Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, 52 passengers are embarking on a round-the-world luxury tour the likes of which I can only imagine. The itinerary is an enviable one: eight countries and 24 days, all in Four Seasons luxury whether inflight or on the ground. The tour starts in Seattle, which was how I got a look at the jet parked at Boeing Field, and then heads off to Tokyo, Beijing, Maldives, Serengeti, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Marrakech, and finally ends in Boston. It’s an enviable way to go around the world, so let’s take a closer look at what life on this private jet is like. The inside of the Boeing 757 is bright and spacious, with a hint of interior mood lighting that must come in handy during the long flight legs. The 52 adjustable flatbed seats offer passengers 78 […]
Read MoreLet’s Connect on Instagram
It’s been awhile since I shared some of my most appreicated Instagram photos. As I’m closing in on that 2,000 follower mark, I’m asking for you help in giving me the little push I need to get over the mark. Here’s what you can do: If you’re not following me on Instagram (travelingwithmj), please take a look at my photo galleries and if you like what you see, follow me. I mostly share photos from my travels around the world, great food and wine, and intersting architecture art, interspersed with photos of family, friends, and cat (because c’mon, kitties are charming). If you are already following me, I’d appreciate your taking a look at my gallery and “liking” a few of your favorites, or leaving a comment to let me know what strikes your eye as particularly travel worthy. What […]
Read More7 Ways to Enjoy Fall in North Carolina
Fall’s blue skies, crisp temperatures, and vibrant foliage create the urge to head outside, and fresh activities across North Carolina add ways to enjoy the season. With six weeks of prime leaf looking, events that relish the harvest, and festivals energized by fall breezes, travelers find boundless rewards for exploring the state. To help autumn lovers make the most of the splendid season, superintendents from North Carolina’s state parks and other local experts will post photos and reports on fall color and activities at VisitNC.com. The website’s Fall for Fall in North Carolina section adds notes of inspiration for those seeking events with music, seafood, family activities, wine, and beer. Get started here with seven ideas for relishing fall in a new way. 1. Use your feet. Banjo tunes send runners on their way at the Rhythm & Roots Run, and more music awaits along the route. Run, stroll […]
Read MoreSixty
Today I am 60. There, I said it. A decade ago I couldn’t choke out the admission that I was turning 50, but this new decade seems a bit more comfortable, a bit easier to accept. Today I realized a few other things. So forgive me this self indulgence as I reflect on what it means to turn 60. I’m beyond middle age. I’m not going to live to 120, and that means that I am now on the downhill side of life. While I’m going kicking and screaming into my twilight years (or should I say traveling and exploring), the harsh reality is that I have more years behind me than I do in front of me. I plan to make the most of them! George Sand was right, “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and […]
Read MoreSummer Reading 2015
Summer reading, had me a blast. It seems like there’s always so much more to read during the summer. And much more time. Lounging at home on the deck, by a pool, or jetting off somewhere for a long, lazy weekend. All provide time to dig into a great book. For me, summer reading is a combination of best sellers I’ve missed, lighter and fun reading, and meaty tomes that I’ve put off digging into. For my reading, I use a Kindle Paperwhite (a new version recently came out), with books coming from a combination of public library checkouts (King County Library System offers this, yours library may as well), Amazon Prime loans, and Amazon purchases. Here are some recent reads that I’d recommend for your summer (or anytime) reading list: A Year Without “Made in China” Journalist Bongiorni, on […]
Read MoreReview: Vice Versa at Vdarra, Las Vegas
Vice Versa Patio Lounge Address: 2600 W. Harmon Avenue, Las Vegas (at the Vdarra Hotel & Spa) MJ Rating: 1/2 (2 1/2 out of 3 stars) Features: Vice Versa is located on the center patio of the Vdarra Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas. Casual, yet hip, Vice Versa’s patio has fire pits (perfect for colder desert evenings) and a water feature that helps make you feel a little cooler during the desert heat. Indoor seating is also available. The patio lounge features tasty small plates and handcrafted cocktails, often in some surprising combinations. As they like to say, they like doing things Vice Versa. Price Range: Moderate to high, this is upscale Las Vegas, after all. Small plates start at $8 (truffle fries, fried mac and cheese bites) to $18 (three surf and turf sliders). Specialty cocktails start at $14. Happy hour is […]
Read MoreIs a River Cruise Right for You?
Earlier this year, I was the enthusiastic guest of Viking River Cruises onboard their longship Eistla cruising the Rhine. We started in Frankfurt and ended in Amsterdam, the trip is also offered in reverse, and, I’m told, this was a fairly typical first river cruise itinerary. River cruising is generating a lot of buzz lately, with gorgeous print ads, television sponsorships (Viking sponsors [amazon_textlink asin=’B01DRWEO6S’ text=’Downton Abbey’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’travelingwithmj-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0d60fa0e-6e6d-11e8-a9b2-7b82edb24d11′] on PBS), and blogger campaigns. But when you strip away all that glitzy advertising, the decision to take a river cruise is a big one – one that needs to be made out of the spotlight and made with an eye toward your personal vacation preferences. Here’s my take on Viking’s Legends of the Rhine cruise. I hope it will help you decide if a river cruise is right for […]
Read MorePostcard from Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the first stop for many visitors to Hawaii. Some of the sights attracting visitors include: Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Waikiki Beach (and many other beaches). This is the view from my hotel balcony (Ala Moana Hotel) yesterday morning. Paradise!
Read MoreThere’s a New Bird in Town: Goldfinch Tavern at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
After months (and months) of construction, and months (and months) of wondering what it would be like, the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and Ethan Stowell have now opened the Goldfinch Tavern. Named for Washington’s state bird, the Goldfinch Tavern offers simply prepared Pacific Northwest cuisine made with premium local ingredients. Open for break, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and daily happy hour, the restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows framing great views of Elliott Bay, the Seattle Great Wheel and the Olympic Mountains. While I haven’t sampled the menu yet, a quick look at the dinner menu reveals a nice selection of seafood and beef, served in a shared, family-style manner. If you’re not the sharing type, order in courses, and keep all the delicious choices to yourself. Appetizers are priced from $4, entrees from $17, and sides are $8. The wine and cocktails list […]
Read MorePostcard from Lake Apopka
Located about 15 miles northwest of Orlando, Lake Apopka’s waterways and wetlands have been reclaimed and are being restored as an eco-preserve. An 11-mile wildlife drive, open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, dawn to dusk, gives visitors a chance to see some of the wildlife living here. On my visit I saw alligators and a variety of birds, including this Blue Heron who was strutting through the water like it owned the place. Which perhaps it does.
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