Get Out of Town

January 2, 2026

The Original Sim City

In order to visit Michael Heizer’s mammoth art project in the Nevada desert, my husband and I needed to spend a couple of nights in Las Vegas—so we dragged along his mom on a quest for age-appropriate thrills. 8

December 17, 2025

That’s Life in Death Valley

Death Valley has an obvious branding problem: it’s more interesting, more varied, more alive—in a geologic sense—than you might imagine. And the refurbishment of the National Park lodge means staying there is no longer an endurance test.

November 26, 2025

An Old West Town in Wine Country

Having only ever gone to Santa Ynez for a meal and maybe a brief stroll, I dragooned my husband into spending a night there. The 24-hour trip felt like much longer, in the best possible way. 6

November 19, 2025

The Glorious Isolation of Santa Barbara Island

On the smallest of the eight Channel Islands, you really do feel like you're in the middle of the ocean. 4

November 2, 2025

Hiking From Hotel to Hotel in the Dolomites

The Italian mountain range is a prime example of how certain destinations appear to become wildly popular overnight. But don't let that discourage you: our self-guided hiking trip was one of the best trips we've ever taken. Plus: Milan for the first time, and testing out an all-business-class airline. 5

October 8, 2025

A Ramble Through the English Countryside

All I knew about rural England is what I’ve gleaned from Merchant Ivory films, and yet the Cotswolds and Somerset still didn't disappoint. Plus: A couple of days in London. 2

August 3, 2025

Notes From Up North

Highs and lows on a visit to Healdsburg, Mendocino, and San Francisco—including being dwarfed by redwoods, wandering on the edge of bluffs, cosplaying Jessica Fletcher, riding in robotaxis, and eating very well. 1

July 27, 2025

Sleeping in Style at Ojai’s New Hotel El Roblar

The town finally has a cool hotel—one that manages to feel both completely fresh and like it's been there forever. 17

June 18, 2025

There’s More to Peru Than Machu Picchu

While the Incan ruins are understandably a highlight of any visit to the country, you'd do well to expand your horizons—not just to Lima, but also the Colca Canyon, Sacred Valley, and the stunning city of Arequipa. 2

May 4, 2025

On a Backroads Tour of New Zealand’s South Island

Most of our time on the South Island was spent on a Backroads tour, and it's easy to see why so many people love the company—they make traveling so easy. But there are trade-offs. Plus: The exquisite Blanket Bay lodge. 6