Articles by Hilary Nangle

Recent articles by Hilary Nangle

***NOTE: The last few years were challenging as I was incapacitated for the better part of a year due to a broken shoulder, car accident, and shingles—my year from Hell—and then, when I had recovered, I had a skiing accident (and let’s not even mention the pandemic, sigh)…but I’m back

How to See the Northern Lights: A Travel Guide, AARP, Oct. 4, 2024

It’s 1 a.m. in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, and I’m swathed in so many layers of wool, down and high-tech clothing that I can barely move. The temperature is 44 below zero: It doesn’t matter whether that’s Fahrenheit or Celsius; the scales meet at 40 below. I should be dancing around for warmth, instead I’m lying on frozen tundra watching ethereal green, white and rose lights streak, shimmy, swirl and shimmer in the night sky.

10 Incredible Family Adventures to Try in Maine, National Geographic Travel, June 11, 2024

With 3,500 miles of coastline, 6,000 lakes and ponds, 17 million forested acres, and 14 peaks over 4,000 feet, Maine has lots of options for families to get active outdoors. Here are 10 experiences that reveal the New England state’s natural and wild wonders.

Best of Maine: Weekend Travel: The Acadia Region (pp 68-69) AND Best of Maine: The Classics and New & Buzzy for Stay and Play (pp 118-121), Yankee, May-June, 2024

Sharing the Best of Maine with Yankee magazine’s readers.

 

Finding Heaven in Northern Irelands Fermanagh Lakelands, Travelers United Plus, March 17, 2024

When my friend Margie asked me to join her on a trip to the Emerald Island, I pressed for details. As soon as she mentioned Northern Ireland’s Fermanagh Lakelands, I said yes. I’ve dipsey-doodled Ireland’s western coast, diving into the Wild Atlantic Way’s highlights and wading through its secrets. And I’ve time-traveled through many of the prehistoric sites peppering Ireland’s Ancient East. But I longed to visit this lake-splashed region framed with mountains and rich in farmlands.

Le Massif de Charlevoix: Quebec’s winter playground, Everett Potter’s Travel Letter, Feb. 24, 2024

From the summit of Le Massif, an upside-down alpine resort in Quebec’s Charlevoix region, I gazed outward over the broad expanse of the ice-choked St. Lawrence River. I couldn’t help thinking that if I could get enough air off a mogul, I might land on one of those ice blocks far below. Instead, I kept my skis on the snow, ebbing and flowing down toward the waves lapping the shoreline below.

The Best Maine Ski Resorts for Every Skill and Budget, Week&, Jan. 25, 2024

While Colorado and Vermont may get all the attention for boasting some of the most famous and beloved ski towns in the U.S., don’t count out Maine. Seventeen ski resorts pepper the Pine Tree state, from South Berwick to Fort Kent and along the Canadian border.

11 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S. News, Jan. 8, 2024

Nature lovers are truly spoiled for choice in Bar Harbor. Awe-inspiring Acadia National Park edges the town, and all kinds of nature, bird-watching and boat tours are offered.

All Aboard! Tips for Traveling with Your Pet on a Train, AARP,  Jan. 5, 2024

We love our pets, and we love traveling with them. And taking the train can be an affordable and easy way to travel around the country. But boarding with your furry friend requires a good amount of planning and preparation. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with your pet on a train. Note: These rules do not apply to service animal

15 Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park, U.S. News, Nov. 13, 2023

Whether you’re hiking up Cadillac Mountain, hiding out on Sand Beach or just driving along the 27-mile Park Loop Road, Acadia’s attractions are all about enjoying the great outdoors, actively or passively.

Savor Quebec’s Easter Townships on a 4-Day Road Trip: Enjoy small towns and stunning landscape east of Montreal, AARP, Aug. 17, 2023

Quebec’s Eastern Townships — a collection of charming small cities and towns with a French vibe — sprawl in a predominantly rural region east of Montreal and bordering Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

5 Best All-inclusive Vacations in Maine: From Lakeside Lodges to a Sailboat Adventure, TravelandLeisure.com, July 4, 2023

Summer in Maine is magical, with rugged coastlines to explore, gorgeous trails to trek, lobster shacks to visit, and thousands of glimmering lakes beckoning swimmers to the water. Want to experience the state’s natural beauty with ease? These all-inclusive waterfront options check that box, each one aiming to make family getaways carefree and fun.

My vacation plans usually include six women and five dogs. Since the early months of the pandemic, we’ve traveled to pet-friendly rental homes three or four times a year. We are not alone.

Visiting Maine: Here’s what the locals love, NationalGeographic.com, June 9, 2023

Look for the tastiest lobster shack or coolest crafts shops? National Geographic’s resident experts reveal their secret spots.

The essential guide to visiting Maine, June 9, 2023

Here’s everything you need to know about exploring the Pine Tree State—when to go, where to stay, what to do, and how to get around.

The Sounds of Summer: Music and a bit of magic combine at this decades-old Maine family resort, Yankee, Annual Travel Guide, May-June 2023

In the night, raindrops dance on my cottage roof, waves lap the shore, and a loon cries across the water. This night music is nature’s coda to the professional musical performances staged at Quisisana, an all-inclusive, cottage-style family resort edging western Maine’s nine-mile-long Kezar Lake.

Best of New England: Maine, Yankee, Annual Travel Guide, May-June 2023

See my recommendations, included in editors’ picks for places to eat and drink, stay, and play in Maine.

Ireland’s Clare Island: A Lighthouse Inn, An Ancient Abbey, and Grace O’Malley the Pirate Queen, Everett Potter’s Travel Report, March 24, 2023

Misty rain dampened my enthusiasm as I hopscotched puddles between the parking lot to the Roonagh Pier ferry terminal, about 17 miles west of Westport, Ireland. Whitecaps dancing on Clew Bay’s storm-gray waters had me questioning my desire to stay at the Clare Island Lighthouse Inn.

The 9 Best Things to Do in Maine, Lonely Planet, Dec. 2022
Maine lures visitors with stunning natural beauty and a wealth of outdoor fun, so it’s no surprise that many of the best things to do here take advantage of the state’s natural resources.

Mountain Highs: From a revitalized grande-dame to a Champagne-stocked ride, here’s what’s new (and to come) in the Swiss Alps this season, Virtuoso, Nov.-Dec., 2022

The Mandarin Oriental Oakacem Luzern reopens. Check out the posh VIP gondola cabin 888 on the Jungfrau Railway’s Tiger Express. And plan ahead to travel between Zermatt and Cervinia, without needing alpine equipment.

Acadia All-American Road: Built through philanthropy, this route leads to the best of Acadia National Park, Country Extra, Nov., 2022

Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park: It’s hard to beat autumn on the Maine Coast, Yankee, Sept.-Oct. 2022

No matter how often I drive, pedal, or hike the Ocean Drive stretch of the Park Loop road in Acadia National Park, it’s never the same. Tides ebb and flow, sunlight dances with shadows, waves whisper or roar.

Spend Four Days Discovering Maine’s Scenic Blue Hill Peninsula, AARP, Sept. 26, 2022

Splashed with waterways, speckled with fir-trimmed islands, scented with brine and pine, and edged with granite, Maine’s Blue Hill Peninsula and bridge-tethered Deer Isle dangle into the Atlantic Ocean east of Camden and west of Mount Desert Island. Spend four days meandering through this eye-candy region via two-lane roads that ebb and flow with the coastline, passing lakes and ponds, weaving through woodlands, and crossing bridges and causeways.

A Winter’s Night Atop Mount Pilatus, Afar, Sept. 15, 2022

Mired in myth and legend and rising nearly 7,000 feet above Lucerne, Mount Pilatus has lured dragon slayers, adventure seekers, politicians, and even royalty. I’ve fallen victim to its siren song on cobalt blue December afternoons on multiple occasions, when visitors are few and serenity and solitude speak volumes.

The Muir Hotel, where Wind and Water work Healing Wonders, Insiders Guide to Spas, Aug. 2022

Wind filled the sails of Little Wing, and as we skimmed across the broad expanse of Halifax Harbor, the knots in my shoulders relented—a bit. Ahead, white sails and colorful spinnakers whirled like dervishes on the water. Captain Max Page skillfully maneuvered the 36-foot Morris sailing yacht around the racing boats while pointing out islands and shoreline sights, identifying seabirds, and sharing tidbits about this Nova Scotia city’s rich history.

For a Recovering Visitor, Paris Reveals Unexpected Delights and New Perspective, AARP.org, April 15, 2022

A “usual” exploration of Paris would demand visits to the historic Eiffel Tower, the art-filled Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the iconic churches Notre Dame and Sacré-Coeur, and the shop-lined avenues such as Champs-Élysées and Rue Saint-Honoré. It might also be filled with tastings of exquisite French wines and scrumptious foie gras, cheese or pastries in famed restaurants or trendy cafés, where jostling in lengthy lines is to be expected and reservations are not. My pre-pandemic visit to the City of Light was far from usual, however.

The Giddy Season—Spring Skiing at Sugarloaf: Warm sun, soft snow and pure joy, Yankee, March 2022

At age 12, I made my first turns down Sugarloaf’s trails, then narrow and twisting, during spring break. Although a beginner, I followed my chum Diana and her mountain-brat friends, all of whom had been skiing since they could toddle. Not only did I survive intact, but I also left with a tan that rivaled those of friends who had spent vacations sprawled on Florida beaches. Of course, it was a raccoon-eyed goggle tan, but heck, what a souvenir. Even better, I now counted myself a Sugarloafer. Decades later, I still am.

Maine’s best quirky museums and offbeat sights, GettingOnTravel, Jan 13, 2021

Like most states, Maine has plentiful art museums, transportation museums, and historical sights. But you’ll find these 12 quirky museums and weird and wonderful offbeat attractions only in Maine.

From the Mountains to the Sea, B (Buick) Magazine, fall 2021

Open a calendar, and you’ll find a page — or even its cover — featuring a cozy boat-filled harbor, a windjammer skimming across the sea, or a lighthouse atop a rocky ledge. Such views adorn Maine’s Camden-Rockland region, which stretches from Port Clyde to Lincolnville. One could drive between those points in less than an hour, but it would take days, if not weeks, to discover the region’s highlights and lesser-known treasures.

How an All-Inclusive Resort can Help you Check off your Ski Bucket List, Skimag.com, summer 2021

On a gray afternoon in the French Alps, I eyeballed the trail map debating where to go. The open and seemingly endless expanse, with slopes and trails discernable almost everywhere I looked, intimidated me.

15 picturesque hotels in Maine that place you at the doorstep of incredible nature, Business Insider, July 28, 2021

Slip away to one of these 15 hotels that put the best of Maine within footsteps. From eclectic accommodations, including themed boutique hotels and country B&Bs to luxury inns and all-inclusive resorts.

The Edge of Civilization: In Maine’s Wilderness woodlands, Hilary Nangle discovers easier ways to rough it, Country, August-September, 2021

Whenever I venture inland from my coastal home to the wilderness woodlands north of Bangor, I’m equally awed and seduced by the region’s raw beauty. Mountains cradle pristine lakes and serene ponds. Tumbling waterways splash dense woodlands. Eagles soar and moose romp. The result: a vast, outdoor playground laced with trails and blessed with an embarrassment of riches. One doesn’t need to be a dedicated wilderness lover or forego creature comforts to enjoy this region’s wonders.

Explore Revolutionary War History in Charming Castine Maine, AARP.org

The minute you round the corner into Castine, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. This coastal Maine town seduces visitors with its handsome Federal and Georgian homes, elm-lined streets, colorful gardens, college campus and serene views of windjammers and working boats cruising Penobscot Bay — but it’s more than a pretty face.

Grand Hotels and Mountain Views on a New Hampshire Road Trip: A getaway from Boston includes historic retreats in the White Mountains, AARP.org

In the late 18th and early 20th centuries, city folk seeking clean water, clear air and outdoor recreation fled to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. They came for the summer, arriving on trains and buckboard carriages, accompanied by servants and laden with steamer trunks. Grand hotels rose to meet their needs. While fires and neglect claimed most through the decades, a handful of hotels have survived and been restored for contemporary travelers seeking respite — whether that’s hiking, skiing, visiting attractions or simply enjoying the views. (A slightly different version of this article appears in the April/May edition of AARP magazine).

Sustainable Journey into the World of Maine Lobster Fishing, Sandwich, Issue 3, July 2020

Fifth-generation Maine lobsterman Kelly Wallace, 28, is scared. Not only is the sustainability of Maine’s lobster fishery endangered, so, too, is that of those iconic fishing villages dotting coastal and island harbors. Ask marine research scientists about
the sustainability of Maine’s fisheries, especially that of the state’s iconic American lobster, and the responses cover climate change and warming ocean waters. Ask Maine lobstermen (and that term includes women), and the reply is often less about climate and more about preserving community, limiting regulations, sourcing bait, and protecting waterfront access.

You Can’t Travel, but You Can Vacation at Home: 3 ideas for a relaxing home-cation, because everyone needs time off, AARP.org

In a pre-Covid-19 world, the freedom to be at home without obligations would have seemed like a vacation. But isolating for the coronavirus has changed that perspective. The American belief in productivity may make some feel guilty for taking a vacation day at home, but experts say that it’s no less important to do so now than it was before the pandemic.

Life Without Travel: Postcard from Midcoast Maine, Getting On Travel

From my home office, if I crook my neck and peer through a web of branches and beyond the barn and grassy fields, I glimpse a midcoast Maine river where it begins widening into a bay. Settled by German farmers deluded into thinking they’d find rich fertile soil instead of thick forests and rocky lands, my town later earned fame for shipbuilding. These days, it’s more of a pass-through for those heading down one of the two peninsulas it unites.

When and Where to See the Northern Lights: Tips for a successful trip to view the aurora borealis, AARP, February-March, 2020 (print and online)

It’s 1 a.m. in Churchill, Manitoba, and I’m swathed in so many layers of wool, down and high-tech clothing that I can barely move. The temperature is 44 below zero: It doesn’t matter whether that’s Fahrenheit or Celsius; the scales meet at 40 below.

Bicentennial Maine: Four uncompromising places to visit for the state’s 200th birthday, AAA Northern New England Journey, January-February 2020

To celebrate the state’s bicentennial, seek out some of the state’s lesser-known sights and experiences that contribute to making Maine the special place it is.

5 U.S. Ski Destinations That Offer Loads of Fun On and Off the Slopes: There are activities and attractions for all ages and interests, AARP.org, Dec. 19, 2019

My husband and I enjoy skiing, but we no longer pick a winter vacation destination for skiing alone. Between high-speed lifts and cranky knees, we’re often ready to quit by early afternoon. So we prefer alpine destinations that offer other activities appealing to us and any non-skiing family members or friends who join us.

You don’t need to be a skier to enjoy these winter vacation spots, AARP.org, Dec. 19, 2019

So what if you don’t ski? There are lots of wonderful places where you can soak up the culture and beauty of a mountain destination in winter without hitting the slopes (including in the U.S.). I love these four areas because they all offer plenty to do besides skiing, which makes them ideal winter getaways for multigenerational groups — or couples with different ideas of fun.

A Glorious Windjammer Cruise in Maine: Consider exploring the state’s iconic coast on a different kind of ship, AARP.org, Aug. 2019

On a brilliant June morning, the Stephen Taber casts off from Windjammer Wharf in Rockland, Maine, a yawl boat nudging the engineless 68-foot schooner toward the open waters of Penobscot Bay. Passengers mill about on deck sipping coffee, chatting and watching the action. Some, like me, have cruised previously aboard a Maine windjammer; others are first-timers. We’re set for a three-day cruise from Rockland. Wind and tide will determine our route.

It’s a Breeze: Windjammer fleet plies Maine’s coast in laid-back style, AAA Northern New England Journey, July-August, 2019

Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main. I hum as schooner Ladona skims across Maine’s Penobscot Bay, the breeze billowing its sails on a warm mid-October morning. Reds, oranges, greens, and yellows fringe the mainland and islands, their reflections shimmering in the ocean waters. The scent of bread baking wafts from the galley. Around me, passengers relax on the deck, some reading or knitting, one painting, others watching for seals and seabirds.

Find out what it’s like to visit the Lost Kitchen, Maine’s most mysterious restaurant: The remote, mill-set legend is one of the toughest places to score a reservation in America, Boston Magazine, August 2019.

You may never find yourself with a reservation at the Lost Kitchen. But trust me: You should try to get one. Every year, thousands of food-savvy travelers enter a long-odds lottery, hoping to land a table at this culinary oasis in rural Maine.

Canada by Cargo Ship: Discovering Quebec’s remote Lower North Shore aboard a cruise-supply vessel, Boston Globe, June 2, 2019

My eyes Ping-Pong between Kegaska’s port and the sea, from watching the ship’s crane hoist containers on deck to scanning the Gulf of St. Lawrence waters hoping to spy any of the 13 whales known to frolic here. I’ve been eyeballing both since boarding the combo cruise-and-cargo ship Bella Desgagnés two days ago.

Where to eat in Portland, Maine: Bon Appetit’s Restaurant City of the Year, Getting on Travel, May 23, 2019

If you’re wondering where to eat in Portland, Maine, get crackin’ on making decisions and reservations. With one sentence, internationally renowned French Chef Daniel Boulud elevated this small seaport city’s ridiculously hot culinary scene to the equivalent of a Carolina Reaper, the hottest pepper on the Scolville scale.

Portland Maine: Restaurant City of the Year, Washington Flyer, summer 2019

When Bon Appetit magazine named Portland, Maine, “Restaurant City of the Year” in 2018, culinary travelers took notice. In addition to citations of excellence for living, work, and play, Portland’s earned national kudos for the quality of life, thanks to its extensive trail network, buzzing art scene, boating and fishing, and minor league baseball. P. 38

Floating Eco-Lodge: Access remote archipelago at this Canadian getaway, Private Clubs, spring 2019

Haida Gwaii seduces adventurous and inquisitive travelers. For more than 12,500 years, the indigenous Haida have inhabited the lush rainforests blanketing this 150-plus-island archipelago about 140 miles southwest of Prince Rupert on British Columbia’s northwestern coast.

Turkish Delights: What to See and Do in Istanbul, GettingOnTravel, Oct. 9, 2018

The simplest answer to the question of what to see and do in Istanbul is everything.

“Either I conquer Istanbul or Istanbul conquers me,” vowed Ottoman sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmet, better known as Mehmet the Conqueror. Anyone who visits this city straddling two continents understands Mehment’s sentiment.

Courcheval Chic, SNOW, winter 2018-19 (article begins on page 76)

Long the playground of A-list celebs, politicians, and royalty, tony Courcheval, sited in France’s Les Trois Vallées, is synonymous with five-star hotels and Michelin-starred chefs. Guests come from around the world to ski this posh paradise, and they expect their boutiques (and their outfits) to match the surrounding glamour. For 45 years, the Bernard Orcel boutique has catered to their needs. And their whims.

Inn Styles: These three B&Bs prove that hospitality has no template—Berry Manor Inn, AAA Northern New England Journey, September/October 2018

Wearing a pie-wedge hat, Michael La Posta serves breakfast to a young couple, flashes a mischievous grin, and beelines to the dining room sideboard. Seconds later, a toy hamster dressed as a bride starts dancing to Chapel of love. Guests laugh, and a few dancing hamsters later, Pied Piper Mike leads a conga line out of the room. It’s another typical day at Rockland’s Berry Manor Inn.

Immerse in American Art History on Monhegan Island, Maine, Getting On Travel, Aug. 20, 2018

If you want to delve into the history of American art, visit Monhegan, a rugged, remote and mostly roadless island sited roughly 10 miles off mid-coast Maine. Scarcely one square mile in size and laced with about 12 miles of trails, Monhegan Island is a favorite among hikers, birders, dreamers, and especially artists.

Spring Skiing Safari: Slather on the Sunscreen for a Cross-Border Spree, Getting On Travel, March 15, 2018

Too many folks store their skis in March. I consider spring skiing the reward for braving frigid temps and blustery winds. Give me sunshine, sunscreen, and corn snow, and I’m in heaven. These eight alpine resorts, offering some of the best spring skiing, are clustered in Montana, Alberta, and British Columbia. Ski one or two or plan an epic road trip.

Slide into 2018: Five Luxe European Alpine Resorts, Getting on Travel, Feb. 23, 2018

Luxury alpine resorts in Europe are enjoying a banner snow year, and it’s not too late for outdoor enthusiasts to reap the rewards. These five resorts deliver excellent skiing and riding, along with plentiful cross-country and snowshoe trails and tobogganing runs for all ages: Think descending under starry skies after a fondue dinner at a mountain hut.

Storybook Switzerland: Chalets, Cheese, Chocolate and a Winter Playground, Life Refined, Winter 2018 PDF

Red-shuttered chalets freckle the snow-blanketed countryside, nimble-footed mountain goats cling to hillsides, the aroma of melting cheese wafts on the breeze, alpine lifts zipper across mountains and winter trails lace the valleys. In winter, Switzerland not only glistens with snow but also shines with possibilities.

Kruising with Kurt Ulmer: Catching up with KRU’s skiwear designer in Maui and St. Moritz, Snow, Winter 17/18  PDF

Alpine fashion icon Kurt Ulmer isn’t an easy man to pin down. Maui. St. Moritz. Asia. New York. The intrepid 50-year veteran of the ski wear industry, Swiss boutique proprietor, and founder of the ski brand Jet Set, is perpetually out in front, leading rather than following.

Out & About: Gstaad’s Cows Come Home, AAA Northern New England Journey, September-October 2017

At summer’s end, Switzerland’s cows descend from high alpine pastures to the Heidi-esque villages below. In Gstaad, the annual parade known as the zuglete is an all-day affair that’s both moo-ving and cheesy—in a good way.

Out & About: A Monumental Vista, AAA Northern New England Journey, September-October 2017

On clear days, the head-swiveling views from the observatory atop the Penobscot Narrows Bridge extend from coastal Mount Desert Island inland to Katahdin, Maine’s tallest peak.

Raindrops on Roses: A British Garden Party, Life Refined, summer 2017

Wander through woodlands, surround yourself with roses, laugh over follies, and explore historical ruins. Experience it all on a journey looping through gardens in England and Wales, and don’t worry about showers—they make the colors really pop!

Dancing with the Wind: Weave between coastal islands and visit remote fishing villages on a Maine windjammer cruise, USA Today Go Escape, summer 2017

Waves splash the deck, and I brace my feet, trying to hold steady as the Ladona leans into the wind, racing its sister schooner, the Stephen Taber, across the choppy waters of Maine’s Penobscot Bay. Other passengers scramble for dry positions, laughing while soaking in the experience of sailing aboard a Maine windjammer.

Out & About: BikeMaine Roams the Peaks, AAA Northern New England Journey, July-August 2017

The humble bicycle marks its bicentennial in 2017, and this autumn, 400 bicyclists will noodle nearly 250 miles through western Maine’s lake-splashed mountains on Bike Maine’s Pathway to the Peaks ride.

Naturally Norway: Adventure beckons in the Land of the Midnight Sun, Life Refined, spring 2017

Norway evokes images of Vikings, glacier-capped mountains plummeting to shimmery fjords, and seasonal spectacles like the midnight sun through spring and summer and the Northern Lights come fall and winter. Russia, Finland and Sweden frame its eastern borders, while the Atlantic North Sea ebbs and flows 63,000 miles around the 1,190 named fjords and 240,000 islets and islands. Politically stable, economically strong, and environmentally astute, design-savvy Norway pairs a vibrant culture and rich heritage with stunning scenery punctuated by spectacular adventures ranging from riding horses on a windswept beach to kissing wolves in an Arctic preserve.

An elite Victorian playground turned Swiss Army hub emerging as Switzerland’s Next Great ski Resort, Private Clubs, Winter 2017 PDF

On a bluebird day, the views from the 9,715-foot summit slay me. The optic white panorama encompasses more than 600 craggy peaks surrounding central Switzerland’s Urseren Valley. Puffy wisps trail skiers descending marked pistes and unblemished powder fields. Far, far below and out of view on the valley floor lies the once-sleepy eye-candy village of Andermatt, now emerging as a world-class destination resort with new hotels and luxury rental apartments layering contemporary chic upon its cozy, traditional town center; speedy new high-capacity lifts zippering surrounding peaks; and cross-country trails lacing a new championship golf course.

Vail Meets Valbruna: Pro Skiers Inject a Little Italy into Vail Village, Snow, High Season 2017

Step inside Valbruna, the cozy Vail Village boutique, and be transported to Italy—Valbruna, Italy, to be precise. Former Italian World Cup and American pro skier Marco Tonazzi—together with his wife, former ski film star Amy wheeler Tonazzi—have created a vest pocket tribute to Marco’s hometown, the julian Alps village snuggled against northeastern Italy’s Austria-Slovenia border.”

The Table/Review: Empire Chinese Kitchen, AAA Northern New England Journey, January-February 2017

Dim sum means “touches the heart,” which is exactly what the little plates, steamed buns, and dumplings at Empire Chinese Kitchen do. Opened in 2013, this temple of Cantonese soul food occupies the site of Portland’s original Chinese restaurant, Empire Chop Suey, closed in 1953 but allegedly immortalized in Edward Hopper’s 1929 painting Chop Suey.

Maine Attraction, GMC The Magazine, Fall 2016

Mount Desert island dangles like a pendant off Maine’s Down East coast. Tethered by a causeway to the mainland, this beautiful real estate is highlighted by forested mountains capped with bald peaks, ringed by craggy granite shorelines, splashed with shimmering ponds, and ribboned with roadways, hiking trails and Carriage Roads.

Acadia National Park Celebrates Its Centennial, AAA Northern New England Journey, May-June 2016

With apologies to Walt Whitman, I hear America singing every time I visit Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.

The Road Trip: Taking in the multitude of exhilarating experiences along the wild and unspoiled Cabot Trail, Private Clubs, Spring 2016

“There are only two places in the world: Cape Breton, and that other place, Away.” That tagline to a Gaelic College exhibit embodies the spirit of Cape Breton, the island tethered by causeway to northeastern end of Nova Scotia, a province that’s nearly an island in itself.

Much Ado About Shakespeare, Travelers United, April 23, 2016

Much ado about commemorating the anniversary of his death, that is. William Shakespeare died 400 years ago April 23, 2016, allegedly exactly 52 years to the day from his birth. His legacy, however, lives on, and this year his English homeland is giving The Bard his due. Both Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was born and also died, and London, where his career flourished, have calendars filled with Shakespeare-themed tributes and events.

A Canadian spring skiing safari, Travelers United, March 20, 2016

Mine, mine, all mine, I thought greedily, as the lifts shut down and the last straggling day-trippers headed down the mountain. We were at Sunshine Mountain Resort on day three of our Canadian skiing safari. Over eight days, we notched five alpine and one Nordic areas on our must-ski belt, passed through four National Parks, visited two provinces, and crossed the Continental Divide.

Spring skiing in Europe, Travelers United, March 19, 2016

Most Americans travel west to ski. Buck the trend: Fly east, hop The Pond, and ski Europe’s Alps. No North American resort can compete with the mind-boggling expanses of terrain. Think high-alpine bowls and craggy peaks zippered with equally mind-boggling varieties of lifts.

But that’s just the teaser.

Angama Mara: Perched high above Kenya’s Maasai Mara, a striking new safari lodge delivers front-row seats to Africa’s beloved animal kingdom. It’s a not-to-be-missed show, Private Clubs, Winter 2016 PDF

Just below my private elevated deck, I spot the welcoming committee – three hyraxes rustling in scrubby brush. Beyond that, the land drops 1,000 feet to the Mara Triangle, the northernmost point of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Using the powerful Nikon binoculars supplied in my suite, I scan the sky-bordered, amber-hued savanna. Amid solitary Balanite trees, forests splotched with murky mudholes, and emerald green wetlands splashed with shimmery blue, I spy buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and zebras.

Chance Encounters: In Winter Park, local visionaries have left a surprising arts legacy, AAA Northern New England Journey, March/April 2016

Language must speak for itself. My friend Judy and I planned a gal-pal getaway in Winter Park, but an illuminated installation above the hotel’s reception desk caught our eyes. Simply asking about that thought-provoking work by Joseph Kosuth tripped a domino-series of surprises. Instead of lounging poolside, we filled the next few days discovering world-class arts sites created by visionaries or philanthropists, sites that would have been expected in New York or Paris.

Pure Instinct: Gary Cole uses intuition to build a chic Park City boutique, SNOW, High Season, 2016

When Gary Cole opened Cole Sports in Park City, Utah, in 1982, he did so on pure instinct. He and his wife, Jana, had resided in the resort town for 10 years, and as a ski instructor and realtor, he’d built a clientele of wealthy, well-dressed clients. “It occurred to me that nobody in town was doing any high-end, European-type fashion,” he says.

Mountain Highs: What’s new at U.S. alpine resorts, Private Clubs, Winter 2016

An overview, by state, of on-mountain improvements for the 2015-2016 ski season.

Fashion and Passion: Gstaad Entrepreneur Lorenz Bach on the creation of an alpine fashion boutique, Snow, Winter 2015/2016

Swiss fashion maestro Lorenz Bach takes inspiration from Gstaad, a landscape allegedly shaped when God rested his hand during a break from creating the world. Bach’s family has farmed this divine countryside for more than 700 years.

Northern Light: Maine woos travelers with unrivaled scenery and wows them with spirited adentures, rich culture and history and delicious culinary opportunities, Delta Sky, December 2015

Maine is a tease. It tempts visitors with images of lobster, lighthouses and moose and then reels them in for good with a welcoming disposition and bucket lst of possibilities. Prized by outdoor aficionados, beloved by artists and savored by culinary fiends, New England’s largest state (geographically) is far more than just a pretty face.

Maine Attraction: Off to New England for fall foliage? Here, five tasty new reasons you must make a Portland food stop, Private Clubs, Fall 2015

It’s no secret that Portland’s restaurant scene exploded after Bon Appétit named Maine’s largest city America’s Foodiest Small Town in 2009. Rising chefs started coming to make their mark, and the trend hasn’t run its course. Excellent chef-driven restaurants continue to open, with these five among the newest and most buzz-worthy.

The Wonderful World of Woz, Global Business Travel, Aug. 2015

Fifteen years ago, the science and technology website Slashdot anointed Steve Wozniak “the Geek God in whose shadow all others dwell.” Wozniak, who prefers being called Woz, is the techno-wiz who single-handedly invented the groundbreaking Apple I and II. He’s also credited with creating the Atari game Breakout, one of the first programmable universal remote controls, and for being a pioneer in GPS technology.

Bespoke India, Life Refined, Summer 2015

Cast aside any singular vision of India. This jeweled pendant dangling between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is hot and steamy, dry and dusty, even cool and refreshing. It’s also staggeringly crowded and yet blissfully spiritual; steeped in history but technologically advanced. The land of Rudyard Kipling, Mohandas Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Salmon Rushdie, and Deepak Chopra is a singsong lullaby that soothes the soul, awakens the senses and fires the imagination. PDF

Waterside Views, AAA Northern New England Journey, July/August, 2015

Chart a course from the Schoodic Peninsula to Eastport along Route 1, while dipping into coastal Maine’s rich history. Easy-on-the-eyes scenery, little traffic, and plentiful mom-and-pop businesses add to the adventure.

Keepers of the Flame: Blind hope and passions fuel lighthouse restorations, Starboard, magazine of the Nova Star cruise ferry, 2015

Thanks to the Maine Lights Program, launched in 1996, and the National Historical Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, more than 40 of Maine’s 64 historical beacons have been saved from destruction and neglect. The programs allow transfer of lighthouses to nonprofits or, when none step forward, private parties. Those entrusted with a lighthouse’s care must preserve it with no funding supplied and, if restoring it, must do so accurately. Not an easy task.

Out of the Blue, Starboard, magazine of the Nova Star cruise ferry, 2015

Seafood fraud is a huge issue, warns James Benson, sustainable seafood project manager at the Portland-based Gulf of Maine Research Institute. “Studies show that about one-quarter to one-third of seafood imports originate from illegal, unregulated places; you don’t know what you’re getting and you don’t know if the fishery is near collapse,” he advises. That’s not the case with the institute’s Gulf of Maine Responsibly Harvested program, which is designed to raise awareness about well-managed species with populations that are doing well. “You can feel good about what you’re buying and know you’re supporting fishermen who have made the sacrifices to make sure the fish will be there for years to come.”

Best of Maine, Yankee Magazine, May/June 2015

I made the Best of Maine picks for Yankee’s annual Best of New England issue.

Gardens given life on “The Rock,” Boston Globe, April 5, 2015

Alcatraz derives from the name Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala gave to one of the three islands in San Francisco Bay, “Alcatraces,” probably referring to the “strange birds” or “pelicans” he saw on it. Its strange name (its meaning still debated) is appropriate, given The Rock’s unique history as a federal penitentiary, but as our guide noted, some of the island’s truly unique artifacts are its gardens and the stories behind them.

Meet the Innkeepers: Berry Manor Inn, Rockland, Maine, Boston Globe, April 5, 2015

ROCKLAND — Cheryl Michaelsen and Michael LaPosta have owned the Berry Manor Inn for nearly two decades. The ruby-colored Victorian regularly earns kudos as one of the top B&Bs in the country. Built in 1898 by Charles Berry as a wedding gift for his wife, the inn occupies a prime location in a quiet neighborhood steps from downtown. Innkeepers Michaelsen and LaPosta have preserved and polished the architectural splendors of the inn and carriage house alongside updating with contemporary “essentials” such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi, and fireplaces and/or whirlpool tubs in many guest rooms. The overall feel is sophisticated yet put-your-feet-up comfy, easy elegance tempered by tongue-in-cheek humor.

Tip: Steal away to Thieves Island, Boston Globe, April 5, 2015

Once red-light, Thieves Island is now red hot. Urban renewal has turned the notorious site where thieves were hanged and prostitutes roamed into the city’s most hip and happening neighborhood, a 15-minute walk from downtown.

Lagarde in the Lead, Global Business Travel, March/April, 2015

She’s disciplined and polished, equally charming and disarming, a champion swimmer and a champion for diversity. As head of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, 59, is on a first-name basis with most of the world’s leaders. Named the fifth most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2014, this nonsmoking, teetotaling vegetarian owns a reputation not only as a trailblazer but also as the go-to when the getting gets tough.

Schussing Through History: Discover New Hampshire’s illustrious skiing legacy, AAA Northern New England Journey, Nov./Dec. 2014

A lifetime ago, I ski-bummed in New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley, making lift-ticket reservations at Attitash, quaffing brews at Black’s Shovel Handle Pub, skedaddling down Cranmore’s historical Skimeister trail, and ascending Wildcat in the Easter egg gondola. I played in the open glades of Bretton Woods; break-danced my way down parts of Cannon’s Taft trail; and welcomed spring in Tuckerman Ravine.  I was too young to appreciate the history that surrounded me at these places, so last winter, I returned to ski the legends and learn about the luminaries, beginning at the New England Ski Museum at Franconia Notch State Park.

A Vuarnet Day in Les Portes du Soleil: How shades icon Jean Vuarnet shone light on the Gates of the Sun, SNOW, Winter 14.15

Too often, contemporary realities crush my romantic notions of skiing Europe’s Alps. I pine for cuckoo–clock chalets and hearty mountain-bred fare, but am greeted with modern architectural wonders and–egad!–McDonald’s. Not so in the Portes du Soleil (Gates of the Sun). This mind-bogglingly expansive region straddling France’s Haute Savoie and Switzerland’s Canton du Valais met my fairytale expectation, delivering authentic alpine tradition flavored with abundant Abondance, Reblochon and Tomme de Savoie cheeses.

Art on Skis: 2015’s indie ski designers are sculptors, painters, and carvers of wood, SNOW, Winter 14/15

Armed with an illustration degree and taking inspiration from surf and skate culture, Icelantic co-founder Travis Parr sought to define the role of artist in the alpine ski world. He’s succeeding. Since launching in 2006, the Colorado company has earned renown not only for the shape and performance of its handcrafted skis, but also for Parr’s graphics.

Lions, Tigers & Bears (and more!): Crisscross the planet from Alaska to China in search of the world’s rarest, most endangered animals found in nature, Luxury Magazine (previously Black Card), Fall 2014

Conventional wisdom favors macro-style safaris—wildlife expeditions that focus on the big picture and aim to rack up the numbers of species sighted. But if your goal is to view, say, an orangutan, panda, lemur or black rhino in the wild, consider a micro-style safari. These narrow the focus, targeting specific iconic, rare or endangered species and often offering educational components and/or access to otherwise restricted areas.

Scandinavia Fascinates Visitors Year-Round: Fjords to food to famous art, Global Traveler, July 2014

Stuffing yet another chunk of minutes-from-the- sea Alaskan king crab into my mouth, I silently thanked the Russians for the 1960s experiment that introduced this scrumptious crustacean into the Barents Sea. Only three days into my Scandinavian adventure, and already I was smitten — not only by the food, but also by the art, culture, heritage and style.

Boutiques & Bargains in Maine; Quirky Maine; Scoop on the Suds/Maine Beer Trail: Good for What Ales You; & Yes! You Must: A Dozen Must-See, Must-Do Experiences In and Around Portland, Starboard,  2014 (Get PDF)

Four stories in the inaugural issue of the magazine for the new Nova Star cruise ferry between Portland, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia..

Escape The Crowds Along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way: Explore Ireland’s rugged and enchanting west coast, Global Traveler, June 2014

As a confirmed off-the-beaten-path traveler, I’m a bit miffed that Ireland has mapped the Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,500 route that ebbs and flows along the Emerald Isle’s raggedy-edged western coastline between Derry and Kinsale. Publicizing the off-the-tourist-grid detours means I’ll no longer have them to myself, but I take some comfort in knowing there is a catch, a wee one, mind you, but one worth noting: The Wild Atlantic Way isn’t for cowards. Embracing the experience requires navigating serpentine, cliff-etched and stonewall-hemmed roads while seated on the right and keeping to the left.

Best of Maine, Yankee Magazine, May/June 2014

I made the Best of Maine picks for Yankee’s annual Best of New England issue. Categories include Attractions, Lodging, Dining, Bargains, Classics, Outdoors, and Spotlight on Coastal Route 1.

207, the nightly news magazine for Maine’s NBC affiliates

I shared some of my Best of Maine picks for Yankee magazine.

Altitude Adjustments: Need new reasons to return to your favorite classic alpine ski resort this winter? Private Clubs, winter, 2014

Here, a slew of them – from major terrain expansions to aprés-ski activities – here at home, up north in Canada, and across the pond on Europe’s most popular slopes. We also found a handful of growing areas awaiting discovery with juicy new enticements, plus a few traditional resorts with consider-worthy updates.

The Story of Strolz: How the family Strolz turned Lech’s loveliest store into a work of art, Snow, high winter, 2014

At 4 pm, Lech’s main drag — to be truthful, Lech’s only drag and barely a block long at that — is hopping. Skiers and snowboarders descending from the mountains hugging this high-alpine valley click out of their gear just steps from the street. The music blaring from jam-packed terrace bars blends with choral gurgle from the river, the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages, and the general cacophony of families and friends to-ing and fro-ing in the small downtown. At the hub of the hubbub, and yet a respite from the après-ski hoopla, is Strolz ski shop, a Lech institution for nearly a century.

Alpine Alternatives, Black Card, Winter 2013

Thanks to high-speed lifts, it’s a rare skier or snowboarder who can spend every hour of a multi-day vacation on the slopes and trails without the quads screaming for downtime. (Print only).

Perfect Places: Lusting for Lech—Snow, Schnitzel, Schlagg, and Lech’s Lovely White Ring, Snow, Winter 13/14

My Arlberg Express driver greets me at the Zurich airport, but our conversation is minimal. He doesn’t understand my English, and I can’t translate his German. We settle into companionable silence for the 2.5-hour journey to Lech, a tony Austrian village cradled by soaring peaks blanketed in white down.

Hut, Hut, Hike, AAA Northern New England Journey, November/December 2013

I stepped into the crisp chill of a Maine winter night and padded to the edge of darkness. Clouds dancing across the moonlit sky case eerie patterns on skeletal trees guarding the snow-blanketed expanse of Flagstaff Lake. I glanced back at the warm glow coming from the lodge and smiled. I’d found my happy place.

Find the magic of Christmas in Europe’s Upper Rhine Valley markets, Boston Globe Globetrotting, Nov. 27, 2013

Seeking an escape from the holiday season’s crass commercialism? Cross the pond and bridge the centuries with a visit to Europe’s Upper Rhine Valley, which hugs the Rhine River’s flow through Germany, France, and Switzerland. Renowned for it Gothic cathedrals, fairytale castles, half-timbered houses, and thermal baths, and treasured for its food and wine, the region shines in any season, but during the traditional Christmas markets, it glows.

Elephants at my doorstep: On safari in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, Boston Globe Globetrotting, Nov. 13, 2013

I’m sitting on the deck of my tent (an understatement, canvas walls, yes, but also full bed, wood floor, and shower bath) gazing over the savannah grasslands at snow-capped Kilimanjaro, when I hear a rustling. Elephants!

Savor Montréal’s Autumnal Ambiance at its peak, Global Traveler, Oct. 2013

Jacques Cartier knew a good thing. On Oct. 2, 1535, the French explorer, impressed by a triple-peaked hill on an island sited at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, named it Mont Royal.

Cruising Quebec, Boston Globe, Sept. 22, 2013

I never understood the allure of cruising until I sailed from Quebec’s Magdalen Islands through the Gulf of St. Lawrence and up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City in the glory of autumn. Cruising Quebec’s waters not only delivers the requisite scenery — endless water-meets-sky views ceding to color-trimmed mountains dropping to towns and villages folded into scalloped shorelines — but also provides access to the province’s remote outdoor playgrounds, places otherwise inaccessible without hours of driving.

Top 10 Beaches in Maine, The Guardian, Sept. 20, 2013

For beautiful sandy beaches, great lobster and amazing seascapes, the Maine coastline is hard to beat – especially for families.

Into Africa: A safari sheds light on the Dark Continent’s abundant life, AAA Home & Away, Sept.-Oct. 2013

Some destinations tap dance in your memory, others tango with your spirit; South Africa waltzed with my soul. Even now, months after I’ve returned, the sights, aromas, sounds and safari experiences remain vivid. Not only are my senses heightened, but also life’s daily challenges seem far less daunting since coming within petting distance of a lion, spitting distance of a Mozambique spitting cobra and charging distance of an elephant.

Literary Dublin: For a couple of writers in a literary city, there’s never enough time, Global Traveler, Sept. 2013

Nearly two hours into our visit to Dublin’s Chester Beatty Library, I glanced at my watch, consulted our must-see list and realized that, yet again, we were behind schedule. “Decision time,” I said to Jackie, my travel mate. “St. Patrick’s, the Marsh Library, and Christ Church are in the neighborhood. If we sacrifice the Storehouse, we might be able to still see the jail, have tea at The Winding Stair and hit the Writers Museum.” To call it an overambitious plan is an understatement; it was 2:30, and we’d yet to have lunch.

Treasured Island: The U.S. Virgin Islands’ St. John reveals natural and cultural riches, AAA Northern New England Journey, Sept.-Oct. 2013

Mountains, dense with tropical forests, tumble to a palm-fringed shoreline scalloped with white sand beaches; coastal mangroves, salt pons, and coral reefs teem with sea life; and Pre-Columbian relics and Danish plantation-era ruins pepper the island.

Galley Master: How to Cook in Really Tight Spaces, According to Captain-Chef Annie Mahle, BonAppetit.com, Aug. 1, 2013

You think your kitchen’s small? Come aboard the schooner J. & E. Riggin, a traditional Maine windjammer, where chef-captain Annie Mahle prepares three from-scratch meals daily in a roughly six-by-eight-foot galley she shares not only with her assistant, Cassie, but with an intern, Nathan, as well.

Fantasyland: At Nervous Nellie’s on Deer Isle, Peter Beerits has created a playful world populated by cowboys, dragons, and checkers-playing fish, Down East, August, 2013

Decades ago, when a friend asked Peter Beerits what he wanted to do with his life, Beerits replied: “I want to create a natural history museum of the imagination.” He’s succeeding. He’s turning the Deer Isle property he owns with his wife, Anne, into a fantasyland that draws on history and literature and is rooted in his boyhood infatuation with the Wild West and King Arthur.

Bar Harbor scoops: lobster to bay of figs, Boston Globe, July 14, 2013

Finding ice cream in this town is easy; nearly every downtown store and restaurant sells it. To narrow the choices, I invited some friends for a tasting party. These are our favorites…

8 Captivating Northeast Havens, Where to Retire, July/August, 2013

For such a compact region, the Northeast refuses to be typecast. The land ranges from sandy beaches to craggy peaks, picturesque farms to swampy marshes, fertile river valleys to dense woodlands. It’s peppered with rural villages, college towns and bustling suburbs. Living here puts the area’s attractions — including the City That Never Sleeps — all at your fingertips, or at least within a day’s drive.

Beacons for generations at sea show their heritage, Boston Globe, June 30, 2013

The romanticism of lighthouse life has motivated many a traveler to seek out Maine’s 64 beacons. Some of the lighthouses can be viewed from land, others only from the water. While lighthouse-themed excursion boats depart from many coastal communities, here are five special ways to experience Maine’s lightkeeping heritage.

More to Campobello Island than FDR, Boston Globe, June, 23, 2013

When I crossed the bridge spanning Maine’s Lubec Narrows I felt the last kinks of stress deflate. If Down East is remote, than Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beloved Canadian island is one step farther removed. This sparsely populated, nine-mile-long spot seduces with its soaring cliffs plummeting to churning seas, calming vistas of lobster and fishing boats chugging around nearby isles, and a gentle network of hiking trails and carriage roads.

Destination: A Maine Drive, From the Mountains to the Sea: Based in Bethel? Take a day trip through some of Maine’s heritage landmarks to visit Freeport, on the coast, Endless Vacation, Summer 2013

Bethel is a sleeper. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This quiet New England village charms romantics with an ivy-covered prep school, rambling 18th- and 19th-century houses, a grassy common complete with bandstand, white-steepled churches and a covered bridge coveted by artists.

Yankee Best of New England: Maine, Yankee, May/June, 2013

Once again, I made the Maine picks for Yankee’s annual Best of New England issue.

Six new reasons to visit Maine, Boston Globe, April 27, 2013

Looking for a new experience in Maine? Here are six, ranging from world-class art to world-inspired music, new visitor centers to new sporting events.

Vienna’s art history museum reopens its Habsburg prize, Boston Globe, April 13, 2013

VIENNA — Many families accumulate treasures over generations, later relegating the exotica and artworks to the attic or a tag sale. Not so the Habsburgs, the imperial family that ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Their wealth, power, and 640-year duration provided them with unparalleled opportunities and access to acquire extraordinary works.

Perfect Places: Rails to Trails
Jasper’s Historic Lodge Links Train and Terrain for the Quintessential Winter Vacation, Snow. High Winter 2013

The last time I rode the train to Jasper, I was 11 years old, bouncing in my seat in anticipation of a summer family vacation. Decades later, with a lifetime of far-flung travel under my belt, I find that I’m once again that little girl… Rails to Trails PDF

Experience Wildlife Up Close in South Africa: Go off road for an up-close wildlife encounter in South Africa’s private preserves, Global Traveler, March 2013

From the window of the seven-passenger charter plane, I see only a ribbon of tarmac surrounded by wilderness. There is no terminal, not even a shelter.

Best-Kept Secrets, Private Clubs, Winter 2013

North America’s glitziest alpine resorts get most of the attention — and the crowds. We slipped off the radar to find resorts where terrain trumps bling, snow falls deep, lift lines run short, and it’s often possible to score fresh tracks even days after a storm.

Northern Exposure: Baby it’s cold out there, but the Arctic winter can warm your heart, Global Traveler, January 2013

Just before opening the plane’s cabin door, the flight attendant of my reassuringly named Calm Air flight suggests bundling up. Seconds later, a blast of wind-driven 44-below zero air gusts through the cabin.

The Ultimate Confection: A connoisseur’s guide to the world’s best chocolate, Black Card Mag, winter 2012/13

Fine, artisan-made chocolate is an object of passion and adoration, a sensuous, sublime treat that lifts the mind and resurrects the body. No wonder 18th-century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus designate the cocoa tree Theobromoa cocoa, or “Food of the Gods.”