Lazing poolside at the San Juan Marriot, I watched grown adults having what looked like the most fun in years. All afternoon kids gleefully lined-up to slide down the pool’s waterslide. But all of a sudden an unlikely group approached the top—three college-aged guys, three 20-something gals, and a group … Read more
Nothing makes a New Yorker get out of town faster than a holiday and now that we’re closing in on the most important holidays of the entire year most diehard New Yorkers have their trips just about planned, or close to it. But no matter how many times we’ve done … 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
The Czech Republic is rich in remnants of a flourishing Jewish community, at one time the largest and most vibrant in the world. While Prague is the epicenter of Czech Jewish memorabilia, tracking down Jewish heritage in other parts of the country can be a fascinating voyage of discovery, starting … Read more
The sun, the music, the food, the laid-back lifestyle … who doesn’t love the Caribbean? And with a wintry chill blowing much of the East coast, I wish I was there right now. When I’m in the Caribbean, my favorite thing to do is to bake in the sun and … 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
I have to stay calm. In the space of 10 minutes not one but two people told me that “winter is coming.” Now I know that Jack Frost took a bite out of much of the country in the last week but I was still in the midst of planning … Read more
Finding Restaurant Alcron is a bit of a challenge. You push through a revolving door in the meticulously restored Art Deco Alcron hotel and find yourself in a long, finely appointed lobby. Striding past reception you spot a bar. Is that it? Through glass doors, you spy a stunning 1930’s … 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
Who knew that camping could be comfortable? The people behind the Glen Oaks in Big Sur, California, naturally. An enclave of eco-friendly cabins planted among towering Redwood trees and outfitted with all the modern amenities, prepare to partake of this heavenly wilderness. Hikes in the woods, white-tailed deer, mountain fresh air … Read more
“The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.” said the 18th century gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin in The Physiology of Taste. I had these words in my head while sailing the Mediterranean on the Silver Cloud, a 296-passenger, ultra-luxury vessel from … Read more
Tucked away on a leafy street in Guadalajara is this gem of a boutique hotel. A member of Mexico Boutique Hotels, Villa Ganz delighted us with its old-world charm. The restored 1930s villa is built around a high-walled garden and courtyard; inside, it has ten lovingly-restored rooms and suites. We … 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
Set in Hong Kong’s historic Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Mandarin Grill + Bar had previously resembled a private club which made it a perfect setting for big business deals over lunch. Fitted out with leather and dark woods, a leftover from the power 80’s, … Read more