In the July 2018 edition, Travel and Leisure voted the charming Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende the best city in the world for the 2nd year in a row! I’ve been dying to visit San Miguel de Allende and when I recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend a destination wedding on New Year’s Eve in this city, I couldn’t refuse! It was a blessing to be able to celebrate a dear friend and her fiance in one of the best cities in the world! So … [Read more...]
About Preethi Chandrasekhar
Preethi lives in San Francisco, California and is a freelance travel writer. Often interested in exploring the off-the-beaten-path destinations, she describes her first experiential trip as being in Northern Thailand - living and trekking with the tribal folks in a tiny town called Mae Salong. Her aim is to share her travel stories through her writing to inspire more people to discover and explore this beautiful world.
San Francisco Hotel Review: The Newly Renovated Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Where to Stay Lodging in San Francisco varies depending on the location and season you choose to visit. It's however no secret that San Francisco is one of America's most expensive cities and it often leaves visitors wondering how to choose a hotel that fits into their budget. SF Neighborhoods San Francisco has many different neighborhoods to choose from such as: Financial District (downtown), Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Mission District, … [Read more...]
Destination Guide to Uzbekistan
The word Uzbekistan itself carries an air of mystery about it. When I told people I was traveling to Uzbekistan, they exclaimed "Uzbekiwhere?!" and then followed that up by "Is it safe?!" Uzbekistan IS bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, countries that are not very well known in the West. So I suppose the "safe" question was fair enough! I'm here to give you the 411 on this destination and hopefully … [Read more...]
Five Reasons to Visit Medellin
Lonely Planet named Colombia 2nd best country to visit in 2017. I first visited Colombia a few years ago, when I set foot into the walled city of Cartagena. I had just finished reading Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera, and as I moved through the old town in Cartagena, pages of his novel came to life, setting the tone for that trip. I discovered a colorful, romantic city where Latin music and dancing greeted me … [Read more...]
Sri Lanka Destination Guide
Sri Lanka has never really been on my bucket list of countries to see. However, I was recently invited to a destination wedding in this country and decided to take the opportunity to discover the island and what it has to offer. Sri Lanka truly has something for everyone, from its laid-back beach towns, spectacular train journeys, to historical ruins, to tea estates to hiking up mountain peaks. This island nation has been voted top country for … [Read more...]
Fall in Vail, Colorado
I am careening downhill on my rented cycle, hair streaming behind me, the cool September air of the Colorado mountains rushing past my face. I’m grinning. Biking is exhilarating, I realize, especially when you’re on a paved path weaving through stunning fall scenery. Yup, I'm in Vail, Colorado to experience adventure, romance, and world-class cuisine with my husband, courtesy of Vail Tourism. Growing up in the Bay Area, Vail and Aspen to me … [Read more...]
Is There Life Beyond Prague?
The short answer to that question is a resounding YES! For most of us, the Czech Republic begins and ends with the beautiful city of Prague. I recently had the amazing opportunity to visit three lovely towns in the Moravian region of Czech Republic: Brno, Kromeriz, and Telc.. In this article, I walk you through the highlights and explain why you should consider exploring beyond the well-trodden city of Prague. GETTING IN From … [Read more...]
An Austrian Journey: Salzburg, the Alps and Hallstatt
When I think of the Alps, Switzerland most often comes to mind. This summer however, I trekked over the Austrian Alps and realized what a hidden gem this country is! Austria has it all, from amazing hut-to-hut trekking to musical Salzburg to the charming salt-mining village of Hallstatt, which is like stepping into a fairytale. DESTINATIONS Salzburg This city is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the … [Read more...]
Norwegian Flies OAK to Denmark Nonstop!
I recently attended the launch of Norwegian Air's nonstop flight from Oakland to Copenhagen, Denmark at a chef's tasting prepared by Andreas Bagh, Executive Chef at Copenhagen's Michelin starred Marchal restaurant at the Hotel d'Angleterre. The event was hosted at the Cookhouse in North Beach, a lovely, intimate venue in a space next to the legendary Vesuvio Cafe in San Francisco. The evening was well attended by local journalists and … [Read more...]
SFO to Manchester Flight Launch!
I recently had the pleasure of attending a reception to celebrate Virgin Atlantic's new direct route from San Francisco to Manchester. The event was held at the residence of the HM Consul General Andrew Whittaker who made the announcement, followed by an evening of mingling with journalists. British food and cocktails kept flowing through the evening as we celebrated this momentous occasion for who doesn't want more non-stop flights from the … [Read more...]