Published Articles
The following articles were written for various publications by Wanderlust Tours owner, Shawnie Kelley. All content is copyrighted and can not be used without consent.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort: The Grand Dame of Cumberland Valley
Bedford Springs Resort and Spa The dreamy mountains of Cumberland Valley are conveniently positioned between Pennsylvania's capital of Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Cumberland County is home to nearly fifty miles of the Appalachian Trail, hundreds of springs, [...]
Up the Lazy River: JW Marriott Texas Hill Country
I haven't spent much time in Texas (like, zero). So, it was exciting when an opportunity arose to visit San Antonio, of which I've heard all sorts of wonderful things. My typical M.O. is to [...]
Malabar Farm: Agricultural Legacy & Living Classroom
Malabar Farm “As soils are depleted, human health, vitality and intelligence go with them.” ~Louis Bromfield To say Louis Bromfield was a strong advocate of scientific agriculture is an understatement. Bromfield not only championed the [...]
Destination Grand: The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
The Grand Hotel experience begins even before stepping foot onto northern Michigan's Mackinac Island. First glimpse of the stately white columns and billowing flags of the hotel unfurling along the hillside hints at the timeless luxury that awaits [...]
Taking the Waters: A Spa Day at the Greenbrier
Taking the Waters. A Spa Day at the Greenbrier, West Virginia When in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, it only makes sense to do what the Native Americans and travelers, including George Washington, have done for [...]
“The Grande Dame of the Sea”: Wentworth By The Sea | New Hampshire
In an effort to research some of America's great hotels for my book America's Grande Dames, I discovered this majestic beacon perched on a hill overlooking the island of New Castle, just near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wentworth-by-the [...]
Racing Through Time: The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Did you know... the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, started in 1982, is the largest and longest continually-running vintage sports car race in the United States? Ten days of events ranging from parades, galas, country cruising tours, and specialized car [...]
Seattle Architectural Foundation Walking Tour
During my last trip to Seattle, the Executive Director of the Seattle Architectural Foundation hooked me up with a private walking tour around downtown. I had the pleasure of spending two hours with Eva Weaver, one [...]
A Modern Grande Dame: Boston Harbor Hotel
This waterfront building has always held a particular allure for me. The enormous flag billowing in the archway. The perfect location between harbor and city. Back door airport water taxi service. For decades, I admired this hotel [...]
Picturing Christmas: The Nativity in Renaissance Art
By Shawnie Kelley, as published in Renaissance Magazine, Issue 58. " ... she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no [...]
Flying Fish & Other Delicacies from Pike Place Market | Seattle
My first trip to Seattle was centered on food and of course, I had a mile-long agenda. The iconic Pike Place Market was at the top of the list, and conveniently at the bottom of the hill from our hotel. [...]
Sanctuary Under the Sea
The Atlantic Ocean along outer Cape Cod is considered one of the world's top ten places for whale watching. Our favorite tour company, Dolphin Fleet out of Provincetown, has been in business since 1976 and is committed to responsible [...]