Think about going to St. Petersburg in the summer for White Nights—a season that boasts up to 21 hours of daylight. Petrograd St. Petersburg was so named by Tsar Peter the Great, after his patron saint, who is traditionally pictured holding the keys to heaven. I wanted to get there … Read more
“Without music, life would be a mistake.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche Located in the heart of Budapest on the Pest side of the Danube River, every detail of the Aria Hotel is rooted in music. It’s evident the moment you walk in the door. True, Dorothy was told that following the … Read more
“All aboard,” announces the service manager, and we’re off from Vancouver. Making our way within Canada, there are two options – the Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail – each a nostalgic adventure, each distinctively different. So, join me on the rails for the inside scoop on the maple leaf nation’s … Read more
I couldn’t suppress a grin when I noticed St George fighting a dragon smaller than the saint’s horse on the façade of Basel’s Minster. “Why is the dragon so tiny?” I asked my guide. “We just don’t have a lot of evil in the city,” she replied. I wasn’t quite … Read more
Nestled in South Carolina’s low country alongside Hilton Head Island in the May River basin, the Montage Palmetto Bluff is far from a standard “hotel”. At nearly 1.5 times the size of Manhattan, the resort encompasses a 10,000-acre nature preserve, 20 miles of hiking trails, two villages with diverse shopping … Read more
Kennebunkport puts a smile on your face because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. But it absolutely embraces its role as host to the many who visit, putting out the welcome mat. It invites visitors to slow down, relax and be a Mainer for a few days. Who enjoys this … Read more
With more than 8 million residents spread across five boroughs, New York City is the ultimate cultural melting pot. There’s so much to love in this mega-city. From the bright lights of Broadway to the eclectic mix of architectural styles to the never-ending buzz of Times Square, New York is … Read more
I’m in the eastern reaches of Finland, in the Lakeland region that includes scenic Lake Saimaa, which has 14,000 islands and more shoreline than all of France. As the sun sinks slowly into the surrounding forest, I slink on to a “floating sauna,” a mini houseboat specially designed for a … Read more
Take one step inside, and you can’t help but stand still, as if stopped by an invisible hand. Picturesque multi-colored houses climbing the hills of centuries-old Porto on the banks of the majestic Douro River have been the main attraction for countless visitors through the ages. But no traveler should … Read more
Before embarking on a road trip in South Africa, it’s wise to heed a few rules, written and unwritten. As in the UK and their territories, you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road so remember to always yield to the right. The speed limit is 120 kilometers … Read more
DAY ONE: EXPLORING JOHANNESBURG Welcome to Soweto Johannesburg, the City of Gold or Egoli, so named by the Zulu nation, conjures up images of mine shafts, mine dumps, gold bars, and gumboot dancing. Affectionately called Jozie or Joburg, it’s the largest city and the business hub of South Africa. It … Read more
Why merely relax when you can transform? The Muluk Spa at Hotel Xcaret Mexico is your gateway to the ancient traditions and healing practices of the Mayan culture. As you enter the spa’s expansive, open-air lobby you immediately connect with the lush topography of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Excavated from a … Read more
Christopher Isherwood famously wrote about the debauchery of early 1930s Weimar Berlin in his book, “The Berlin Stories,” the basis for the movie “Cabaret.” I decided to keep a diary of my recent visit to the hugely popular German city. While my experiences were nowhere near as racy as Isherwood’s, … Read more
Switzerland’s Lake Geneva Region is a perfect puzzle of graceful cities such as Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux, punctuated by dozens of fairytale villages. This Francophone swath is marked on the sophisticated traveler’s map thanks to its stunning Alpine scenery, clear blue waters of Lake Geneva and acres of chocolate so … Read more
