Water view Gozo Marsalforn

Gorgeous Photos of Gozo, the Relaxing Holiday in Malta

“What do we do on Gozo” I asked my friend.  He replied “we relax”.  Relax?  As a solo traveler for so long, relax isn’t usually in my vocabulary as I try to see as much as I can in a short period of time. I’m not quite “check the box” […]

La Defense Christmas market at night

Holiday Travel Kindness – Helping the Little Duck Get Home

As the holidays approach, the airports will be teeming with people trying to get home to family for dinner, for celebrations, for presents or for escape (Maui sounds nice right now).  Many will not be accustomed to the rhythm of holiday travel and the airport experience especially if there are […]

The Human Condition in Lego

Finding Passion in Legos – The Art of the Brick Exhibit

If only sitting at our desk was our dream job, chances are it’s not but you don’t know what to do or are afraid of the massive risk to chase your passion.  One New York city corporate lawyer did just that, he left the boardroom and found his passion in […]

Gozo residential streets

The Quirky (and Dirty) Airbnb House on Gozo

My friend said to “book the quirky Airbnb house on Gozo” when I gave him a few choices for our last minute trip as he was more familiar with the island than I was.  He wanted a private pool and a farmhouse.  I still blame him for our calamities! Walking […]

Airbnb Venice San Marco Apartment with Canal View

So I reluctantly left the great Fenice Flat with my gondola view. Lucky for me, the owner, Maurizio (an Airbnb Superhost), had a few other properties in Venice and could host me for one night in the Venice San Marco Apartment. Unlike the boutique designer inspired flat, I’m now in […]

Eurostar Notice of Delay

Paris to London – The Nightmare Eurostar Travel Day

The day started off picture perfect – I slept in, had breakfast and checked out of Hotel Atmospheres in Paris.  My Eurostar train from Paris to London was scheduled for 1 p.m. so I had time to leisurely stroll around the city one last time before bidding adieu. The sun […]

Bridge over the Seine in Paris

My First Uber Paris Ride Along the Seine

The note in the Platine hotel elevator alerted guests that the taxi drivers would be on strike the next day in Paris.   The taxi strike would definitely be chaotic, in my opinion, and I wasn’t quite sure how it would solve the dispute at hand which was the arrival […]

Hotel Atmosphere Double Room Paris

The Paris Boutique Hotel – Three Stylish and Affordable Options

You want to go to Paris?  Great, now where to stay?  If you are like me, you often default to the US chain hotels such Marriott, Hilton and Starwood first and then have massive sticker shock when you find a room and do both conversions –  Euro € to US $ […]

Ocean view from Cusp Restaurant

Hotel La Jolla, a Kimpton boutique in a posh beach town

***Note: The hotel is no longer a Kimpton property as of February 4, 2016, my stay occurred in 2015 when still a Kimpton managed property and this review is reflective of that.  To my knowledge the owners are not making changes to staff or decor so all should hopefully be […]