Whitewashed villages clinging precariously to the cliffs, blue-domed churches, and an equally blue sea stretching to the horizon. This is what typically comes to mind when anyone mentions the Greek Islands. My favorite is Santorini, also known as Thira. Located in the Aegean Sea about 120 miles (200 km) southeast from mainland Greece, it’s the […]
Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous Spanish region of Cataluña, is famous for many things: sunny beaches, a mild Mediterranean climate, exotic cuisine, afternoon siestas and bold art and architecture. No other person has left his mark on the city quite like Barcelona’s favorite son, Antoni Gaudí. Visiting his many whimsical buildings is a must […]
I received the most amazing gift for Christmas—a Groupon Deal for a helicopter tour of Los Angeles and Hollywood. I’ve lived in L.A. for nearly all of my life but had never seen the city like this before. Starting off at Whiteman Airport, a municipal airport in the north San Fernando Valley that I’d never […]
I’ve been on three cruises so far—one with my family when I was in high school to the Mexican Riviera (with ports of call in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas); one a few years ago with a group of friends to Puerto Rico, St. Martin-St. Maarten, and Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean’s private island […]
In the USA, we’re all familiar with the New Year’s Eve traditions of counting down the seconds till midnight, throwing confetti, toasting with champagne, and kissing your loved ones. Since 2011 is drawing to a close, I thought I’d ask my friends and family members about the New Years traditions from their homelands around the world.
Called “A Cidade Branca” (“The White City”) for how the sunlight illuminates its aged limestone walls, Portugal’s capital enjoys a warm, Mediterranean climate and idyllic waterfront location. While not as popular a tourist destination as Paris or Rome, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) offers its own brand of captivating Old World charm. Perched atop seven rolling hills, […]
San Diego has been like a second home to me for pretty much my entire life. With a population of 1.3 million, it’s the second largest city in California and attracts more than 30 million visitors every year. Renowned for its idyllic Mediterranean climate, pristine sandy beaches and first-class attractions, it’s the perfect year-round travel […]
Often called the “Paris of South America,” cosmopolitan Buenos Aires has it all: a wide array of cultural sights, fine restaurants, fashionable shopping and countless chic hotels. Argentina’s sprawling capital city offers something for every type of traveler. It’s no wonder why porteños—the residents of Buenos Aires—are so proud of their city. Here’s my list […]
Hollywood. Beverly Hills. Santa Monica. This is the traveler’s trifecta of Los Angeles tourism. No one ever comes to L.A. to visit downtown, unless they’re in on business and get “stuck” there. Some L.A. visitors choose to stay in a downtown hotel, thinking it’s the place to be — as would be the case in many […]
Located only a block from L.A.’s iconic railway hub, Union Station, Olvera Street is the oldest part of Los Angeles. Immerse yourself in Mexican culture by strolling down the two narrow blocks, shaded by trees, bougainvillea and red-tile roofs. You can shop for traditional handicrafts (like the colorful ones in the photo above), enjoy the […]
