Sherman's Travel

Say you’re looking to get away this spring and you know exactly what you want: Southwestern ambiance, gorgeous scenery, amazing sunsets, and fabulous food. Trouble is, two terrific places – Sedona, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM (that’s Encantado Resort just outside Santa Fe to the left) – fit the bill. You need help deciding which to visit and I’m here to offer advice. I’ve visited both spots twice and totally love them . . . but for very different reasons. So, here’s my point-by-point comparison:

Overall Vibe

Sedona: New Age – you will be seeped in all things holistic and wellness-oriented as the city’s location on so-called energy vortexes (said to promote mind/body healing) has attracted a throng of crystal-toting, aura-reading healers and massage therapists, who can rub you the right way (or wrong) depending on your appreciation for or aversion to touchy-feely stuff. It’s all good, so just go with the energy flow. Read more

I really get around (travel-wise, that is) and when I talk to other well-traveled writers and friends I am always amazed how many of them have overlooked one of the world’s prettiest places: delightful, 21-square-mile Bermuda. Not only is it among the easiest-access islands for Americans (it’s in the Atlantic, 650 miles off Cape Hatteras and under two hours by air from the East Coast), but its teal blue water, botanical bounty, and pastel-hued charm make you feel as if you’ve been transported to an entirely different continent. I place it in the realm of Capri, Madeira, or Mallorca – sunny, manicured islands rich in natural beauty and full of surprises around every corner.

I didn’t discover Bermuda myself until four years ago, and a recent visit reaffirmed that the world’s oldest British colony, where the U.S. dollar is readily accepted, is a terrific destination for couples looking for a subtropical getaway involving golf, tennis, biking, spas, fine dining, or even historic touring. Here are my picks for 10 ways to enjoy Bermuda, plus three top resort options (if you can swing a last-minute getaway, hotel rates throughout March are a great value).

10 Ways to Enjoy Bermuda Read more

If you live on the East Coast, take the opportunity to escape to the romantic Tilghman Island Inn in Maryland for just $83 a night. Stay two nights between February 1 and April 30 and receive a third night for free with this offer. Tilghman Island is within comfortable driving distance from many East Coast cities and makes a perfect weekend getaway. It is under a two hour drive from Baltimore, two hours from Washington, D.C., under three hours from Philadelphia, and four hours from New York City.

Surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and the Choptank River, the island offers a full range of water sport rentals, unique sail and motor boat excursions, and mapped water trails. There are also plenty of land-based activities, from sipping cocktails and playing board games by the fire in the lounge, sampling local delicacies at the inn’s award-winning restaurant, Isabel’s, or simply enjoying the entrancing beauty of the bay, river, and marshes.

THE VALUE: You will save 33% with this third night free offer.

THE CATCH: You need to stay two nights to get a third one for free.

THE DETAILS: Visit the Tilghman Island Inn Website or call 800-866-2141 and mention 3 for 2 offer.