May 11, 2012
With the fever for espadrille at an all time high, I couldn’t help but do a bit of canvassing (pun intended) of my own when visiting France’s Basque region in April.
Continue reading about Striped Basque – Espadrille Hunting in France
April 22, 2012
Chef Vincent Maillard from Byblos Hotel in Saint Tropez’s recipe for his delectable La Tropezienne
September 6, 2011
Labor Day Weekend
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I just returned from a whirlwind weekend in Amsterdam to celebrate the marriage of my sister-in-law to an incredibly charismatic Dutch fellow. With unprecedented sunny weather and a joyous occasion upon us, the weekend was a total success. Not to mention, I was fortunate enough to stay at the newly renovated, [...]
October 25, 2010
October 2010
Paris, France
As a freelance travel writer and author of books on hotels I’m quite accustomed to going on site visits at properties. Sometimes the visits are of the hard-hat version, which, I’ve learned can mean anything form touring a veritable shell of a building and being asked to imagine the 10′ lucite bar overlooking [...]
July 31, 2010
Locanda dell’Amorosa
Sinalunga, (just outside Siena)
Though it can no longer be deemed a Hideaway given its immense popularity – particularly among honeymooners – Locanda dell’Amorosa maintains the sentiment (and personalized service) of a tucked-away gem beckoning lovebirds with its secluded, romantic setting in the Sienese countryside. From the long, cypress lined driveway to the crumbling Tuscan [...]
April 8, 2010
Verdura Resort & Spa
Sciacca, Sicily
April 2-6 – Easter
With the fortunate assignment of checking out Sir Rocco Forte’s latest resort, Vedura Resort & Spa, on the southern coast of Sicily, my husband and I spent our Easter holiday testing out the resort’s impressive golf offerings – 45 holes, spa complex – 46,000-square feet and encompassing sea [...]
March 25, 2010
The Rolling Hills of Tuscany
March 25th – April 11th
Well, dear readers, here it is – my dream assignment – and somehow I’ve found it once again. I have been tasked by the wonderful editors at Indagare (www.indagare.com) to canvass Tuscany and script lurid itineraries focusing on areas such as Chianti, the Maremma (the coast) and [...]
March 14, 2010
Berlin, Germany
January 31st 2009
Despite my brief stay, one night only, I managed to engage in a dramatic love affair with Berlin’s Hotel de Rome. Perhaps it is because it is one of the few luxury hotels in Berlin that’s housed in an original building. As the former head office of the Dresder bank, original building’s [...]
FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY