I was surprised when I learned that Naples, Florida was home to a prestigious international wine festival. Traditional grape varietals, such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, don’t grow well in the warm, humid climate, so it’s not exactly Bordeaux or Tuscany. But what this sunny seaside city does have is … Read more
On any given day, the scent of hand rolled Cuban cigars and strong coffee fills the air of the streets of Little Havana. Located just minutes from the gleaming high rises and international banking center of downtown Miami and the Brickell Corridor, this humble yet vibrant neighborhood is home to … Read more
The dramatic sunrise on the volcanic island of Madeira is one of those memories that will stay with me forever. After waiting for what seems forever, the quiet is suddenly interrupted by birds chirping, accompanied by a dramatic color change in the sky from black to orange against a calm … Read more
Long before Frozen’s Elsa of Arendelle warmed her way into our hearts with her icy architectural skills, the Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) had been imagining a frozen wonderland in Québec, Canada. This year marks the hotel’s 20th anniversary as the only ice hotel in North America and they’re honoring … Read more
Kyoto’s charms lie in its hidden alleys, majestic shrines and the careful preservation of traditions more modern cities like Tokyo have lost. And there’s no better way to experience the old-world charm of the city than in a ryokan, a traditional inn in one of the city’s old wooden houses. … Read more
I’ve been living in Manhattan across the Hudson River from it for 19 years, but like most New Yorkers, I never visited Jersey City, not even once. And then I finally did. Boy, was I missing out. Jersey Gloire Poor JC. It has the history, food, architecture, culture, art and … Read more
“In the 1960s, we held wrestling matches here.” Those weren’t the words I expected to hear as I stood in the luxurious interior of The Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Did they wrestle beneath the chandeliers? Somehow, I can’t picture that in these fanciful surroundings, but for … Read more
Every year from March 1-19, Valencia goes boom! The streets of Spain’s third-largest city erupt with fireworks, cultural celebrations and artistry honored on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. What is the Las Fallas Festival? For starters, it’s the biggest party of the year, attracting more visitors to Valencia than any … Read more
If you favor a fabulous view with your dinner out on the town in Manhattan, look no further than Queensyard at Hudson Yards. The British import just took up residence in the over-the-top newly constructed Hudson Yards in 2019 and it’s a best bet to fuel up after an exhausting … Read more
Ambling around New Orleans’ French Quarter is an immersive experience replete with live music on every block, historic architecture from the mid 18th century, tap dancers, fantastically costumed revelers no matter the month, amazing food and Mardi Gras parades every Sunday all year long. Let’s not forget the voodoo culture, ghosts … Read more
When the TWA Hotel at New York’s JFK International Airport opened last year, it reinvented the concept of the American airport hotel. Created from architect Eero Saarinen’s former Trans World Airlines terminal, the mid-century modern masterpiece has made the hotel a destination in itself. And this destination is one for … Read more
Dubai is synonymous with many words – tall, glamorous, futuristic, to start. Evolving is another one. Dubai will be the host city for Expo 2020, from October through next April. Other upcoming openings extend to The Museum of The Future, to celebrate technological advancements; Meydan One Mall, which plans to … Read more
Pack your favorite flapper look, shine your Charleston-dancing shoes and get ready to sip some bootlegger booze when the style of the 1920s and ’30s descends on Napier, New Zealand. From February 19-23, more than 40,000 lovers of Art Deco architecture, vintage cars and Great Gatsby glamour will head to … Read more
