Outdoors
Ooh La La! Tahiti Is Closer Than You Think
Tahiti is a tropical paradise that combines natural beauty, rich culture, and luxurious experiences
From the Bounty to Brando, French Polynesia stirs our most primal escapism. Lush, verdant peaks teetering above gin-clear lagoons, filled with a brilliant, sapphire menagerie — it only begins to describe the allure, as does the scent of gardenias drifting through the air like a persistent opiate. With the same ancient Polynesian culture firmly rooted…
Sole Searching In San Francisco
How to enjoy the City by the Bay without a car
The streets of San Francisco might not have Karl Malden and Michael Douglas solving crimes these days, but some visitors still consider the traffic a crime. Rideshare was invented here for a reason — but you don’t need to jump in a car to enjoy the iconic “City by the Bay” experience. If time is…
Oregon Wine Country’s New Luxury Hub
Wine, food, and small-town charm combine in McMinnville to create a memorable experience
We’ve been coming to the Oregon Wine Country since the aughts, making the trek from Seattle to visit family near Hillsboro. Back then, McMinnville was a sleepy little town — a convenient stop for coffee or a quick bite on the way to somewhere else. Fast forward to today and it’s transformed into a destination…
The Great B.C. Escape
Enjoy a culinary weekend getaway just a few hours from Seattle
A memorable meal is one of the best incentives to travel. These three tempt the short drive from Seattle to British Columbia. The reward: a world-renowned Royal Thai experience; a Michelin starred Japanese/Italian fusion; and an impeccable aburi sushi bite — each paired with a complementary hotel — make for a delectable culinary weekend getaway….
Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Languedoc
For expert guidance to this magical corner of France, begin the journey at a wine shop in South Park
Last fall we attended a wine party in Quarante, a charming hamlet in the Languedoc region of southern France. The village was tiny. The house was anything but, with three stories, six bedrooms, a pool, and an old barn. A centuries-old olive tree observed the revelry from the interior courtyard, the wine flowed like water…
Four Exciting New Hotel Openings for 2025
Urban luxury, European inspiration, and a wine-themed resort
Unlike other options, hotels offer more than just a bed for the night. They turn lobbies into social hubs, become neighborhood anchors, and raise the bar on food and drink. These new hotel openings for 2025 should be just as exciting for Seattleites as they are for visitors. Hotel Westland: A New Era for Pioneer…
Thinking About Moving to Ireland? You’re Not Alone.
Washington leads the nation in searches for a path to Ireland
Two years ago, my family took a trip to Ireland. We hiked through lush green hills, rode shaggy horses in open fields, wandered through small towns, and, of course, ended most nights in a pub with a pint of Guinness and live music. Lately, my thinking has taken a turn. Post-election madness, the looming recession,…
Sea the City
Escape winter with a float on a hot tub boat
Here’s a hot (or at least comfortably warm) attraction for Seattle’s cold winter months: a soak in 104-degree water on Lake Union in the city’s original hot tub boat. Hot Tub Boats is the brainchild of Adam Karpenske, who — after moving back to Seattle after working on super yachts in the Caribbean for more…
A Weekend in Park City with the Best Snow I’ve Ever Skied
Known for its luxury resorts and powder days, this tiny Utah town is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts and après-lovers alike.
Last month, I found myself standing at the top of Prospector — a black-diamond run at the Park City Mountain Resort In Utah. I’d just sailed down the first part of Parley’s Park, a straightforward blue, and it was absolutely dumping snow. A fairly new skier for someone who grew up in Seattle (it was…
Warm Up the Winter: Fooling Seattle’s False Spring
Here’s how to conquer the city’s elusive spring
One moment the sun peeks through, the crocuses start to bloom, and cherry blossoms flirt with dreams of blissful spring. The next, the skies are weeping, and temperatures drop back into the 30s. It’s that time again: Seattle’s False Spring is a cruel trick. March demands an artful approach to staying warm — preferably one…
Job Cuts Threaten Washington’s Natural Beauty
Trails and campgrounds take a hit as federal layoffs slash staffing
I moved to Washington 20 years ago after a road trip that was supposed to last a week. I had never seen mountains like the Cascades and Olympics, never stood in a place as staggering as Mount Rainier National Park — and I say this as someone who doesn’t even ski. I went back to…
Costa Rican Coastline Bliss
Santa Teresa is a surfer yoga paradise on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula
Tucked away on the remote western edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa has evolved from a laid-back surf town into a full-on boho chic destination for Left Coasters, Ticos, and Euros craving the perfect blend of surf, yoga, and superfood smoothies, all set to the chill house vibe of Café del Mar. With its…
On the Trail of Kamehameha
The spirit of the great leader is alive and well on the Big Island of Hawaii
Just because we mellow our brains and vibe on sunny beach vacations doesn’t mean we can’t be curious enough to learn about our hosts. Walk ankle-deep into surf and sand, but wade knee-deep into local culture. Just north of Kona, the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island is a journey through the history of our 50th…
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