Cruising to Bermuda

It was our 45th wedding anniversary and the maitre’d in the Norwegian Star’s opulent Versailles dining room was pouring us champagne. This was the most romantic of settings for our special event.  I felt like I was in a dream … and the dream had come true. After toasting a … Read more

Social Media On the Road

No matter how irrelevant social media sometimes seems, there are a lot of us who still feel the nagging compulsion to send a Tweet with ten hashtags or Instagram our half-eaten dinner because hey – why not? For travelers, social media is a great way to stay connected to the … Read more

Best Places to Relax Après-Oscars

The Oscars may seem like all fun and games to a non-celebrity, but for the A-list, the preparation involved in getting red carpet ready is a full-time job. Don’t forget that the Academy Awards is the final night in an endless string of awards ceremonies and parties that stretch from … Read more

Tobago Jazz Experience, April 20-28

Get ready for a musical adventure that will introduce you to the soul of Tobago.  The Tobago Jazz Festival will bring together some of the best elements of this little Caribbean island like beautiful beaches and magical sunsets – with music from world renowned artists.  The nine day concert event … Read more

iphone 5

A Tuxedo Fit for the iPhone 5

I’m addicted to my iPhone 5, aren’t you? Even though I’m a PC fanboy, I can’t get enough of Apple’s little wonder phone, which is scratch resistant and tough enough to withstand several drops from arm’s length. However, I still feel a paternal pang whenever it’s close to potential damage … Read more

Style in Every Destination

Last week, we talked about blending in with the locals while traveling. And while there are tons of ways to not be singled out as a tourist, perhaps the most obvious one is the way you dress. Here’s what to pack for every kind of travel destination. Fashion Conscious Metropolis … Read more

Port Townsend

Port Townsend, Washington: Built on Dreams and Whiskey

When the Puget Sound seaport of Port Townsend was founded in 1851, some considered it a “City of Dreams.” Settled on the heels of the Gold Rush, there were hopes that it would thrive as the largest port on the west coast, a gateway to the Northwest. Others called it … Read more

Tortuga Bay, Puntacana, D.R.

“My tastes are simple; I only like the best.” (Oscar Wilde) I like the best, doesn’t everyone?  With that in mind, it was during my quest to uncover the Dominican Republic’s finest that I discovered Puntacana Resort and Club’s Tortuga Bay, a private enclave of beachfront villas within the expansive … Read more

Hong Kong’s Dim Sum Culture

In Hong Kong, two friends often greet each other by asking “Nei sihk mh sihk faahn ar?” Roughly translated, this means “Have you eaten yet?” a common greeting that eschews the more traditional, “How are you?” This simple phrase reveals volumes about Hong Kong’s character. In a city with restaurants … Read more

How to Blend In With the Locals

I’ve never really understood the fear travelers have of looking like tourists. If anything, being a tourist is something to be proud of—it means you’re adventurous and have put aside the time and earned the money to travel. And yet when I’m in a new city, like every other tourist, … Read more

Shopping Rio’s Hippie Fair

There were only so many parades, bloco parties, caipiriñhas and sunburns I could take during Rio de Janiero’s famous “Carnaval”.  After all, temperatures hover well over 90 degrees daily during Rio’s summer and “hot” doesn’t even begin to describe it.  So, I turned my back on the beach and turned … Read more

Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Cradle of Cool

Fiercely proud of its starring role as the birthplace of the U.S., Philadelphia, long lauded for its historical significance, is practically a cultural goldmine.  Forget that Rocky famously put it on the map years ago running through its gritty Italian market and up the Art Museum steps. Today, the Mummers … Read more

Hotel Monaco, Kimpton’s Surprise

Put your sunglasses on before entering the Hotel Monaco.  Or better yet, take them off.  A rainbow of hues greets you in the lobby – powder pink and sky blue then orange, fuchsia, aqua, rose, deep yellow and magenta, all popping off white paneling, black furnishings, emerald green drapery and … Read more

A Literature Buff’s Travel Guide

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or just a fan of great writing, there’s something fascinating about traveling to places that shaped literature as we know it. Sometimes it’s fun to experience the world the way your favorite author intended so check out one of these five destinations overflowing with literary … Read more

Who’s That Shrink in the Kitchen?

It’s no secret that food culture is now practically synonymous with entertainment, as cooking channels with their celebrity chefs are becoming a part of pop culture. People love the drama and energy of a kitchen and the personalities working within them. Entertainment aside, though, working in the restaurant industry requires … Read more