Secret deals. Conspiracy theories. Clandestine meetings in dark warehouses. It’s the stuff of many a movie thriller and a part of our social and political culture. Although seedy and violent at times, the underbelly attracts the curious and can somehow be exciting (until someone gets whacked or arrested!). If you … Read more
Want to up the ante next Father’s Day? How about treating the world’s greatest Dad to a healthy break? There’s nothing like bonding in the great outdoors with a range of active holidays, playing tennis and golf or perfecting your yoga poses. Check out these 6 tailor-made health and fitness … Read more
Many hotels serve as a respite from the bustling cities they serve—a place to relax and recharge. Located in the heart of Japan’s capital city, the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo certainly provides a place to relax while surrounding you with a bounty of cultural experiences. It begins with … Read more
Climbing to the top of Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is a must-do in Sri Lanka. The massive stone monolith with steep vertiginous metal stairs attached to its vertical walls draws crowds despite its demands. I had told our guide that we were reasonably fit and up for moderate hiking. Then I spied … Read more
The art of travel these days extends far beyond checking off sights on a bucket list. Visitors are looking for experiences that entice, challenge and immerse. As the world becomes ever closer thanks to technology and the ease of transportation, real life and experiencing local culture are merging into a … Read more
When you think of Galveston, does the popular Glen Campbell song come to mind? The catchy tune’s opening lyrics, “Galveston, oh, Galveston, I hear your sea winds blowing,” have become iconic and even more so after Campbell’s death last year. Galveston is not just worth singing about, it’s worth visiting. … Read more
Dusk to Dawn There’s nothing like an invitation to a royal wedding to get you to Serbia – unless you just like to party; then, spending any weekend in Belgrade is worth the trip. From dusk to dawn the nightlife in the capital of Serbia sizzles, making it one of … Read more
I needed a place to really get away. Not necessarily some far corner of the Earth, and not a place where I’d have to punch a wolf in the face for dinner either. Just a place to close the computer, shut off the phone and just … unwind. Like … Read more
As our small plane approaches the Kogatende airstrip in Tanzania’s Northern Serengeti, we’re on the edge of our seats. We just flew over the majestic and active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano—the only volcano in the world that spews black lava. And we know we’re about to see more wonders … Read more
Meatless Monday. Tofu Tuesday. For carnivores looking to decrease their meat intake, themed days like this might do the trick. But for vegans and vegetarians, seitan, faro, jack fruit and other healthy dishes are daily culinary staples which can sometimes be hard to find while traveling. But take heart … Read more
“We’re a little bit out of the way,” our genial host cites as we enter Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings. Spoiler Alert: Not at all! The Clerkenwell restaurant, set in a 19th-century building, is a quick 10-minute taxi from our hotel even though the driver fretted that he didn’t recognize the … Read more
If you were to try to guess where the geographic center of Europe is, you’d probably be wrong. The outer reaches include a remote area of Norway to the north, the Canary Islands to the south, the crests of Russia’s Ural Mountains to the east, and the Azores to the … Read more
Last year was a challenging year for the Caribbean, as Category 5 Hurricanes Irma and Maria pummeled many of the primarily eastern islands in one month, causing extensive damage and devastating loss of life and property. Tourism is the life-blood of the Caribbean islands, with revenue generated from cruise ship … Read more
The Doomstone. That’s its name, and it’s the best relic I’ve ever seen. Aside from sounding like something Indiana Jones might off a few Nazis for, it depicts a typical day in Hell: fiends, demons and a cauldron full of the damned — Bon Appetit! A picture is worth 1000 … Read more
“Are you boys going to watch some football today?”, our hostess coyly asks as she seats us. We’re still a little groggy from the short flight to Manchester from Philadelphia and coffee more than football is what’s on our minds. In the ensuing days in this compact metropolis, however, we’ll … Read more