Lisa Gentile

It was a delight to stay at The Cottages of Napa Valley. It’s a lovely place for a simple honeymoon, a romantic get-a-way or a gathering of mellow friends.

Classic yet full of surprises, Sorrento has become an agritourism wonder-land. Whether you stay in the bustling and beautiful city or venture to the island palaces or archeological sites inland, an immersive culinary experience is always within reach in this Mediterranean gem.

A road trip around the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica means a journey through spectacular Pacific beaches, pristine forests and a staggering array of wildlife refuges. Conservation programs and a small town surf culture set the stage for wildlife encounters, adventures and luxe accommodations. This Costa Rica itinerary 7 days puts you in the action.

A visit to Napa Valley with an eye for art brings this storied collection of wine towns into fresh focus. And, yes, that includes the arts of wine and food.

Costa Rica is a mesmerizing blend of culture and biodiversity. In a time before zip lines, I grew comfortable there with bullfrogs skipping under cafe tables, lizards skulking above hotel beds and succulent fish dinners served at family restaurants on the sand. Costa Rica is still a wild and wondrous place and the modern Gulf of Papagayo provides every imaginable way to explore the intersection of sea, sand, mountains, and forests around Culebra Bay. This 4-day Costa Rica itinerary works as a quick getaway or as a leg of a longer journey.