Category: travel

Inside the Elegant Tranquility of Panama’s Santa Maria Hotel & Golf Resort

Published on by Kathryn1 Comment

84F55C2A-D249-4851-8FF8-2F36362A3B2ENot far from Panama’s airport and its cosmopolitan urban core is The Santa Maria Hotel & Golf Resort, perfectly placed to allow you a lush home away from home within easy proximity to top tourist sites and the shimmering Pacific Ocean. Once at Central America’s only Marriot Bonvoy Luxury Collection property, you’ll be warmly greeted like an old friend. Fidel Reyes, General Manager of the country’s newest resort, can often be spotted mingling with guests, embodying the hotel’s passion for superior hospitality, which is essentially authentic friendliness. Take a minute to chat with him, and you’ll see what I mean.

Read in full on Islands.com.

Advertisement

Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Provides a Little Slice of Heaven in Panama: Escape to this oceanfront haven for rest and renewal.

Published on by KathrynLeave a comment

Main Pool

“Arriving at the newly renovated Marriott Autograph Collection’s Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama promises to be dramatic after the 2.5-hour journey from Panama City. The drive out of the city creates natural suspense about this off-the-grid luxury resort in the Riviera Pacifica area so that you’ll feel you’ve been admitted to an exclusive paradise when you enter the resort. Alighting from your car, you’ll be enveloped by a brink-lined cavernous portico, with ocean air gently blowing through palm trees.

The resort is Spanish-colonial designed with an open tiled courtyard concept, which allows the delightful songs of many of Panama’s 400 bird species to waft through the air along with free-flowing cross breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean. Panamanian artifacts are deftly incorporated into the lobby’s décor strategy, providing colorful accents. Altogether, I felt every sense stirred, as if preparing me for a time of rejuvenation.”

Have I got you hooked? Please read my feature in full on Islands.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort.

Continue reading “Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Provides a Little Slice of Heaven in Panama: Escape to this oceanfront haven for rest and renewal.” →

Take refuge in the small-town charms of Seaside, Florida

Published on by KathrynLeave a comment

Long ago, vacationers heading to the beach would rent bungalows with porches showcasing swings, a natural gathering point where breezes blew freely, and conversation flowed easily. Where the local grocery, ice cream shop and café were a short stroll away. Where kids left on bikes, and parents didn’t worry, to fearlessly explore the family-friendly town. In many beach destinations today it’s hard to find these simple but significant characteristics.

Want to learn more about this special place? Read in full: Take refuge in the small-town charms of Seaside, FL North Oakville Living.

Holiday Cocktails Enhance The Christmas Cheer On Florida 30A

Published on by KathrynLeave a comment

Head south from Destin-Fort Walton Airport towards the gulf this holiday season, and the beach views will call your name. Choose to slow down and enjoy two-lane East County Highway 30A.

Local residents call this beloved stretch on Florida’s Panhandle, 30A. It’s understood that 30A runs roughly from the old town of Grayton Beach (est. 1890), through Seaside, Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach, ending at Inlet Beach. Along the way, 30A offers restful periodic glimpses of the ocean, dozens of luxury resorts, beachfront condominiums, gated communities, clusters of inviting retail and restaurants and many magical towns.

Although holiday lights are festively twinkling about town, the ocean breeze has turned brisk, and the days are shorter than you’d like, you’ll find plentiful Christmas cheer as you mosey along Florida’s 30A.

To read in full, go to GettingOnTravel.com

Navigating European Airports

Published on by KathrynLeave a comment

My family has lived abroad and traveled often in Europe, but after this last trip—with connections in various European airports—I thought how stressful and embarrassing navigating security and airports would be for rookie families.

In short, domestic airports offer no preparation for European airports.

Parents, here’s what you need to know so that you and the kids survive without a break-down. Who wants tears, tantrums, and running mascara, anyway?

Don’t Sweat It: Getting Through Security 

Don’t be me. I once felt hundreds of eyes on me at the Edinburgh Airport security check-point. I was forced to rifle through all my liquids (sunscreen, mascara, hand sanitizer, etc.) in my carry-on tote and roller suitcase. In front of the world, or so it seemed, I had to shove them into one teeny zip-lock bag. The fact is, European airports mean what they say when they allocate one zip-lock bag per traveler for liquids. Better to corral all the family’s liquids from their various pockets, cosmetic and toiletry bags before you reach the security line to confirm everything will fit. You’ve possibly never had to perform this exercise while traveling within the US, but honestly, the reinforcement at European airports is strict. What doesn’t fit will be pitched. Buh-bye, precious moisturizer.

Read in full at Oregon Family Magazine.

Staying Abroad: Handy tips for a successful European Airbnb adventure

Published on by KathrynLeave a comment

“My family recently hopscotched our way around Europe — our seventh such vacation in eight years. Instead of choosing traditional hotel lodging, we opted to stay in Airbnbs along the way. Like many other globetrotters, we were drawn to properties in historic districts. It’s an attractive option — a terrific way to economize while simultaneously soaking up the authenticity Old World cities have to offer.”

Please read in full here: 2019 USA Today Go Escape Summer.

Step into a Fairytale: Exploring Heidelberg with the Family

Published on by KathrynLeave a comment

Once upon a time, in a valley surrounded by towering hills, there was a magical town with a magical castle perched overhead.

We lived in Germany as a young American expat couple and have since traveled back numerous times to visit our favorite city of Heidelberg. Yet, I still felt a thrill this past summer when our family drove across the bridge toward Bizmarckplatz, the main transport square, into the heart of this medieval city, which was largely spared in WWII. Perhaps it’s the magical castle on the hill which makes it so treasured, or the peaceful Neckar River flowing past the city through the valley, or its bustling pedestrian zone. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university, contributing to its charming aura with students and professors walking about. Truly, the combined total of Heidelberg’s individual features are what make her special today as when the song, “I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg” was written in the 1920s.

Read in full on Houston Family Magazine.