Life is a patchwork of experiences
Wadi Rum is a popular desert destination in Jordan. Broad stretches of reddish tinged sand are interspersed with fantastical rock formations that dwarf over tourists riding in camel caravans. I’ve been fortunate to visit twice, each time staying at a Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp while experiencing the unique activities this desert offers. I share my personal experiences and lots of tips for planning a trip to Wadi Rum.
I had not heard of Wadi Rum until I started doing research about what to see and do in Jordan. As it turns out, I had already seen its landscape since this UNESCO protected area has been used as a filming location in many recent blockbuster movies including “Martian”, the “Star Wars” movies and Disney’s “Aladdin”.
Continue reading “Finding Mars on Earth at a Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp in Jordan”
Discover why Pandaw river cruises in Southeast Asia are a one of a kind experience that keeps bringing customers back to sail with this very special cruise company.
I was sipping my Pink Lady cocktail and enjoying the brilliant orange sunset across the Mekong river over the city of Vientiane, Laos’ capital. It was the last evening of my Laos Pandaw river cruise and the day had been very hot, but now a gentle breeze was slowly cooling off the open top deck lounge.
A dragon boat sped by in the evening twilight, its crew chanting loudly as they oared in perfect unison, dipping their many paddles into the water in synchronous time to their chanting beat. Not far from our docked vessel, a local fisherman squatted on the tip of his longtail boat, checking his nets. I marveled at the ease with which he maintained his balance as he twisted and twirled on his boat’s narrow tip, his gyrations worthy of an Olympic balance beam routine.
Continue reading “The Boats Are Back In Town – The Triumphant Return of Pandaw River Cruises”
Luxury barging in France on the Burgundy Canal with European Waterways has been one of my most memorable travel experiences. Discover why a France canal cruise should be at the top of your bucket list with this detailed review.
To have unique experiences is at the heart of why I travel. Recently I was privileged to have one of the most extraordinary luxury travel experiences that I have ever had. I was invited on a France canal cruise on the barge La Belle Epoque with European Waterways. For six days on my Burgundy, France Canal cruise, I had the ultimate slow travel cruising experience that included gourmet meals, amazing wines, impeccably attentive service and uniquely curated excursions.
Continue reading “My France Canal Cruise – Quiet Luxury in the French Countryside”
I discovered some of the most beautiful islands in Greece on a recent cruise. I am sharing my experiences and photos to inspire your next Greek island adventure.
My luxury Mediterranean sailing cruise took me to some of the most beautiful islands in Greece. Our itinerary combined the classic Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini with some of the less touristy islands like Syros, Kos, Patmos and Milos.
Continue reading “Cruising In Style to the Most Beautiful Islands in Greece”
Experience the best sailing holiday in Greece with the beautiful Running On Waves tall ship.
This story was recognized by the North American Travel Journalists Association with a Silver award in the Cruise category in the 2021 annual media travel awards competition .There wasn’t just one star, but rather, a pantheon of constellations blanketing the sky as the last rays of the setting sun disappeared over the horizon. To the east, a slim crescent moon was slowly rising out of the sea with the same grace as the goddess of love in Botticelli’s painting. A slight breeze and the gentle back and forth rocking informed me that our ship was under way. My dream Greece sailing tour had started.
Continue reading “Release Your Inner Jackie O On A Luxury Sailing Holiday in Greece”
The canals of France were built in the late 1700’s to provide a means of transporting goods. Barges were loaded with timber, limestone, wine and other desirable products and they were pulled along the canals through the many locks that controlled the flow of water. Today, the canals still support boat traffic, but these historic barges have now been converted into luxury floating cruise experiences that offer a unique means of exploring the French countryside. For the next six days, I will be enjoying a one of a kind cruise on the La Belle Epoque along the Burgundy Canal, one of the many barge cruising options offered by European Waterways.
Thanks for visiting
Rose
Bucket list item: glamping under a sky full of stars in the Sahara desert. Check.
Despite a crescent moon hanging low in the sky, the milky way and a million other stars were visible in the night sky as I lay on a sand dune in the Sahara desert, looking up and contemplating the vastness of the universe.
Thanks to Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp for hosting such an amazing experience.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Enjoying a hamam, or Turkish bath in Istanbul is a unique experience in Turkey. I wanted to try it on my first visit to Istanbul, but to do so, I would have to set aside my inhibitions about being seen naked by strangers. Could I do that?
I know I have a typical American hang up about public nudity. Hollywood may show a lot of bare skin, but that’s not me on that screen. Plus, at my age, I feel like I am losing both the battle of the bulge and the battle with gravity. I am not sure that I really should subject the world to seeing my body without clothes on.
A prime location, amenities like its own water park and aquarium, elegant yet whimsical decor and award winning restaurants made my holiday to Atlantis Dubai in the United Arab Emirates a truly unique experience. It has become one of my favorite resort stays anywhere.
Continue reading “Plan a Holiday to Atlantis Dubai – My Resort Experience Like No Other”
It is no secret that I love the work of master glass artist Dale Chihuly. So I will admit that the Palm Atlantis Chihuly sculpture in Dubai was, in part, one of the reasons I wanted to stay there. The combination sculpture-fountain is about 30 ft. tall and is made up of 3000 individually hand blown glass pieces. The sculpture took about two years to complete. It certainly is the show stopping centerpiece to an otherwise stunning hotel lobby.
Thanks for visiting
Rose
