Westin Milan Chocolate Dessert

Travel Wellness in Italy at The Westin Milan Spa with a Side of Chocolate

I didn’t leave the hotel, I probably should have since the city of Milan was outside the doors but I was pretty much useless.  This was one of those days that would qualify as my “day off” from travel.  As much as I schedule my days, it’s just as important […]

American Diner in Paris - Breakfast in America

Seeking Comfort Food at the American Diners in Paris

Sometimes you and your stomach just need comfort foods from home (sadly you can’t find Philly soft pretzels or cheesesteaks with Amoroso rolls on the road). After two months away from the U.S. on my sabbatical, I had enjoyed the Spanish tapas, Barcelona food tour, Cava tastings and a month […]

Star Wars Street Art London by Vader

Alternative London Street Art Tour – Pay What You Want

Last year when I visited London, I tortured my niece on the Shoreditch Street Art tour so this year, I decided to revisit the street art scene in London, this time with the other vendor, Alternative London, which offers a pay what you want pricing led by a current street […]

Sunset in Navigli in Milan

Airbnb Milan – The Milan Studio in Navigli Entertainment District

When Milan hosted Expo15 last year (formerly known as The World’s Fair) finding a reasonable hotel room proved to be difficult for my dates (three nights) so I turned to AirBnb. Searching through all the options, I kept coming back to the Navigli apartment – it was located in Navigli […]

Taste of London at Tobacco Dock

The Taste of London – U.K. Food Highlights from Tobacco Dock

It was an overcast November day with a chill in the air as winter approached Tobacco Dock.  The crowd gathered to eat, drink and be merry inside the warm, inviting event space as the holiday merriment had already overtaken the city of London on the buildup to Christmas.  With my […]

Renovated room Sheraton Park Lane Hotel London King Room

Review: Sheraton Park Lane Hotel London – Luxury Hotel near Buckingham Palace

Over the years, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel London.  I loved the easy availability of SPG redemptions, larger sized rooms (when I could get upgraded) and the quiet location.  I’ve hated the rooms, the hallways, the indifferent staff and the blah of it all […]

Water view Gozo Marsalforn

5 Offbeat Travel Finds at the NY Times Travel Show for 2016 Travel

Walking around a travel expo floor can be overwhelming with so many travel vendors, destination marketing folks and travel products competing for your attention.  Tables are lined with gorgeous marketing brochures to draw you in and the expert teams are there to answer questions and tell you about their offerings […]

Z hotel soho courtyard london for less

Z Hotel Soho London Review – Stay Central and Chic for Less in London

When I hear “London is so expensive”, I reply “It doesn’t need to be if you know the secret spots”.  That’s the key to most destinations – knowing where to find the off the radar, only locals know kind of places.  For me, Z Hotel Soho is just one such […]

Kempinski Gozo Pool view

The Kempinski Gozo Review in Malta – Our Luxury Escape to a Junior Suite

If my vacation to Malta had started at the Kempinski Gozo, I wouldn’t have fractured my foot, my time on the island and subsequent travels would have been vastly changed as well as my relationships.  After a nightmare Airbnb experience, we left early (FLED or ESCAPED is a better term) […]

Sofitel Heathrow Hotel Lobby bar lounge

The Sofitel Heathrow Hotel Review – Location and Luxury in LHR Terminal 5

Calling the luxury Sofitel Heathrow Hotel at Terminal 5 (T5) an “airport hotel” is just cruel and unjust.  For me the term “airport hotel” often conjures up a beige hotel which lacks character, is depressing as an in-transit passenger and makes me want to escape as soon as possible. I’ve […]