Brittany O’Brien

Where the San Juan Mountains meet quiet luxury, Telluride offers adventures and an epic ski week. Whether you visit in the winter to ski all day or adventure in the summer, Telluride has something for everyone. The free gondola that connects Mountain Village to town offers easy access between the otherwise 25 minute drive, and both areas offer upscale boutique hotels, incredible views, and delectable food options.

In a last-minute switch from skiing Rocky Mountains in the USA to skiing 4 Vallées, Switzerland, Nendaz quickly became a favorite. Nendaz is a small, local valley, which accepts the Epic Ski Pass for season 2025–2026, and a gem to experience. Their food, restaurants, après-ski culture, and people were delightful and very friendly. This last-minute trip to Switzerland over New Years made for incredible and forever-memorable moments.

Fall road trip throughout the US Northeast at the prime of leaf changing?! Yes, please. Every day in the car was absolutely gorgeous as we drove through the small towns (Salem, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, etc...), saw lighthouses, experienced Kancamagus Highway Pass and the Vermont Historic Covered Bridges. The inland and coastal northeast has charm, quaint towns to experience, and beautiful fall colors.

Fall in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is magical and serene with its breathtaking views, quaint town of Bar Harbor on the coast, and incredible coastline. There is no limit to fall activities in Bar Harbor—everything from biking the Carriage Roads, to hiking around Jordan Pond, to enjoying homemade ice cream in town or enjoying a great lobster roll or seafood at one of the many restaurants.

London is so full of history, culture, and incredible food. I had not been to London in 20+ years and my husband had never visited, so we planned these three days with the intention to “see everything”, and we did. Everything from fishing for carp on a fly rod to The London Eye to Buckingham Palace Tour to The Orangery for afternoon tea to the Churchill War Rooms, London did not disappoint and we plan to return for additional adventures.

After having cruised for over 25 years, I now put Viking in my number-one spot for cruise ships and trips. This was our first big trip together since getting married, and Viking outdid themselves through the intimate and minimalist decor, the incredible staff, and the itinerary—we sailed the "Into The Midnight Sun" on the Viking Saturn. From the ease of embarkation through the rough seas as we traveled through the North Sea and until disembarkation, Viking made us feel like we were royalty, and their ship was impeccable.

Bergen was a surprisingly fun and quaint town that we spent five days in before boarding a Viking cruise ship. The weather was beautiful—a rarity in the summer—and we loved exploring and walking around the fish market and surrounding areas. We enjoyed going up Mt. Floyen and walking through the town each day, where we always found amazing meals and new places to experience.

Exploring the new-to-us city of San Antonio on a three-day weekend escape provided a delightful mix of history touring and relaxation. Touring spots like the Alamo, Tower of Americas, and the Riverwalk, while also relaxing at the pool or spa in the Mokara, gave us the break from “home life” we needed. San Antonio surprised us with amazing food and drink options—we never had a bad meal.