You’ve had a great day abroad. You saw awesome sites, ate fabulous food, and took fantastic pictures. Now you’re back at your hotel and you just want to unwind and perhaps share some of the highlights of the day with all your Facebook friends. But something is preventing you from … Read more
Why visit Rome in the winter? You mean besides the food, the fashion, the world class opera and expositions taking place in the city’s museums and palazzos besides what is already fascinating like the Pantheon, the Colisseum and the Spanish Steps? Well for starters, there are fewer tourists for sightseeing … Read more
Magic and Whimsy in Your Travels If you are thinking you want to visit a magical place, my advice is to avoid clichéd locations (Sorry Walt!). Here is a peek at a few destinations that are sure to evoke a sense of wonder. I have one man-made marvel that can … Read more
Northern Finland is one of only a few places to catch the famous Northern Lights, which earns our vote as perhaps the best natural light show on Earth. If you can’t trek above the Arctic Circle to experience this mystical phenomenon, don’t fret. Just park yourself in Helsinki for a … Read more
I think I have a good reason to be proud … I’m an honorary Calgarian. That’s what I became after reciting the oath and receiving my “White Hat.” The hat is not only an enduring symbol of the Wild West and the cowboy but also of the Calgary Stampede which … Read more
With the Agriturismo trend in full swing (a style of vacationing that allows travelers to sample the bounty of rural life in the Italian countryside), it makes sense that the proprietors of the Kenwood Inn and Spa would create their own version of it at an urbane Italianate farmhouse in … Read more
Planning and booking a trip is a serious time investment; it’s practically like adopting a new hobby for a couple months. Guess what? The hours spent researching everything can be cut down, so that you actually can adopt that new hobby. Enter TrustYou, a website that does exactly that, specifically … Read more
Centuries of history, celebrated French cuisine, a towering cathedral on the river … Paris? No, I’m talking about Lyon, a city steeped in history and the home of Paul Bocuse, a culinary legend who changed French cooking forever. Compact and eminently walkable – you’ll need to burn off the calories … Read more
Are you thirsty for some action and a bit of intel? It’s time to get reacquainted with everyone’s favorite British spy over a drink starting October 25th. In advance of the opening of the new James Bond film “Skyfall”, The Draycott, a landmark hotel in London will be offering guests complimentary … Read more
These days the most fashionable address in Prague is the aptly-named Pařížská or Paris Street. Located in Old Town near the Jewish Quarter, Paris Street is home to the top designer shops in the world. Long gone are the days of communism. The city’s shopping scene now goes beyond Czech … Read more
Do the holidays have you feeling jittery? Well, if it’s not due to downing all those Peppermint Mochas at Starbuck’s, then you must just be nervous about your holiday plans – or the lack of them. It’s time to get started on your getaway! Escape to a tropical island, feel … Read more
Japan remains for me “the trip of a lifetime” and even though I am there frequently, its magic makes each visit memorable and instructive. I learn something new every time. On a personal level, my time there has led me to think more about the group than myself; to be … Read more
What do you get when you pair a cool boutique hotel in the heart of San Francisco with the earth’s first soft drink? Well, you get a little greener, bubblier and definitely more refreshing! We’re talking about The Perrier Lounge at Hotel Diva. Do you sometimes feel like channeling your … Read more
At the entrance to Azul in the stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami, a dazzling white marble open kitchen catches your eye. Here is where you can observe true culinary art at work. The remarkable ambience with floor to ceiling windows showcasing the romantic Bay of Biscayne is fitting for a restaurant … Read more
I’m in a “junk” boat navigating mystical waters where thousands of craggy outcrops rise up like humps on an enormous underwater dragon. The mounds are shrouded in mist, making the scene surreal. A floating village suddenly appears as though it rose from the depths. Dogs bark on the docks and … Read more