Archive for the ‘travel’ Category
An hour north of Milan by train lies a little slice of heaven. As the city recedes out the window, buildings give way to flowers and sweeping mountain peaks. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself gliding along a big expanse of blue, as Lake Como (Lago di Como) sweeps into view.
All across Los Angeles, street artist Paige Smith is making the city sparkle. With faux paper geodes that is. And lots of unexpected shapes that represent crystals, quartz, and other mineral formations normally found in nature.
Back in the day actors’ contracts required them to stay within a 100 mile radius of Los Angeles during filming. As a result Palm Springs was born. Known for famed pool parties and Moroccan inspired retro design, Palm Springs has always lured Tinseltown stars, sun worshippers, and design lovers with its fusion of Hollywood glam and Vegas flamboyance.
There’s no place like Palm Springs when it comes to retro-inspired design culture and iconic modern architecture. Sandwiched in the desert half way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Palm Springs is an oasis of pure Hollywood glamour fused with a bit of flamboyant Las Vegas spirit. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy some classic Southern California poolside culture.
Iconic Mid-century Modern Architecture
Home to the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture, Palm Springs is sprinkled with iconic homes designed by the likes of Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and John Lautner. For architecture buffs there are plenty of home tours, and once a year Palm Springs celebrates its architectural glory during Modernism Week.
Located among the lapping waves and pelicans in Redondo Beach, California is one of South Bay’s best kept dining secrets. Lined with palm trees and overlooking a quiet stretch of the marina, Baleen, named for a type of whale, feels miles apart from the bustle of Los Angeles, but chic enough to be a major player on the restaurant scene.
40 years ago in 1971, the Shangri-La opened its very first hotel in Singapore, eventually spreading out into 72 hotels and resorts around the globe cultivating an effortless lavishness. It is a glamorous place that doesn’t need try too hard, but still exudes extravagance in every way.
Looking for the hottest spots to check out in Seattle? Here are some places you won’t want to miss:
Sleep
A trendy haven for design aficionados and the aesthetically attune, Hotel Andra (2000 Fourth Avenue; 877/448-8600; doubles from $229) in Seattle’s Belltown district brims with sleek Scandinavian design. Don’t miss the hotel’s inventive restaurant, Lola, which serves up creative combinations of Greek and North African cuisine.
Looking for a handy little travel aid kit? When packing up all those pesky provisions of medicine and travel-sized toiletries for a recent trip, I came across a compact travel aid kit filled with all the necessary travel bits. I’m talking bandages, antiseptic, earplugs, a pill tube, a miniature sewing kit, buttons, tweezers, tiny scissors, a compass-thermometer and a bunch of other useful items all in one place (and weighing only 3.5 ounces)!
Travel Aid Kit
Rick Steves’ Travel Store
$19.95 (currently on sale for $15.95)
I love Moroccan cuisine. Pastilla, or meat pies encased in puff pastry and covered with powdered sugar and cinnamon, savory lamb tajines, and hot mint tea don’t even begin to scratch the surface of this complex culinary culture. My food obsession led me all the way to Morocco where I followed my taste buds right into the Moroccan kitchen.
Zanzibar is an exotic enough destination in itself, but things just got even more interesting. Check out this restaurant on a rock in the Indian Ocean.
