The Charter Oak restaurant is a mandatory stop in the heart of the Napa Valley wine region. Previously the site of Tra Vigne, Christopher Kostow and Nathaniel Dorn have kept all the architectural eye candy. It’s the best in casual/fine dining, minus pretentious attitude. The large open heath centers the room. Start your evening at…
The town of Mystic, Connecticut isn’t very big — but there’s a lot of punch packed into a small space here. Its picturesque setting on the coast of the state, pretty downtown lined with boutiques next to the drawbridge, and historic Mystic Seaport draw in visitors with an easy appeal. And don’t forget Mystic Pizza — open…
There are some places in the United States that allow you to feel as if you’ve truly stepped back in time. Offering glimpses into bygone eras, these places give us an entirely different experience from our modern everyday lives. Benefit Street in Providence, Rhode Island is one of those places. Dating from the 1700s, this…
There are few places more restful, more peaceful, than islands. The small, car-free Great Diamond Island – part of the chain of Casco Islands off the coast of Maine – is the perfect retreat from the modern world. The island was an artistic retreat visited by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Harriet Beech Stowe in…
In early May, I decided it was time to go “bi-coastal” and leave my home in the sunshine state for a much needed Spring Break. I set off for San Diego in search of cooler temps, bay breezes, captivating coastlines and unforgettable finds. My three day weekend itinerary covered the gamut from boat tours to…
I am one of those people: I detest malls. I don’t particularly love shopping most of the time anyway, and the idea of a shopping mall as being a “fun” place just escapes me. Before my recent visit to Minnesota last month, I hadn’t been inside a mall in years. Then I discovered the Mall…
When we were planning our trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and saw the opportunity to stay on a yacht, we jumped at the chance. What a cool, fun, different experience! The Starry Banner has so many things going for it: 1) Comfort – The boat had all the amenities of home: you…