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
New York’s Catskill Mountains have always been a destination for breathtaking views, cascading rivers and dramatic fall foliage. In addition to outdoor attractions like skiing and hiking, local distilleries and farm-to-table eateries are opening in record numbers in this newly revitalized area. With the recent addition of Resorts World Catskills, … Read more
The Broadway musical Come From Away, is one of the hottest productions being performed today, not only in New York City but also in London, on tour in theaters across North America and soon in Melbourne, Australia. It’s set in the town of Gander on the Atlantic-facing island of Newfoundland, … Read more
If Loreto doesn’t ring any bells, don’t worry — most people have no idea where this dot of a town is in Baja California Sur. However, with the jade expanse of the Gulf of California stretching out before it and the Conan-the-Barbarian landscape of the Sierra de la Giganta coming … Read more
I’m holding fast to the brakes of a roller coaster that races above the treetops of the winter wonderland that’s Copper Mountain, a Colorado ski resort. My 15-year-old daughter speeds ahead of me, more of an adrenaline junkie than me. I hurl expletives at the track as my car careens … Read more
I’d seen the Grand Canyon once, and in fairly grand style. I was in Vegas with a friend and booked a helicopter flight that landed inside it with a sunset flyover of the Vegas strip on the return. It was a fabulous, unforgettable experience but I still had a hunger … Read more
The Litchfield Hills have been attracting visitors for generations. Situated in Connecticut’s northwest corner, a patchwork of mountain lakes, laurel-covered glades and pine-scented woods act like a magnet for anyone craving an immersion in nature. The landscape is straight from the pages of a New England fairytale, with white clapboard … Read more
Nestled in the Colorado Rockies, Aspen’s snowy slopes attract skiers from all over the world. While avid skiers and snowboarders rarely leave the slopes, other Aspen visitors may need a break. That’s not a problem here—this picturesque little mountain town offers much more than great skiing. Beyond the Slopes Art … Read more