The Hotel Snob goes to the shishi Parker Palm Springs to see what all the fuss is about. She indulges her way through Norma’s, the Lemonade Stand, saltwater pools and the various lawn games, all underneath the swaying palms and bright blue sky of the desert. Watch her review.
With all the restaurants popping up in Los Angeles, it’s no wonder that the Los Angeles Magazine’s Top Ten Best New Restaurant nomination is a coveted honor. I attended this buzzworthy evening where all the top 10 honorees restaurants brought their best bites forward and us LA foodies got to taste, play and dance under the moonlight of downtown LA.
Restaurants included: République, Smoke.Oil.Salt, Union, Night + Market Song, Faith & Flower and Scopa Italian Roots.
USTOA’s Live Like a Local Series
Though the cities are exciting, nothing beats the vivid green and bright blue of Taiwan’s rolling countryside. From Jiofen to Hualian—each small town in the Northern Taiwan countryside was not only stunning, but they each had their own charm. When you go to Taiwan, make sure to get outside of the cities.
USTOA’s Live Like a Local Series
I’d never been to Asia and stepping into the Taiwanese culture was thrilling, disorienting, embracing and shocking—I loved every minute of it. The Taiwanese Culture amazes—in custom, religious, attitude, and lifestyle—and it was beautiful to see and experience.
USTOA Live Like a Local Series
To me, the people that you meet on a trip can make a good experience, great. On a group tour it is even more important to have great guides and on our tour with Tauck, we had some of the kindest, most knowledgeable, funny & flexible guides that ensure that our trip was educational, smoothly run and most of all, FUN!
You’d think the weather of Churchill would dampen your spirits, but the locals that I met there were so warm, friendly and full of life, they made the snow covered city so welcoming. I met Myrtle, a Dené storyteller who spoke of how her people came & developed Churchill and the trading routes and I also met Wally, who started the cozy Lazy Bear Lodge. Dave Daley runs a dogsledding company and I’ve never had a more serene experience gliding over the snow and learning how he trains his animals. These are the faces of Churchill that I won’t soon forget!
USTOA Live Like a Local
Seeing the polar bears in person, in their natural habitat, is nothing like I can ever describe. Our adventure with tour operator Tauck, took us up to Churchill, Manitoba–the most remote place that I’ve ever been. However, Polar Bears seem to find it quite easily. Our tundra vehicles kept us warm and not only did we see Polar Bears, we interacted with them. Just watch!
USTOA Live Like a Local Series
Yes, it might have been below zero outside, but our tour with Tauck made sure that we were comfortable–even out on the open tundra. Not only were our accommodations at the Lazy Bear Lodge charming & cozy, our days spent out looking for polar bears were just as comfortable on board heated, spacious tundra vehicles. Private charter buses & planes only heightened the ease of getting around and all the extras made this tour a cut above!
USTOA Live Like a Local Series
Churchill, Manitoba is located up near the Arctic and it’s only accessible by plane or train. So you might think in the winter, the food couldn’t be that fresh. Actually, fresh foods are flown up daily to weekly and our tour with Tauck made sure we had the freshest greens and veggies up North.
Also, the local game like elk, bison and venison as well as the arctic char are some of the world’s best. Eat up to keep warm in this gorgeously chilly landscape.
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