It’s mid-morning on a lovely February day in Bradenton, Florida. I’m kayaking through the tranquil Robinson Preserve in the northwest corner of the city, sliding past deep green mangrove forests dotted with majestic blue herons and brilliant white ibis. I’ve lucked into a morning paddle with Ranger Randy West from Kayak Jack’s. We get to talking as we roll along, and West tells me he used to be a professional volleyball player. Among his opponents over the years was Karch Kiraly, the legendary U.S. volleyballer and two-time gold medallist often considered the finest man to play the game. “I earned just Read more
resorts
A splashy, upscale resort with one of the best swimming pools on the planet. And a relaxing retreat that’s the epitome of old-time, Hawaiian charm. I loved my recent stay at both Koloa Landing in Poipu/Koloa and the Waimea Plantation Cottages on the lush, tropical island of Kauai. But for very different reasons. Here’s a look at two wonderful family properties with very different styles on what might be Hawaii’s most beautiful island. KOLOA LANDING RESORT AT POIPU, MARRIOTT AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION This is an upscale yet super family-friendly spot on the edge of the popular Poipu/Koloa region of south Read more
I haven’t been to every island in the Caribbean, so let me make it clear that this isn’t intended to be a list of the overall best beaches in the Caribbean. Rather, this is a list of the top ten Caribbean beaches that I have been to. I’m sure many will still disagree, but please don’t write me a note and chastise me for leaving your fave beach in the Turks and Caicos or Aruba off my list. I WAS in Turks and Caicos in 2009, but it was just for a day and it was cool and windy, and Read more
It was startling to hear. I was having a look at the array of rums for sale at Depaz Distillery in northern Martinique when someone reached over my shoulder to grab a bottle. “Sorry,” he said. I was taken aback for a minute. Other than talking to members of our small travel writers’ group and our tour guides, it was the first word of English I had heard in more than 24 hours on the island. Many people in the hospitality industry in Martinique speak English, but you know you’re in a different part of the Caribbean when you visit Read more
I visited Cedar Key several years ago and fell in love with the low-key atmosphere and the friendly locals. It was tough to see how Hurricane Idalia damaged the town so badly in August of last year. Things seemed to be back to some kind of normal, but then the town was hit by a massive fire that destroyed a couple of its charming waterfront buildings, which sit on stilts that rest in the waters of Gulf of Mexico. Published reports say the fire on Dock Street destroyed the Rusty Hook Bait Shop and Duncan’s on the Gulf Restaurant. That’s Read more
