Finland’s Culture Club

[wide][/wide] Finland has an air of mystique. Situated in the northern reaches of Europe as part of the Nordic region, a quarter of its territory is north of the Arctic Circle and further north you’re bound for Norway. It has a heavy Baltic influence thanks to Estonia to the south, … Read more

Feasting in Finland

  It’s not Your Momma’s Cuisine! Wild reindeer terrine with tart lingonberry jam. Earthy trumpet chanterelles in a wine reduction sauce over seasoned trout. Crispy buckwheat blinis with Russian pickles, honey and sour cream. It’s enough to give any culinary enthusiast warm and fuzzy goose bumps. Yet that’s what makes … Read more

Helsinki Festival 2012

Midsummer in the heart of Finland – pop, world music, dance, theatre, cinema & exhibitions

Helsinki Samba Carnaval

Are you ready for some samba, you know, colorful costumes and feathers in every color of the rainbow?  No, I’m not talking about heading to Brazil, that’s way too predictable. Everyone knows that Brazilians are experts at the samba – skimpily clad dancers and lots of hip swaying – but … Read more

Helsinki: World Design, 2012

If you’re thinking of passing on Helsinki this winter as out of the way and too cold, you’re definitely not keeping your New Year’s resolution to be a more trend-setting traveler. In fact, you’re falling way behind the curve. Finland’s capital has been a design hothouse for longer than most … Read more

Sibafest 2012

Finland is alive with the sound of music, and with quite a variety of music to boot: opera, classical, rock, folk, jazz … you name it, Finland’s jamming out to it this week during its biannual Sibafest. It is an incredible event in Finland, showcasing not only some of its … Read more

Touring Cognac, France

Just as Champagne only comes from France’s Champagne region, Cognac only comes from Cognac, an area in the country’s scenic southwest corner. And one of the main producers of this famed French brandy is Hennessy, in operation since 1765. Not knowing much about Cognac and always being intrigued by vineyards … Read more

Discovering Ibiza, Spain

When our plane from Madrid took off for its 45 minute flight to Ibiza, I had no idea what to expect when I arrived at my destination. Touching down at the tiny Ibiza airport I couldn’t help but wonder if Ibiza would be everything I’d heard about: the lavish all … Read more

Celebrity Owned Hotspots

When you’re a celebrity, you can do anything. You’re invited everywhere, wear the best clothes, travel to the best places and eat in the best restaurants. Some famous folk, however, get bored in between movie shoots or during endless days of TV projects and decide to set up their own … Read more

Greece

  My arrival in Greece is somewhat of a blur. First, arriving to the western coast, off a ten hour boat trip from Brindisi. Then, a train ride across the countryside, a short bus ride to our hotel. Athens was…disappointing. Infamously behind in its preparations for the 2004 Olympics, just … Read more

Hazlitt’s London, England

Hazlitt’s:  Like a Clock in My Heart Located on a quiet street off Soho Square, Hazlitt’s occupies three historic 18th century townhouses in the heart of London.  Beautifully restored to its original Georgian style, the hotel blends the charm of yesteryear with modern innovation.  [wide] [/wide]As owner Peter McKay states, the … Read more

The New Tastes of Ireland

While planning my first trip to Ireland I was told to expect to eat a lot of Irish stew because that’s what we’d find. While that may have been true years back, it’s a different stomping ground today. Wake up travelers and behold a new culinary hub.  Having just returned … Read more

Munich, Germany

The capital of beer-brewing Bavaria, Munich is best known for its Hofbräuhaus beer hall and its annual Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer bash. But Germany’s third-largest city is much more: a sophisticated yet laid back metropolis of more than a million people, where cutting-edge high technology and old Bavarian traditions … Read more