“Why would anyone give you a houseboat to sail when you can’t even steer a canoe straight?” This was the question from my 11-year-old granddaughter. She had a point. On our recent canoeing trip together, I navigated straight into the banks of the river more than once. The prospect of … Read more
“A river seems a magic thing.” — Laura Gilpin The thunderous sound of Europe’s largest waterfall tumbling over a wide expanse of cliffs impeded any attempt at conversation. With our boat wobbling in the churning water, we got as close to the falls as our experienced tour guide dared go … Read more
“Are you ready to get into your time machine?” Those words spoken some years ago by a Budapest tour guide still resonate with me today. I was taking a private tour that juxtaposed the Communist years in Hungary with the present day and it was really interesting. The city was … Read more
Known as Music City, Nashville is where the world of music meets southern comfort. This is a land where the tunes are country along with jazz, blues, and rock and where the food can be grits and gravy as well as a grilled lobster. Though it’s home to such high-profile … Read more
Calling all fashionistas, hipsters and arbiters of cool. Tokyo finally has a boutique hotel to call its own and it’s located in the fashion district of Shibuya, minutes by foot from Omotosando, one of the best shopping streets here and home to luxury brands Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The … Read more
“We want to be the best hotel restaurant in the world. That’s what we’re pushing for.” Uttering that statement as he welcomes us into HA Restaurant, Chef Carlos Gaytan sets a very high bar. He then spends the next 3 hours exceeding all expectations. After all, this isn’t your typical … Read more
With its iconic crimson bridge, sweeping vistas from every hill and rich cultural experiences—it’s easy to see why so many have left their hearts in San Francisco. The city by the bay is also just an hour away from California’s wine country making it an ideal place to call home … Read more
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
