Laura Longwell

Everything we learned about the company who provided the elephant rides put our minds at ease. We thought we knew everything we needed to know. We were wrong.

It’s not apparent at first what’s taking place in the lush, green orchard. As far as you can see, glass bottles hang from the trees. But once you see the sign for Manguin Distillery, it all makes a bit more sense.

Even as the faint colors of sunset began to appear on the horizon, the day’s heat still hung heavy on the Chesapeake Bay. On shore, people were beginning to wind down their day, but our excitement was just beginning.

Sweat dripped down the sides of my hairline as I breathed in the steamy air of the sauna and contemplated the bucket. Just outside the door, people filled a bucket with ice-cold water and dumped it on themselves. Intentionally.

Fireplaces and accent pieces complete the feel that staying at the Stikliai hotel is like being in someone’s (very upscale, well-serviced) French country home.

Provence takes its food seriously. It’s rustic and flavorful, featuring olives, garlic, and dozens of other delicious ingredients. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Here are a few of the things that I learned in my attempt to cook in Provence.

Quiet and still on a drizzly, mid-spring morning, the bog spread out to the horizon painted in shades of yellowish-green, deep orange, and brown. Occasionally, the sponge-like earth was interrupted by deep pools of water. How deep, we didn’t really know…and preferred not to find out.

Don’t get me wrong – we like animals, including birds. Sometimes. But to be a true, diehard birder you have to be willing to go to extremes. Or be very patient. And we are neither.

Riga’s Art Nouveau neighborhood couldn’t be further from my misconception of what a visit to the Baltics would look like.

A hot air balloon flight is one of the most magical ways to explore a destination. This ride over the Lithuanian countryside was truly unforgettable.