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: lodging

My Favorite Santa Barbara Hotel (by far)

My Favorite Santa Barbara Hotel (by far)

My favorite Santa Barbara hotel? That’s easy. Belmond El Encanto won my heart with gracious suites in historic cottages, beautiful gardens, and a panoramic ocean view. Spread over seven acres, the hotel feels more residential than commercial. This isn’t surprising, since the bungalows here started out as lodging for students and faculty when a state […]

September 14, 2016 | Updated: September 14, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Why I love this New Zealand Beach Resort

Why I love this New Zealand Beach Resort

New Zealand beach communities are dotted along the country’s coast. Until recently, I thought I’d experienced the best of them – but then I found Waikanae. In a roundabout way, I have my husband to thank for this discovery. If he hadn’t wanted to spend “at least one full day” at the Southward Car Museum, […]

August 26, 2016 | Updated: August 27, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Saratoga Springs – A Gem in Upstate New York

Saratoga Springs – A Gem in Upstate New York

Saratoga Springs made me want to travel more – and better. And by “better,” I mean it made me want to take time to explore small towns and cities that are a bit off the beaten path.  While I was enjoying Saratoga Springs, I kept wondering what I’d missed in other “flyover cities.” Saratoga advice […]

May 17, 2016 | Updated: May 18, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Hilo Hawaii – Best Authentic (Logo Free) B&B

Hilo Hawaii – Best Authentic (Logo Free) B&B

Hilo…If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I’m not a fan of highrise hotels covered in corporate logos. This is particularly true in places like the Big Island where the local laid-back lifestyle includes surfing, hula, and celebrating the culture of Old Hawaii. On my most recent trip to the Big […]

March 28, 2016 | Updated: March 29, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 2 Replies More
Best La Jolla Shores Hotels, San  Diego

Best La Jolla Shores Hotels, San Diego

La Jolla Shores Beach is a long stretch of sand about a mile from La Jolla’s popular shopping and dining areas in the “village.” The Shores is where San Diego locals and visitors head for walking, kayaking, surfing, sunning, SCUBA diving, and playing in the waves. In short, La Jolla Shores is pretty much paradise. […]

March 16, 2016 | Updated: March 18, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 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
Air New Zealand, Santa & Our Fabulous Trip

Air New Zealand, Santa & Our Fabulous Trip

Air New Zealand made it possible for my husband Richard and me to enjoy four wonderful weeks of New Zealand summer. We left Los Angeles on December 24, 2015 and came back on January 21, 2016 – and it was all terrific. As I’ve mentioned before , I’ve spent a lot of time Down Under […]

February 1, 2016 | Updated: February 2, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 6 Replies More
Christchurch NZ – Rooms With A View

Christchurch NZ – Rooms With A View

Christchurch NZ is a little short on places to stay at the moment. The earthquakes that shook the area during 2010 and 2011 wiped out almost 80% of the city central, including several hotels. So what’s a visitor to do? Had I been looking for a chic boutique hotel, I would have opted for The […]

January 1, 2016 | Updated: February 5, 2016 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Lava Lava Beach Club – Eat, Play, Slumber

Lava Lava Beach Club – Eat, Play, Slumber

Lava Lava Beach Club. Isn’t that a great name? And here’s the best part: unlike many cool monikers that aren’t as great as they sound – this place is even better. Located right on the beach on the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii, the Lava Lava Beach club is both a great […]

October 17, 2015 | Updated: October 17, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Best Hotel Suites Near La Jolla Cove, San Diego

Best Hotel Suites Near La Jolla Cove, San Diego

La Jolla Cove is easily the most recognized spot in my hometown – and for good reason. The lovely little beach is a mere dollop compared to the long stretches of sand in the rest of San Diego. And – because it’s sheltered by low sandstone cliffs – La Jolla Cove feels cozy. Snorkelers and […]

October 8, 2015 | Updated: October 9, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More
Amsterdam Hotels – Tips From Travel Journos

Amsterdam Hotels – Tips From Travel Journos

Amsterdam hotels? Really? In addition to writing about travel on this site and elsewhere, I help travelers plan their trips. Of course, I can only do this if I am well acquainted with their destination – which explains why, over the years, I’ve planned more trips to New Zealand (my home-away-from-home) than any other country. […]

October 1, 2015 | Updated: October 9, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 2 Replies More
Victoria Falls – Best Places to Stay in Livingstone

Victoria Falls – Best Places to Stay in Livingstone

Victoria Falls – located between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa – is the world’s largest sheet of falling water. It is nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls in North America. In height and width it is rivaled only by Iguazu Falls in South America. As you might imagine, this notoriety has […]

July 21, 2015 | Updated: July 22, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Carmel Valley – Where to Stay and Play

Carmel Valley – Where to Stay and Play

Carmel Valley is a popular destination for luxury loving Californians. Resorts, lodges, and restaurants in this area two hours from San Francisco offer the food, wine, and activities that Golden State residents love. Want to connect with the local culture? You couldn’t make a better choice than to spend some time at Carmel Valley Ranch. When I […]

July 13, 2015 | Updated: July 21, 2015 | By Elizabeth | 1 Reply More
Best La Jolla Beach Boutique Hotel

Best La Jolla Beach Boutique Hotel

La Jolla beach hotels tend to be busy places, but one boutique property offers a sweet retreat with an ocean view. Scripps Inn faces the Pacific a few blocks south of La Jolla Cove – just far enough from the Children’s Pool seal colony to avoid the masses of visitors that the marine cuties attract. I’ve lived […]

June 18, 2015 | Updated: June 19, 2015 | 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.