In many ways, Italy is a boot that fits all feet. From top to bottom it’s possible to ski the Dolomites, take in Florence’s finest art, roam the ruins of Pompeii, and island hop the Amalfi Coast. Despite its troubled economy, Italy remains a top destination and is teeming with … Read more
Forget Tribeca and Aspen. When it comes to film, Karlovy Vary, the largest and most visited of the Czech Republic’s famous spa towns, is the place to be. Besides being one of the oldest film festivals in the world (it was inaugurated in 1946) it’s one of the most important … Read more
J.J. Johnson once said “Jazz is restless. It won’t stay put and it never will.” That’s a quality jazz has in common with travelers, so why not combine the two and travel for jazz? Though the U.S. is the place for great jazz, there is nothing like the Bohemia Jazz … Read more
Starting August 17th and lasting until September 2nd, the city of Prague will be home to the International Festival of Contemporary Circus. Ladies and gents, this is not just any circus so don’t expect fearless lion tamers or beautiful women doing handstands on the backs of elephants. The world-renowned multinational … Read more
You’re sitting at a charming table in a quaint café, sipping coffee, taking in the ruins in some romantic city like Rome. Across the room someone is staring at you alluringly. Nothing could be more perfect. And then you wake up, because, really, this would only happen in a café … Read more
A door in a discrete wooden fence leads you into the parking lot adjacent to Commonwealth. It’s an unusual entry, but then again nothing at Commonwealth follows the norm. A disco ball’s reflection circles the room within a skylight high above the sleek, minimalistic dining room. Anchored with warm hickory … Read more
“Where would you go to hear great classical music and opera that is different from the usual, preferably in a city where the music was written?” That is the question I’m asked more times than I can count, by people who know I spend much of my time in the … Read more
Another ski season has come and gone. Apart from western Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb, which stays open until May 26, most ski resorts are shutting down their lifts. And most ski shops are rolling out their summer inventory of mountain bikes and skateboards. It’s the perfect time to buy ski gear. … Read more
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is an oasis nestled near the Topatopa Bluffs, over 6,000 feet above sea level, at the eastern end of the stunning Ojai Valley. Considered to be a sacred place by the Chumash Indians who ascribed healing powers to the mystical valley, it was referred to as … Read more
Green is a word that has entered our vocabulary in more ways than one and not just on St. Patrick’s Day. Eco- consciousness is the new buzz phrase – green living, green cars, green energy and yes, green travel. But exactly what does being a green traveler mean? It … Read more
The Czech Republic is noted for its amazing historic charm and has become a popular destination for travelers seeking to experience one or more of Europe’s summer festivals. Every year since 1987 The Chamber Music Festival has been hosted in Cesky Krumlov, a small city in the south Bohemian region … Read more
A mist hung over the pre-dawn woods, the dampness seeping through our clothes and chilling us to the bone. The car’s thermometer gauge displayed +3 degrees Celsius but we knew that could be way off. Here we were in Piedmont, Italy, deep in the Italian countryside sometime after 6 a.m. … Read more
It called to me … a lone hammock gently swaying between a knobby 15-foot tree bereft of branches and a small cluster of reedy siblings. Its perfect placement grasped the few wisps of clouds drifting overhead. Settling into its cocoon-like embrace, I felt unified with nature. To my left, a … Read more
In the hospitality business there’s always room for a new idea. After all, that’s what draws the crowds. And if the idea is one that ups the fun quotient then bring it on. Batch Gastro Pub is on to something. Their ingenious table taps (7 in total throughout the place) … Read more
A trip to the Czech Republic is amazing in any time of year—whether it’s for May Day festivities in the springtime, the not-too-hot weather during summer or the magical holiday season. But if you’re looking to experience Bohemia like a local, plan your trip during one of these events, happening … Read more