Places full of holiday spirit in Madison
In search of the holiday spirit? Head to Madison, but don’t let mall Santas, early-bird specials and tinsel-tinged storefronts saturate the day. When I need […]
Midwest
New book examines 10 grand opera houses
Turn back the clock 80 to 100 years, and a night out meant dressing up for a brush with opulence, refined entertainment – or both. […]
Wild rice theme of B&B recipe contest
At least 8,000 lodging units accommodate visitors to Wisconsin Dells, and the sea of beds includes mega resorts, multi-bedroom condos, standard motel rooms – and […]
Rhinelander: Here’s why the Hodag city’s hip
The odometer of my new car all too quickly hit 10,000 miles this month, and only 2 percent was out-of-state driving. I rack up mileage […]
Wellspring: farm hostel, retreat center, CSA
When I met Jeff Schreiber, he was taking a break from the vegetable harvest to prepare lunch for his work crew. That meant roasting Brussels […]
Lutefisk brats catch Travel Channel attention
When I tracked down our TV star, he was squirting lime juice onto a raw kingfish heart, then popping it into his mouth. Just another […]
Canoe Bay Resort, Chetek: remote luxury
When you love something, you take care of it. This is what Dan and Lisa Dobrowolski have done with 280 acres in Rusk County. They […]
Milwaukee’s Iron Horse: ruggedly elegant
The first time I met Milwaukee developer Tim Dixon, in early 2008, he was dreaming big and thinking impulsively. Or so I thought. We wore […]
Boutique hotels: Wausau to Waukesha
No one monitors how the term “boutique hotel” is used, but the definition comes down to this: feeling at home when away. Or, in some […]
Family-owned eateries shine with personality
Personality. Sometimes that’s what it takes for little restaurants to stand out. Consider this trio of family-owned businesses that have quietly defined what they are: […]
Wisconsin wine festivals, fall winery tours
Fruit of the vine, makes me feel fine … so take a tour and sip chardonnay to dandelion wine. California, home to about 2,700 of […]
In praise of harvest: Indian Summer Festival
Farmers’ markets and backyard gardens are plump with fresh produce during this time of year, so many of us enjoy easy and direct connections with […]