Europe stands as a culinary gold mine, renowned for its iconic dishes and deep-rooted traditions connecting food and drink to its diverse cultures. From Tuscany’s rustic landscapes to Bordeaux’s vineyards, each region offers unique insights into local heritage through its gastronomic experiences. For food and wine enthusiasts, embarking on a … Read more
Confession: My wanderlust has taken me around the world and to all seven continents as well as countless capitals … but not to Mexico City. Forget all the warnings. Mexico’s largest city, the Western Hemisphere’s most populous and a metropolis recognized as one of the world’s top 10 in size … Read more
Having lived in the San Diego area for decades, I’ve traveled across Southern California’s Mexican border countless times. And on each occasion, it has been the same. Though less than an hour away, the minute you enter Mexico – you feel it. It’s diverse, exciting and so foreign that I’ve … Read more
We’ve all hit that point: the point where one feels burnt out, overloaded with work, and dragged under the tide of constant demands from upper leadership. Where one feels disconnected from themselves in their day-to-day life, caught in an endless cycle of wake, work, eat, sleep, and going from one … Read more
Japan is renowned for its hot springs, or onsen, which have been part of Japanese culture for centuries, initially associated with religious purification practices by Buddhist monks. Over time, they became integral to samurai traditions and later evolved into popular communal spaces during the Edo period. Since then, an entire … Read more
If you’re planning on spending a few days in Paris, a must do is a visit to the (still relatively) new Louis Vuitton Fondation. On a recent trip to the City of Light, we hopped on the petite shuttle parked discreetly off the Arc de Triomphe and in minutes stood … Read more
North America is a diverse natural playground for thrill-seekers, from towering peaks to rushing rivers and icy frontiers. Adrenaline junkies looking for the next great American adventure should ask what they’re looking for in their next destination – strenuous mountain hiking in the Rocky Mountains? Tranquil iceberg kayaking in Alaska? … Read more
All Photos Credit Cynthia Dial A land of lakes and streams, forests and wildlife, the Continental Divide and the Colorado River – meet Grand County, Colorado. Some back story: I’ve visited several of the Centennial State’s destinations over the years, but I kept missing Grand County. That changed. After landing … Read more
Mickalene Thomas’s book confirms her status as a key figure of contemporary art. It features notable works arranged in thematic chapters, an interview with the artist by Hayward Gallery chief curator Rachel Thomas, and essays by scholars and curators that cover Thomas’s distinct visual vocabulary, drawing on themes of love … Read more
Beach resorts can have a generic quality—wherever you are in the world, there’s an infinity pool surrounded by canopy beds and a swim-up bar serving mai tais. The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa features those familiar luxuries, but the resort also has a deep sense of place informed by … Read more
All Photos – Credit: Cynthia Dial When I received an invitation to participate in Run Barbados, my reaction was a resounding “yes” – until I remembered – I don’t run. So, how does one make the most of an organized run when you’re not ready for a relay? For on-the-go … Read more
Suffice it to say there will be no shortage of visitors to Normandy this summer … what with an 80th year anniversary D-Day celebration the likes of which the region had probably not seen for at least five years thanks to the COVID travel interruption and its aftermath. On a … Read more
“It’s easy,” I was told of the San Diego/Tijuana’s CBX (Cross Border Xpress). As a San Diego resident, what I remember was a long ago flight from this Mexican border town which was preceded by a search for the long-term dirt parking lot then a taxi to the neighboring country’s … Read more
If you’re looking to take a trip where you can experience outdoor adventure, meet friendly people, and learn about a fantastic culture, you must go to New Zealand. It’s one of the few places where you can go to the beach, see a glacier, and experience what it’s like to … Read more
Picture this. Ascending the Vienna State Opera House’s marble staircase beneath gilded gold embellishments to attend a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni – mere days after toasting with a straight-from-the-barrel-drawn beer and sharing an oversized pretzel at Salzburg’s Augustiner Brӓu beer garden. Welcome to a week in the life of … Read more