Sharon McDonnell

1 month ago | discover.silversea.com | Sharon McDonnell

Set foot into the Jardin de Balata, and you may think you have stumbled on the biblical Garden of Eden, so laden is it with sensory, seeable botanical treasures. Welcome to the Caribbean island of Martinique. Martinique, an overseas department of France between St. Lucia and Dominica, is nicknamed the Isle of Flowers, and it suffuses you with a sense of wild beauty, exuberant colors and rich variety of tropical plants on this island, two-thirds of which is a designated nature park.

2 months ago | foodandwine.com | Sharon McDonnell

Photo: Courtesy of Kampar Lesser known but just as significant as dim sum in Hong Kong, Malaysian breakfast is such a way of life in the Southeast Asian country that it was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December.

Dec 18, 2024 | discover.silversea.com | Sharon McDonnell

George Town isn’t the capital of Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur is. Nor is it the biggest metro area, again lagging Kuala Lumpur. But it is one of the most fascinating and multicultural cities I’ve ever seen, a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European architecture, food and culture.

Dec 13, 2024 | businessinsider.com | Sharon McDonnell

I took a $6.50 ferry to Vashon Island, a scenic spot near Seattle. The ferry ride was only 20 minutes long and had beautiful views of the Puget Sound. I had a great time on the island and even attended a llama happy hour on one of its farms. I love exploring the many beautiful islands in Washington state. Recently, I planned a trip to Vashon Island, one of the largest islands in the Puget Sound, just south of Seattle.

Dec 3, 2024 | nationalparkstraveler.org | Sharon McDonnell

Strolling San Francisco’s Financial District, I reach a sidewalk studded with dozens of nails. Curious, I read a plaque that describes the ship found buried beneath it, the General Harrison. Looking up, I see a ship hull sculpture embedded in the façade of the Club Quarters Hotel.