by Editor | Jul 1, 2008 | North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Carolina, United States
Tucked away in the garden of the regal Wentworth Mansion, a vine-shaded trellised walk led to the green door of a charming pink brick cottage. Behind this unassuming facade, a memorable dining experience awaited: Circa 1886, the domain of award-winning chef Marc Collins, who has been in residence for almost a decade. The “cottage” was in fact the beautifully restored 19 th century carriage house the mansion. Its restoration was a remarkable blend of original elements (such as the heart-of-pine floors and stable doors) and seamlessly integrated reconstruction features like elegant vaulted booths, boxed ceilings and flattering lighting. The timeless elegance of the décor was an appropriate metaphor for Chef Collins’ style as he wove together elements of traditional southern cuisine and modern French gastronomy to create an imaginative menu of understated sophistication.
by Editor | Feb 1, 2008 | New Mexico, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
When Spanish colonists founded Santa Fe four centuries ago in what is now northern New Mexico, they settled in an area where native culture had already been flourishing for over a millennium. Today, this rich and diverse history is evident at every turn. With its population of 70,000 mainly Hispanic, Anglo and Native Americans, Santa Fe has evolved into a vivid city of graceful apricot-colored pueblo-style adobe buildings strung along narrow, easily walkable streets. Its unique blend of cultures, arts and ancient traditions, its old-world charm and its spectacular location under the cerulean blue sky of the southern Rocky Mountains have made it a world-class tourist destination that attracts over one million visitors each year.
by Editor | Feb 1, 2008 | New Mexico, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
“You are in for a great dining experience” opined the passenger next to me on the shuttle from the airport to Santa Fe when I mentioned I had a reservation at the Anasazi Restaurant. He was right.
by Editor | Feb 1, 2008 | New Mexico, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
Discretely tucked away on a quiet side street a few steps from the bustle of the Plaza, Inn of the Anasazi was a haven of romance and casual luxury in the historic heart of Santa Fe. Its classic pueblo-style facade punctuated by round vigas (rough pine beams protruding through the walls) hinted at the finely crafted cliff dwellings of the ancient cultures that gave the hotel its name ( Anasazi is Navajo for ‘Ancient Ones’). The inspired interior design of the hotel integrated Native American, Hispanic and Anglo artistic traditions to capture the unique charm of this most romantic city.
by Editor | Jan 1, 2008 | New Mexico, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
Nirvana is often defined as a state of bliss and delight. Absolute Nirvana, an intimate luxury Indonesian spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, lived up to the promise of its name! I had been especially attracted by Absolute Nirvana’s reputation for unwavering environment-friendly practices. The opportunity to experience a traditional Lulur, the sumptuous treatment once reserved for Javanese princesses on the eve of their wedding may have had something to do with my interest as well.
by Editor | Sep 1, 2007 | Florida, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
What do you do when a 450-pound animal that moves better, faster and far more gracefully than you do races directly at you at (seemingly) the speed of sound? If you’re participating in a Natural Dolphin Swim at Dolphins Plus like we were, count yourself lucky, make sure your hands stay tucked away and keep swimming as fast as you can. We felt lucky because sometimes the dolphins find visitors uninteresting or the sea mammals are not in the mood for company and ignore visitors swimming in their salt water pen. This means all the effort and excitement to see the dolphins is wasted when they just stay in a corner or swim away making it difficult to enjoy the unstructured swim. In our case, the three dolphins in the pool enjoyed playing with us, making our swim a success.
