Vacationing in place | WTN - The Point | Highlight - Armeni in Santorini

WHERE TO NEXT?

Hello!

Happy summer! How has summer been for you so far? For me it has been fun, active and social but not as relaxing as I’d been planning.

I tend to be quite an action oriented person, and love being on the move, so sitting on the deck with a good book is not usually the top of my list (but a book is my favorite travel accessory!).

I’m currently reading Finding Freedom. Have you had any hard-to-put-down summer reads? If so, please share.

We have been doing lots of vacationing in place (hiking, biking, swimming in the river, boating, golfing, pickleball) and taking a few weekend getaways.

This may be our last summer with Trevor home, so I’m taking advantage. We’ve been mountain biking together (on one ride I encountered an unexpected obstacle – see above), taking our foster pup to the river, going to outdoor concerts, cooking together and just hanging out. I’m feeling grateful to have him home.

He’s also going on some adventures without me, including riding from our house, on the VT border of NH, all the way to Maine, taking the Kankamagus Highway – a beautiful stretch of windy road through the mountains. He rode 100+ miles in one day twice last week. I love raising adventurous kids!

We took a quick weekend to Washington DC over July 4th to visit our daughter. Seeing the fireworks on the mall by the Washington Monument was special. I was reminded that next year is our country’s 250th anniversary! I can’t imagine how much bigger a celebration they will have in Washington, and likely all across the US. Plan ahead and do something memorable to celebrate!

We ate at lots of delicious restaurants, went to the farmer’s market, the wharf, rented scooters (so fun!) and zipped around the Lincoln Memorial, went to museums (ideal for escaping the heat) and to a 4th of July bbq with Jessie’s friends. As a Capitol Hill intern, Jessie was able to give us a tour of the Capitol, which was a special experience.

We also had a weekend away to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I LOVE where we stayed. Read more about it below.

The July/August issue of the Virtuoso Magazine is out. It includes articles on Lake Como, Ireland, Santa Barbara, Gstaad, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Shang hai and many other places.

Click the magazine below to read the digital version.

Last week’s most popular article was 10 Active Travel Trends For Your Next Great Hiking Or Cycling Vacation.

This week’s inspirational articles include vacation spots for tennis lovers, the most underrated beaches in Europe, the best places to visit in November (planning ahead!) and an idyllic French town without the crowds.

Also articles on NYC, Copenhagen, the Galapagos and Lake Tahoe.

The informational articles include secret group chats about private jets, eSIMs, the most coveted designer travel bags and flying with your dog.

Before I write you next I’ll be in many different places. First in Hudson Valley celebrating a friend’s birthday. Then to Crested Butte and Aspen visiting my daughter and hiking Maroon Bells (one way from Aspen to Crested Butte) with two of my friends. Then our family trip to Croatia. There is a lot left of summer to enjoy!

Where to next for you?

Warmly,

Below:

Highlight – Armeni in Santorini
Where to Next? The Point
Inspiration + Information

ARMENI IN SANTORINI

This summer we have so many clients traveling to Greece! It is one of my favorite European destinations for couples and families with adult kids.

One of our clients, a couple, recently returned. We had a call so she could tell me all about their trip. They loved it!

There were so many highlights – including a visit to Sifnos, a smaller more undiscovered island. She said “It was magical. We didn’t want to leave. The people were wonderful. And we had one of our top 3 dining experiences on the beach a short walk from the resort.”

Their #1 dining experience was at a seafood tavern at sea level on Armeni Beach below Oia on Santorini.

Armeni specializes in fresh, locally-caught fish and traditional Santorinian cuisine. The restaurant offers the experience where you select your fish from a fresh cooler. They have so many delicious dishes – pastas, lobster, prawns, salads. Check out their menu here.

Armeni provides complimentary boat transfers from Ammoudi Bay (the only way to get there is by boat) and you have the option to swim right in front of the restaurant.

She said it was the highlight of the trip!

PS go for lunch as it closes early.

📷 Armeni

🌟 Last month Jason and I celebrated our 25th anniversary. Like planning trips for you – I wanted to find the perfect place.

My criteria:

a place we’d never been
drivable
worthy of celebrating a big anniversary

I found the perfect destination!

A resort in the Adirondacks. This is a beautiful area of upstate NY, with wilderness and 3,000+ lakes just 3 ½ hours from our house.

There was one aspect of the resort that Jason was initially dubious about – Saturday night would be a black tie dinner. Not his first choice.

We have friends who considered a stay here, but this one aspect was the reason several of them had never gone.

Well. That is a mistake. Keep reading. I’ll tell you why.

The resort is The Point.

Why is The Point so special?

You are guests in residence. It’s as if you are visiting a friend’s home.

The kitchen is open. Pour a glass of wine and drop in to see the chefs in action, ask them what they are making or get some inspiration for a late night snack request. (My favorite was the popcorn with shaved truffles! See below. The manager told me other favorites are s’mores with multiple chocolate selections (Heath bars, Reese’s cups, mint chocolate and home made chocolate bars), honey truffle french fries and a decadent grilled cheese.)

Built by William Avery Rockefeller II a century ago, The Point sits at the literal end of the road on a peninsula jutting into Upper Saranac Lake. The Point was designated as the first Relais & Châteaux member of North America 39 years ago and is the only Forbes Five Star property in Upstate New York. Clearly lots of impressive luxury credentials.

But the location gives you the impression that you are roughing it. This is not Capri or Santorini. You are in a Gilded Age log home, crafted of native timber and stone, exuding the 19th Century romantic notion of vacationing in great comfort, style and luxury.

The setting is pure magic. Ravens squawk overhead while loons call across the lake. It’s so quiet you can hear every detail of nature’s creatures. With only 11 guest rooms, the property feels truly exclusive – no day visitors, no outside diners, just an intimate gathering of fellow travelers.

Oh and no kids. It ‘s 21+. In my opinion making it the perfect place for a family celebration with adult kids.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Wake up early to walk one of the easy hiking trails from the property (I did this every morning) or bigger ones a short drive away
Take out a vintage wooden electric boat that feels like you are floating on Lake Como
Go on an e-bike ride
Play tennis or pickleball on their court (I happened upon the court on our way back from a bike ride so I started in Birkenstocks but quickly realized barefoot was better)
Bocce, axe throwing or horseshoes
Take an afternoon Hacker craft excursion with the captain who shares fascinating stories about former famous lake residents
Go out on the ski boat – for wake boarding, wake surfing or tubing
Grab a drink (or ask the staff to make you one) at one of the four bars scattered around the property (including in the charming pub with darts, poker and Stave puzzles or my favorite bar – next to the lean-to by the fire pit-see below)

The community dining experience turned out to be one of our favorite parts. Our first night we ate with four other couples and one guest suggested the men rotate seats after each course – they moved two seats to the left each time so we could talk with more people. It was social, fun, and created instant connections.

Don’t miss… the evening ritual by the fire. After dinner, guests gather in Adirondack chairs around the fire pit next to the lean-to (filled with cozy blankets and pillows) for s’mores and stargazing.

Service touches that matter: Each morning began with a gentle knock at our door and Tay, the morning server, entering with a tray of warm blueberry muffins and fresh croissants. The day before she’d ask how we’d like our coffee and what time. There’s a “bread and butter of the day” – tasty variations that were all delicious.

The kitchen is “open” to make you anything at any time of day. Including late night. Some of our new friends tested this out by ordering midnight pizza and it arrived in no time.

Dine where you wish – throughout the property, on a nearby island, on a boat. Organize it ahead of time and they’ll make it amazing.

All-inclusive means truly all-inclusive – top-shelf liquor, expertly paired wines with each course, every activity included and no tipping. It’s a luxury to never reach for your wallet.

I have stayed in the most luxurious places on earth. It was a delightful surprise to realize one of those truly special places is driving distance from my house.

We will be back for another celebration in the future.

** if you are faced with a very reluctant black tie wearer, I have a way around it. Instead of attending the formal dinner in the lodge, plan for a private dinner in a different location. Then you can wear whatever you’d like. (But I still suggest you do the black tie dinner!)