Chile, South America

  Lush Valleys to Snowy Peaks From my front-row seat at “Pure Energy, Pure Chile” – a multimedia light show celebrating Chile’s Bicentennial – the presidential palace in the capital of Santiago was a spectacular site, illuminated in vivid purple. The building became the backdrop for a visual history lesson … Read more

Los Angeles, USA

LA Local: A Tale of Six Neighborhoods Sunset Boulevard, Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills—it’s all quite glamorous.  It’s also your typical LA story. As a new resident of Southern California, I owed it to myself to dig a bit deeper. What I discovered is that the real stars of Los … Read more

Charm Makes a Comeback

  Rhett Butler was not exactly being cynical when he made up his mind in Gone With the Wind to leave Atlanta.  “I’m going back to Charleston, back where I belong,” he said.  “I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn’t something left in life of charm … Read more

Budapest, Hungary

A Red Star is Reborn “Are you ready to get into the time machine?” Zsófi our tour guide said.“Look around you and we will soon discover what Budapest used to be like, but before we start what year do think it is?” she continued.Everyone in the group answered “the 50’s, … Read more

Belgrade, Serbia

What’s New in Belgrade Let’s get straight to the point: there are certain things that could happen only in Belgrade. In many capital cities, a usual meeting point is by a monument of a local historic figure. Belgrade, the capital
city of Serbia and Montenegro, is no different. However, instead of … Read more

Thessaloniki, Greece

[wide][/wide] If Athens is Greece’s yin, then Thessaloniki  is its yang. Often overshadowed by the beauty and popularity of the capital, Thessaloniki, the second city, is smaller than its big sister but its laid back vibe is a blank canvas for the equal parts of history and culture that make … Read more

The Villa Tre Ville Positano, Italy

Slip Away to Bliss Italy has often been the setting for romance, spontaneous adventures, and unforgettable moments. With the cool blue sea lapping wide rocky beaches, endless vistas round winding curves, and the sheer dizziness of its vertical towns, the enchanting Amalfi Coast has lured many of the rich and … Read more

Traveling Through the Ages

Changing yet Staying the Same People often ask me how a mother and her two daughters could survive in the travel industry for so many decades.  Well, in our case it came naturally and the knowledge accumulated through the years provided perspective, a rich foundation and the courage to change. … Read more

Deck the Halls

With Christmas right around the corner, the Squire thinks it’s a good idea to make your holiday cozy and bright.  Historic Ashford Castle, dating to 1228 and set on 350 acres in County Mayo, Western Ireland, is offering guests a three-night Christmas package highlighting the best of Irish cuisine, music … Read more

A Seafood Lover’s Dream

The enchantingly picturesque Ashford Castle, situated on 350 idyllic acres on the western coast of Ireland, is inviting guests to experience a special “Seafood Appreciation Week.”  From February 28th until March 6th, guests will have the unique opportunity to take in breathtaking sights while enjoying some of the world’s finest … Read more

K Boutique Hotel Rhodes, Greece

For anti-tourist Aegean island hoppers, check out the recently renovated K Boutique Hotel.  This stylish, modern hotel is beautifully located near the beach and the center of Rhodes. It’s a great spot for exploration yet off the tourist trail. The hotel offers 30 two-room suites including 23 superior suites, three executive … Read more

The W Hollywood

The W Hollywood A Return to Glamour Hollywood always loves a return.  That is why everyone in Los Angeles is excited about the opening there of new restaurants, stores and hotels that are revitalizing the neighborhood and bringing it back to life.  Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea and Vine, once … Read more

Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills

  Considering the efficiency of Japan, it’s interesting to witness the dramatic change to Roppongi, an enduring neighborhood in the city of Tokyo.  This district has had a diverse and colorful history not unlike the amusement park aura of Times Square, New York, but in its current metamorphosis, Roppongi has … Read more

Taiwan

The Lantern Festival and So Much More   It was a warm and balmy February 28, sunny and 80 degrees when I arrived at Taipei’s International Airport, and I had just escaped the blizzard of the century back in New York.  I was here in Taiwan for the country’s annual … Read more

Austin Texas is Booming

If bombed-out Detroit is post-apocalyptic America, then booming Austin, Texas, is the happier version of the future. Austin, population 700,000, has a thriving D.I.Y. creative class and thanks to high-rise condominium development an increasingly dense urban center. This is no small feat in Texas, the third largest state, where sprawl … Read more