If you’ve been to Flanders—Belgium’s northern reaches—chances are you’ve explored Brussels, from its gourmet restaurants and chocolate shops to its Manneken Pis, or Petit Julien, one of the world’s most beloved statues. Possibly, you’ve toured Bruges, where mists rise moodily over canals plied by flat bottomed barges and lined with … Read more
It’s not 2008 anymore: gone are the days of the “staycation”. This year’s travelers have got big plans in all corners of the globe. The summer of 2012 will mean the Olympics, and exotic locations that have undergone significant changes. Here are our top predictions for what savvy tourists have … Read more
The music at the pool bar is in a deep eighties groove. From David Bowie to the Thompson Twins, Alpha Ville to Bananarama, the sounds of the era of excess are taking center stage at the Aressana Hotel’s pool, that is, along with a gurgling waterfall and the occasional clink … Read more
I was afraid. Not of being beheaded by drug lords like the media warned me nor of being kidnapped as soon as I crossed the Mexican border. Instead, I was afraid my mother and I weren’t headed for a spa but a cult compound. On the chartered motor coach of … Read more
The Fringe Pop-Up Club The Olympics is on everybody’s summer itinerary. If you’re heading to London for the mega event and want to escape the throngs, pay close attention. The Fringe is a pop-up members club and entertainment space in London that is providing additional options just for the Olympics. … Read more
Summer is around the corner, and that’s not all. Trailing along are also the fast approaching summer Olympics in London. Already, the world is abuzz with anticipation, and we’re no exception. In commemoration, we decided to hark back to past Olympic hosts. The bar has been set high, but can … Read more
Spring has finally sprung in New York … birds chirping, flowers blooming, people smiling, the whole nine yards. I love to travel this time of year and love dressing for it, too – designer shades, a chic (wrinkle free) outfit and a fabulous pair of comfortable shoes. Whether on … Read more
*With contributions by Lucille Sitra The Westin Diplomat’s expansive Hollywood, Florida resort and spa isn’t just a destination for luxury and business travelers. It’s also one of Southern Florida’s most impressive dining locations. With no less than seven unique restaurants, you won’t even have to leave the resort to satisfy … Read more
So many cruises, so little time! Luckily, there are certain cruises out there that cater to your specific needs, whether you want something simple, extravagant or over the top. Smaller Cruise Ships Not all cruise ships are vast, floating resorts. When you’d rather hear the sound of the water than … Read more
From Funky to Fashionable: Lincoln Road Goes Glam … Again! South Beach’s Lincoln Road Pedestrian Mall used to be a tough sell to visitors. Perfectly reasonable friends would turn petulant, saying things like “How exciting can a road named after a dead president be? We don’t want to go to … Read more
When it comes to the timeless Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows, age is just a number. But it deserves a centennial celebration as prestigious as its past guests. Adoringly referred to as “The Pink Palace”, The Beverly Hills Hotel will celebrate its 100th birthday in style (as if it knows … Read more
You’re in New York or Chicago. You want to take advantage of the famed nightlife, go out for a couple of drinks and pass out on the bed of your gorgeous hotel. You’re staying at the James, ideally located in downtown Chicago or NYC’S Soho. How about skipping the going … Read more
*With contributions by Lucille Sitra This is a big hotel with an intimate soul. A stay at the Westin Diplomat involves a number of decisions – the first, between a room overlooking the Atlantic surf or its bright green expanse of golf course, then, which of its eight outstanding restaurants … Read more
“The first and greatest of necessities is food, which is the condition of life and existence.” ~ Plato Plato’s, located in the Aspen Meadow’s Resort, immediately transports guests to a relaxed and calmer state of mind, perfectly appropriate in this hotel for ‘higher thinking.’ Exactly what does that mean? Well, … Read more
Setting Sail for French Polynesia If you’re like any seasoned traveler – the kind of globetrotter who collects passport stamps and does not consider Disneyland a vacation destination – then you’ve probably rolled your eyes at the thought of a cruise. I get it. Until recently, I was decidedly anti-cruise. … Read more