When I lived in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, cities across the border in the Communist East Bloc seemed a world away. Any travel to East Germany was especially restricted, and the red tape required for visiting wasn’t worth the hassle. But all that has changed, … Read more
One of the most exciting events in art news this summer is the opening of the new building housing Philadelphia’s famous Barnes Foundation’s collection of masterpieces. Albert C. Barnes amassed a fortune in the early 20th century developing pharmaceuticals. With the subsequent sale of his company, he became a passionate … Read more
If someone came up with the wild idea to start rating hotels by their gyms, Hotel Avila would be at the top. How many times have we suffered through vacations with only a stationary bicycle in a hot room with no air conditioning? Too many, I’m afraid. Guess what? Get … Read more
Jewel of the Desert Phoenix in the summer cackles with dry heat, lingering in the triple digits. Gloriously situated in the blinding sun is the Arizona Biltmore, offering shade and luxury. The Biltmore is often incorrectly attributed to renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who consulted in four months of its … Read more
Monotonous: usually the last word associated with travel. But sometimes, visiting a city can be just that. Once you’ve visited the must-sees, like historical sites, best restaurants, shopping centers, and museums, it’s hard to remember which city you’re in, exactly. The noisy traffic, the busy people in heels and dark … Read more
Barbados, situated in the southern Atlantic, is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands, set off on its own as though wanting to be different. It surely is, this “Little England,” as some call it. After more than 300 years of British rule, Barbados, independent since 1966, is a delightful … Read more
Beaver Creek, Colorado Perfectly positioned between Beaver Creek and Arrowhead, the Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a luxury skier’s paradise. Opened in 2002, the 180 room hotel seems to have been created with the ultimate skier in mind. The hotel provides both privacy as well as Rocky Mountain luxury, and … Read more
In the heart of Antwerp, nestled in tiny Oude Stad, where narrow, winding pedestrian-only streets form little puzzles of old cobble stones, heavy curtains drift behind tall windows in a stark white building that would otherwise have blended in with the other townhouses. It would only take a small distraction … Read more