My City: San Francisco with Le Cordon Bleu Graduate Alexandra Newman
With its iconic crimson bridge, sweeping vistas from every hill and rich cultural experiences—it’s easy to see why so many have left their hearts in San Francisco. The city by the bay is also just an hour away from California’s wine country making it an ideal place to call home … Read more
St. Petersburg, Russia: A Guide to the Sights
Think about going to St. Petersburg in the summer for White Nights—a season that boasts up to 21 hours of daylight. Petrograd St. Petersburg was so named by Tsar Peter the Great, after his patron saint, who is traditionally pictured holding the keys to heaven. I wanted to get there … Read more
Aria Hotel Budapest
“Without music, life would be a mistake.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche Located in the heart of Budapest on the Pest side of the Danube River, every detail of the Aria Hotel is rooted in music. It’s evident the moment you walk in the door. True, Dorothy was told that following the … Read more
Two Experiences on Different Tracks
“All aboard,” announces the service manager, and we’re off from Vancouver. Making our way within Canada, there are two options – the Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail – each a nostalgic adventure, each distinctively different. So, join me on the rails for the inside scoop on the maple leaf nation’s … Read more
6 “MUST GO” Rooftop Bars in New York
Tis the season for rooftop bars and no one loves a rooftop bar like New Yorkers. A hip speakeasy may be the place to be during the frigid winter months but if you aren’t staring at the stunning New York skyline during sunset while sipping on an Aperol Spritz then … Read more
Basel: The City of Art in Switzerland
I couldn’t suppress a grin when I noticed St George fighting a dragon smaller than the saint’s horse on the façade of Basel’s Minster. “Why is the dragon so tiny?” I asked my guide. “We just don’t have a lot of evil in the city,” she replied. I wasn’t quite … Read more
The Montage Resort, Palmetto Bluff
Nestled in South Carolina’s low country alongside Hilton Head Island in the May River basin, the Montage Palmetto Bluff is far from a standard “hotel”. At nearly 1.5 times the size of Manhattan, the resort encompasses a 10,000-acre nature preserve, 20 miles of hiking trails, two villages with diverse shopping … Read more
A Long Weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport puts a smile on your face because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. But it absolutely embraces its role as host to the many who visit, putting out the welcome mat. It invites visitors to slow down, relax and be a Mainer for a few days. Who enjoys this … Read more
My City: NYC with Stephen Cerf
With more than 8 million residents spread across five boroughs, New York City is the ultimate cultural melting pot. There’s so much to love in this mega-city. From the bright lights of Broadway to the eclectic mix of architectural styles to the never-ending buzz of Times Square, New York is … Read more
7 Ways to Celebrate WorldPride NYC
In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn on historic Sheridan Square in Greenwich Village. The rough handling and arrest of many patrons was the final straw for the gay community. Riots ensued and continued for the next five days. Though … Read more
Discovering Finland’s Sauna Culture
I’m in the eastern reaches of Finland, in the Lakeland region that includes scenic Lake Saimaa, which has 14,000 islands and more shoreline than all of France. As the sun sinks slowly into the surrounding forest, I slink on to a “floating sauna,” a mini houseboat specially designed for a … Read more
