I thought I had to go to France to see the best Impressionist paintings. And then I went to Connecticut. Little did I know that a corridor in the southwestern part of the state, stretching from the Greenwich area to Stamford, Wilton and beyond, played host to some of the … Read more
If you’ve ever stepped foot inside a duty-free shop anywhere in the world, you’ve certainly noticed the fragrance Angel, by Thierry Mugler. The striking bottle shape and distinctive packaging usually stands out among the many perfume brands on the shelf. The well-known French fashion designer was at the pinnacle of … Read more
Imperial power, World War II tension, outstanding artistic achievements and great human tragedies … Nuremberg has mirrored German history since the Middle Ages. For some, the name of the city evokes images of Albrecht Dürer, sausages and the Christmas market; for others, the prosecution of Nazi war criminals during the … Read more
Maine’s coast, lakes, woods, and mountains have inspired countless American artists including year-round residents like Winslow Homer and three generations of Wyeths. Even the list of artists who visited Maine or summered there reads like a Who’s Who: Frederic Church and Thomas Cole, Childe Hassam, John Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, … Read more
The TSA agent looks at my passport and back at me with a skeptical look. “You’re traveling to Tahiti by yourself?” I nod, indicating yes. While French Polynesia is often synonymous with “honeymoon” and “romantic getaway,” I want to see what it has to offer the solo traveler. I figure … Read more
With the 4th of July behind us and summer in full swing, it’s time to get cooking on rounding up the kids and having some fun together. If, like us, you’ve been carefully studying options since spring and have organized that once in a lifetime trip to Rome, good for … Read more
Norwegian super-artist Edvard Munch will be getting some scream, er, screen time sometime this fall when director Dheeraj Akolkar’s new film titled “Let the Scream Be Heard” makes its premiere. This year, which marks Munch’s 150th anniversary, has Norway abuzz and celebrating with events and exhibits of the famed artist’s … Read more
Norway is a cultural goldmine this year and is now in full swing celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of its treasured son, artist Edvard Munch. The country aims to commemorate the occasion by not only highlighting Munch as the revolutionary artist of Norway but also by promoting enthusiasm … Read more
Colorful wooden buildings dot the wharf area of Bergen, scrunched up one against the other like brightly colored Monopoly pieces. Some of the gabled buildings are slightly tilted, but it only adds to the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage city. Centuries ago, this wharf area, called Bryggen – meaning … Read more
I’ll be honest: if it were up to me, New York would top every arts-related list in just about every category. But contrary to what we who live here believe, the entire world does not revolve around New York City and in the U.S. alone there are many cities to … Read more
If you’ve been to Flanders—Belgium’s northern reaches—chances are you’ve explored Brussels, from its gourmet restaurants and chocolate shops to its Manneken Pis, or Petit Julien, one of the world’s most beloved statues. Possibly, you’ve toured Bruges, where mists rise moodily over canals plied by flat bottomed barges and lined with … Read more
It’s the perfect blend of east meets west. With the sounds and smells of the Middle East but the shopping of Western Europe, you simply can’t go wrong in Istanbul. Call it what you will – Byzantium, New Rome, Tsarigrad, Constantinople, or Istanbul – it’s a place where you can … Read more