Orchids are nature's most beloved and exotic of flowers and The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in Bronx, New York, annually attracts orchid aficionados, horticulturists, artists, and photographers to celebrate their stunning beauty. Celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2023, this year's show features the vision of the acclaimed landscape artist and designer Lily Kwong who transforms the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a dream-like fantasy that must be seen to be fully appreciated. We attended opening weekend, and the show once again dazzled our senses. The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden runs until April 23, 2023.

Once again, we were enchanted with the Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) located in the Bronx, New York. For over 30 years, the NYBG has continued their tradition of creating a holiday fantasy that deftly combines over 190 iconic models of New York landmark buildings all made from natural items found in a forest with more than 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys. Delightful for all ages, we have made the Holiday Train Show® one of our annual traditions since 2017, and every year it keeps getting better. The magic of the holiday season at the NYBG and the Holiday Train Show® runs until January 16, 2023.

While thoroughbred horse racing is synonymous with Saratoga Springs, New York, there is also another kind of horsepower there at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Located inside the historic brick bottling plant that was once home to the famous Saratoga Springs waters, the Museum has an excellent collection of permanent and special exhibits. If you love automobiles, this Museum will have your engine racing!

Since the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame opened to the public on June 2, 1956, at 191 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, it has been an icon, recording the history and legacy of thoroughbred racing that began in 1863 at the oldest thoroughbred racetrack in America. If you love the sport of horseracing, this world-class racing museum and hall of fame should be on your must-visit list when visiting Saratoga Springs, New York.

Looking for a fun (and educational as well) outing? We had to look no farther than The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut, which provided us with hours of enjoyment and is perfect for all age groups. Sharks, and rays, and harbor seals, oh my! There were so many interesting exhibits to experience that kept us enthralled. Located 43 miles from Manhattan, and is easily accessible by boat, car, or Metro-North train, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is the perfect year-round destination for entertainment.

Looking for a fun New York "day getaway"? We fell in love ... with Wave Hill located on 28 stunning acres along the Hudson River in the Riverdale section of Bronx, New York, which is a stunning oasis to relax, refresh, and enjoy art and nature. Their slogan is "A public garden and cultural center," and on the day we visited there were beautiful gardens to explore, new art installations in their galleries, and dance performances by Pigeonwing Dance . Although we were only 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, it felt like we were worlds away. Easily accessible by car, Metro-North train, subway, and bus, Wave Hill is the perfect place to spend the day for New Yorkers, Tri-Staters, or "Big Apple" visitors. 

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) located in the Bronx, New York celebrates The Orchid Show's 19^th year with Renowned Designer Jeff Leatham's: Kaleidoscope where his stunning use of color, shape, size, and design create a kaleidoscope of color with breathtaking orchid displays. The Orchid Show runs until May 1, 2022, and it is the perfect location to celebrate Spring.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum located in Norwalk, Connecticut is truly spectacular at any time of the year, however when it dons its Victorian finery for the holiday season it is absolutely magnificent! We got into the spirit of the season with their exhibit and tour "Holiday Enchantment at the Mansion," which runs until January 9, 2022. Tours are given Wednesday through Sunday at 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

Holidays are about traditions, and for the past 30 years, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) - Holiday Train Show® has been an annual tradition for families to kick off the joyful spirit of the winter holiday season. The Holiday Train Show®, located in Bronx, New York, along with baking holiday cookies, watching holiday movies, and sipping hot cocoa brimming with marshmallows while wrapping gifts, has become a holiday tradition for Luxury Experience. Perfect for all ages, visiting the Holiday Train Show® at the NYBG will linger in your imagination long after you leave the show. The Holiday Train Show® at the NYBG runs from November 20 through January 23, 2022. Happy Holidays! 

There is something magical about visiting zoos and spending time with animals that bring out the child in all of us, and the Beardsley Zoo located in Bridgeport, Connecticut is fun for all ages. Founded over 90 years ago the Beardsley Zoo located inside the gorgeous Beardsley Park has evolved into more than just a zoo providing home to endangered and vanishing animals as well as rescued animals, it is also a learning center, botanical garden, is a certified AZA (Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) that "design and maintain Species Survival   Plans (SSP), and so much more, which we "discovered" on our visit there. 

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a spectacular 250-acre landmark oasis located in Bronx, New York that we love visiting year-round. Each season there is something different to experience as the gardens come into bloom, and their new exclusive art in the garden exhibition, KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature, which runs until October 31, 2021, should be experienced in every season. Featuring the impressive works of the acclaimed contemporary Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, set amidst the garden's spectacular flowers and foliage, the large-scale sculpture installations enchant and delight the senses.

Incorporated in 1719, Litchfield, Connecticut offers much for visitors to explore and discover with its historic and picturesque setting in the Litchfield Hills, hand-crafted artisanal spirits, upscale dining, and outdoor activities. Located 16 miles northwest of Waterbury, 34 miles west of Hartford, 40 miles from New Haven, 52 miles from Springfield, Massachusetts, 78 miles from Greenwich, and 96 miles from Manhattan, make it a desirable day-trip location. We had a wonderful day exploring its many offerings.

Searching for something fun to do? The Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, Connecticut has it all! We spent a fantastic morning visiting the 118-acre museum and nature center, exploring the hiking trails, experiencing the grandeur of the Bendel Mansion once the home of fashion icon Henri Willis Bendel, and of course, spending time with the animal residents at the Heckscher Farm. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a perfect experience for all age groups.

Connecticut was the fifth state to join the United States in 1788, and Woodbury, Connecticut founded in 1673 and its nearby towns are rich in history. From a museum to antique shops and galleries to artisanal craft breweries and wineries, there is much to discover in the area. As always, Luxury Experience did our best to discover new places for our readers to enjoy and experience for themselves.

New Jersey is nicknamed the Garden State, so on a beautiful summer Sunday morning, we drove to Rutgers Gardens in North Brunswick, New Jersey to explore the beauty of their gardens. Part of Rutgers University, Rutgers Gardens is a sensational botanical garden that has delighted visitors for over 100 years and was the perfect place to stroll and spend a few hours soaking up nature. After "sheltering in place" for several months due to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, we were more than ready to get out in nature while maintaining social distancing, and the 180-acre Rutgers Gardens was the perfect place for a morning of exploration.

During these trying days of the coronavirus 2020, we thought readers might like to do a little "armchair traveling" to Southampton, New York to cheer the spirit and plan for future trips. While you may know that Southampton, New York is part of the chic and wealthy towns that comprise The Hamptons, did you that it is also a very historic town that was founded in 1646? Whether you wish to explore its pristine beaches, dine at world-class restaurants, do some retail therapy, or discover its cultural and historical offerings, Southampton, New York is a perfect escape in any season!

Concord, New Hampshire founded in 1734, is the state capital and interesting to note is that it was the home of the 14^th United States President, Franklin Pierce. As such, history abounds in this pretty New England city. While leaf-peepers flock to New Hampshire to experience Autumn's finest colors, Concord has much to attract visitors in all seasons, with its historic sights, museums, vineyard, great restaurants, and much more, which we discovered when we visited in late August.

Living in Connecticut, for years we have wanted to visit The Glass House in New Canaan. As it is only open for tours from May until November 30, somehow time slipped away from us each year without experiencing this architectural treasure built by the renowned American architect Philip Johnson. This year, we finally visited this National Trust Historic Site. Built between 1949 and 1995, The Glass House is nestled on 49-acres in the affluent town of New Canaan, Connecticut and consists of fourteen stunningly modern structures. Now a museum, Philip Johnson (1906 - 2005) lived in The Glass House from 1949 until his death in 2005.  

Although The Hamptons are known for their summer season, the area is a fabulous year-round destination with much to offer visitors in all seasons, minus the crowds and the summer traffic. We stayed and explored the Southampton and Water Mill areas of The Hamptons and fell in love with our Spring stay.

The 2017 Orchid Show: Thailand at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York is a feast for the senses, a veritable paradise for the eyes. The 2017 show takes visitors to exotic Thailand and features thousands of its stunning orchids along with its rich culture, all without leaving the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. A must-see for orchid lovers and collectors, The Orchid Show: Thailand runs until April 9, 2017.

We love discovering new places, and our latest "discovery" was Boothe Memorial Park & Museum located in the historic town of Stratford, Connecticut, founded in 1639. Situated on 32-acres, Boothe Memorial Park & Museum's idyllic setting with a rose garden, recreation area, and pavilions, make it a perfect place to spend the day, stroll, enjoy a picnic, and take in nature in any season.

We spent a romantic summer weekend in Connecticut staying in a luxurious inn and exploring the enchanting towns of Essex, Hadlyme, Old Lyme, and Old Saybrook. We dined in lovely restaurants and on a dinner train, visited a museum, and even a castle. Picture postcard perfect Connecticut was an excellent choice for wining, dining, romancing, enjoying life, and each other!

One of our favorite destinations in Old Lyme, Connecticut is the Florence Griswold Museum, home of the Lyme Art Colony, where Miss Florence's family homestead became a boardinghouse for artists which evolved into the center of Impressionism in America. The museum itself is a treasure, as is Miss Florence's Late Georgian style home, the lush gardens, the studios, and Café Flo where you can enjoy a meal overlooking the river after feasting your eyes on the art.

We spent a wonderful afternoon at Gillette Castle State Park in Hadlyme, Connecticut exploring the impressive Gillette Castle with its rough granite fieldstone exterior and unique interiors that was once home to actor William Gillette. Whether you are looking for a fun family outing or a romantic setting to propose or say "I do," Gillette Castle and Gillette Castle State Park are sure to stir the imagination.

Sports enthusiasts know Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire region for its many ski resorts (Attitash, Bretton Woods, Cranmore, King Pine, Wildcat) and outdoor adventures, and shoppers know North Conway for its outlet shopping, however the area also has much to offer foodies with a full calendar of gastronomy related events throughout the year, as well as excellent locally made artisanal products including craft beers, maple syrup, and more. We drove to the Mount Washington Valley region to experience its foodie culture and were delightfully surprised by what we found.

The New York Botanical Garden is a spectacular paradise located on 250 acres in Bronx, New York. 2016 marks the 125^th anniversary since the founding in 1891, and although glorious at any time of the year, The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is a not-to-be-missed experience with its exceptional exhibition of thousands of orchids as well as special orchid programs. The 14^th annual Orchid Show includes such complementary programs as World Beat: Music and Dance Around the World of Orchids on Saturdays and Sundays, Orchid Care Demonstrations, Orchid Evenings, films, and much more. The Orchid Show runs until April 17, 2016.

Boston, Massachusetts founded in 1630 is a delightful combination of historic and hip, where tradition enchants and gracefully melds into the modern. Nicknamed "Beantown," home of the Boston Bruins hockey and the Boston Celtics basketball teams, Boston is an easy-to-walk city with much to discover from diverse historical and cultural attractions, and boat trips to appeal to a wide audience.

Historic Hyde Park, New York, in Dutchess County is a perfect day trip offering visitors much to explore and discover as it was the birthplace of Franklin D. Roosevelt the 32nd President of the United States, was home to Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise, and is the home of The Culinary Institute of America (The CIA) one of the premier culinary schools in the United States.

Although we visited Stowe, Vermont in winter to experience skiing at Vermont's highest peak, and other winter outdoor sports, this charming village has much to offer visitors in any season making it the perfect year-round playground. A few of the many warmer weather offerings include the Stowe Wine & Food Classic, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Antique and Classic Car Meet, and the Annual British Invasion which is the largest all-British motorcar lifestyle event in the United States to name but a few.

We spent a perfect weekend in Cape Cod, Massachusetts strolling pretty sandy beaches, visiting interesting museums, went to a great concert, went shopping, and had fun adventures perfect for  a family vacation or a romantic adult getaway. Cape Cod is made up of 15 towns in 4 regions: the Upper Cape, Mid-Cape, Lower Cape, and Outer Cape, and forms the curved "tail" at the tip of state with lots to experience along the way.

The historic New England seashore town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut is one of the oldest towns in the state of Connecticut; its history dates to 1635 when it was known as Saybrook Plantation, and was later incorporated in 1854. It is a charming and stately step back in time Connecticut shore town, one that is postcard perfect and deserves discovery.

Dallas, Texas: more to explore from culture to cowboys! We went to Dallas for the weekend, and what we love about returning to a city often is making new discoveries each time we visit. Having been to the more touristic sights on past visits, we wanted to delve a bit deeper on this trip to discover its culture, and yes, cowboys, and not The Dallas Cowboys on the football field, but rather the daring ones riding broncos and bulls.

Picture postcard perfect, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico located in the western part of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, is the home of the mariachi, ranchera music, and tequila! Ever since the director John Huston discovered the beauty and the magic of Puerto Vallarta for his 1963 film Night of the Iguana, filmmakers, celebrities, and tourists have flocked to discover this most charming city for themselves.

The Hamptons, from Southampton to Montauk, Long Island, New York, is a versatile year-round destination offering diverse attractions beyond the famous beaches with historic architectural treasures, museums, art galleries, vineyards, excellent restaurants, and upscale boutique shopping to discover that will appeal to a wide audience. Although this time we stayed in the Hamptons in mid-September, we have visited and stayed there in all seasons, and have thoroughly enjoyed each stay as we made new discoveries.

If you dream of vacationing on the southern coast of Maine, pack your luggage and look no further than the historic Black Point Inn in the exclusive community of Prouts Neck in Scarborough, where breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean beckon from its rocky coast that meld into stunning white sandy beaches. Prouts Neck is located in the town of Scarborough, Maine, settled in 1635, and incorporated on July 14, 1658. Prouts Neck, named for Timothy Prout, a Boston merchant who settled there in the late 18^th century, is rich in history and charm, it is a place where you can relax and do nothing, partake of land or water sports, or explore the many natural, cultural, and nearby attractions to create a memorable vacation.

We visited the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Mount Washington Valley to attend the Country Inns in the White Mountains Annual Inn-to-Inn Holiday Cookie & Candy Tour, and soon discovered there is something wonderful to experience and explore in any season as the region is breathtakingly beautiful and has long attracted artists and nature-lovers.

As business travelers often arrive in New York on a Sunday, their only free day, sometime for their first time in the Big Apple, Luxury Experience wanted to create a very doable day in New York experience. We hope that you enjoy, New York - Sunday in the Big Apple.

The thrill of alpine skiing and riding at Squaw Valley USA and Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, as well as cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, dog sledding, horse-drawn carriage rides, sledding, snowmobiling, skating, and a long skiing/riding season are a few of the reasons that make the Resort at Squaw Creek and Olympic Valley, California, a wonderful winter vacation.