The Czech Republic is rich in remnants of a flourishing Jewish community, at one time the largest and most vibrant in the world. While Prague is the epicenter of Czech Jewish memorabilia, tracking down Jewish heritage in other parts of the country can be a fascinating voyage of discovery, starting … Read more
The sun, the music, the food, the laid-back lifestyle … who doesn’t love the Caribbean? And with a wintry chill blowing much of the East coast, I wish I was there right now. When I’m in the Caribbean, my favorite thing to do is to bake in the sun and … Read more
If you like the hustle bustle of big cities, you’ll love Glasgow. But if you’re someone who prefers smaller cities with quaint tearooms, trendy cafés, and cozy music clubs, you’ll be equally charmed. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, though relatively compact and home to just 600,000 people, about the same … Read more
I have to stay calm. In the space of 10 minutes not one but two people told me that “winter is coming.” Now I know that Jack Frost took a bite out of much of the country in the last week but I was still in the midst of planning … Read more
Finding Restaurant Alcron is a bit of a challenge. You push through a revolving door in the meticulously restored Art Deco Alcron hotel and find yourself in a long, finely appointed lobby. Striding past reception you spot a bar. Is that it? Through glass doors, you spy a stunning 1930’s … Read more
A trip to Israel usually makes one think of exploring the lavishly decorated hallways of centuries old monasteries or tracing the footsteps of some of the most revered religious figures of all time. Israel has a reputation and there’s a reason for it; it’s one of the most richly historical … Read more
Who knew that camping could be comfortable? The people behind the Glen Oaks in Big Sur, California, naturally. An enclave of eco-friendly cabins planted among towering Redwood trees and outfitted with all the modern amenities, prepare to partake of this heavenly wilderness. Hikes in the woods, white-tailed deer, mountain fresh air … Read more
“The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.” said the 18th century gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin in The Physiology of Taste. I had these words in my head while sailing the Mediterranean on the Silver Cloud, a 296-passenger, ultra-luxury vessel from … Read more
Tucked away on a leafy street in Guadalajara is this gem of a boutique hotel. A member of Mexico Boutique Hotels, Villa Ganz delighted us with its old-world charm. The restored 1930s villa is built around a high-walled garden and courtyard; inside, it has ten lovingly-restored rooms and suites. We … Read more