When in Bern, You’d Be Wise to Stay at the Bellevue Palace
One of our favorite summer family trips was to Switzerland two summers ago. Before starting our weeklong multi-sport trip with Backroads, we spent three wonderful days in Bern. We went behind the scenes to see how the circa-1530 Clock Tower works, spent a day on an electronic bike in neighboring Emmental Valley (where we tried our first fondue), visited the apartment Albert Einstein lived when proving his Theory of Relativity, and seeing the sinuous building Renzo Piano built to house the work of local talent Paul Klee. Best of all was swimming in the Aare River. Every afternoon, we would walk down the hillside from our grand hotel, the Bellevue Palace, to a green park where hundreds of people lined the river catching rays. Then we would stroll on a paved path upriver with a long line of folks who dragged their tubes, rafts, and dry bags. Pick a spot to jump in the cool water and off you go with the strong current. The hard part was finding a place on the shores that you could stop and pull yourself out. Then we would head back to the Bellevue Palace and have cocktails on the deck.
Continuing north from the Acadian Peninsula, the town of Caraquet is best known as the home of 
Lisa and I spent two nights in the Berkshires last week checking out 
With mild October temperatures, many of the classes were held outdoors. We pounded those drums on a grassy patch near the large pool. Some fitness classes like spin cycling are still on hold until after the pandemic, but the spa was open for massages and facials. When weather cooperated, dining was outdoors on a large patio. Otherwise, you’ll be having meals indoors in a large restaurant, Harvest Moon, with high ceilings. They do a good job of limiting and separating people in the restaurant, especially during dinner, when you have to reserve a time in advance. The food, like most classes, is included in the price. As you would expect, they try to make it healthy, with numerous vegetarian and fish options. Everything we tried was delicious, from the fresh greens to avocado toast to grilled salmon and tuna ceviche. Unlike Canyon Ranch, they do serve alcohol. There’s also have a café next door, Roost, to grab lattes and yummy cookies and casual fare, all-inclusive. Rooms were spacious with large balconies outdoors for taking in the view.
In mid-October, I caught up with Dan Austin, owner of 
Fly 40 minutes from the domestic airport in Arusha over the Ngorongoro Crater and you reach Mwiba Lodge, the latest upscale property from 
During his 40-plus years in the travel industry, Dan Austin has reaped accolades like