North America

Greetings and love from Washington, DC, the capital of the United States, which should be on every traveler’s radar. Founded on July 16, 1790, it is an amazing city with a rich history in which to submerse oneself. Architecturally stunning the city is a diverse blend of historic and contemporary design. For visitors the city has much to experience from learning about the history of the United States to visiting its many historic sites, attractions, and museums.

Every spring we eagerly look forward to attending The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York as a celebration of the season. For 2018, The Orchid Show, an annual tradition at the New York Botanical Garden for the past 16 years, features Belgian Floral Artist Daniel Ost, who has created spectacular large-scale installations that are a feast for the senses. The Orchid Show 2018 runs until April 22, 2018.

All aboard! We loved The Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York! The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory donned its holiday finery to transport visitors to the magical and enchanting world created by Paul Busse featuring more than 150 of iconic New York landmarks and model trains; outside, the gardens were resplendent with holiday decorated trees, and carolers to enchant and engage the festive spirit. The show runs until January 15, 2018.

Everywhere you look in New York City, the holiday spirit abounds with shop windows lushly dressed in extravagant splendor, chestnut vendors selling their wares on street corners, holiday markets brimming with colorful gifts, skaters swirling on the ice rinks, and holiday shows to spark the imagination and fill the spirit with joy. We visited The Morgan Library & Museum to see their Charles Dickens and the Spirit of Christmas exhibition that runs through January 14, 2018 to get a jump …

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.