“If a blind man should gaze upon the world but one day, he should gaze upon Istanbul.” – Alphonse de Lamartine Few places elicit the “It's the most beautiful city I have ever seen!” reaction as frequently as Istanbul. Those were also my exact sentiments the first time I visited back in 2004. Today, 15 years later, as I stroll the empty streets of downtown Istanbul in the middle of the night, I remember why I have ever since felt this way. I … [Read more...]
How to Avoid a Car Hire Horror Story Abroad
Travel represents an escape. Something different, dangerous, and romantic. That’s why we all love seeing the photos and reading the blog posts. We imagine ourselves right there, seeing it for ourselves. The colour of India. The charm of Paris. The tree tops and swinging jungle life of Borneo. Beats the grey suits of the Monday morning board room, don’t you think? Of course, that one perfect selfie with circling Tiger sharks in the Gulf of … [Read more...]
Princess Cruises: New and Noteworthy Food and Wine Options
In the debate of nature versus nurture, I’m pretty certain I was a food lover from the get-go. Born into a family of serious eaters, my food-obsessed parents honed my innate proclivities from a very young age. My New York City childhood was a culinary horn of plenty. While other babies were slurping rice cereal and applesauce, I nibbled spicy Indian samosas and Jamaican beef patties. I was blessed with restaurant-loving parents who exposed me … [Read more...]
Three California Roads Less Traveled
It's easy to argue that California is the land freeways and automobiles. And with its massive scale and incredible geographic diversity, there are plenty of scenic routes to explore. We've all heard of the world-famous drives, like the section of the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur or Mulholland Drive through the Hollywood Hills. While I have plenty of favorites, I'd like to share three lesser-known routes. There are, of course, many more … [Read more...]
The Best Eats In Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be America’s smallest state, but there’s nothing diminutive about its food scene. This coastal paradise is chockfull of both culinary traditions and forward-thinking epicurean initiatives. Visitors to the Ocean State will taste iconic “only in Rhode Island” treats, like stuffies (minced quahog clams mixed with bread crumbs), New York system wieners (hot dogs topped with meat sauce) and energy-boosting coffee milk (cold milk … [Read more...]
After Hours at the Colosseum
"This is insanity—I'm a WWE wrestler. I go back to America tomorrow," barked the rough, beefy man in front of us. "Mi scuso, sir. The Colosseum is closed," the guard responded with little sympathy. The wrestler lumbered away, huffing and muttering to himself. We were next in line. My mom stepped up to the security guard hoping to convince him to admit us into the Colosseum, even though we had arrived two minutes past closing time. His … [Read more...]
Best Summer Festivals in Europe, and Where to Stay
PRAGUE United Islands Music Festival, June 22-25 This celebration of world music – now in its 11th year – features fresh names from the European and world club scene, and includes rock, pop, indie, electronic, world, folk and jazz, as well as new music trends and experiments. Held outdoors on Kampa, Prague’s biggest island, and on Střelecký and Slovanský islands, admission is free. The festival continues at night in selected clubs. … [Read more...]
Trier – Rome of the North
“Ante Romam Treveris stetit annis mille trecentis” (Trier stood 1300 years before Rome) – legend of Trier’s founding. Trier is the UNESCO World Heritage city you’ve never heard of. While you were busy swooning over Berlin’s modern architecture or Munich’s copious beer gardens, you’ve missed Germany’s most remarkable city, quietly minding its own business along the banks of the Mosel river, the way it always has for two and a half … [Read more...]
Saarland, Germany’s best kept secret
My fondest memories as a kid growing up in Germany typically involved hiking in green forests, visiting medieval cities, exploring roman ruins, cycling along river banks, driving through vineyards dotting the many low rolling hills, or taking daytrips to the French side of the border to gawk at life on the other side. This is Saarland, Germany’s hidden gem. If you’ve followed any of my other articles, you’ll know by now that what I enjoy most is … [Read more...]
Capping Off a Journey ‘Down Under’ in The Cook Islands
As winter quickly sweeps in and we bid farewell to another magical summer, Australia and New Zealand are gearing up for the start of their tourist seasons, and with them millions of visitors who will make the long journey to discover their wonders. But if you’ve already come this far, cap off your vacation in style with a short eastbound flight over the blue waters of the South Pacific to the magical Cook Islands - where your visit to paradise … [Read more...]
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