Luxurious historic pool
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Ever swim in a castle? Probably not if you live in the USA, which has 10.7 million pools but only two “castles” with fully operational indoor swimming facilities. Channeling my inner C3PO, your odds of swimming in an American castle are approximately 5.35 million to one. To quote Han Solo: Never tell me the odds. …
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Two identically named cities, 2,857 miles apart, one East Coast, the other West Coast. One day in August, husband and I spent time in both, traveling from Richmond, VA, to Richmond, CA, and ultimately hanging my swim cap in Berkeley. The trip took less than 12 hours and would have been faster if we hadn’t…
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“Look! There it is,” My husband exclaimed as we continued our hike from his conference at the Marriott Marquis. Two flags extended from the elegant Italian Renaissance edifice, with its white columns, dark brick, and Beaux Arts details. My heart leaped, a combination of exertion, excitement, and nerves. I adjusted my bag, straightened my dress,…
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“Everybody get in the pool!” That’s what my favorite shirt says. My husband gave it to me for my birthday pool party a couple years ago. I’m mentioning it here because that’s the atmosphere at the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, Florida. During our 2023 trip to “The City Beautiful,” we experienced first-hand the energetic…
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The picture seduced me. What looked like a Spanish castle rose from a grove of lush tropical greenery. A massive pool stretched across the foreground, beckoning me to plunge into its vibrant blue water. “Is this heaven?” I wondered. No, it’s Florida. Specifically, it’s the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, “The City Beautiful.” In the…
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“Free towels!” Twinkling brown eyes revealed delight in a small victory for this long-time loyal member of the venerable New Orleans Athletic Club. More than thirty years ago, they were and still are his reward, along with massages, for continuing his membership through two years of renovations and upgrades that reflect changed social norms and…
swim history girl 