There's a famous quote that says: “Paradise is not a place, it is a state of mind.” Wrong. Paradise is, very much, a place. Once at this “place,” your state of mind kicks in and then, voila: Paradise! This was my profoundly pleasurable experience recently on my first visit to Costa Rica.
I'm lying in the same bed that Oscar winners have slept in, gazing out at my private pool and listening to the waves of the Pacific Ocean. With a touch of a button the blackout shades come down and I'm off to dreamland. I awake before dawn and step into the infinity-edge pool right from my suite. Floating, I gaze up at the star-filled sky. I'm not sure if I'm awake or still dreaming. This is what it feels like to stay at Casa Majani.
It is the modern heart of the Olympic ideal. Sitting on the shore of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is the home of the International Olympic Committee, yet is also a vibrant and metropolitan community where lovers of wine, culture and fine food - including chocolate – can savor the flavors of this part of Switzerland.
Arriving in Vancouver is exhilarating. The energy of the city combined with the awesome natural beauty is electric.
One of Zurich's premium destinations, Hotel Baur au Lac is a member of Swiss Deluxe Hotels and the Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel has gained a reputation for its quality of service and the comfort of its rooms.
It's easy to be enchanted in Porto. Perched on the cusp of the petulant Atlantic, at the mouth of the Douro River, Portugal's ancient wine trading hub has always been a city that knows how to linger in the hearts of visitors.
The scenic Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania host one of the most stunning displays of fall foliage east of the Mississippi.
During the Christmas season, typically from mid-November through 23 December, all Europe comes alive with holiday festivities and none are more joyous and all-encompassing than the Christmas markets. I had the opportunity to experience these merry events when I joined a Uniworld River Cruise sailing down the Rhine to visit cities from Cologne, Germany all the way to Basel, Switzerland.
Even the best hotels begin to resemble one another after a while, and today's luxury travelers want something more – something different. When planning their next vacation, travelers seek unique experiences: hidden gems tucked away from the common tourist haunts.
Cosmopolitan and tropical, Miami Beach defines cool and hot! There's definitely an energy here that is palpable.
We have compiled a list of Miami Beach's best restaurants from classics to newbies. Here are 10 of the hottest restaurants to try now.
My wife needed a break. Michelle works a demanding job with a lot of responsibility. Most days she wakes up at 5:00 AM to answer emails and get organized for the day's meetings. For exercise she takes long walks on the beach with friends, but only on the weekend. For her vacation, she told me she needed to go somewhere quiet, relaxing and healthy.
The best hotels are prized as much for their locations as for their creature comforts. You will certainly choose the Widder because of its 5-Star qualities and because it is located in the heart of Zurich's Old Town.
While grand entrances have been a part of traditional Hindu weddings for centuries (grooms arrive via horse or elephant in the Baraat procession), venues have noticed an increase in wedding parties seeking dramatic arrival options similar in nature, sans cultural ties.
I reach a set of black gates, the top of the rails coated gold. A Union Jack flag flaps in the wind above. There's more gold outside, in the form of regal-looking statues. A long line of people are queuing at the gates. Clearly, this is a popular place, but then this isn't my hotel, not yet.
