Relaxing Retreats

Wine glass at Houmas House (c) Shannon Hurst Lane

I’ve been on a mission to find some of the most peaceful retreats and destinations spas around North America. I’ve also been fortunate to visit a good many of these places during the course of my travels over the past decade.  Here are few places that stand out for me. El Monte Sagrado in Taos, [...]

Innovative Viking Outdoor Cooking School to Open at Hilton Capitol Center in Baton Rouge

One of my favorite hotels along the Mississippi River and my favorite in the city of Baton Rouge is the Hilton Capitol Center. It’s an historic property that breathes legends of Louisiana politics and the charm of Louisiana’s capitol city, welcoming visitors with a charm that is only Baton Rouge. One thing we have perfected [...]

Top Resorts for a Couples Retreat in Bora Bora

St Regis Bora Bora

I don’t know about you, but every time I see that funny commercial for the movie Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, I want to pack up and head to a tropical resort. Yes, the movie itself looks funny, in a cheesy way, but the setting is to-die for. The question is, where [...]

Press Trip: Plano, Texas

I was recently hosted by Plano, TX to attend the Plano Balloon Fest and take a ride in a hot air balloon. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t want to cooperate and I had a repeat of my last hot air balloon ride. No worries, though. I found out that there’s a bit more to Plano than [...]

The Real Kellerman’s from Dirty Dancing

Mountain Lake Hotel flickr image by carl_r_grant

I was 13 years old when the movie “Dirty Dancing” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey was released. My friends and I dreamed of being Baby and dancing a bit dirty with the hotness of Patrick Swayze’s dance instructor character, Johnny Castle. I bought the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack with my allowance and in fact, I [...]

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower at Disney

My daughter and I took a visit to Disney’s Contemporary Resort during the Resort Showcase in February. We were able to get a sneak peek of the Contemporary Resort’s new 15 story Bay Lake Tower. We checked out various resorts at Walt Disney World, but the décor at the Contemporary Resort’s Bay Lake Tower got [...]

Best Romantic Resorts in The Florida Keys

Beach at Little Palm Island by Shannon Hurst Lane

Are you thinking of getting married or renewing your vows and want something exotic? Are you looking for a romantic getaway that caters to various lifestyles? What if you don’t have a passport? The Florida Keys is a destination for every type of traveler. I’ve been there with a kid, and without. I even spent [...]

Top New Orleans Event: Tales of the Cocktail

King Room at W New Orleans

Each summer in New Orleans, there’s a cool gathering called Tales of the Cocktail. It is considered the most spirited event of the year, and I have to agree. Many people that live in Louisiana don’t even know about Tales, but mixologists and cocktail writers from all over the world consider this the best event of [...]

Best Hotel in Kota Kinabalu: Le Meridien

Jared and I flew to Kota Kinabalu on the Island of Borneo. We stayed at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu and barely had time to take a breath before we were scheduled to do a site visit of Shangri La Rasa Ria. I really wanted to see the Orang Utan sanctuary for my website, but all [...]