A personal guide to authentic experiences
from a veteran travel journalist
Authentic Luxury Travel
[promoslider id="my_id" category="topbanner" height="200px"]
  • Home
  • About Elizabeth
    • Published Articles
  • Authentic Luxury Travel
  • Book A Trip
  • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Advertise
    • Contribute a Guest Post
    • Keep in Touch
    • Leave a Comment, Ask a Question
    • Plan a Getaway “Contest”
    • Send a Photo
    • Share a Travel Book or Movie
    • Write a Trip Report
  • Map of Posts by Location
  • Trip Planning
  • Africa
    • Botswana
    • Safaris
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Zambia
  • Air Travel
  • Antarctica
  • Asia
    • Bhutan
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Myanmar
    • Vietnam
  • Australia
    • Great Barrier Reef
    • Sydney
  • Authentic Travel
  • Canada
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
      • Vancouver
    • Newfoundland
  • Central America
    • Costa Rica
    • Guatemala
    • Mexico
  • Cruises
  • Europe
    • Czech Republic
    • England
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Poland
    • Scotland
    • Spain
    • The Netherlands
    • Turkey
  • Hotels
  • India
  • Islands
    • Bermuda
    • Caribbean
    • Fiji
    • French Polynesia
    • Hawaii
    • Ibiza, Spain
    • Maldives
    • Palau
    • Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
  • Middle East
    • Abu Dhabi
    • Dubai
  • New Zealand
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
  • Special Interest Trips
    • Ancestry travel
    • Bucket List Travel
    • Classic Car Adventures
    • Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
    • fall colors
    • Family Travel
    • food tours
    • garden visits
    • Golf Vacations
    • Learning Vacations
      • Cooking schools
    • national holidays
    • Performing Arts
      • concerts
      • opera
    • Pet-Friendly Travel
    • Rafting
    • Recipes
    • Romantic Destinations
    • Shopping
    • Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
    • Spa Vacations
    • surfing
    • Walking vacations
    • Wildlife Watching
    • Winter Holidays
    • Women's Travel
  • Staying Healthy
    • Dealing with Illness and Discomfort
    • Eating and Drinking
    • Insects
    • Mind and Spirit
    • Packing
    • Problem Prevention
    • Travelling with Kids
  • Travel Experts
  • U. S. Travel
    • National Parks
    • USA Eastern States
    • USA Midwestern States
    • USA Southern States
    • USA Southwest
    • USA Western States
      • Alaska
      • Central California
      • Montana
      • Northern California
      • Oregon
      • Southern California
      • Utah
      • Washington
  • Vacation Rentals
  • Voluntourism

Tag: authentic luxury travel

Shell Beach – Best Central CA Vacation Spot

Shell Beach – Best Central CA Vacation Spot

Shell Beach: What makes this area the perfect spot for a summer vacation? Great weather and a relatively laid-back atmosphere. Further north, coastal fog can be a problem, and in some areas to the south, beach resorts are packed in cheek-to-jowl. But Shell Beach, which is the upmarket resort area of Pismo Beach, feels quiet […]

July 30, 2016 | Updated: August 1, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Most Romantic Christchurch Accommodation

Most Romantic Christchurch Accommodation

New Zealand: Christchurch accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes, but Otahuna Lodge is easily the most romantic. The stately Victorian mansion is surrounded by 30 acres of beautiful gardens, emerald green lawns, and fragrant woodlands. Seven spacious bedrooms – most with working fireplaces – are both grand and welcoming. If you’ve ever longed to […]

February 13, 2016 | Updated: February 14, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Monterey, CA – Wildlife, Great Food & More

Monterey, CA – Wildlife, Great Food & More

Monterey is a mixed bag. At first glance, it’s not very exciting. The commercial district is chockablock with the predictable chain stores, and nearby lodging and dining options are also ho-hum. So why am I writing about this Central California city? Because the flip side is that Monterey is home to some of the best food, most authentic wildlife […]

September 29, 2015 | Updated: September 30, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Machu Picchu – How to Avoid the Crowd

Machu Picchu – How to Avoid the Crowd

Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for a long time but, as I said in a post on this site four years ago, I have an usually low tolerance for being herded around like a tourist. “But a visit to Machu Picchu doesn’t have to be like that,” travel expert Nina Fogelman assured […]

May 11, 2015 | Updated: May 12, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 8 Replies More
Paris Shopping -Finding the Best “Souvenirs”

Paris Shopping -Finding the Best “Souvenirs”

Paris shopping is a subject near and dear to the heart of Pascale Heuzé, who lives in  Vincennes – a community in the eastern suburbs of the city. I first introduced you to this lovely lady when I wrote about learning vacations a while back.  More recently, she wrote about Vincennes and why you might want […]

April 7, 2015 | Updated: April 8, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
About Authentic Luxury Travel, About Me

About Authentic Luxury Travel, About Me

Welcome. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for authentic luxury travel options. There’s nothing I enjoy more than sharing what I’ve learned during the course of a long career as a travel journalist and photographer. Looking for a boutique hotel? A private guide in Mumbai? A way to avoid the crowds in […]

March 23, 2015 | Updated: April 14, 2015 | By admin | 7 Replies More
Lanai Hawaii – Why You Should Go Now

Lanai Hawaii – Why You Should Go Now

Lanai is the only accessible Hawaiian Island that I haven’t experienced. I’ve stared at it across the water from our Maui vacation rental, but just never felt motivated to plan a visit – mainly because I didn’t know much about it. That all changed when I received this Lanai guest post from Elaine Masters. Read […]

January 27, 2015 | Updated: January 28, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Authentic Luxury Travel Wins Gold

Authentic Luxury Travel Wins Gold

Authentic Luxury Travel – yes, this site – just won Gold in the Best Website Category of the SATW Western Chapter writing competition. I’m honored – and grateful. The site has taken on a new and improved dimension with the addition of trip reports and guests posts from readers. For this, I thank all of […]

June 26, 2014 | Updated: March 24, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 9 Replies More
JapanQuest Journeys – Bespoke Luxury

JapanQuest Journeys – Bespoke Luxury

I know you’re interested in Japan and I don’t feel qualified to provide insider advice on this destination, so I asked Scott Gilman, Managing Director and Co-Founder of JapanQuest Journeys to contribute a guest post. Scott’s company is well known for specializing in customized luxury trips to Japan and providing personalized “platinum quality” service. Cheers,  […]

September 5, 2013 | Updated: March 26, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Rovos Rail Journey on the Pride of Africa

Rovos Rail Journey on the Pride of Africa

I’m blessed with friends and family that share my passion for travel, so holiday cards are often replete with descriptions of recent adventures. In 2012, Mary Anne and Joe Curray took the prize (OK, there isn’t actually a prize) with their tale of a 14-day Rovos Rail Journey on the Pride of Africa from Cape […]

February 18, 2013 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Authentic Luxury Travel Wins “Best of Show”

Authentic Luxury Travel Wins “Best of Show”

  Last night’s surprising success at the San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards was wonderful, but it didn’t make me want to jump up and do a little end zone dance. Authentic Luxury Travel won “Best Topic-based Blog” and “Best of Show” in the Websites category, which is very exciting, but most of […]

October 25, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Bermuda Like a Local

Bermuda Like a Local

  Each time I return to Bermuda, I enjoy it more. I’ve always liked the islands’ combination of tropical climate and old-world English ambiance, and on a recent trip, native Bermudian Barb Jones gave me a great insider tip: “If your readers want to enjoy Bermuda like a local, they should visit during one of […]

June 29, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
King Pacific Lodge: Whales in the Wilderness

King Pacific Lodge: Whales in the Wilderness

Since I wrote this, King Pacific Lodge has been moved and is now, primarily, catering to fishermen. For details, go to King Pacific Lodge. Seeing whales in the wilderness had been on my bucket list for quite a while before I read about King Pacific Lodge in Canada. In the meantime, I’d seen whales at […]

June 29, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Emirates Airfare Deal – Book by July 5

Emirates Airfare Deal – Book by July 5

Saying that Emirates Airline is offering a great airfare deal is like saying Neiman Marcus is having a sale. Yes, the price of the designer gown is marked down, but….well you know what I mean. Having said that, we flew Emirates Airline from Los Angeles to Dubai and in my notes (travel writers are compulsive […]

June 29, 2012 | Updated: October 31, 2014 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Next Page »

Subscribe

Join me and discover the joy of authentic travel experiences. Subscribe here. Watch your inbox for an activation email.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
[jr_instagram id="2"]
Let our Boutique Hotels inspire you
Discover the ancient and magical culture of  Peru
Discover Vietnams hidden treasures with the help of a private tour guide
Spectaular Italian Villas and homes for rent

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

I enjoy helping travelers plan custom itineraries that wander off the beaten path instead of following the well-worn trail of tourist sites. Elizabeth Hansen
Find out how I can help .

"I truly want to thank you for helping to make our trip a joyous adventure. We will always be grateful to you for enhancing our experiences." —N. Higgins, Black Mountain, NC

Find Authentic Luxury Destinations

Click the map to find articles and travel tips about your favorite destinations.

Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Me on Twitter Connect on Facebook Connect on Google Plus Connect on LinkedIn
© 2023 Authentic Luxury Travel. All rights reserved. Design & Development by Acorn Interactive.