Category Archives for On the Ground.
When I started planning my first-ever trip to Tulum, there’s something I knew I had to do: visit a cenote. If you’re not familiar with cenotes, they’re natural pools that reveal themselves when a cave collapses. The Yucatan Peninsula is full of them, with thousands of cenotes; some of which are developed and welcome visitors.…
After the last few years of stories about staffing shortages and customer service fails, my expectations were fairly low for our first (and last) hotel trip before our family of three becomes a family of four. Lido House in Newport Beach not only met my expectations; it far exceeded them. The Marriott portfolio property truly…
By Fly&Dine Contributor Nate Federman Before traveling to Costa Rica, I repeatedly heard three things about the food there: it’s lots of rice and beans (true!), bland (false!), and expensive (only partially true). Yes, there are plenty of restaurants catering to tourists. If you eat at them, you’ll pay US prices for unspectacular food. Or……
What: The Tenement Museum Where: Lower East Side Manhattan (New York City) What makes it special In today’s world, it feels more important than ever to honor the experiences of the immigrants who came to America and make this country what it is today. The Tenement Museum is precisely the place to do that. The museum consists…
What: The Westin Playa Bonita Panama Where: Panama City, Panama What makes it special It may not be in the heart of downtown Panama City, but this hotel is situated in the perfect spot for a true taste of Panama. Just a stone’s throw away from the airport (but not too close) and right on the beach, the Westin…
What: Casa Cavia Where: Buenos Aires, Argentina What makes it special Casa Cavia is a house at its core, built in the 1920s by a Norwegian artist and architect. The house, however, is far from a home. Located in Buenos Aires’ chic Palermo Chico neighborhood, it was converted into a contemporary restaurant and concept shop in 2015.…
What: Pellequr Where: Beverly Hills, CA What makes it special Traditional Korean day spas are amazing for a number of reasons (price point being at the top of the list), but sometimes you’re looking for a high-end experience. If that’s the case, you may want to check out Pellequr, a luxury women-only boutique Korean spa in the…
What: Lapa Rios Where: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica What makes it special Combine the Blue Lagoon with Swiss Family Robinson and Lost and you’re getting close to the experience of Lapa Rios. With 1,000 acres in the middle of a rainforest, this expansive luxury resort gives you a sustainable tourism experience where you can co-exist with Costa Rican nature without the restrictions…
What: Zoe Lee Where: Paris, France What makes it special Zoe Lee is one of a kind shoe store. If you’re looking for something special but don’t care to have one of *those* designers or name brand shoes, you’ve found the right place. Each Zoe Lee shoe is designed in Paris but carefully crafted in Italy with…
What: Single Island Shores Where: Finger Lakes, NY What makes it special While concrete jungles have their own beauty, they typically lack the color green. If you’re looking for a little nature time away without the buzz of the city, the Finger Lakes are a perfect quick drive upstate. Single Island Shores offers well-appointed cabin rentals right on Seneca…
What: Vintgar Gorge to Lake Bled Where: Soteska Vintgar, Slovenia What makes it special Around the river and through the woods (and two Slovenian ski towns), to Lake Bled you should go. Vintgar Gorge (also known as Bled Gorge) is a 1.6 kilometer gorge in northwestern Slovenia. Up for a little adventure? This journey is right up your alley. Begin on…
What: Dromoland Castle Where: Dromoland, County Clare, Ireland What makes it special It’s not often you get to stay in a 15th Century castle built on ancestral lands that have been overseen for over a thousand years, but Dromoland Castle gives you that chance. Don’t worry about that medieval stank, because the whole place was renovated to…
What: Thought Experiments in F# Minor Where: Los Angeles, California What makes it special Many know the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA to be the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, offering stimulating orchestral performances, innovative music education, and engaging community programs. What many do not know is that the Walt Disney Concert Hall…
What: Maguro Koya Where: Nara, Japan What makes it special Japanese restaurants are usually known for one specific thing, be it udon noodles or tempura or sushi. Some, though, go even further and specialize in a single ingredient. That’s the case with Maguro Koya in the Japanese city of Nara where the name of the game is…
