The Portes du Soleil ski region with slopes in both France and Switzerland is what European skiing is all about. It claims to be the largest ski area in the world with 194 lifts on 13 different resorts in the two countries. Ski from mountain village to mountain village, resort … Read more
In the fourth and last installment of our Hot Destinations series, we’ve scoured the global map and chose singular places on different continents that stand out and have resonance. If you’re Europe bound you’ll appreciate our two suggestions, if only to savor a great glass of Alsatian wine or awesome … Read more
In the third of our continuing four-part series covering top travel destinations for 2015, it’s all about the differential. There’s never been a time quite like this in the travel industry. What once seemed out of reach because of budget is now more affordable than ever and if proximity was … Read more
In the second of our continuing four-part series covering top travel destinations for 2015, we look at three far flung international spots, one exotic South American capital, a destination in Africa, and three very different European locations. The European destinations alone merit consideration especially as one of the three has … Read more
It was a difficult task, but our editors have narrowed it down and we are ready to share with you our Top 28 Hot Destinations for 2015. Whether on or off the beaten track, these locations offer the most intriguing sights to see and interesting things to do. We cast … Read more
Croatia proves that cartographers have a sense of humor. Boomeranging up the Adriatic Sea into the Balkan Peninsula, the chevron-shaped nation, long a part of this empire or that coalesced out of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, and it did not prevail without a monumental fight. But good things are worth … Read more
For many of us New Orleans conjures up thoughts of Mardi Gras celebrations and Creole cuisine. It’s true, I can think of no other U.S. city where history has established and solidified such a rich cultural identity. As a result, this fascinating southern destination is proudly cinematic, so much so … Read more
Many of you know something about St. Petersburg but few of you know its secrets. Moscow’s little sister but perhaps Russia’s real capital at least in terms of culture, it’s a city that exudes the feeling of the artists, writers and poets that made it great. After years under Communist … Read more
If you like the hustle bustle of big cities, you’ll love Glasgow. But if you’re someone who prefers smaller cities with quaint tearooms, trendy cafés, and cozy music clubs, you’ll be equally charmed. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, though relatively compact and home to just 600,000 people, about the same … Read more
A trip to Israel usually makes one think of exploring the lavishly decorated hallways of centuries old monasteries or tracing the footsteps of some of the most revered religious figures of all time. Israel has a reputation and there’s a reason for it; it’s one of the most richly historical … Read more
He looked like Santa Claus and I remember him chopping wood in the yard with a cigarette between his bushy lips. I think he had a dog. This random memory of my only visit to Český Krumlov returns as my coach pulls into town. Disembarking, I follow in the footsteps … Read more
My earlier feature story on the Jersey Shore focused on resorts that were “family friendly”. I received many messages from readers telling me I’d missed other resorts and they were right. People living on the East coast in and around New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey are fortunate to … Read more
The marks recording the young boy’s height etched on the walls of the medieval chateau stopped at 1 meter 52 (4 feet 9 inches). The famous post-impressionist painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, had spent summers in the chateau as a child and at age 14, after two falls resulting in broken … Read more
Access to St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is easy since it’s a U.S. territory and no passport is required. However, access to the beauty and diversity of life under the waters that surround it requires more effort. You must be a certified scuba diver. Of course … Read more
Myanmar. It’s a destination that’s been on many a travel bucket list for awhile now, including mine. But it always seemed just a little out of reach. I was drawn to the exotic architecture and culture, but it was this same exoticism that overwhelmed me. Sometimes I would stare dreamily at … Read more