Cheat Sheet: Amalfi Coast & Capri

April 18, 2016

ORIENTATION First things first: Italians pronounce it correctly as "CAH-pree;" Americans get it wrong as "cah-PREE." The small island is divided in two parts: touristy Capri and less touristy Anacapri. Travelers arrive by boat, usually from Naples, at Marina Grande. From here, you can take a taxi or a funicular into Capri town, the center of the action. The Amalfi coast on the mainland stretches from Sorrento down to Salerno....

City Secrets: 5 Top Tips for Holi

March 25, 2016

The Indian holiday of Holi may be the least religious but definitely one of the most fun and crazy of all Indian festivals. Locals of all social strata take to the streets, douse each other with colored pigment, drink special Holi Lassis and dance all day and night long. The purpose of all this outpouring of joy is the official welcome to spring. Read on for our 5 top tips for...

My Cartagena

February 17, 2016

I recently married a Colombian man, as a nod to his heritage we held our ceremony in the magical city of Cartagena, Colombia. Cartagena is a UNESCO heritage site, meaning it's architecture is protected and will always stay true to it’s initial structure and style (sometimes dating as far back as the 1500's) because of this, the city retains much of the same feel it had when it was colonized by...

12 Things NOT To Do In Cuba

January 28, 2016

Cuba has long been a popular vacation destination for Canadians and Europeans looking for an affordable sunny island escape. However, most tourists stick to resort areas with little opportunity to interact with local Cubans beyond their hotel staff. In fact, up until 1997, it was actually illegal for locals to mingle with international tourists. Now that the five-decade embargo with the United States is starting to thaw, Americans are beginning...

An Insider's Guide to Havana

January 27, 2016

We asked our friend and Cuban native Maria Romeu where to go and what to do in Havana. Maria, who created the first music videos for cuban rock star Carlos Varela, has also just created a new luxury yacht charter service called VIP Yachts. We are so hoping she is going to invite us to enjoy a little floating five star luxury while being shown the real Havana! For those that prefer to stay...

Vintage Shopping with Chufy in San Telmo, Buenos Aires

January 16, 2016

Nothing like a casual walk around San Telmo on a week day, when the streets are empty and stores tranquil. Lo de Vicky is a cute small shop just off the Plaza, where you can find very affordable vintage pieces (I bought this wedding dress for 30 us$!). For a more upscale Vintage shop, go to Gil Antiguedades (ei, Gaucho hat for 200 us$, but be aware of the nasty owner, who...

Nepal's Living Goddesses

November 23, 2015

Though in some traditions goddesses exist only in the spiritual realm, in Nepal they live and breathe. These kumari, or "living goddesses," are prepubescent girls considered to be the earthly manifestations of divine female energy, incarnations of the goddess known as Taleju, the Nepalese name for Durga. Selected as children, they live in temples, carried in chariots during festivals and are worshiped by thousands of Hindus and Buddhists.   Though...

Turkish Delight

October 12, 2015

One of my all-time favorite things to do in Istanbul is to visit the Hammam. To be truthful, taking time off for spa treatments is something I feel is essential while traveling. In India, my hedonist pleasure comes from an Ayurvedic spa treatment at the Taj Hotel and in Marrakesh I always schedule time off for a massage at La Mamounia Hotel - there is nothing more relaxing than a good scrub and massage after a hard day of shopping the Medina.

One of my all-time favorite things to do in Istanbul is to visit the Hammam. To be truthful, taking time off for spa treatments is something I feel is essential while traveling. In India, my hedonist pleasure comes from an Ayurvedic spa treatment at the Taj Hotel and in Marrakesh I always schedule time off for a massage at La Mamounia Hotel - there is nothing more relaxing than a...

The Single Girl's Guide to Paris

October 11, 2015

Marina Khorosh is a New Yorker living in Paris and working in fashion. She is young, beautiful, smart, fun?and single. The writer behind a hilarious site chronicling her dating life, dbagdating.com, the young writer has been recently discovered by Vogue.com, where she will be a reoccurring columnist.

BY: REBECCA SUHRAWARDI Marina Khorosh is a New Yorker living in Paris and working in fashion. She is young, beautiful, smart, fun?and single. The writer behind a hilarious site chronicling her dating life, dbagdating.com, the young writer has been recently discovered by Vogue.com, where she will be a reoccurring columnist. Marina Khorosh is a New Yorker living in Paris and working in fashion. She is young, beautiful, smart, fun?and single. The...

Quito, Ecuador

September 24, 2015

Sunday is market day in villages near Cuenca. Buses leave regularly from Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre, and getting there is half the fun. Drivers pick up anyone who waves them down. Young men lugging pots and pans jump on, leaving their wares piled in the aisle. Women carrying their babies wrapped in shawls drag burlap sacks filled with dried corn to their seats. Farmers taking livestock to the market hold roosters under their arms or strap piglets to the roof. (Larger pigs are more of a problem, and it's not unheard of to see the owner of a squealing sow trying to stuff it into the luggage compartment). By the time you arrive at your destination, the bus itself will seem like a market on wheels.

Sunday is market day in villages near Cuenca. Buses leave regularly from Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre, and getting there is half the fun. Drivers pick up anyone who waves them down. Young men lugging pots and pans jump on, leaving their wares piled in the aisle. Women carrying their babies wrapped in shawls drag burlap sacks filled with dried corn to their seats. Farmers taking livestock to the market hold roosters...