If you’re travelling to Hawaii and you haven’t heard about Merriman’s, consider this your wake up call. The owner, Peter Merriman, is one of twelve chefs who revolutionized fine dining on the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1990s by utilizing high quality, locally grown ingredients in innovative ways, a movement … Read more
Pucón, Chile Wilderness lodge meets luxury hotel, circa 1950 “The wise man built his house upon a rock,” said Rony Pollak, quoting a Bible story as she sat down to dinner with me and four other journalists. The house she was referring to is actually a hotel, and that wise … Read more
From the pristine marble floors of sumptuous shopping malls to the ad hoc stalls of mile-long souks, retail venues across the globe ultimately provide the same service for all their patrons: shopping. But just where can you find the most fashionable, trendsetting stores? The largest indoor gold souk? The metropolis … Read more
It’s become increasingly popular in recent years – so much so that it’s now spread out over two weekends instead of one — and there’s nary a celebrity who would dream of missing the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California. You name them, they’ve been: Twilight’s Kristen … Read more
Looking to be the next Bill Cunningham? So is everyone else. Get a leg up on the competition and check out the best places to bring your camera in 2012. New York, NY When you’re walking in New York, one block can make the difference between a quaint, gentrified … Read more
The first words that come to mind when one thinks of Miami aren’t “rustic”, “patriotic” or “nostalgic”, but that’s exactly what the newest addition to the Biscayne restaurant scene is trying to change. The Federal, a self-described “modern American tavern” opened its doors in January and has already become a … Read more
Kona Inn Positioned at the water’s edge of Kailua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kona Inn is a striking reminder of why people continue to travel to the middle of the Pacific Ocean for vacation. With an open-air dining area that allows a sea breeze to blow … Read more
Mary Cassatt once commented on how she touched some people with a sense of art, saying, “They felt the love and the life. Can you offer me anything to compare to that joy for an artist?” Well Mary, I think we found it. Between the old world atmosphere and the … Read more
It’s the perfect blend of east meets west. With the sounds and smells of the Middle East but the shopping of Western Europe, you simply can’t go wrong in Istanbul. Call it what you will – Byzantium, New Rome, Tsarigrad, Constantinople, or Istanbul – it’s a place where you can … Read more
Let’s skip the American Revolution (we all know what happened anyway), because the Civil War is when it really got down and dirty. With the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Crown Cruise Vacations presents the Epic Civil War Journey Voyage. All you history buffs are going to love … Read more
Vancouver, Canada Thanks to the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver now has an extensive transportation system (aptly named the Olympic Line) to get tourists to and from popular destinations. But since it’s also been named the Best Walking City in Canada, you can forget about public transpo altogether. While you’re there, … Read more
In Miami’s South Beach, the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall is a nightly magnet for the tanned and the beautiful, with one phenomenal restaurant after another fronting the scenic promenade. If you’re spending a few days there, all the dining choices can easily become a quandary with a decision difficult to … Read more
A spa is a spa is a spa, or is it? Today, any place that offers massage and body therapies calls itself that. Originally, the term meant a place with therapeutic waters. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, with hot mineral waters coming out of the ground, is a … Read more
It’s ironic that one of America’s most up-and-coming-cities is steeped in a long and rich history. But over the last few years, our nation’s capital has become younger, more culturally relevant and more fun than ever before. Thanks to its non-overwhelming size, expansive green spaces and endless attractions, DC makes … Read more
The theme parks of Disney World and Universal Studios are bona fide tourism hot spots when it comes to Orlando, Florida. But there’s more to this city than “The Most Magical Place on Earth” for a family-friendly vacation. Check out these suggestions: Medieval Times Dinner Show – Hark back to … Read more