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
I have so many fond memories of Okemo Valley, many of which naturally involve skiing. This winter wonderland boasts some of the best ski trails with long, cruising runs as well as snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling and every other activity for a perfect winter getaway. However, since one of … Read more
My guide, Beatrice, collects me at the Marseilles airport and we head an hour north to the village of Gordes, which is said to be between “the sky and the stones.” Technically, the village is in Provence, but Beatrice sees it differently. “I compare Gordes to New York. New York … Read more
Our favorite fairy tales from childhood often stay with us as adults. They provide an escape to another world, one of magic, fairies, dragons, and knights. What little girl hasn’t imagined being rescued by Prince Charming and carried that dream to the altar? And how many boys dream of chivalry … Read more
Cheese and chocolate – as much a part of Switzerland as banks and watches. But, those are not edible and tasting local favorites is one of the highlights of traveling. A great destination in Switzerland for savoring the best of both cheese and chocolate is the Fribourg region in the … Read more