When the ship carrying the French sailor François Pyrard hit a reef in the Maldives in the middle of the night in 1602, the crew believed their game was up. “We started with the shock, she suddenly struck a third time, and heeled over,” he writes in his account of … Read more
Nothing makes a New Yorker get out of town faster than a holiday and now that we’re closing in on the most important holidays of the entire year most diehard New Yorkers have their trips just about planned, or close to it. But no matter how many times we’ve done … Read more
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
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
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
Upon entering the “Lord Balfour Hotel” in Miami’s South Beach, the doors immediately swing open as if held by a dashing invisible butler. This little touch immediately sets the tone. This place is cool, really cool. And everything from the moment you enter until the doors sweep out for you … Read more
Let’s face it. Summer is all about longer days and later nights. But once fall starts to creep around the bend in late September the days get shorter and the nights end earlier. For many, that loss of light and less down time in the evening is an unwelcome adjustment. … Read more
The picturesque towns of the Mediterranean have long been immortalized on the silver screen since Brigitte Bardot lounged on a St. Tropez beach in And God Created Women, and Cary Grant and Grace Kelly played cat and mouse along the Cote d’Azur in To Catch a Thief. One of the … Read more
After sailing Maine’s sparkling seas, kayaking and canoeing its pristine lakes, hiking its lofty mountains or schussing down its snow-covered slopes, what could be better than an icy-cold beer—especially a hand-crafted ale or lager from a local microbrewery or brewpub? Maine now ranks fifth in the nation for the number … Read more
Let me say this straight out. It’s hard to go too long without Italian food. Blame it on my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs or the home made lasagna an Italian friend of mine used to make regularly. So it was with a sense of expectancy that we approached Capuletti, situated … Read more
Heck yes, shopping in Zurich is expensive. Apparently when it comes to the cost of living, Switzerland is not neutral. They are pro-luxury and pro-chic! My fave finds in Zurich ranged from every day needs to seriously sweet and fun souvenirs. Downtown Zurich Navy Boot was founded in 1991 as … Read more