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November 2011 Hideaway Report

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Panama: New Options for Sophisticated Travelers

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

“A man, a plan, a canal, Panama.” Aside from being a clever palindrome, this simple phrase sums up the general perception of Panama: home to the great canal and beset by military strongmen, the last of whom, Manuel Noriega,... Read More...

Tags: Panama, video

Panama's Eco-Lodges

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

Despite the growing interest in Panama as a wildlife destination, I found the emerging crop of eco-lodges to be mostly unsuitable for Harper members. Only one piqued my interest. Read More...

Tags: Eco-lodge, Panama

Panama City Dining

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

I had no idea what to expect from restaurants in Panama City, but I am pleased to report that I was agreeably surprised by the general quality of the cuisine. Here are four places that I warmly recommend. Read More...

Tags: Panama City, restaurants

Exploring Casco Viejo

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

While most of Panama City is a tangle of streets, Casco Viejo, or the Old Town, is set in a neat grid pattern that invites casual strolling. The area dates to 1673, when it was built on a strategically defensible peninsula... Read More...

Tags: Casco Viejo, Panama City, walking tour

Panamanian Molas

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

The most distinctive Panamanian handicrafts are molas, the colorful cloth panels made by the women of the Kuna indigenous people, who live along the Caribbean littoral or on the San Blas Islands. Read More...

Tags: Panama

The Classic Panama Hat

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

Panama hats originally came from Ecuador, but Panama got the credit because they were shipped from its ports. The style dates to the 17th century, when the conquistadors employed the indigenous Ecuadorians to adapt their native straw hats... Read More...

Tags: Panama, shopping

Boquete: Panama’s Coffee Capital

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

One highlight of my Panama trip was a stay in the town of Boquete, in the northern highlands near the Costa Rica border. Thanks to the dormant Barú Volcano, the soil here is exceptionally fertile, and the region is dotted with... Read More...

Tags: Boquete, coffee, Panama

Deer Valley Hits New Heights

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

With its spectacular alpine setting and reliable abundance of powder snow, Utah’s Deer Valley has repeatedly been voted the best ski area in North America. Located just outside Park City, it is a convenient 45-minute drive from the... Read More...

Tags: Deer Valley, ski resorts, Utah

Park City Restaurants

Source: November 2011 Hideaway Report

Ski resorts are not noted for excellence in the culinary arts, but Park City provides a pleasing exception to the general rule. In addition to the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford has given Park City a delightful restaurant,... Read More...

Tags: Park City, restaurants