Northern France’s industrial port city of Dunkerque is known for several things: its eponymous battle (the subject of Christopher Nolan’s current film Dunkirk), its classification as part of the quirky “Ch’ti” region (which comes with its own dialects and all), and an absolutely insane iteration of the world’s carnivals that … Read more
Tradition. Innovation. Excellence. – Since 1931, thousands of students have followed these principles at Le Cordon Bleu in London, one of the top culinary arts, wine, and management schools in the world. Located on Bloomsbury Square, the stately entrance radiates grandeur and energy, and students dressed in white aprons with … Read more
If you dream of visiting exotic locales but worry about returning with an extra five pounds you’re not alone. Today’s savvy travelers are focused on keeping healthy and fit when away from their regimes. Relax! Whether you’re a hardcore health buff, a raw-vegan connoisseur or simply want to try different … Read more
A Le Cordon Bleu Cooking Class Experience First, a small confession: I’m not great in the kitchen. I can make a mean apple pie (provided I use a ready-made crust), and my husband calls me the “Soup Queen” (really, I just toss things in a pot and add chicken stock), but … Read more
Every spring and fall, the global fashion hive congregates in Paris and Milan for a much hyped week or so of runway shows, parties, dinners, and celebrity sightings. In the Paris phase of the circuit it’s tough to score access to the shows unless you’re a bona fide fashion editor … Read more
If you’re traveling to New Zealand’s South Island, chances are you’ll be passing through Christchurch, its biggest town. Well-known for its English heritage and beautiful gardens, the city of around 350,000 locals was a favorite tourist destination until February 22, 2011, at 12.51 pm local time when a 6.3 magnitude … Read more
As I walk the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden, I admire a towering white tree. Bursts of fire-engine red emanate from its center, the tree’s slender white branches curling like Medusa as they reach for the sky. But this rare, glorious tree, situated on 250 acres of garden … Read more
Here are the Top 10 Things To Do In London London’s St. James neighborhood is uniquely situated amidst greenery, with St. James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park nearby, as well as Buckingham Palace, the hustle, bustle of Piccadilly, the elegance of Mayfair and West End theaters a short stroll … Read more
Posh resorts and idyllic beaches are the primary draw for people visiting the Island of Hawaii, but possibly not on the radar is its breadth of outdoor adventure possibilities that set this island apart. Active volcanos, black sand beaches, lava reefs and lush rainforests deliver remarkable diversity. Nearly twice as … Read more
What did I know about Quebec in winter? Not much. I knew it would be cold and there’d be snow. Combined, that made running the obstacle course at La Forêt de Maître Corbeau that much harder. I sweated through three layers of clothing, I strained, I swore. But I finished! … Read more
Beaches, upscale food and wine joints and modern lodging only begin to describe Santa Barbara, California. Formerly a haven for surfers and touted for its perfect blend of Spanish Mission Style architecture, today there’s a mini-fascination with this “American Riviera” situated in Malibu’s backyard. The charming community along California’s Central … Read more
“Why would you want to go there? There’s nothing to see!” This was the usual reaction after I announced my plans to travel to Hannover in northern Germany. Truth be told, it wasn’t on my bucket list of must-see cities either, but a good friend kept inviting me and I … Read more
Driving Ireland’s snaking country roads is both a challenge and a thrill. You just never know what you’ll uncover. We had already traversed hundreds of miles and crossed several counties; the awe inspiring 7 estates we toured only fueled the fire to discover more of Ireland’s storied past. We were … Read more
Rock of Cashel I was feeling a wee bit peckish after the early morning arrival of the six hour flight to Dublin from New York so we decided to stop for breakfast on the way to Cashel Rock. At a quaint spot called Over the Bakery near this ancient site, … Read more
“Dancing with the Stars” on the Indonesian island of Lombok? Not quite, but the weekly evening dance and cultural performances at Puri Mas Beach Resort often include a delightful adaptation, with young local dancers. They’re taught through a “giving back” social dance program by the boutique hotel’s Dutch owner, a … Read more