It's high season right now on Sanibel Island, just a prrrr-fect time to be in southwest Florida.   Daytime temps are usually in the 70s, with blue blue skies and hot sun.   Great for beach walks, tennis, golf, suntanning, boating . . . whatever your favorite seaside pasttime is.   The bicyclists are pedaling up and down the bike path, ding-a-linging their handle-bar bells;  to me, that will always be the sound of vacation.   ;-)  

Buenas Dias from Albuquerque, New Mexico.   We Floridians go a little nuts when surrounded by snowy scenes, fireplaces, mittens and jackets.  What a TREAT!   New Mexico is so beautiful in the winter, and on days like yesterday, when even bitter wind couldn't dampen my spirits, steaming hot, spicy food tasted even better!   I've learned all about mattress warmers, Ugg boots and convection heaters on this trip . . . funny to you Northerns, I'm sure.  

Albuquerque's Old Town was an amazing place to be on Christmas Eve, with the live nativity scene and short church service under the stars, in front of the historic San Felipe de Neri church.   The church was open and many were reflecting on the holiday from within its beautiful santuario.   I had a quick peek but stayed outside, drinking hot chocolate, listening to the sermon, and giggling helplessly when the calves started bawling and drowned out the minister.  So did he!  

Tuesday, I'm taking the new Rail Runner train to Santa Fe, zipping along through the high desert, without having to drive.  I can't wait. 

Cheers,
Libby

On the road again . . . . getting ready for a sojourn to Palm Beach, and even though Thanksgiving was this weekend, I'm already looking ahead to Christmas!
I'll be flying out west to spend the holiday with my family in New Mexico, and plan to run up to Durango to see my nephew dance.   (He's touring with State Street Ballet;  they love having his 6'3" body to hoist girls around on stage!).  

As wintry weather sets in across the country, we Floridians and hoping that all of you will make plans to come warm up.   There are so many deals this year, that if you can find a cheap airfare (try Airtran, USA3000, JetBlue and Southwest) you should come on down !  You'll find lots of Florida travel ideas in my reviews.  

Stay warm, be well, and enjoy the onset of winter.   I will be wishing I could sit by a fire while you are wishing you could be sitting on a beach.   ;-)  

  

Hi everyone,
Today I"m finishing up several reviews and a couple of articles so I can get packed for a press trip to the Lauderdale area.  Florida has just cooled down from summer - nights are balmy and breezy - and there's nothing like spending a few days seeing what's new on the East Coast.  Of course, old favorites still rate with me.  I'm hoping to run down to South Beach for my favorite Flamenco show at Tapas & Tintos, and will definitely check in at the little Irish bar in Pompano.  From homespun beach towns to big city lights, Broward and Dade Counties have it all.   Ciao for now! 

Hi all. I'm a professional writer, based in tropical southwest Florida, but travelling constantly for articles about great destinations and hotels, emerging chefs and sublime restaurants, special events, architecture & design, and fascinating personalities. (See clips of my work at www.libbymcmillan.com) My calendar stays pretty full: Last year my southwest adventures included visits to The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona, Albuquerque, Ruidoso and Santa Fe. I was fortunate to spend nearly 3 weeks in California with my girlfriend (and wine buyer) Ellen. We thoroughly enjoyed Mendocino, Sonoma and San Francisco before I headed off to Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills. I also made a lot of great discoveries in the Keys, Orlando, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Bal Harbour, Palm Beach and Singer Island, as well as in my own back yard (Naples, Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Islands). Art Basel in Miami Beach rounded out a great year. This year has already found me mesmerized by Winter Park and Amelia Island, FL; Charleston, SC; and Savannah, GA. If you've never been to Charleston, put it on your must-see list, and take someone you love. I discovered the "new" Hollywood, FL, which is a real winner. Next month, I'm headed out to Boulder, CO, and then to surreally beautiful Lake Powell, AZ for a family vacation. In the meantime, BestOfSanibelCaptiva.com - the web site I own, about the islands where I'm based - also keeps me busy: Our message board and web site get thousand sof people per day, all planning their trip to beautiful southwest Florida. I hope they all share their opinions on Viewpoints after their trip! Please click on the RSS Feed icon in my reviews, to read my latest, as soon as I post it....and visit me here again! Thanks for reading my reviews, and if you have a hot tip you think would make a great review or article, please let me know. ;-) I write for lots of magazines, and am ALWAYS on the lookout for a great story! -Libby