In the blink of an eye, my two years in France have come and gone. Nice and I have had a classic romance: I was infatuated with the light and the color when I arrived and then reality set in and I had to work hard to learn the language and ingratiate myself in order … Continue reading
Istanbul is known for its incredible food and before I left, everyone I talked to told me to “eat everything!” Our first dinner set the bar high. Tired after working all day (and walking all day in my case) we decided to stay on our side of the Bosphorus and by luck of the draw, … Continue reading
If you are a woman of any size, age or shape and you’ve walked down a street in any city in the world, you’ve experienced it: the whistles the cat calls, the winks, the terrible pick up lines. The language may vary, but the message doesn’t. I’ve spent enough time in enough countries now to … Continue reading
This week’s question is about affordable, Europe, solo travel ideas for June: Hi Katie I need some travel advice, have 10 days in june that I’m taking off. I want somewhere in Europe that’s quick, cheap and warm. I don’t want to spend a lot of money, but I do want a new, interesting, fun place where … Continue reading
When my friend Hilary emailed me a few weeks ago to say she was going to Istanbul for work and wondered if I could swing a trip east to meet her, I thought for all of two minutes before booking my flight. The Bosphorus Sea had always grabbed my imagination and Istanbul was a city I was dying … Continue reading
Spring is slowly emerging here, but there is not much springing taking place yet. My local friends tell me it will be another month or so before the warm weather is here to stay. I’ve been longing for summer with its sultry heat, rich, saturated colors and seemingly endless hot, still, nights. Spring is more fleeting, … Continue reading
Today’s tip: Fishs Eddy, New York I came across this shop many many years ago and I fell in love immediately. Fishs Eddy is a New York shop that sells delightful dinnerware and crockery and I am always blown away by their creative and beautiful designs. The flagship store is near Union Square on Broadway … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Pura Tirta Empul – Tampak Siring, Bali Ubud and the surrounding villages in the middle of the island are thought of as the spiritual heart of Bali. And the purification and water temples at Tirta Empul are thought of as among the most important spiritual places in Bali. Foreigners are able to visit the … Continue reading
I’m part way through my second semester of French classes and truth be told, I’m in over my head. Things have accelerated quickly and I have the distinct feeling that the students folded into the chairs around me understand a lot more than I do. I like being in school though and I figure even … Continue reading
Les Distilleries Ideales is my favorite bar in Nice. It’s in the old city with prime real estate on a busy corner with delightful early evening sun. They have a full drinks menu complete with cocktails and whiskey, but most people come here for the beer. There is a good selection of imported beers on draught … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Nice Opera House With the miles of beaches, dozens of museums and endless restaurants to offer, going to the opera isn’t the first thing you might think of when imagining a visit to Nice. It should be. Located in Nice’s old city just steps from the sea front, the gorgeous opera house is … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Arlequin Gelati – Nice, France One could be forgiven for mistaking gelato as a local delicacy in Nice. While there are no Starbucks to be found here, It’s hard to walk a block without passing a gelato spot. I am of the firm belief that Arlequin is the best in town. Roberto, the proud proprietor of the shop, … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Vini Liquori – Lucca, Italy Lucca is a charming little Tuscan town the Englishman and I breezed through a couple of years ago. We were visiting his parents, who had discovered the quietly beautiful town as an ideal place to study Italian. We only spent two days wandering the old streets, admiring the ancient … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Hotel Bambu Indah – Ubud, Bali This place is by far one of the most beautiful and unusual hotels I’ve ever seen. Located about 15 minutes south east of central Ubud, it is set above the Ayung River over looking sprawling green rice fields. The main building, which houses the massage rooms and … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Dewa – Ubud, Bali This tip is a bit different. Instead of highlighting a place, I am recommending a person. Anyone will tell you that to get the most out of a trip to Bali, you really need to hire a guide. And Dewa Arsana is the best of the best. With his wide smile, … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Infinity Villa – Ubud, Bali Surrounded on all sides by lush, peaceful rice paddies, Infinity Villa is a small family run operation and they have thought of everything, from an organic breakfast served to your room each morning, to a local cell phone to use during your stay. Within the larger property are … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Chez Palmyre – Nice, France If you only eat at one restaurant in Nice, it should be Chez Palmyre. This place is the whole package; the atmosphere is perfect, the food is amazing, the service is great and the price is right. The tiny hole in the wall is absolutely adorable, and its … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Empress of China – San Francisco San Francisco is famous for being home to the oldest and biggest China Town in North America. And the heaving blocks of dim sum places, fish markets, and souvenir shops are certainly something any visitor should see. But its not always easy to choose from the hundreds of restaurants … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: Matching Half Cafe – San Francisco San Francisco is full to bursting with cool coffee shops, but Matching Half Cafe in Hayes Valley is one of my favorites. For one thing, I adore the Peacock stained glass windows in the front of the shop. But beyond beauty, the place makes great coffee, the … Continue reading
Today’s Tip: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers San Francisco is a city with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to natural beauty. And as if the sparkling San Francisco Bay, the towering redwood and bay trees, and craggy sea cliffs weren’t enough, inside the rambling green miles that make up golden Gate Park are the hauntingly beautiful white glass arches … Continue reading
