Aspen is one of those wonderfully wintery destinations that came from modest mining-town beginnings to jumping the shark and beguiling the rich and famous. Beneath the veneer, the town has managed to retain the soul, vision and passion of its early champions. Chicago businessman Walter Paepcke was one of those … Read more
The hottest trend fueling psychology circles right now is the revival of the Enneagram, nine personality categories that help you better understand yourself and others. I am a #Seven, the consummate Enthusiast, who possesses an insatiable zeal for life. We Sevens yearn for one big, fat adventure after another. If … Read more
On any given day, the scent of hand rolled Cuban cigars and strong coffee fills the air of the streets of Little Havana. Located just minutes from the gleaming high rises and international banking center of downtown Miami and the Brickell Corridor, this humble yet vibrant neighborhood is home to … Read more
The dramatic sunrise on the volcanic island of Madeira is one of those memories that will stay with me forever. After waiting for what seems forever, the quiet is suddenly interrupted by birds chirping, accompanied by a dramatic color change in the sky from black to orange against a calm … Read more
Long before Frozen’s Elsa of Arendelle warmed her way into our hearts with her icy architectural skills, the Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) had been imagining a frozen wonderland in Québec, Canada. This year marks the hotel’s 20th anniversary as the only ice hotel in North America and they’re honoring … Read more
Kyoto’s charms lie in its hidden alleys, majestic shrines and the careful preservation of traditions more modern cities like Tokyo have lost. And there’s no better way to experience the old-world charm of the city than in a ryokan, a traditional inn in one of the city’s old wooden houses. … Read more
I’ve been living in Manhattan across the Hudson River from it for 19 years, but like most New Yorkers, I never visited Jersey City, not even once. And then I finally did. Boy, was I missing out. Jersey Gloire Poor JC. It has the history, food, architecture, culture, art and … Read more
Every year from March 1-19, Valencia goes boom! The streets of Spain’s third-largest city erupt with fireworks, cultural celebrations and artistry honored on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. What is the Las Fallas Festival? For starters, it’s the biggest party of the year, attracting more visitors to Valencia than any … Read more
Ambling around New Orleans’ French Quarter is an immersive experience replete with live music on every block, historic architecture from the mid 18th century, tap dancers, fantastically costumed revelers no matter the month, amazing food and Mardi Gras parades every Sunday all year long. Let’s not forget the voodoo culture, ghosts … Read more
Dubai is synonymous with many words – tall, glamorous, futuristic, to start. Evolving is another one. Dubai will be the host city for Expo 2020, from October through next April. Other upcoming openings extend to The Museum of The Future, to celebrate technological advancements; Meydan One Mall, which plans to … Read more
As much of the northern hemisphere tackles winter in the early months of the new year, some residents dream of tropical vacations. Instead of hitting the beach, how about a desert destination for a winter getaway? Scottsdale, Arizona enjoys daily average temperatures in the low 70s during winter. Clear, sunny … Read more
Between the European capitals of Madrid and Lisbon lies a region of rolling hills with Medieval castles that have found new lives as “Game of Thrones” locations, villages that are honoring Spain’s Jewish history and 2,000-year-old Roman architectural marvels that are still thriving today. The Extremadura region of Spain is … Read more
While it’s unlikely you’ll see any 10-feet tall, blue-skinned, sapient humanoids (aka Na’vi), the picturesque, awe-inspiring movie Avatar was filmed here on earth in the Hunan Province – not in Pandora. Wulingyuan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, is the magical land of sandstone pillars and jagged granite peaks … Read more
I’m gazing at downhill racers traversing beautifully down the lower “Little Nell” run from a ringside seat inside SO Café, an aerie-style eatery on the rooftop of the Aspen Museum. I’m thinking the stubby lower trail looks a bit on the steep side but upon studying one skier after another … Read more
The small town of New Paltz, founded in New York’s Hudson Valley in 1678, is home to historic Huguenot Street. It’s also the site of the State University – New Paltz campus and has an astounding number of international restaurants. Steeped in the lore and legend that attends a place … Read more