Tag: shopping
Seattle – in Two Bookstores and a Library
Seattle is one of my favorite cities, so I was happy to receive this guest post from Karen Adams, a talented local writer. I love her focus on a side of Seattle that tourists don’t see, but authentic travelers can really appreciate. If you’re planning a trip to the Emerald City, this post is a […]
Paris Shopping -Finding the Best “Souvenirs”
Paris shopping is a subject near and dear to the heart of Pascale Heuzé, who lives in Vincennes – a community in the eastern suburbs of the city. I first introduced you to this lovely lady when I wrote about learning vacations a while back. More recently, she wrote about Vincennes and why you might want […]
Paris On a Private Tour – S’il Vous Plait
Paris has been home to Manuel de Croutte for many years. You may remember that I introduced you to him (“Your Private Guide to France”) a while back when he started his company Exclusive & Private. Because of his family contacts and personal connections, Exclusive & Private is able to offer exclusive access to many historical […]
Love this Romantic Los Angeles Hotel
Most Romantic Los Angeles Hotel? How about one that’s secluded on 12 lush acres in Beverly Hills and is positively steeped in Hollywood love affair history? You just couldn’t ask for a better backstory. The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows The “pink” palace was built in 1912 and offers 185 rooms and suites – plus […]
Edinburgh Insider Tips
During festival time in Edinburgh, Scotland, the city is alive with events and bursting at the seams with tourists, but it’s still possible to escape the crowds and enjoy the locals’ favorite places. I asked Ross from The Luxury Editor, the Edinburgh-based independent luxury travel magazine, to give us an insight into best place to go and […]
New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden wasn’t on my must-see list the first time I visited New York City. Nope. Instead, I chose to wait in line interminably to take the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building, and I rushed back and forth across Manhattan from one mega-museum to another. I don’t regret […]
Florence – 6 Insider Tips
This guest post was written by Marlane Miriello, owner of Il Campo Cucina – a unique cooking school in Radicondoli – 30 minutes south of Florence. You can Win a Food and Wine Adventure in Tuscany at Il Campo Cucina if you enter the contest before midnight PST on Sunday, August 4, 2013. Visiting Florence, one of the […]
Farmers Markets for Authentic Travelers
Farmers markets are great places to connect with the local lifestyle of a place you’re visiting. Luscious red tomatoes, carrots with frilly green tops…and what’s that spikey thing? It’s fun to see what’s grown nearby and get inside information – and maybe samples – from the vendors. Suddenly, dining out is more fun, as you order dishes […]
The Cypress Inn, Carmel, California
My husband and I just spent two wonderful days in Northern California at The Cypress Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and I can’t decide what I loved most about it. First of all, the inn is pet-friendly and standard schnauzers, labs, and cocker spaniels give it a homey feel and provided natural ice breakers for meeting other […]
Insider Tips – Exploring Northern Tuscany, Italy
Forte dei Marmi, Northern Tuscany, Italy When travelers think of Tuscany, it’s usually the splendid cities – Florence, Siena, Lucca, and Pisa – and the Chianti region that come to mind. However,things to do and sights to see are also located in the Versilia area of Northern Tuscany – a coastal section stretching from south […]
Is Cruising Safe?
The Costa Concordia sinking off the coast of Italy This week has made many travelers wonder if cruises are a safe vacation option. Of course, industry officials are saying “yes,” while the media is re-capping stories of passengers who disappeared in stormy seas, vessels attacked by Somali pirates, and contagious illnesses that swept through ships […]
Vietnam Travel Companies
Everywhere we went in Vietnam, we were greeted with smiles Of all the trips I’ve taken, the one to Vietnam stands out as being the biggest surprise. I expected to meet people who didn’t like Americans – and was greeted by smiling faces. I knew very little about the history, other than the period of […]
India – Trade Deals & Top Hotels
I felt very smug this week when President Obama, traveling in India, announced that the U.S. would soon begin trading more with this South Asian nation. Trade deals with India are not new to me. I’ve been making them for years. In fact, each time I’m in Delhi I acquire so many “bargains” that I […]
