Road Trip to Nova Scotia: 5 Great Places to Stay (and Eat)

August 8, 2023June 20, 2022 by Jackie Gately

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My mother Georgi and I packed our bags for a ten-day road trip we’d planned to Nova Scotia in Canada. The trip was a reunion of sorts.

My parents spent summers on Canada’s Northumberland Strait to escape the heat and stay connected to my father’s family heritage. Scenes filled with country life and ocean views spoke of a simpler time.

In this article, you’ll learn about some of the best places to stay along the way. They make a road trip to Nova Scota all the more enjoyable!

Editor’s Note: We updated this article in June 2022 to add new content and keep it up to date.

3 Spectacular Botanical Gardens I Love at The Huntington Museum

March 10, 2023February 15, 2019 by Jackie Gately

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I grew up in New England, a fickle region for gardening. The summers are short and unpredictable; the winters involve a deep freeze and frost heaves; springtime—if we have one at all—is wet and fleeting. Despite these tricky conditions, I am an avid gardener. My visit to the spectacular Botanical Gardens at The Huntington Museum was a highlight of my trip to Greater Los Angeles. My daughter and I explored three of sixteen themed gardens: The Desert Garden, The Rose Garden, and The Japanese Garden. Each was spectacular in its own way.

Are you Missing Hollywood’s Amazing Unsung Hero?

October 7, 2020December 31, 2018 by Jackie Gately

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Hollywood Superstar and Architectural Landmark

If you’re looking for a free attraction in downtown Los Angeles, you won’t want to miss Hollywood’s unsung hero: The Bradbury Building. Built in 1893, this Hollywood superstar and architectural landmark is on the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, it’s one of the most filmed buildings in L.A., having starred in hundreds of movies, TV Shows, and works of fiction.

5 Festive Holiday Events at the Newport Mansions

November 4, 2021December 15, 2018 by Jackie Gately

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Get into the Christmas Spirit

Each year, the Newport Mansions put on a festive celebration to usher in the holiday season. Christmas trees and lavish decorations festoon the mansions, once homes to prominent families of Newport, Rhode Island. You’ll find Nutcracker performances, dinner parties, and music events that lead right up to New Year’s Eve.

6 Hidden Gems in L.A., California

March 10, 2023December 3, 2018 by Jackie Gately

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Maximizing One Day in Los Angeles

With less than a full day to spend together in Los Angeles, California, my daughter Alison and I wanted to make the most of our quality time. We sharpened our pencils and crammed an ambitious itinerary of hidden gems in L.A. Since Alison was now a Los Angeles native, I had an expert guide.

There are endless things to do and see in Los Angeles, but these six (6) hidden gems in L.A. made our short-list. You’ll find they’re great takes if you’re time-pressed, and a few are free if you’re on a budget. I might have taken a more leisurely pace on a few, but these six will whet your appetite.

Preview: Treated Like Royalty at “The Deacon” Bed & Breakfast

July 20, 2023November 18, 2018 by Jackie Gately

Note: The Deacon has since closed.

The Timothy Pratt “Deacon” B&B

You’ll find the Deacon Timothy Pratt Bed & Breakfast located just off the heart of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, a waterfront community poised for romantic getaways, couples retreats, and destination weddings. Locally, this charming inn is referred to as simply, “The Deacon.”

To say I received a warm welcome to the Deacon Timothy Pratt Bed & Breakfast and the Old Saybrook community is an understatement. I was truly treated like royalty!

In fact, I can’t wait to tell you all the details about the hospitality, experiences, delicious food, and fun I had!

But right now, my story is in progress. I wanted to share this preview with you to pique your interest. If you would like to receive notification when I post the story, complete the sign-up form below and you’ll be among the first to know!

Luxury Lifestyle: The Newport Mansions Decorated for Christmas

March 6, 2023October 11, 2018 by Jackie Gately

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The Newport Mansions at Christmas

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Scenes from the Gilded Age

A visit to Newport, Rhode Island is incomplete without seeing the Newport Mansions at Christmas. There are ten incredible estates that The Preservation Society of Newport County maintains year-round. Guests may explore independently or follow guided tours by a headset.

Of course, the mansions are a “must-see” at any time of year, and especially nice as part of a romantic getaway to Rhode Island.

Through the holiday season, though, four mansions are open daily to visitors: The Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms, and Marble House. Each was once a private residence for the well-to-do, including famous families like the Vanderbilts, who retreated to the mansions’ grandeur along the cool shores of Rhode Island for summer months.

Winter Scenes from the Mountain Village of Bethel Maine

April 23, 2023October 10, 2018 by Jackie Gately

Bethel, Maine is a charming New England town I visit each year to meet friends who ski in the area. The quaint mountain village lies between some of the highest mountains in Maine. Winter in Bethel Maine offers ample opportunity for outdoor sports, including alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic and cross-country skiing, snowmobile trails, snowshoeing, and more.

California’s Largest Used and New Book and Record Store [Photo Tour]

March 9, 2023August 17, 2018 by Jackie Gately

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, I discovered a reservoir of quietude. It’s a peaceful refuge for Creatives and others longing to escape from the city’s frenzied pace, if only for a moment.

I joined the dreamers and writers, book lovers and music enthusiasts, artists and eclectics, and curious travelers who passed through the oversized door on 5th Street.

This oasis was The Last Book Store. Turns out, it’s California’s largest used and new book and record store. It’s also one of the largest independent bookstores in the world.

My Weekend Stay at the Chatham Tides Inn (Hotel Review)

March 8, 2023August 9, 2018 by Jackie Gately

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A Casual Resort on the Water in Chatham (Cape Cod), Massachusetts

In a tranquil Cape Cod neighborhood steps from the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find a casual beach resort with comforts of home. Here, a footpath perfumed by beach roses and gentle seagrass invites you to a private beach. Adirondack and lounge chairs wait beside the fixings for a campfire on the beach. You’ll take in panoramic views of Nantucket Sound and Monomoy National Wildlife Preserve. Sound good? Welcome to Chatham Tides where I spent a restorative waterfront weekend in Chatham, Massachusetts.