Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel
September 8, 2025
Summer in Utah, Winter on the Horizon: Deer Valley���s Expanded Excellence
Summer in Park City has a way of working itself into your soul. One moment you���re hiking beneath glowing aspens���those white-trunked trees that shimmer like something out of Avatar, connected underground in one vast living organism���and the next, you���re stretched out on a blanket at Deer Valley���s Snow Park Amphitheater, watching the stars come out as live music fills the mountain air.
This season, I hiked ridgelines where wildflowers framed sweeping Wasatch views, and later shared a night of blues-rock with friends as Big Head Todd and the Monsters lit up the stage. Deer Valley, long famous for its perfectly groomed ski runs, proves again and again that it���s just as magical in summer: chairlifts that carry you straight into the alpine, trails that restore the soul, and concerts that remind you of the joy of gathering together outdoors.
But what makes this mountain so special is that it never stops evolving. Just as summer opens new ways to experience its slopes, winter 2025/26 will bring a transformation unlike anything in ski industry history. Deer Valley���s Expanded Excellence initiative is rewriting what a ski resort can be.
By this coming season, Deer Valley will have more than doubled its skiable terrain���a record-breaking expansion featuring 31 total lifts, 202 runs, and 4,300 acres of terrain. Seven brand-new lifts debut this winter alone, including the East Village Express, a 10-passenger gondola connecting the new East Village to Park Peak. It���s not just another lift���it���s nearly three miles long, with 142 heated-seat cabins, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and whisper-quiet motors that make the 15-minute ride feel like gliding through the sky.
The Pinyon Express, another newcomer, will link existing Flagstaff Mountain terrain to beginner-friendly alpine trails near Park Peak, creating seamless access across the expanded resort. Heated bubble chairs, smooth rides, and new trails for every level of skier ensure comfort matches adventure.
And the details are staggering: over 32,000 feet of high-performance haul rope, 40 towers, uphill capacity for 3,000 guests per hour, and snowmaking technology that guarantees coverage across the expanded terrain. Add in 1,200 day-skier parking spaces at East Village, and it���s clear this is more than an upgrade���it���s a reimagining of mountain access.
So as I look back on my restorative summer in Deer Valley���hiking through meadows, listening to music under the stars, and soaking in the calm of the mountains���I���m equally excited about what���s coming. This winter, those same peaks that rang with guitars will hum with the sound of skis carving fresh tracks across the largest expansion in ski resort history.
Deer Valley has always been about more than just a season. It���s a year-round invitation to step into the mountains, breathe deep, and discover what excellence feels like���whether under the summer sun or in the quiet hush of falling snow.
Deer Valley: hiking Brave-ishly!!Happy to be at Deer Valley Resort this summer, and the mountains are changing in amazing ways. Riley and I ski here in winter and hike here in summer, and every visit reminds me why this place is so special. Hiking by the Jordanelle River and across wildflower fields, I saw the incredible transformation underway as part of Deer Valley���s Expanded Excellence initiative. By the 2025/26 season, Deer Valley will deliver the largest ski resort expansion in industry history.
This winter, Deer Valley will debut seven new chairlifts
The resort now features 31 total lifts, 202 ski runs, and 4,300 skiable acres.A state-of-the-art automated snowmaking system and an average of 300 inches of annual snowfall ensure consistent snow coverage across the expanded terrain.The Deer Valley East Village will offer 1,200 day-skier parking spaces this ski season.Deer Valley���s Expanded Excellence project will more than double the resort���s skiable terrainThe new East Village Gondola ��� Utah���s first 10-passenger gondola, with heated seats, floor-to-ceiling glass, and the capacity to move 3,000 guests uphill every hour This trip was also personal ��� my very first hike and photo shoot with my book Brave-ish. Skiing is such a big part of my memoir (which turns 2 in September 2025), and bringing it here to the mountain felt like coming full circle.Deer Valley is a place I���ve returned to many times over many years, in every season. Whether I���m carving down snowy runs or hiking through wildflower meadows, it always feels like a place of adventure, inspiration, and new stories.
Deer Valley Resort Summer Concert 2025When the snow melts, Deer Valley transforms. Miles of trails open for hiking and mountain biking, and when the sun goes down, the mountains trade skis for songs as the stage lights up for the Deer Valley Concert Series ��� now more than 20 years strong. I experienced my first summer concert at Snow Park, and it was unforgettable. Gordon Greenwood set the mood before Big Head Todd and the Monsters ��� platinum-selling, Colorado Music Hall of Fame legends ��� rocked the night with new tunes and decades of blues-infused hits like Sister Sweetly and Her Way Out. Sitting under the stars with crystal-clear sound bouncing off the Wasatch peaks felt like pure mountain magic. From carving powder in winter to hiking in summer to dancing under the stars, Deer Valley is more than a ski resort ��� it���s a year-round playground.
Deer Valley Resort Summer Concert: Gordon GreenwoodI saw Gordon Greenwood take the stage at Deer Valley���s Snow Park Amphitheater, opening for Big Head Todd & the Monsters. His blend of funk, soul, and rock rippled through the mountain air as the crowd settled in on blankets and low chairs, framed by the Wasatch peaks. For more than 20 years, the Deer Valley Concert Series has turned summer nights into pure magic ��� an open-air stage with crystal-clear sound, sunsets that light up the mountains, and stars that arrive just as the music hits its stride. Famous for its winter slopes, Deer Valley proves every summer that it���s also one of the best places in the country to experience live music outdoors.
Big Head Todd & the Monsters at Deer Valley ResortWhat a night at Deer Valley���s Snow Park Amphitheater! Under the stars and framed by the Wasatch peaks, I joined friends Patricia and Wayne ��� who I usually ski with in the winter ��� for an unforgettable evening with Big Head Todd & the Monsters.
Formed in Colorado in 1986, the band has been together nearly 40 years, building a loyal following with their blues-rock sound. Their 1993 album Sister Sweetly went platinum, and in 2023 they were inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame ��� a testament to their lasting influence.
At Deer Valley, they filled the night with their most famous songs, the kind that have become timeless favorites for fans across generations. Every note soared through the open-air amphitheater, where the natural acoustics make music feel even bigger against the mountain sky.
Deer Valley may be world-renowned for skiing, but summer nights here have a magic of their own ��� mountain trails by day, live music under the stars by night. Sharing it with good friends made it even better.
Another day wandering the woods in Park City feels like stepping into another world. The glowing white aspens shimmer in the light, and here���s the wild part: they aren���t just a grove of trees. They���re all connected underground, one giant living organism. Walking among them is a little like being inside Avatar���the forest feels alive, breathing, and keeping its own secrets. But these woods hold more than natural wonder. Tucked between the trails are remnants of Park City���s silver mining boom, when this was a bustling mountain town in the late 1800s. Weathered wooden buildings and mine shafts still stand as reminders of the fortune-seekers who came here chasing silver. Each one looks like a time capsule, half hidden by the forest, waiting to tell its story. Even the ski lifts nod to this history. Names like Silverlode and Payday aren���t just clever���they���re direct ties to the mines that fueled Park City���s early days. Every ride up the mountain is also a ride back into the town���s past. It���s this blend of nature and history that makes Park City so special. You���re never just hiking in the woods���you���re wandering through a living forest that feels like it belongs in a fantasy film, while tracing the footsteps of miners who built a community high in the mountains more than a century ago.
Back Alley Bash Park City 2025I was in town for Park City���s annual Back Alley Bash, one of summer���s most beloved traditions hosted by KPCW. Just across from the library, City Park came alive with families spread out on blankets, kids darting between face-painting stations and balloon animal artists, and local bands Muddpuddle and Bad Frances keeping the crowd dancing.
I strolled over from my hotel and loved how the park transformed into a true community gathering place ��� neighbors catching up, visitors blending right in, and music drifting through the mountain air. As the sun slipped behind the Wasatch peaks, the whole scene felt pure Park City: casual, joyful, and full of mountain-town spirit.
Fluffy clouds, endless blue skies, and the greenest trees ��� August in Park City and Deer Valley could not have been more perfect for hiking. In the morning, I rode the Crescent Chairlift up to the top of the mountain and set out along the ridgeline trails. Surrounded by alpine meadows and sweeping views, every step felt both energizing and serene. After soaking it all in, I took the chairlift back down, the valley stretching wide beneath me.
For my afternoon adventure, Patricia, Finnbar and I rode the gondola up on the Canyons side and hiked to Alpine Lake. The trail wound across a wooden bridge and through shady forests in the sunshine and then the rain before revealing the lake, which when it was perfectly still reflected the chairlift like a mirror. Two hikes in one day, two very different perspectives ��� both reminding me that Park City���s mountains are just as restorative in summer as they are thrilling in winter.
Summer in the mountains can feel like experiencing every season in a single day. On the Crescent Chairlift UP at Park City Mountain, the morning brought wind and rain, and then, blue skies, fluffy clouds, and warm sunshine bathed the slopes. I hiked across the ridge, passing shimmering quaking aspens and wildflowers, while mountain bikers zipped along the trails below. The views kept changing, offering little moments to pause and take it all in. Park City Mountain’s story began on December 21, 1963, when it opened as Treasure Mountain, marking the town’s transformation from a silver mining hub to a ski destination. The resort’s history is still visible today, especially on the Silver to Slopes Historic Mining Tour. This free, guided ski tour takes you through the mountain’s rich mining past, showcasing relics and stories that connect the slopes to the town’s heritage. In summer, runs that are snow-covered in winter become green corridors lined with blooms and endless vistas. From chairlift to trail, it���s a day of color, calm, and discovery ��� a mix of natural beauty and the stories that shaped this remarkable place.
Hiking Park City MountainGreat to be back in Park City again ��� a place I���ve been fortunate to visit many times over the years, in every season. They say people come for the winter but stay for the summer, and I couldn���t agree more.
This trip, I rode the Crescent Chair at Park City Mountain into the sunshine, then hiked across the very slopes I love to ski in winter. Instead of carving turns, I wandered through fields of green and trails lined with wildflowers. Along the way, I passed the familiar signs for my favorite runs ��� Assessment, Hidden Splendor, Dynamite ��� names that usually mean snowy adventure, now transformed into summer meadows.
I watched mountain bikers racing down the trails, breathed in the crisp alpine air, and dreamed of powder days while soaking in the warmth of summer. That���s the beauty of Park City ��� whether skiing, hiking, biking, or simply riding a chairlift for the views, it���s a place that keeps calling you back, season after season.
One of my favorite things about Park City is that even something as simple as getting to lunch can feel like a full mountain adventure. I started my day by taking the Crescent Chairlift UP, gliding over endless evergreens and passing stands of quaking aspens, their white trunks glowing in the sun and leaves trembling in the breeze. Wildflowers splashed color across the slopes, and mountain bikers zipped along trails as the ridges opened into sweeping alpine views.
The real magic came when I rode the Town Lift right into the heart of Main Street ��� a commute so charming it feels almost unreal. Where else can you literally step off a chairlift into a historic mountain town? I met a friend to celebrate her birthday over a delicious lunch at Harvest.
Afterward, I strolled up historic Main Street to the post office, where I mailed a copy of my memoir to a podcast host ��� a reminder that nearly two years after its release, BRAVE-ish is still sparking conversations, events, and connections around the world.
From there, I hopped back on the Town Lift UP the mountain and hiked down into the resort center, the perfect way to round out the day. From aspens to wildflowers, from trails to Main Street caf��s, Park City blends small-town charm with mountain magic in a way that makes every step (and every lift ride) feel like part of the adventure.
: SLC to LAXHappy 100th birthday Delta
���Don���t be sad it���s over, be glad it happened.��� I���m heading home with my heart (and camera roll) full. Summer at Deer Valley Resort is pure magic: the chairlifts whisk you into cool alpine air, where miles of hiking trails wind through forests of glowing aspens and open up to sweeping mountain vistas. Every turn feels like a reset button for the soul. When the sun dips behind the Wasatch, Deer Valley transforms again ��� music echoing from the Snow Park Amphitheater, stars scattered across the sky, and world-class artists turning the mountains into their stage. From hiking boots by day to concerts under the stars by night, Deer Valley proves it���s so much more than a ski destination. It���s a year-round playground for adventure, beauty, and unforgettable memories. As I fly home from SLC to LAX on Delta, I���m sad to leave ��� grateful it happened and cannot wait for it to SNOW SNOW SNOW. Until next time, Deer Valley.
There���s nothing quite like the magic of takeoff. Leaving Los Angeles, my Delta flight lifted over the sparkle of Santa Monica Beach, a reminder of home before heading east. Out the window, the landscape shifted from ocean blues to desert reds, and then the shimmering expanse of the Great Salt Lake came into view���so surreal it looked like another planet. Moments later, we were gliding into Salt Lake City, mountains rising dramatically on all sides.
Every window seat feels like an invitation to adventure. I love seeing the world unfold from above and remembering how many incredible places there are still to explore. Where will your next adventure take you?
The post Summer in Utah, Winter on the Horizon: Deer Valley���s Expanded Excellence appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
September 5, 2025
Boyz II Zen: When R&B Nostalgia Meets Wellness in the Florida Keys
What happens when you mix R&B nostalgia with a wellness retreat? When I heard that Booking.com had teamed up with Boyz II Men���one of the best-selling R&B groups of all time���for a first-of-its-kind experience in the Florida Keys, I immediately thought: Now that���s the ultimate ���boyz trip:” Boyz II Zen: A Wellness Escape.
For just $19.85���a clever wink to the year they were formed���one lucky fan and five friends will swap the ���Motownphilly��� dance floor for a soulful sanctuary by the sea. And this isn���t just another vacation. It���s four nights of slow jams, self-care, and a private performance from the very voices that carried so many of us through first crushes, heartbreaks, weddings, and prom nights.
I grew up with Boyz II Men. Their harmonies were the soundtrack of the ���90s���songs like��I���ll Make Love to You��and��End of the Road��became instant classics, while��One Sweet Day, their duet with Mariah Carey, broke records that lasted for decades. They���ve sold over 60 million albums, earned four Grammys, and left us with ballads that still make the hair on your arms stand up. I even saw them live at my favorite Los Angeles venue, the Hollywood Bowl, last summer. When the first notes of End of the Road floated into the night sky and thousands of voices sang along, it was proof that their music is timeless. Now, they���re bringing that same harmony to travel���and I can���t think of a better mash-up than R&B and R&R.
Boyz II Men at the Hollywood Bowl:
The setting? A luxury oceanfront home in the Florida Keys with panoramic views, a private beach, and the kind of dock that begs for smooth-sailing afternoons. Guests begin with a private meet-and-greet and an intimate a cappella set. Imagine those harmonies drifting into a Florida sunset, cocktail in hand. Just like that, you���re whispering Let���s Chill.
The days unfold in rhythm. Yoga at sunrise, a sound bath pulsing with their music, massages that melt away End of the Road tension. One afternoon brings a beachside barbecue with a local chef; another, a round of golf where the focus is more zen than scorecard. There���s a smooth-sailing boat day, the kind of escape where you want to stay ���on bended knee��� just to soak in the breeze a little longer. Meals keep the nostalgia flowing: a ���Boyz II Brunch��� to kick things off, and dinners at some of the Keys��� best restaurants, each one a little love song to local flavor.
This collaboration isn���t just clever branding���it taps into a real cultural shift. Booking.com���s 2025 Travel Predictions show that men are swapping the old clich��s of ���bro trips��� for wellness escapes. Thirty percent are seeking rest and rejuvenation, 29% want to unplug from everyday stress, and a whopping 65% of Gen Z men plan to take wellness-centered trips this year. Boyz II Men understand that pull. As they put it: ���After decades on the road, we���ve learned that sometimes the most powerful harmony comes from slowing down and experiencing all that travel has to offer.���
The stay will be available to book on a first-come, first-served basis beginning September 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET, for travel September 27 to October 1. The price tag���just $19.85���makes it clear this is about access, not extravagance.
Vacations rarely come with a built-in soundtrack, and even more rarely with one that defined an entire era of love and loss. Whoever books this trip will leave with more than memories���they���ll leave with harmony stitched into every moment. And when checkout day finally comes, I have a feeling it���ll be, well, so hard to say goodbye.
Find this stay on Booking.com at Boyz II Zen: A Wellness Escape .Learn more on INSTAGRAM:
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Booking.com (@bookingcom)
See the offer on FACEBOOK:
Ever drop ���Boyz II Men vacation��� in the group chat?
— Boyz II Men (@BoyzIIMen) September 3, 2025
For only $19.85 you could be the lucky booker who tells their Boyz that they���re going to a luxury vacation home in the Florida Keys, curated by Boyz II Men!
Check the listing here: https://t.co/ujvaHwKwHC@bookingcom pic.twitter.com/iuCDIXE11D
The post Boyz II Zen: When R&B Nostalgia Meets Wellness in the Florida Keys appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
August 31, 2025
Grateful, Brave, and Looking Ahead: Niver’s End of Summer News
August News 2025 Niver’s Newsletter 187 As summer comes to a close, I���m reflecting on a season filled with speaking, travel, milestones, and���most importantly���gratitude.
I had the honor of speaking at the Torrance Library about Living Brave-ishly and sharing stories of courage and resilience. At Lake Arrowhead, I joined Nissan as their featured travel speaker���what an unforgettable drive up the mountain and an inspiring event. I was also featured in CarBuzz for my talk there, as well as in Women���s World for my thoughts on travel. And to top it off, I attended a special evening with Qantas to celebrate the new Dreamliner route from Los Angeles to Brisbane, a reminder that adventure is always waiting across the Pacific.
Two of my proudest summer moments were carrying my Telly Award to Lake Arrowhead and celebrating my 1st Place Press Club win with a photo shoot and lunch at the historic Langham Pasadena. A glamorous Beverly Hills lunch rounded out those celebrations���reminders to pause and savor accomplishments.
Media and culture also filled my calendar: I toured KCAL CBS studios to learn about the future of news, experienced Muse/ique���s Like It Like Harlem performance, and returned to the Hollywood Bowl, one of my favorite things about Los Angeles, for a magical night of Jurassic Park under the stars.
Not every month was easy���July was a time to focus solely on family, as my mom spent two weeks at Keck USC Hospital. I didn���t share news then, but I was grateful to put everything else on hold. Health and family come first, and I am thankful she is better now.
By August, I was back on the trail���literally���spending a week hiking in Utah. Photos are coming soon!
Another highlight: my Make Your Own Map podcast is now reaching listeners in 60 countries across all 7 continents! I���ve also had the joy of being a guest on other shows, including the newest episode of Sideline Sisters���thank you, Jenny, for the great conversation. On my own podcast, you can now listen to my interview with Angela Tuell and hear my talk at the Torrance Library.
But even in moments of joy and travel, I carry a heavy heart. For nearly two years now, 695 days since Oct 7, 2023, hostages have remained in Gaza. On August 19, we marked the yahrzeit of the six beautiful souls who were murdered by Hamas terrorists after surviving nearly a year of horrific conditions in captivity: Or Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lubanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi. The loss of these precious lives is felt deeply across Israel and the Jewish world.
Reflecting on their grief, Hersh���s family invited others to honor this first yahrzeit by taking action ���to make our complicated world better��� It can be something big or small, quiet or loud, private or public. Do it in memory of the Beautiful Six, including our Hersh. May his memory be a revolution��� for goodness.���
Their words are a reminder to live bravely, act with compassion, and choose kindness whenever possible.
Looking ahead, next month marks the second birthday of my book Brave-ish���a milestone I can hardly believe has arrived. I am deeply grateful for your continued support, for the recognition of my work with a Telly Award and Press Club win, for the growth of my podcast, and above all, for health, family, and the ability to keep traveling and sharing stories.
In this sacred month of Elul, as the shofar calls us to awaken and prepare for the Days of Awe, I find myself reflecting deeply on the year that has passed. At the close of 5785, we look back with gratitude for blessings, with humility for challenges faced, and with heartbreak for lives lost and hostages still waiting for freedom. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we are invited to begin again, to renew our commitments, and to step into the new year with intention.
May this season inspire us to carry forward resilience, curiosity, and joy, while also holding space for memory, justice, and the work of making the world better.
Media & Podcast Highlights This summer has been full of milestones I���m grateful for:
My Make Your Own Map podcast is now listened to in 60 countries across all 7 continents! Guest appearance on Sideline Sisters���thank you, Jenny, for the inspiring interview. New on my podcast: conversations with Angela Tuell and my Living Brave-ishly talk at the Torrance Library. Featured in CarBuzz for my travel talk with Nissan at Lake Arrowhead. Featured in Women���s World on the joy and importance of travel.
So grateful for these opportunities to share stories and spark conversations around travel, courage, and living Brave-ishly.
Qantas Launches New Dreamliner Route: Brisbane ��� Los Angeles Nissan Summer Travel Summit at Lake Arrowhead Resort and SpaCelebrating at The Langham Huntington, PasadenaLike It Like Harlem by Muse/iqueBRAVE-ish at the North Torrance LibraryMy 2025 Telly Award unboxingKCAL/CBS: the future of News!1st place WINNER! #gratefulMy 1st place win! Thank you Jewish Journal
Learn more about my events: click here and my articles here
I have events nearly every month–hope to see you at a live event soon–and you can invite me to speak at your conference, library, bookstore, book club live or on ZOOM!
Want to travel more? I have a Travel Writer 101 class on Udemy. CLICK here for a coupon to take my class for FREE!
I have students in 10 countries so far:
Australia, Canada, India, Italy, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, USA!
Join us on the adventure of travel writing!
THANK YOU for watching my award-winning podcast, Make Your Own Map: Are YOU ready to be BRAVE? It has now been seen and heard in 60 countries on 7 continents.
Have you heard my recent podcast episodes?WATCH my podcast, “MAKE YOUR OWN MAP: ” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Podcast, Google Podcasts, Audacy, Audible, Anchor, Pandora & iHeart Radio
What an honor to win 1st place for my podcast. Watch the podcast segment here: Ireland: Neville���s Stories at Giant���s Causeway
Watch the full Telly Award-Winning Ireland TV special, Celtic Charm here
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I now have nearly 2.5 Million views on YouTube! (now at: 2,472,185).
Thank you for your support! Are you one of my 4,645 subscribers? I hope you will join me and subscribe! For more We Said Go Travel articles, TV segments, videos and social media: CLICK HERE
Find me on social media with over 150,000 followers. Please follow me on social @LisaNiver TikTok, X Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, BlueSky and at LisaNiver.com.
Do you LOVE my book BRAVE-ish? PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW!! Click here to go directly to rate or review BRAVE-ish on Amazon (now at 61 reviews. Help me get to 75) You can find my book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, Post Hill Press, Target, Walmart, BookShop, BAM! and wherever you get your audiobooks!
People always ask me where is it best to buy my book. I recommend you go into or call your favorite local book store and ask them to order it for you and pick it up IN THE STORE! You never know what other treasures you will find. Any bookstore can order my book because my publisher is Post Hill Press and it is distributed by Simon and Schuster. My book is now in the library on Quark Ultramarine and in the store at Dubray bookstore on Grafton in Dublin, Ireland! Brave-ish is available all over the globe!
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August 29, 2025
Qantas Launches Dreamliner Service from Los Angeles to Brisbane
Australia has always been a land of adventure for me. I���ve wandered through Sydney���s harbor, explored Melbourne���s laneways, breathed in Tasmania���s wild beauty, and felt the pulse of Brisbane���s growing energy. I even wrote about my experiences in my award-winning book. And yet, every time I return, I discover there���s still so much more to see. That���s the magic of Australia���it keeps inviting you back.
Now, Qantas is making that invitation even easier. The airline, which has been part of Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympics, has launched a brand-new Brisbane���Los Angeles Dreamliner route. To celebrate, Qantas and Brisbane Airport hosted a night to remember at NeueHouse Venice, where the future of travel across the Pacific was front and center.
Why the Dreamliner is DifferentThis isn���t just another flight. The Dreamliner is designed to make the journey part of the experience. Think quieter cabins, cleaner air, lighting that eases jet lag, and seating choices that include Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. With 21 weekly flights, there are more opportunities than ever for Americans to say ���yes��� to Australia.
Brisbane: The Perfect First StopBrisbane has changed dramatically since my first visit. Once seen as a stopover city, it���s now a destination in its own right. Families can meet koalas at the world���s only sanctuary or dive into Bluey World. Luxury seekers will love the city���s spas and the largest elevated infinity pool in the world. And with the 2032 Olympics ahead, Brisbane is stepping onto the global stage in a big way.
Queensland: The World���s Biggest BackyardThe city is just the beginning. A short trip north leads to the Whitsundays, where white sand and turquoise water feel like a dream. The Gold Coast is buzzing with new luxury hotels like the Andaz, plus a growing focus on wellness���boutique bathhouses, bakery tourism, and spa retreats.
Queensland also shines for ecotourism and Indigenous culture:
Stargaze in dark-sky sanctuaries while hearing ancient stories passed down through the stars.Follow the Humpback Highway, where 45,000 whales migrate each year.Night-dive the Great Barrier Reef or kayak to ancient Aboriginal sites.It���s a place where luxury, culture, and adventure meet���Australia���s biggest backyard, ready to be explored.
A New Chapter in the JourneyAt NeueHouse Venice, I felt the same excitement in the room that I���ve felt every time I���ve landed in Australia: the thrill of possibility. One lucky guest even left with round-trip Dreamliner tickets to Brisbane, the ultimate golden ticket to adventure.
For me, this new route feels personal. I���ve seen a lot of Australia, but there���s so much more waiting. With Qantas��� Dreamliner making the trip easier, I can���t wait to go back, take on new challenges, and keep discovering why Australia has a hold on my heart.
Qantas + Brisbane. A new chapter begins.
The post Qantas Launches Dreamliner Service from Los Angeles to Brisbane appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
August 28, 2025
Divorcing Well: 5 Steps to Thrive After Divorce
Thank you Divorcing Well for publishing my article: “Journey to Healing and Empowerment: 5 Steps to Thrive After Divorce” on February 18, 2024.Journey to Healing and Empowerment:5 Steps to Thrive After Divorce
Going through a divorce was undoubtedly one of the most challenging experiences of my life. The emotional rollercoaster, the uncertainty about the future, and the feeling of isolation were overwhelming.
However, as I navigated this tumultuous chapter, I discovered five crucial steps that not only helped me survive, but allowed me to thrive post-divorce. With these resources, I rebuilt my life with hope, resilience, and newfound strength.
Step 1: Survivor Post-Trauma Growth���Finding HopeIn the aftermath of my divorce, I felt broken and lost. The emotional scars seemed insurmountable. A friend recommended the book, Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success. I found it shocking when authors Feldman and Lee wrote: ���the disorientation and groundlessness experienced by many people after trauma can ultimately be advantageous.�����
Their words guided me in thinking how I could move forward. They said, ���grounded hope, an approach to life involving building one���s choices on a firm understanding of reality.��� I liked another point Feldman and Lee made: ���Stop thinking positively and start thinking realistically.��� I was tired of everyone telling me that everything would be fine. In the book, they said to bravely ask, ���What now?��� or ���what next?��� This guided me to transform my pain into a source of personal growth and hope.��
It allowed me to see that I could emerge from this experience stronger than before. The process of post-trauma growth is not a linear one. It involves acknowledging your pain, accepting your emotions, and gradually finding ways to move forward. The book���s definitions were the first time I realized I could forgive when I saw it this way. ���Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different���Forgiveness means breaking the psychological ties that bind you to the past, giving up the quest to change what has already happened.��� This is how instead of focusing on the past and driving looking out the rear view mirror, I could now focus on the forward-looking question: what next?
It encouraged me to see my divorce not as the end of a chapter, but as the beginning of a new one, filled with possibilities and opportunities for growth.��I realized that healing takes time and effort, but it is possible.
Step 2: Self-Care and Therapy���Seeking HelpAs I grappled with the emotional turmoil of divorce, I realized the importance of self-care and professional help. Lori Gottlieb���s book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, was a revelation. It
reminded me that seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step toward healing.��
Therapy provided me with a safe space to process my emotions and gain valuable insights into my life.
Therapy was not only a place for me to express my feelings, but also an opportunity to learn about myself in a deeper way. My therapist helped me navigate the complexities of my emotions,
uncover patterns in my past relationships, and develop strategies for healthier future connections.
In addition to therapy, I prioritized self-care, which doesn���t always involve grand gestures. It can be as simple as taking a long bath, going for a walk in nature, or indulging in a good book. It���s about nurturing yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Step 3: Connect with Nature���Healing in the OutdoorsAmid the chaos of my divorce, I found solace in nature. Spending time outdoors, whether it was a simple walk in the park, a weekend skiing, or scuba diving, allowed me to reconnect with myself. I delved into Florence Williams��� book, The Nature Fix, which illuminated the science behind nature���s healing power.��
It inspired me to embrace the therapeutic effects of the natural world. Nature has a remarkable ability to soothe the soul and provide perspective. It allowed me to step away from the noise and distractions of everyday life and find clarity in moments of stillness. Whether it was the calming rustle of leaves in a forest, the vast expanse of the ocean���s depths while scuba diving, or the majesty of a coral reef, nature provided a sense of serenity and connection to something greater than myself.
Incorporating nature into my daily life became a form of self-care. I took a meditation class, and the professor talked about walking meditation. I made it a point to walk often as a way of meditating outdoors, and immerse myself in the underwater world through scuba diving.��These practices helped me stay grounded and centered, even during the most challenging moments of my divorce.
One of the most significant sources of strength during my divorce was the sense of community. I actively sought out women���s groups like Wanderful, Women���s Travel Fest, and JourneyWoman. These communities provided a space where I could share my experiences, connect with like- minded women, and find solace in knowing that I wasn���t alone on this journey.
Women���s groups and communities offer a unique blend of camaraderie, empathy, and inspiration. These groups provided me with a sense of belonging and a platform to share my challenges and triumphs with others who had walked a similar path.
Our shared stories and shared resilience served as a reminder that strength comes from embracing our vulnerabilities and seeking support when needed.
I embraced change with open arms. I joined a salsa dance team and returned to activities that fueled my passion, such as scuba diving, which I had given up in my marriage since my spouse hated that I loved it. These experiences boosted my confidence and made me happy.
Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of my divorce, I started focusing on the opportunities it presented. I reframed my thoughts and began to see the end of my marriage as a chance for personal growth, independence, and a new beginning.
Engaging in new and unfamiliar activities was a powerful way to embrace change. Joining a salsa dance team allowed me to connect with others in a fun and energetic way; scuba diving took me to incredible underwater realms where I could explore the beauty of the ocean���s depths. These experiences challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, try new things, revel in old joys, and discover hidden talents and interests.
Divorce is a challenging and deeply personal journey, but it can also be an opportunity for profound growth and empowerment. By following these five steps and utilizing a slew of recommended resources, I found hope, healed, and built a new and fulfilling life after divorce.��My experience taught me that, even in the darkest moments, there are paths to healing and self- discovery. You are not alone on this journey, and there are supportive communities and resources available to help you not only survive but thrive.
As I look back on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the strength I discovered within myself and the connections I made with others. Remember that healing is a continuous process, and it���s okay to have setbacks along the way.
Be kind to yourself, seek support when needed, and know that the road to recovery is paved with small victories and moments of self-discovery. With each step forward, you���ll find yourself not only surviving but thriving in the beautiful life that lies ahead.
Finally, I chronicled my journey and the baby steps to healing in a memoir, called Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. To reinvent myself after my divorce, I did fifty challenges before I turned fifty. I hope my small steps to begin again might help you on your journey.
Lisa Niver��is the author of Brave-ish, One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty and an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries and six continents. Discover her articles in publications from AARP: The Magazine and AAA Explorer to WIRED and Wharton Magazine, as well as her site WeSaidGoTravel. For her print, podcast, digital and broadcast segments, she has been��awarded��a Telly award as well as five Southern California Journalism Awards and four National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist 40 times. Niver is also the host of the award-nominated podcast Make Your Own Map. For more, visit:��lisaniver.com/braveish/
The post Divorcing Well: 5 Steps to Thrive After Divorce appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
August 25, 2025
Summer Travel Summit 2025: Road Trips, Budget Travel, and Nissan���s Drive Into the Future
Lake Arrowhead, California ��� Event recap, trends, and takeaways for smarter summer travel (Summer Travel Summit 2025)
Nissan gathered a stellar group of travel journalists, top auto media, community leaders, and hospitality pros at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa for its Summer Travel Summit���and invited us to drive Nissan vehicles up the mountain to experience the journey first-hand. I���m grateful to Nissan for the invitation and inclusion; I joined as a featured travel speaker to discuss road trips, budget-friendly travel, and how travelers are redefining summer getaways. Nissan also hosted a book signing and provided copies of my memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, for all attendees.
Nissan Leads the WayThis year���s Summer Travel Summit 2025 brought leading voices in travel together at serene Lake Arrowhead to focus on road trips, budget-friendly adventures, and the future of exploring America by car. Hosted by Nissan, the summit let travel journalists, influencers, and industry leaders dive into consumer insights, swap strategies, and���of course���experience Nissan���s latest lineup on a scenic mountain drive.
Who Was in the RoomModerator: Jannelle Grigsby (Communications Manager, Nissan)Panelists: Lori Butler (Interim Executive Director, Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce), Jackie Lam (personal finance writer & AFC�� financial counselor), Terry Sullivan (Director of Sales & Marketing, Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa), Jeff Wandell (Communications Manager, Nissan North America) and me, Lisa Niver, Travel journalist and author.Media: the cream of top automotive outlets, including Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Kelley Blue Book, CarBuzz, and Edmunds.Trendlines Shaping Summer Travel1) Redefining the ���Perfect Getaway���Travelers are choosing depth over distance. Instead of far-flung status trips, itineraries center on local hikes, small-town main streets, hidden beaches, and regional food. Presence, flexibility, and connection are the new luxury.
2) Domestic Momentum (Labor Day Lens)Labor Day Weekend flight searches remain primarily domestic (+2% vs. last year).Domestic airfare: roughly steady (+1%).International airfare: notably down 7%���a bright spot for long-haul planners.Alt-destinations rising: San Juan, Puerto Rico (+27%) and Jackson, Wyoming (+23%) reflect a taste for variety and diverse experiences.(All figures from KAYAK.)3) Why Road Trips Are Winning���even When Flights Drop
KAYAK���s data shows cheaper international fares year over year, yet 60% of Americans believe travel prices have skyrocketed. That perception gap, combined with everyday cost fatigue (rent, groceries, gas), nudges travelers toward the car in the driveway.
Bank of America���s Summer Travel Outlook echoes the shift: 70%+ plan to travel this summer, most within the U.S., with many favoring road trips and closer-to-home escapes.
What the road trip delivers:
Control & comfort: leave when you want, stop when you want, bring what you want (cooler, boards, bikes, the dog).Multigenerational ease: fewer logistics, more together time.Tech-forward drives: navigation, driver aids, and growing EV charging make trips smoother and safer.Practical Ways to Keep Costs Down (Without Cutting Joy)���Flights may be cheaper, but the emotional value of road trips is higher.���
Budget-savvy, experience-rich ideas:
Nature first: sunrise viewpoints, forest loops, lakeside walks, tidepools, public gardens.Markets ��� picnics: turn grocery runs into scenic lunches.Cultural calendars: free concerts, art walks, festivals, museum free days, and self-guided tours.Smart spend strategy: the ���splurge-and-save��� method���keep lodging modest so you can splurge once on a sunset sail, spa treatment, or guided hike you���ll remember.
Road-trip specifics: pack snacks and simple meals to reduce restaurant fatigue and cost; mix in a night of camping or glamping between hotel stays for savings + adventure.
Helpful apps: GasBuddy (fuel), HotelTonight (last-minute stays), Meetup/Eventbrite (free/low-cost happenings). EV travelers can plan charging breaks near parks, caf��s, or quirky roadside attractions so charging becomes discovery time, not downtime.
AI Is Making Travel Smoother (and Still Spontaneous)From chat-based planning to translation, AI tools speed research, optimize routes (including EV chargers near trails or bakeries), and handle logistics so you can stay present. In-vehicle voice features, real-time traffic/weather, and safety alerts now enhance spontaneity rather than replace it. After the trip, AI helps organize photos, journals, and memory videos���so the story lasts.
The Road to the Summit (and Reels to Match)Drive: I headed up from Los Angeles in a Nissan Armada, the kind of mountain drive that turns switchbacks into scenery.
A history-rich pit stop: In Baldwin Park, We stopped at the In-N-Out Burger Museum & Company Store���the brand���s birthplace where Harry & Esther Snyder opened a 100-square-foot stand in 1948. You can step into a replica of the original stand, don the paper hat, and take photos���California road-trip lore in miniature.
Resort moments: At Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, the visuals wrote themselves: sunlight through the pines, kayakers on the water, pool afternoons, s���mores by the fire, and terrace dining at BIN 189.
Culinary highlight: A cooking class with Chef Ruben Bugarin (Executive Chef, BIN 189): we built charcuterie boards (hello, heirloom tomatoes + burrata) and watched him blend his jalape��o-forward salsa that looks like guacamole but isn���t���silky, bright, and with a real kick.
A musical cameo: During the Hamilton-Deeds wedding on property, the USC Marching Band brought Trojan spirit to the lakeside setting. Fight On!
Nissan Armada Road TripRoad trips always remind me that the journey is just as important as the destination ��� especially when you���re behind the wheel of the Nissan Armada. On the drive up to Lake Arrowhead for the Summer Travel Summit, the Armada wasn���t just a car ��� it was a road trip experience. The spacious three-row seating meant everyone had room to stretch out (no fighting over elbow space), while the advanced safety features gave me peace of mind on winding mountain roads. The powerful V8 engine made the climb effortless, and the smooth suspension kept the ride comfortable the entire way. Inside, touches like leather seating, tri-zone climate control, and Apple CarPlay made the cabin feel like a luxe lounge rolling up the mountain. Grateful to Nissan for inviting us to this summit and for giving us the keys to a car that makes the road part of the adventure.
Reels to look for on my channels:
Road to the Summit ��� LA ��� mountain switchbacks ��� lake reveal.Baldwin Park Heritage ��� paper hat + replica stand = living history.Resort Vibes ��� trees, kayaks, pool, fire-pit s���mores, BIN 189 terrace.Chef Ruben���s Salsa ��� the creamy-looking jalape��o blend with serious kick.Lake Moments ��� sails, coves, calm.Trojan Spirit ��� a lakeside wedding with the band in full pride.Quick Data Snapshot (for Planners)Labor Day search mix: mainly domestic (+2% YoY).Airfare: domestic about +1%; international ���7%.Alt-destinations rising: San Juan +27%, Jackson +23%.Road-trip interest: +6% vs. last summer; domestic rental searches +2%; international rentals ���3% vs. last summer and ���19% vs. 2023; some rates as low as $22/day in Miami (Labor Day window).(All KAYAK data as provided.)Summer intent: 70%+ traveling, mostly within the U.S. (Bank of America Summer Travel Outlook.)Gratitude & Credits
Thank you, Nissan, for inviting and including me���bringing us together to share ideas, drive the route, and celebrate the communities along it.
Presented by: Nissan
Host venue: Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Featured travel speaker: Lisa Niver ��� explorer, author, TV host, Telly Award���winning journalist; author of Brave-ish (book signing courtesy of Nissan)
Panel & moderator: Jannelle Grigsby ��� Lori Butler ��� Jackie Lam ��� Terry Sullivan ��� Jeff Wandell
Automotive media present: Car and Driver ��� MotorTrend ��� Kelley Blue Book ��� CarBuzz ��� Edmunds
Summer isn���t just a season���it���s a state of motion. With the right car, a mindful budget, and a curious plan, the open road still delivers the richest kind of freedom.
SEE MY NISSAN SUMMER TRAVEL SUMMIT REELS BELOW:
Speaker: Nissan Summer Travel Summit
What a privilege to be part of the Nissan Summer Travel Summit at the beautiful Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa ��� and to be included alongside such inspiring leaders in travel, community, finance, hospitality, communications, and automotive media. I drove up from Los Angeles in a Nissan Armada to join the summit as a featured travel expert, sharing my journey as an explorer, author, TV host, and travel journalist who���s visited over 100 countries on all seven continents. From my Telly Award-winning storytelling to my memoir Brave-ish, my mission is to inspire others to step boldly into the unknown and embrace the joy of reinvention. The focus of the summit was road trips and budget travel, exploring how to make adventures accessible, fun, and memorable.
The day was rich with insights from a dynamic panel:
Lisa Niver — Author and Travel Journalist
Lori Butler ��� Interim Executive Director, Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce
Jackie Lam ��� Personal finance writer & AFC�� financial counselor
Terry Sullivan ��� Director of Sales & Marketing, Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
Jeff Wandell ��� Communications Manager, Nissan North America
Moderator: Jannelle Grigsby ��� Communications Manager at Nissan, bringing storytelling flair and strategic engagement to guide the conversation. The summit also featured the cream of top automotive journalists and media outlets, including Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Kelley Blue Book, CarBuzz, Edmunds, and Test Miles, making it a powerhouse gathering of travel and automotive expertise. After our talk, I signed my memoir, Brave-ish! A heartfelt thank-you to the Nissan team for bringing together such a talented group and creating space for conversations that spark new ideas and connections.
Nissan Summit Travel Summit at Lake Arrowhead 2025
Lake Arrowhead Boat TourI was invited to Lake Arrowhead as a featured travel expert for the Nissan Summer Travel Summit ��� and even though I���ve been lucky enough to explore so many beautiful places, this was my very first time here. The Nissan team and Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa arranged a beautiful afternoon on the water: a guided boat tour of this 14-mile shoreline lake, tucked high in the San Bernardino Mountains. Built in 1922 as a reservoir, it���s now a private oasis ��� you can only get out on the water if you live here or are invited. That made the experience feel extra special. Our guide, Captain Jeff, shared the lake���s fascinating history, pointed out celebrity homes hidden among the pines, and steered us toward some of the best views ��� from a spirited sailboat race to graceful water skiers skimming across the surface. The sun was warm, the breeze was perfect, and it was one of those afternoons that makes you stop and think: I���m exactly where I���m supposed to be.
USC Marching Band Brings Spirit to a Wedding at Lake Arrowhead Resort & SpaSaturday, August 2, 2025 ��� While at the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa for the Nissan Summer Travel Summit, I got to witness an unforgettable moment: the USC Marching Band performing at the Hamilton���Deeds wedding. Many in the wedding party ��� including the groom ��� once marched with the band, making the performance even more special.
The resort first welcomed guests in the 1920s and has been a favorite mountain escape ever since. With its prime spot on the shore of this private lake and sweeping alpine views, it���s no surprise it���s become one of Southern California���s most sought-after wedding destinations.
Location: Lake Arrowhead Resort & SpaWedding Planner: creativehapsMusic: USC Marching Band Fight On!
Charcuterie dreams, heirloom tomatoes, and a salsa that looks like guacamole but hits with a jalape��o kick. Against the backdrop of the Nissan Summer Travel Summit ��� where I was honored to be invited as a speaker ��� Chef Ruben Bugarin, Executive Chef at BIN 189 inside Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, led a hands-on cooking class that doubled as a masterclass in flavor. He talked us through building gorgeous charcuterie boards (hello, creamy burrata + peak-season heirloom tomatoes), then made his signature salsa right in front of us ��� blending it fresh and sharing the recipe. It���s jalape��o-forward, silky like guacamole (but not guac!) and it packs a real, addictive kick. Chef Ruben joined the resort last September and has 30+ years in the kitchen. A graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts, he���s held leadership roles at Pelican Hill Resort & Spa, Knott���s Berry Farm, Soboba Casino Resort, and most recently Yaamava��� Casino Resort, with experience spanning Colorado and Las Vegas. Since arriving at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, he���s launched a new BIN 189 menu and the resort has been hosting creative themed dinners ��� from Harry Potter nights to Pixar-inspired family feasts.
A delicious afternoon in the mountains ��� and proof that Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa is as much about flavor as it is about views.
On the way to the Nissan Summer Travel Summit in Lake Arrowhead, we stopped in Baldwin Park at the In-N-Out Burger Museum and Company Store. Back in 1948, Harry and Esther Snyder opened a 100-square-foot stand here that would revolutionize the food industry and set the standard for every fast-food chain that followed. Today, visitors can tour a replica of that original stand, try on the signature paper hat, and step into a piece of California history. At the Summit, I was honored to be a featured travel speaker, sharing stories from my journeys across seven continents and insights from my book, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. Nissan kindly organized a book signing and generously purchased copies for every attendee ��� a truly thoughtful gesture that made the weekend even more memorable. The experience combined innovation, history, and community ��� exactly what makes road trips, and the stories we collect along the way, so meaningful.
The post Summer Travel Summit 2025: Road Trips, Budget Travel, and Nissan���s Drive Into the Future appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
August 23, 2025
Pasadena Magazine IN PRINT: Polar Bear Walking Safari with Churchill Wild
Thank you to Malina Saval and Pasadena Magazine for publishing my article, “Luxury Meets Wilderness on This Canadian Arctic Safari With Polar Bears and Beluga Whales: A Magical Arctic Safari Features Singing Beluga Whales and Playful Polar Bears” in the print May/June 2025 Summer Travel issue about my walking safari with polar bears with Churchill Wild.
There are few places on Earth where you can walk alongside polar bears, glide through waters filled with thousands of beluga whales, and immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of the Arctic tundra. Churchill Wild offers exactly that���an extraordinary safari experience in the Canadian wilderness. It���s a place where luxury meets adventure in one of the most remote and breathtaking environments imaginable, an idyllic haven in which wilderness hums with life.
Churchill Wild is more than just a trip���it���s an experience that changes you. The untamed beauty, the deep respect for the land and its wildlife, and the rare privilege of stepping into the Arctic wilderness leave a lasting imprint.
I���ve had the privilege of visiting Churchill Wild twice, experiencing both the company���s Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge and Seal River Heritage Lodge. Each visit was a testament to the careful planning and deep respect for wildlife that define Churchill Wild���s expeditions. Unlike traditional Arctic tours that rely on vehicles to spot wildlife from a distance, Churchill Wild���s lodges offer something entirely unique: the opportunity to walk in the very same landscapes as polar bears, accompanied by expert guides who ensure safety while providing an unforgettable connection to nature.
At Seal River Heritage Lodge, the adventure began the moment I arrived. This remote eco-lodge, accessible only by bush plane, is perched on the edge of Hudson Bay, where the tundra meets the sea. Within hours of settling in, I was out on foot with our guides, spotting polar bears as they wandered along the shoreline, curiously sniffng the air in our direction.
There is nothing quite like standing in the open tundra with a polar bear just a few hundred feet away. The encounters are not rushed; they unfold naturally as the bears move through their environment. With experienced guides leading the way, every step is carefully considered, ensuring both safety and an unparalleled wildlife experience. Watching these magnificent creatures up close was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Churchill Wild���s expert guides ensure every interaction is both safe and unforgettable, reading the bears��� body language and maintaining a respectful distance. The experience is humbling���seeing these majestic animals amble across the landscape, powerful yet graceful, completely unbothered by our presence.
As if polar bears weren���t enough, Seal River offers another unforgettable spectacle: thousands of beluga whales congregating in the bay each summer. Boarding a Zodiac, I found myself surrounded by these playful, curious creatures, their white bodies gliding through the icy water. Some swam alongside us, while others rolled and breached as if putting on a private show. The belugas��� vocalizations���clicks, whistles, and chirps���create an underwater symphony that feels almost otherworldly.
Belugas are known for their vocal nature, and as the guide dipped a hydrophone into the water, I was greeted by an orchestra of sounds���almost as if they were speaking directly to us. Some swam right up to the boat, turning their heads to make eye contact, their curiosity as evident as our own. The experience was pure magic, a rare and intimate moment in nature that left me in awe.
Despite its remote location, Seal River Heritage Lodge offers a level of comfort that is both surprising and deeply appreciated. Gourmet meals, cozy accommodations, and warm hospitality make the lodge feel like an oasis in the Arctic wilderness. After a day of hiking and wildlife encounters, gathering around the fireplace with fellow travelers to share stories of the day���s adventures added to the sense of camaraderie and wonder.
Churchill Wild���s expeditions are about more than just wildlife sightings; they���re about experiencing the Arctic in a way that few people ever do. Walking safaris allow for a profound connection to the land and its inhabitants, while the lodge���s remote setting ensures a sense of solitude and exclusivity. Expert guides bring deep knowledge and passion, transforming every outing into an educational and thrilling experience.
For those seeking an adventure that combines luxury with the raw beauty of the Arctic, Churchill Wild offers an unparalleled opportunity. Whether it���s watching a polar bear roam the tundra, listening to the haunting songs of beluga whales, or trekking across the landscape with nothing but the sounds of nature around you, this is a journey that stays with you long after you���ve left.
CLICK here for the PDF of this article in Pasadena Magazine
READ MORE:
Birds, Bears, and Belugas Safari with Churchill Wild Seal River Lodge 2024
Walking with Polar Bears and Wolves at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge 2018
USA Today 10Best :��Clear your mind in these open spaces made for exploringHUFF POST PERSONAL: ���My Octopus Teacher��� Was Mesmerizing But There���s 1 Thing That Deeply Troubled Me���When I was walking in the Canadian wilderness with tour operator Churchill Wild to see wolves and polar bears������ Ms. Magazine :10 Global Travel Adventures To Inspire Global Eco-ActivismPolar Bears Can���t Vote, So You Have To! We Said Go Travel Part One:��Do You Want to Walk with Polar Bears? and��on JJPart Two:��Are You Ready for an Adventure?��Walk with Polar Bears��& on JJPart Three:��How Do You Get To Churchill Wild? &��on JJAre You Ready to Discover Wonderful Winnipeg?��and on JJ Tell Me More About ��Walking with Polar BearsVIDEOS:��Nanuk Lodge Video PlaylistFacebook album��from Nanuk LodgeBored Panda:Do You Want To Walk With Polar Bears?I walked with the animals
The post Pasadena Magazine IN PRINT: Polar Bear Walking Safari with Churchill Wild appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
August 21, 2025
My First-Ever First Place: Honored at the 67th Southern California Journalism Awards
I���m incredibly honored and grateful to share that at the 67th Southern California Journalism Awards, hosted by the Los Angeles Press Club, I received my first-ever First Place award ��� in the Lifestyle Feature category for my podcast, Make Your Own Map ��� and was also awarded Third Place for Online Journalist of the Year.
These honors mean the world to me ��� not just for the awards themselves, but for what they represent: years of storytelling, reinvention, and the courage to keep creating across new platforms.
This year, I was named a five-time finalist, and throughout my career, I���ve now received more than 40 nominations from the Los Angeles Press Club. I���m proud to have been recognized for work in broadcast, print, digital, television, and podcasting ��� a full-circle moment for someone who believes in telling stories that move, inform, and inspire.
As a TV host, travel journalist, and creator of both We Said Go Travel and the Make Your Own Map podcast, I���ve built my career around curiosity, connection, and the joy of saying yes to new adventures.
Whether I���m interviewing changemakers, exploring new destinations, or writing about reinvention, my goal has always been to encourage others to explore boldly, ask big questions, and ��� most of all ��� make their own map.
Thank you to the judges, the Los Angeles Press Club, and to everyone who has supported me on this journey. I���m so grateful ��� and excited for what comes next.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lisa Niver
2025: 5 Finalist Nominations. 4 Categories. 1 Storytelling Heart.
I���m honored and thrilled to be named a 5-time finalist in the 67th Southern California Journalism Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. With more than 2,500 entries submitted���breaking all previous records���this year���s awards spotlight the most impactful storytelling across media.
My work has been recognized in four categories���spanning podcasting, TV, travel, and digital journalism���and reflects my continued passion for sharing powerful, meaningful stories of place, purpose, and people making a difference. From TV segments and podcast episodes to lifestyle features, each piece honors the culture, connections, and experiences that move us.
Lifestyle Feature (Podcast)
���How Alex Jimenez Transformed Her Passion into a Thriving Travel Community���
On Make Your Own Map, Alex opens up about building Travel Fashion Girl and Women���s Travel Fest into vibrant communities for women travelers. Her entrepreneurial journey and empowering message earned recognition in this lifestyle storytelling category.
Lifestyle Feature (Podcast) & Travel Reporting (Podcast)
���Neville McConachie���s Tales of the Giant���s Causeway���
This episode, also from Make Your Own Map, was recorded as part of my Jet Set TV travel special on Ireland���recently honored with a Telly Award. Neville���s storytelling brought the magic and mystery of Northern Ireland���s Giant���s Causeway to life and earned recognition in two categories.
TV/Streaming/Radio Feature
Icon of the Seas ��� The World���s Largest Cruise Ship
Featured on The Jet Set TV, this segment explored Royal Caribbean���s record-breaking ship. It���s a story of innovation, scale, and the joy of cruising���nominated in a category alongside some of the industry���s best travel broadcasters.
Online Journalist of the Year
I’m especially proud to once again be a finalist for Online Journalist of the Year, honoring the full spectrum of my digital reporting, interviews, and multimedia storytelling. This is my 3rd finalist nomination for Online Journalist of the Year!
I’m incredibly grateful to The Jet Set TV team, my podcast guests, and the editors and collaborators who help bring these stories to life. Thank you for traveling this journey with me���can���t wait to see what���s next!
5x Finalist! Travel, TV & Tales That Made the Judges Take Note
A6. ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR, Independent/FreelanceNico Lang, Queer News Daily
Lyndsey Parker, Freelance
John Regardie, Freelance
Aitana Vargas, Freelance
B4. TRAVEL REPORTINGLisa Niver, Make Your Own Map, ���Neville McConachie���s Tales of the Giant���s Causeway���
Angela Boisvert, Matt Bass, Tamara Gould, Nathan Masters, Kathy Kasaba, PBS SoCal, ���Lost LA: Hiking Trailblazers���
Ruksana Hussain, Fodor’s Travel, ���How to Behave When Visiting Sites of Remembrance���
Michele Stueven, LA Weekly, ���ON THE HORIZON 100 Years of Filmmaking in Utah���
Susan Valot, KCRW, ������Just as special as Disneyland,��� backyard trains draw crowds���
K4. LIFESTYLE FEATURELisa Niver, Make Your Own Map, ���How Alex Jimenez Transformed Her Passion into a Thriving Travel Community���
Lisa Niver, Make Your Own Map, ���Ireland: Neville���s Stories at Giant���s Causeway���
Jonathan Bastian, Andrea Brody, KCRW, ���The Serviceberry���: Robin Wall Kimmerer���s guide to the gift economy���
Caroline Feraday, KCLU Radio, ���A master whiskey distiller from Scotland is putting Oxnard on the map���
Juuso M����tt��nen, Annenbergmedia, ���Eli Everfly helps up-and-coming L.A. wrestlers get ahead���
How Alex Jimenez Transformed Her Passion into a Thriving Travel Community
Interview and Transcript on We Said Go Travel: https://www.wesaidgotravel.com/alex-jimenez/
Interview on YouTube : https://youtu.be/MYfJ85W6058
Interview on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0W9KbQczTmsWAHOeqmEgHq?si=6MLcVTqkQOaqSBTmCyJd4g
L21. TV/STREAMING/RADIO FEATURELisa Niver, The Jet Set TV, ���Lisa Niver Onboard Icon of the Seas���
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, ���Hallmark Holiday Stars Won���t Be Ignored by Hollywood Anymore: ���I Treat Each Production Like a Martin Scorsese Film������
Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, ������Abbott Elementary��� and The Glow Up of Janine Teagues���
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, ���How ���The Chosen��� Creator Turned the Bible Into Binge TV���
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, ���Welcome to ‘Ren Faire’: Lance Oppenheim’s HBO Docuseries Follows a Festival Trapped in a Real-Life Game of Thrones���
The Jet Set TV: Lisa Niver takes us onboard the ICONIC Icon of the Seas
Jet Set Correspondent Lisa Niver set sail on the World���s Largest Cruise ship to give us a look inside!
Thank you The Jet Set TV, Nikki Noya & Bobby Laurie for allowing me to share about Royal Caribbean International’s brand new ship, ICON OF THE SEAS on your travel TV show.
Thank you to the INCREDIBLE & ICONIC production team — Option A Group, Lisa Williams, Sam Harris, Jason Mangini and Patrick Gruss for this amazing segment.
Thank you to TEAM Ketchum –Aaron Kokoruz Jessica Milton Spencer Bullard Amanda Gadaleta Alonso–for another amazing adventure, especially saving me a spot on Crown’s Edge 
Lisa Niver has won��many awards including a TELLY! From 2017 to 2025, in the Southern California Journalism Awards and National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards, she has won eleven times and been a finalist forty times for a variety of broadcast, print, podcast and digital categories.
2025 Winner: 1st place Lifestyle Feature for Make Your Own Map, ���Ireland: Neville���s Stories at Giant���s Causeway���, 3rd place Online Journalist of the Year 2025 Winner : Silver Telly Award for Celtic Charm travel special! 2025 5x Finalist : Southern California Journalism Awards for Online Journalist of the Year, TV/Streaming/Radio Feature, Lifestyle Feature (Podcast) & Travel Reporting (Podcast) 2024 Winner : National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards Diversity in the Entertainment Industry 2024 4x Finalist : National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards finalist for Online Journalist of the Year, and for three of my podcast interviews with Beth Santos, Wanderful, Carolyn Ray, JourneyWoman, and Samantha Brown, Places to Love.2024 2x Winner: Southern California Journalism Awards for podcast segments with Samantha Brown, Places to Love, and Tony Phelan, A Small Light 2024 6x Finalist : Southern California Journalism Awards for Online Journalist of the Year, Podcast Host and for my podcast interviews with Andrew McCarthy, Samantha Brown, Tony Phelan and Christie Tate2023 Winner: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards Diversity in Entertainment2023 3x Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards2023 2x Finalist: Southern California Journalism Awards for Travel Reporting and Podcast Interview 2022 Finalist : Southern California Journalism Awards for BOOK CRITICISM2021 Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Commentary Diversity/Gender and Commentary Analysis/Trend ��� Film2021 Winner: Southern California Journalism Awards for TECHNOLOGY REPORTING 2021 Finalist: Southern California Journalism Awards for BOOK CRITICISM2020 Winner: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Book Critic. See all of Lisa���s book reviews here.2020 Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for Book Critic2020 Winner: Southern California Journalism Awards for print magazine article: Hemispheres Magazine for United Airlines2020 Five Time Finalist: Southern California Journalism awards2019 Winner: NAEJ Award for KTLA TV segment2019 Finalist: National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards in three categoriesCategory H2a. Soft News: Ms. Magazine: Polar Bears Can���t Vote So You Have ToCategory F6a. Soft News Feature ��� Under 5 Minutes���Film/TV: KTLA TV Oscars Countdown to Gold with Lisa NiverCategory C1b. Business, Music/Tech/Art: My Wharton Magazine article: Four Female Founders Share Their Origin Stories2019 Finalist: Southern California Journalism Awards for Broadcast Television Lifestyle Segment: Ogden Ski Getaway2018 Finalist for three categories of Southern California Journalism Awards:SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY REPORTING: Smithsonian TRAVEL REPORTING: Popsugar FitnessPERSONALITY PROFILE: Saturday Evening Post2017 2nd place winner for Southern California Journalism Award Print Column ���A journey to freedom over three Passovers��� and finalist for Travel Reporting.More about Lisa Niver: https://lisaniver.com/awards/
Have you read my memoir, BRAVE-ish? My book has won 10 awards! 2025 International Impact Book Awards���Travel
2024 Gold Medal – Inspirational ��� North American Book Awards
2024 Gold Bookfest Award ��� Nonfiction Memoir Travel
2024 Gold Nonfiction Book Award ��� Nonfiction Authors Association
2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award ��� Non-fiction
2024 Silver Bookfest Award ��� Nonfiction Self-Help Inspiration
2024 Readers’ Favorite Honorable Mention ��� Non-Fiction – Women���s Genre
2023 Hearten Book Awards First Place Winner ��� Inspiring & Uplifting Non-Fiction
2023 Zibby Awards Runner-up ��� Best Book for The Strong Woman2023 Goody Business Book Awards Winner ��� Memoir/Self-Help
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler Women Who Travel Book Club: 10 New Books We Can’t Wait to Read this Fall
As seen in Forbes Best New NonFiction
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My Armenia: A Story of Backgammon, Old Ladas, and Wine in a Fanta Bottle
By Sharon Paige��
The sound I remember most from Yerevan is the sharp clack-clack-clack of backgammon pieces. You hear it drifting from shaded courtyards and sidewalk cafes, a constant, rhythmic pulse under the city’s hum. It���s the sound of time being passed, not rushed. I spent my first afternoon just sitting with a five-cent coffee, watching two old men play a game with the intensity of chess masters, their faces weathered like the city’s pink tuff stone. No one hurried them. No one cared that I was just sitting there. That���s when I started to get it.
Mount Ararat��and the��Yerevan��skyline in spring. The��Yerevan Opera Theatre��is visible in the center. Photo by ������������ ���������������� (Serouj Ourishian), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_Ararat_and_the_Yerevan_skyline.jpg
I came to Armenia to see rocks���ancient monasteries, specifically. I had a checklist. But Armenia doesn���t care about your checklist. It pulls you into its own rhythm, a rhythm measured in backgammon games and long, slow coffees.
My apartment was near the Vernissage market, and on Saturday it exploded into this wonderful, sprawling chaos. It smelled of old leather, dried herbs, and grilled meat. I was digging through a box of Soviet-era pins���little enameled rockets and portraits of Lenin���when I saw her. A girl, maybe my age, with dark, tired eyes and hands stained with ink, sitting behind a small table of t-shirts.
This wasn’t your usual tourist junk. I���m a graphic designer, and I can spot good work from a mile away. Her��screen printed t-shirts��were minimalist, powerful. She was taking ancient symbols���the kinds you see carved into 5,000-year-old stones���and making them feel modern, alive. I picked up a soft grey one with a stylized eternity symbol.
“I love this,” I said.
She looked up, startled, as if pulled from a dream. “Thank you,” she said, her English hesitant. “My grandmother says it looks like a broken pretzel. She wants me to print shirts with ‘I Love Armenia’ and a big heart.” She rolled her eyes, and in that moment, we weren’t a tourist and a vendor; we were just two young women who understood the battle between tradition and your own creative spirit. Her name was Anahit. I bought the broken pretzel shirt. It’s my favorite thing I own.
To see the rocks on my list, I needed a driver. The hotel quoted me a fortune. So I walked down the street to a taxi stand and found Levon, a man with a magnificent mustache and a sky-blue Lada that looked like it had personally witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union. The passenger door didn’t open from the outside, so he had to lean over and pop it open for me every single time. The radio only got one station, which played a constant stream of heartbreakingly beautiful Armenian folk music.
We rattled our way out of the city towards Geghard Monastery. The last part of the road was gravel, and the Lada groaned in protest. Geghard isn���t just built; it’s clawed out of a cliff face. Levon told me to put my hand on the wall inside. The stone was cold, damp, and felt like it was humming. In one of the main chambers, a woman started singing. Not a performance, just a quiet, personal prayer. Her voice filled the entire stone dome, wrapping around us, and I felt tears welling up. I wasn’t sad. I was just��� full. Full of the history, the sound, the cold stone on my palm.
The next day, the trip to Tatev Monastery was pure, stomach-in-your-throat terror. You get there on a cable car called the “Wings of Tatev,” which soars for what feels like an hour over a gorge so deep it looks like a crack in the planet. I gripped the railing, trying not to look down, and watched a tiny old woman across from me calmly knitting, not even glancing out the window. She���d probably done this a hundred times. For her, it was a bus. For me, it was a near-death experience that ended at a fortress of faith perched at the edge of the world.
The best part of the trip, though, wasn���t a monastery. It was the meal Levon arranged at his cousin Armine’s house near Lake Sevan. Her garden was a tangle of tomato plants and chickens that scattered when we walked in. We sat at a long wooden table while her husband grilled pork over a fire of dried grapevines. The smell was intoxicating.
Armine brought out the wine. It was in a reused plastic Fanta bottle, and the wine itself was a cloudy, pinkish color. I braced myself. It was, without a doubt, one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. It was light and fruity and alive. We ate smoky pork and dolma and drank wine from the Fanta bottle until the sun went down over the lake, talking about our families, our lives, our hopes. No one spoke perfect English, and I certainly don’t speak Armenian, but we understood each other completely.
I left Armenia with a full heart, a camera full of pictures of rocks, and that grey t-shirt. But the real souvenirs are the memories that feel like they belong to me: the clack of backgammon pieces, the sound of Levon’s Lada, the taste of wine from a Fanta bottle. It���s a place that doesn���t just show you its history; it lets you become a small part of it.
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July 24, 2025
Vibe Vacations: 3 Destination To Try For Mountain, City, And Beach Lovers
Scandinave Spa in Mont Tremblant, QuebecNot all vacations are created equal. The landscape you choose sets the scene for your holiday and offers different vibes, culture, and activities. Here is a roundup of three destination ideas that are close to home for most Americans, and will satisfy travelers who are craving a mountain getaway, urban escape, or coastal retreat.
A Romantic Getaway For Mountain Lovers: Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Photo Credit: Fairmont TremblantYou don���t need to fly to Europe to experience the vibes of a French ski town: Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada has a European-style pedestrian village with cozy restaurants and trendy boutiques set against a nature���s playground of mountains, lakes, and forests. Before visiting, it���s a good idea to learn a little French, the official language. It���s less than an hour-and-a-half flight from New York City, and then an hour-and-half drive from Montreal. It���s a seven-and-a-half hour drive from New York City, and a seven-hour drive from Boston.
The mix of village and nature offers plenty of activities to do year round, from skiing to hiking to live music. Mont Tremblant makes for a romantic getaway for couples looking to combine nature adventures with intimate dining and spa experiences.
Where To Stay: Fairmont Tremblant
This ski-in ski-out hotel sits right at the base of Mont Tremblant next to the ski lifts, so staying here makes it easy to hit the slopes, take a break by a fire, and head back out on the mountain. The Fairmont Tremblant pool terrace faces the mountains and also has a bar with cozy pop-up igloos, making it an ideal spot for an apres-ski. It can get pretty crowded, especially if you want to go into the hot tub, so morning is the best time to go in the pool or hot tub if you are looking for more solitude.
Apres ski at the Fairmont Tremblant. Photo Credit: Mystikopoulos PhotographyThe hotel has a variety of dining options, from the grab-and-go Ricochet Cafe & Terrasse that has coffee and sandwiches for when you just want to get to the slopes, to the upscale Choux Gras, a romantic dinner spot with stunning views of the mountains, French-inspired dishes with a twist, and live music. For unwinding after your outdoor adventures, the onsite gym also has steam baths and saunas, and you can opt for massages at the Moment Spa.
Address: 3045 Chemin de la Chapelle, CITQ 128365, J8E1E1, Mont Tremblant, Canada
What To Do:
Ski: Mont Tremblant is, of course, a ski destination. With more than 100 trails and 14 chair lifts, Mont Tremblant is suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. My husband and I happened to visit in December during the famous 24h Tremblant, where teams of six to 12 people relay each other on the mountain for 24 hours straight by either skiing, snowboarding, walking, or running to raise money for children���s causes. There were big crowds celebrating all night long with a D.J., dancing, and glow sticks���despite the sub-zero temperatures. (After 11 pm I was content to watch the party scene from my hotel room wearing my warmest pajamas). If you���re not a skier, there are a variety of other outdoor winter activities: Visitors can also try snowshoeing, snow mobiling, dog sledding, and more.
Hike & Bike: This is a four-season destination, and traveling to Mont Tremblant in the summer means you might see athletes competing in the Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant. For the less competitive, there are plenty of hiking options in the Mont-Tremblant National Park in Lac-Sup��rieur, the oldest national park in the province (which has also scored an International Dark Sky Park certification for some amazing star gazing). Near the national park is Farouche Tremblant, which offers A-frame cabin accommodations and a variety of nature activities such as riding fat bikes, paddle boarding, and fly fishing.
Photo Credit: Scandinave Spa Mont-TremblantSpa: Wellness experiences in nature are one of my most favorite things, so if you���re like me you won���t want to miss the thermal experience at Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant. Set on 72,000 square feet in the Laurentian Forest, this outdoor spa is a sanctuary for reflection and detoxing. The process involves spending 15 minutes in a hot tub, steam room or dry sauna to raise your body temperature, followed by a 30-second cold plunge in an outdoor cold bath or the river that runs along the property, and then 15 minutes in a relaxation area. The benefits include increasing blood flow, boosting the immune system, de-stressing, and more.
Where To Eat:
Photo Credit: Maison de SomaFor a truly sensory experience, don���t miss eating at Maison de Soma, a family-owned restaurant nestled on a farm between Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Blanc. The scenic eatery was named one of the top 10 best new restaurants in Canada. The menu changes seasonally because the chef uses local ingredients sourced from the farm and foraged from the surrounding forests. On site is an organic vegetable garden, two greenhouses, an orchard of apples and small fruits, bees, poultry production, and a forest where wild harvesting is done. There���s also a boutique selling products made from their farm���s harvest, such as maple crispy chili oil and basil syrup. The design of the restaurant encourages connection and conversation, as there are large tables for gathering with other guests.
A Family-Friendly Vacation For City Lovers: Times Square, New York
Photo Credit: New York Marriott MarquisThe unparalleled kinetic energy of Times Square in the Big Apple is sure to keep even the most energetic kids engaged and tired after a day of urban adventures. The eclectic mix of people the city attracts makes it a cultural epicenter of creative expression, spanning from theater to art to dance. Indeed, Times Square is a destination for performance art unlike any other place, and even transforms into a massive art display every midnight with synchronized digital art across massive screens.
Where to Stay: New York Marriott Marquis
When it comes to corralling little ones on vacation, a convenient location is key so you can spend less time figuring out how to travel from place to place and more time enjoying the moment. The New York Marriott Marquis is in the heart of Times Square at 46th Street and Broadway, placing it near M&M World, Broadway���s top theaters, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and a variety of dining and entertainment options for all ages. Of course, it���s also next to the subway so you can easily bypass the traffic and hop a ride underground if you must head uptown or downtown. The iconic hotel celebrates its 40th anniversary in September 2025 with newly renovated rooms, and has family connector rooms that let you put little ones to bed in a separate-but-connected room so the adults can enjoy some alone time.
Address: 1535 Broadway, New York, New York 10036
Photo Credit New York Marriott MarquisWhat To Do:
Theater: A destination for world-class theater, the Theater District in Times Square has more than 40 different theaters. For discount tickets, check out TDF, a non-profit dedicated to making performance art accessible for all. It also operates the TKTS ticket booth in Times Square where you can get same-day tickets for up to 50% off.
Immersive Experiences: The retail shops in Times Square offer engaging immersive experiences for kids, from The Disney Store to Hershey���s Chocolate World to M&M���s World. There is also the new RiseNY that includes a museum and flight simulation ride through New York���s five boroughs. Or if your kids are into ASMR, hop a subway ride downtown to the SlooMoo Institute, where kids can immerse themselves playing with slime in a variety of colors, scents, and textures.
View from the Broadway Lounge at the New York Marriott MarquisWhere To Eat:
There is no shortage of family-friendly restaurants in Times Square, from Juniors and their famous cheesecake to Carmine���s Southern Italian dishes served up family-style. But for a real wow factor, you might make reservations at New York���s only revolving restaurant aptly named The View. Located on the 47th floor of the New York Marriott Marquis, The View offers 360-degree views of the Theater District along with live music and craft cocktails and mocktails for a dining experience with an unforgettable backdrop.
A Mix Of Business And Pleasure For Beach Lovers: Santa Monica, California
We Said Go Travel founder Lisa Niver with travel writer Holly Corbett in Santa Monica.For a SoCal vibe and fresh sea air, Santa Monica���s 22-miles of coast that is less than 30 minutes from the city of Los Angeles lets you experience beach culture with a laid-back urban flair. If you���re heading to Los Angeles for work, I highly recommend staying in nearby Santa Monica to take advantage of the seaside location and combine some business with pleasure. In between business meetings, you can take a break to join the throngs of people strolling along the pathway by the ocean. You���ll also see bikers, beach volleyball players, runners, skaters, and more, as fitness is a lifestyle in SoCal.
Roof top sunset at the Fairmont Miramar Beach hotel in Santa Monica, CAWhere to Stay: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
For barefoot luxury, join the likes of Greta Garbo, Senator John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe who have stayed at the seaside Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (���miramar��� is Spanish for ���view of the sea���). Built on about five acres on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the century-old, five-star oceanfront resort was originally the private estate of the founder of Santa Monica. Today it���s a sprawling oasis designed around a garden and a pool with nearly 300 guest rooms and 31 separate bungalows. Upon exiting the main hotel lobby, you���ll be greeted by the magnificent Moreton Bay Fig Tree that���s original to the property, and find walkable access to the beach and the Santa Monica pier, as well as the cafes and shops along Ocean Ave.
Address: 101 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90401
What To Do:
Bike Tour: A fun and active way to get the lay of the land is to take a guided bike tour. Check out Pedal or Not���s guided electric bike tours (pedaling is optional) in Santa Monica and Venice Beach. The three-hour tour takes you along the Santa Monica Beach, past the pier and skate parks, and to the Venice Canals.
Hit The Pier: The Santa Monica Pier is a century-old wooden pier that juts out into the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most photographed spots in the world. A famous gathering place to stroll to the soundtrack of crashing ocean waves, you can also take a ride on the roller coaster or ferris wheel, find souvenirs like seashell necklaces from local vendors, or sample sweet treats like milkshakes.
Walk the Promenade: The Third Street Promenade encompasses three car-free blocks filled with a both designer and mom-and-pop shops and street performers, and makes for some fun people watching. It���s also a good spot for foodies, with staples such as Mel���s Drive-In. Pickleball lovers can hit some balls at Pickle Pop.
Fig Restaurant in Santa MonicaWhere To Eat:
For local SoCal cuisine, try FIG Restaurant located at the Fairmont Miramar. Executive Chef Damon Gordon���s team sources ingredients from the local farmer���s market and the sea, so menus change depending on the season. You might find lemon ricotta pancakes for breakfast, or whole wood-roasted branzino for dinner. The space is filled with natural light and plenty of plants to mix the SoCal vibe with fresh ingredients.
Whether your travels take you to the beach, the mountains, or to a city that never sleeps, it’s interesting to think about how the landscape can impact the culture, and therefore, the vibe. I’d love to hear from you: How has a destination’s landscape shaped your experience of a place that you’ve recently visited?
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