A mist hung over the pre-dawn woods, the dampness seeping through our clothes and chilling us to the bone. The car’s thermometer gauge displayed +3 degrees Celsius but we knew that could be way off. Here we were in Piedmont, Italy, deep in the Italian countryside sometime after 6 a.m. … Read more
It called to me … a lone hammock gently swaying between a knobby 15-foot tree bereft of branches and a small cluster of reedy siblings. Its perfect placement grasped the few wisps of clouds drifting overhead. Settling into its cocoon-like embrace, I felt unified with nature. To my left, a … Read more
In the hospitality business there’s always room for a new idea. After all, that’s what draws the crowds. And if the idea is one that ups the fun quotient then bring it on. Batch Gastro Pub is on to something. Their ingenious table taps (7 in total throughout the place) … Read more
A trip to the Czech Republic is amazing in any time of year—whether it’s for May Day festivities in the springtime, the not-too-hot weather during summer or the magical holiday season. But if you’re looking to experience Bohemia like a local, plan your trip during one of these events, happening … Read more
The captain had some bad news. The Grande Mariner, our cruise ship, was not going anywhere today. Docked at colorful Navy Pier in Chicago, and ready to head out on an adventure on Lake Michigan, it was stationary for the day and would remain so. The lake was apparently experiencing … Read more
When your friend tells you she’s thinking about buying an island and suggests you accompany her on a site visit, wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity? That’s exactly what I did when my friend Kendra invited me to Belize. The all-inclusive resort, Yok Ha, which we’d call home while island … Read more
It’s often said that life is a journey. Along the way we’re pushed in different directions by our sense of curiosity and are sometimes drawn to paths purely seeking something different. This is no truer than when we hit the road purely for excitement, meeting new people, encountering different cultures, … Read more
Music producer and singer Pharrell Williams “Got Lucky” last summer with smash hits that “Blurred Lines” on the Billboard Charts. He also kicked off 2014 in the Big Easy headlining one of the largest sporting events of the year. He performed at the NBA All-Star game in New Orleans … Read more
It’s worth going to the Czech Republic just for the eggs. Not poached, fried, scrambled, or whisked into omelets. I’m referring to the beautiful colored eggs, decorated specially for Easter and sold year round at souvenir shops as lovely examples of Czech folk art. The decorating of eggs is a … Read more
Esperanza, an Auberge Resort perched dramatically on the bluffs of Punta Ballena (Whale Point), overlooks two private coves on the Sea of Cortez in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A magnet for Hollywood celebrities, this award winning, luxury spa is renowned for its restorative treatments that incorporate botanical plants, sea greens, … Read more
I’ll be honest; there have been times when I couldn’t wait to get home from a trip. Not because I hate traveling (I love it, in fact), but because my friend who came with me drove me crazy. I mean how many times can you leave your wallet back at … Read more
With skiing, achieving the perfect balance of technique, speed and leg strength is essential and once these are in sync the resulting sensation of flying downhill floating on bottomless snow is addictive. And as any avid skier will tell you, it’s all about the conditions. There is a reason the … Read more
As little girls many of us dreamed we’d one day meet a prince and live in a castle like Cinderella. There was a sense of mystery and melodrama connected with all that. And even though meeting a royal isn’t completely out of the question today and some royal families do … Read more
When casino operating licenses were granted to the big corporations setting up in Macau in the early 2000s, it changed both the physical and cultural landscape of the city. In the inevitable excesses that followed, hotels and resorts tried to build bigger and more eye-catching behemoths than their counterparts.With the … Read more
Once upon a time, Dresden, Germany was a cultural mecca … then along came World War II. Dresden seemed to have a bull’s eye on its back and suffered greatly toward the end of the war with horrific bombings. Next the Iron Curtain fell and the once highly touted cultural … Read more