It’s been over 150 years since the King of Norway entered a proclamation declaring, “From 1854 onward a yearly market shall be held in Røros, commencing the second to last Tuesday in the month of February, and lasting until the following Friday. When the King speaks, Norwegians listen. In February … Read more
In the early 14th century about the time Christianity was introduced in Norway, a number of monks around the country were mastering the art of distillation. I have no idea why monks were making spirits but their efforts produced one that would ultimately become one of Norway’s finest cultural treasures. … Read more
Snug by Oslo’s downtown harbor, it was once the city’s most disreputable corner. In the 18th century, Tjuvholmen—meaning Thief Island—was a shadowy haunt of rascals and reprobates. The quarter’s only redeeming feature was its site: several small islands jutting into the broad blue Oslofjord. But, for smugglers, that splendid waterway … Read more
Colorful wooden buildings dot the wharf area of Bergen, scrunched up one against the other like brightly colored Monopoly pieces. Some of the gabled buildings are slightly tilted, but it only adds to the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage city. Centuries ago, this wharf area, called Bryggen – meaning … Read more
Today, the intersection of the Bowery and Broome Street in Manhattan is perfectly pleasant – busy sidewalks line the streets where stylish pedestrians head to one or more of the many bustling boutiques or restaurants nearby. It’s become a coveted location for real estate agents thanks to its walking … Read more
From the TS Editors: The following guest post comes from our super friends and partners in travel, Kim Gray and Jennifer Twyman of ToqueandCanoe.com. Canada is their beat and they’ve got it covered. Ah, Spring in Canada. How do you write about where to travel in our country during … Read more
The sparkling star trailing the word “Riviera” in the Riviera Hotel’s exterior signage said it all. This was a place where your inner star can shine. I was back in the hedonistic desert city of Palm Springs (move over Las Vegas) after an absence of 20 years and as I … Read more
Famous for its pristine beaches and glamorous nightlife, Miami’s star hasn’t lost any lustre; in fact it’s brighter than ever. Once equated with crime and retirement, the city has staked its claim as a venerable tourist mecca anytime of the year even when the sizzling dog days of summer … Read more
Not that it likes to boast, but Cannes moves in famous circles. Every May the great and good of the movie industry descend on the small French town for the Cannes Film Festival, a red carpet event that transforms this Cote d’Azur resort into a celebrity circus. Actually, Cannes does … Read more
I’m wandering among castle tunnels in the Castilla y León region of northwestern Spain, wondering what the walls would say if they could speak. But they are silent, buffeted on either side by oak barrels numbering in the thousands. The tunnels weave through the interior of a mountain leading up … Read more
Sprawling over 5,200 square miles and with upwards of 35 million residents, greater Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolis. Scores of museums and attractions, parks and gardens, restaurants and nightspots tempt visitors. New attractions, like Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest freestanding tower, keep Japan’s capital on the cutting edge. But … Read more
To say that Costa Rica is a country of stark contrasts is an understatement. I mean, how can a country roughly the size of New Hampshire and Vermont combined, offer such diversity? Two distinct coastal regions, 12 microclimates, three major mountain ranges, dense rainforests, 500+ species of flora and fauna, … Read more
Regardless of all the hoopla over a new Pope being elected, the Eternal City will always be home to a tourist trifecta: historical attractions, inspiring views and delicious food. When it comes to a well-trodden destination like this, there’s not much that hasn’t been said, but what we can say … Read more
If you’re thinking about heading to Canada this summer, learn your ABC’s … Alberta, Banff and Calgary. It was July and I was searching for my cowboy boots, which hadn’t been on my feet since that wild Halloween night when I dressed up like a cowboy. But this time it … Read more
As if a stay in London’s absolutely fabulous Chelsea could get any more fabulous, the Draycott Hotel, a romantic town house property around the corner from Chelsea’s Slone Square, is currently offering guests an experience that combines personal shopping with a celebrity stylist. I mean does it get any better … Read more