
Included in the experience is:
- Dinner for two at the resort restaurant, AAA Four-Diamond De la Tierra
- Two Tickets to the Millicent Rogers Museum
- 60-minute Aromatherapy massage for two
- 2-hour instructional pottery class at Taos Clay for two
- Breakfast for two daily
- Valet parking for one vehicle
For more information, visit www.elmontesagrado.com, or call 800.724.3392.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Jumping Rocks photographers captured this birds nest at the Inn at Stockbridge in Stockbridge, MA. Photo by Matthew Lovette.a guest blog by B&B specialist, Marti Maye
While every other region of the country celebrates four seasons, New England has an unofficial fifth one called mud season.
Usually in full bloom around mid-April, Mud Season came to New England early this year. Heaping helpings of rain have insured that rivers will run, wells will not go dry and gardens will thrive after this wet spring.
I thought you might enjoy a touch of springtime, compliments of a number of New England inns and Jumping Rocks, a talented team of photographers who specialize in hospitality and B&B photography (along with travel, interiors, food and a number of other genres).
Read on for tips on spring photography and be sure to click through the slide show for your breath of springtime.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Should you or shouldn’t you? Six destinations with troubling pasts and booming tourism
Are they examples of tasteless tourism, or are they valuable, educational experiences? Writer Bob Payne at Concierge.com tackles the tough questions in this thoughtful examination of six spots that have become tourist destinations because of their disturbing pasts. What do you think? Join the discussion.
Click here to read the full article.
photo by Stuck in Customs
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".