Marlene O'Brien

As an English literature major in college, I was drawn to Wordsworth’s poetry and its emphasis on nature as a force for spirituality and peace. When I found out that Wordsworth was primarily inspired by his home in the Lake District, England, I immediately put it on my list of places to visit. While visiting my family in London, it was not a difficult side trip to take the train to Manchester, rent a car, and drive up to Windermere. Most people leave London and head to the Cotswolds. I urge you to venture further and head to the Lake District—serene lakes, farm-to-table food, breathtaking hikes, and some quiet moments in nature that will soothe your soul.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we decided to spend a week in St. Kitts—but within a day on the island, I realized that it’s so much more than a cruise stop. It’s a Caribbean experience shaped by complex history, British influence, and extraordinary local culture. The story comes to life at places like Brimstone Hill Fortress, where sweeping views meet powerful reminders of the island’s colonial past. Here, luxury isn’t just beautiful beaches and boutique hotels—it’s access to the real heartbeat of the islands. The star of the show is the food and drink culture: fiery Scotch bonnet heat, slow-simmered goat curry, rum shops with decades of stories, and reggae-filled nights that feel effortless and authentic. My strongest advice is to stay at the Park Hyatt—it’s absolutely gorgeous—but take the opportunity to walk off property down to Cockleshell Bay to mingle with locals at beach shacks and swim in gloriously clear water. The perfect combo of luxury and local!

I recently experienced Prague over a few magical winter days with 10 friends (and a few children in tow), wandering glowing Christmas markets, climbing to Prague Castle, ducking into historic beer halls, and warming up over rich, comforting Czech food made for cold weather and long conversations. The city blends grandeur and coziness. One moment you’re in a square that looks like a Gothic painting, the next you’re inside a centuries-old pub with a perfect beer. Prague’s Christmas markets aren’t just beautiful—they’re true bucket-list material worth the trip.

I've been to Dublin over a dozen times and it still manages to sweep me off my feet. It’s a small city with a huge heartbeat. The River Liffey cuts through centuries of rebellion, literary brilliance, and stories still being told over perfectly poured pints of Guinness—yes, the best drink in the world. This is a city where history isn’t locked in museums; it’s in the streets, in the music spilling out of pub doors, in the conversations with strangers that somehow feel like old friends. Lose track of time in the music and the craic—that uniquely Irish mix of laughter, music, storytelling, and the feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. I'll help you find this magic.

The Lofoten Islands are one of the rare places in the world where raw nature, quiet luxury, and deep peace exist in perfect balance. My husband and I traveled there in late September for our anniversary, drawn by dramatic coastal hikes, endless cinematic scenery, incredible fresh seafood, and the magic of the Northern Lights dancing over peaceful fishing villages. It’s a destination that feels both wild and intimate—ideal for travelers who want beauty, stillness, and awe in equal measure.

Vietnam is a place that awakens every sense—the hum of motorbikes at dawn, the scent of herbs and charcoal in the air, the quiet grace of daily life unfolding around you. Here, luxury lives comfortably alongside street food perfected over generations, and a complex history is met with extraordinary kindness, humility, and resilience. It is deeply moving, richly textured travel.

A well-guarded secret to those in the know, Baltimore’s charm, history and endless waterfront attractions make it one of the most attractive weekend getaway destinations. Whether you want to walk the cobblestone streets of Fells Point, sip on cocktails while watching the sunset over the harbor, or pull up your sleeves and pick a dozen crabs covered in Old Bay, the city truly has something for everyone. In fact, “Charm City” has undergone such extensive refurbishment in the past 20 years that most natives don’t recognize some parts of it anymore. It has made it the perfect place to dive into for a couple of days of exploration.