Looking back over the years, my New Year’s celebrations have been mostly low-key, largely unexceptional. Oh, I’ve had some good ones — my Bangkok New Year’s was so much fun, and I’ve had a few memorable nights in Boston — but most of the time the night hasn’t lived up to the hype. It’s hard
Hogmanay: Bringing in the New Year in Edinburgh Read More »
Is there such a thing as a sexy trailer park? Oh yes, there is. I can assure you that the Grand Daddy Hotel Airstream Rooftop Trailer Park has the market cornered. We stayed here for our first night in Cape Town — and it’s probably the most unusual place I’ve ever laid my head for a
The World’s Sexiest Trailer Park Read More »
Each time I’ve been to Paris, it’s been during a different time of year. I’ve experienced rainy April days, the tourist swam and local flight of August, chilly October nights, near-perfection in June, and the freezing temperatures and soldes of January. On this trip, my sixth, I visited in December — and got to experience
Christmas in Paris Read More »
With Christmas freshly finished, I’ve got my next trip planned: Blogmanay! I’ll be celebrating New Year’s in Edinburgh, Scotland. Edinburgh, which I’ve long extolled as one of my favorite cities, has one of the world’s best New Year’s celebrations. People come from all over the world to celebrate Hogmanay. I’ve been invited to be part
New Year’s in Scotland — It’s Time for BLOGMANAY! Read More »
“Change of plans. We’re going up Table Mountain now,” David told us. Now? We had literally just stepped off the Blue Train. “There are no clouds on top of the mountain today. The weather probably won’t be this good again.” It turns out that although Cape Town has a fantastic climate, Table Mountain can be
View from the Top of Table Mountain, Cape Town Read More »
This past weekend, I got to experience a delightful festival for the first time: Lyon’s Fête des Lumières, or Festival of Lights. Every year from December 8-11, Lyon’s nights are filled with brilliant light shows that are as technologically savvy as they are artistically scintillating. Despite my lifelong francophilia, I had never heard of this
Lyon’s Festival of Lights Read More »
Of all overland journeys, I’m not sure anything can top my experience in South Africa: riding from Pretoria to Cape Town on the Blue Train. The Blue Train, you see, is a FANCY TRAIN. The kind of train that requires men to wear jackets and ties and ladies to don elegant eveningwear. The kind of
The Blue Train: Crossing South Africa in Luxury Read More »
I didn’t spend all my time in Knysna ensconced in my treehouse — I also spent time exploring the fun, low-key town and its relaxing waterfront. This photo essay has a twist — it was done entirely on my Samsung Galaxy SIII! Here are my favorite photos from Knysna: Knysna is a surprisingly international destination.
Photo Essay: Knysna’s Waterfront (With a Twist!) Read More »
In a bit less than a week, I will be visiting Paris for the sixth time ever. I visited Paris for the first time at the age of sixteen, returning at seventeen, twenty, twenty-one, and earlier this year, twenty-seven. Paris has always been my favorite city in the world. Being a lifelong francophile, I think
This Time in Paris — The Expat Life! Read More »
“We have a few options for lunch today,” our guide Robin told us. “We could eat in the museum cafe. We could go to a restaurant. Or — and this is an interesting option — we could eat in Alexandra Township. I warn you that it’s very basic. But it’s an experience.” “Definitely use the
Township Life: Meet Alexandra, South Africa Read More »