It was a warm, breezy evening and families and visitors pulled tables out onto the cobblestone street of the quaint, seaside village for a dining “mash-up” of sorts. Flickering lights danced on villas painted in hues of the burnt sun, plaza fountains gurgled nearby, and onlookers enjoyed sea views from … Read more
Having sat in the lap of luxury for most of our time spent in Marrakesh, we decided to get out on our own and rent a car. Our destination: the quiet oasis of Fez, a six and half hour drive from Marrakech, and well worth a few days. Fez is … Read more
Marrakesh, the ancient city in Morocco is having a renaissance. Sophisticated travelers are rediscovering the sights, sounds, and smells of this fabled city. The city is welcoming and safe and this October will see the opening of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in the famed Majorelle Gardens featuring the work … Read more
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