So you are planning to spend your May holidays in Tuscany or elsewhere in central Italy. Don't worry; there are lots and lots of special spring events that simply aren't available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; May is almost upon us. We start our virtual tour in Tuscany on the western Tyrrhenian Sea coast and then proceed in a clockwise direction heading to The Marches on the Adriatic Sea. There are so many...more
So you are thinking of visiting northern Italy in May, but you're just not sure what to see and to do. Don't you despair; there are lots and lots of special events that simply aren't available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; May is almost upon us. We start our virtual tour in Liguria, go north to Piedmont, and then further north to Val d'Aosta in the Italian Alps. There are so many things to see and do in northern...more
The Castello district is the largest of Venice's six districts, locally known as sestiere. It's in the east of Venice and, unlike some of the others, people actually live there. This is the least touristy part of Venice, which may be an attraction for many. The area includes many historic churches. For your convenience we have listed these hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages. The exception is clearly identified.Santa Maria della Pieta is a casa per ferie (vacation house) rather than a hotel. It does occupy the upper floors of two palaces but don't come here expecting luxury. You will enjoy the rooftop terrace. Some of its rooms are great for families, if you reserve early enough you may get one with six beds. There are 15 rooms. The address is Calle della Pieta, Castello 3701. Their website is Italian language only but clicking the translation provides the basics.The Hotel Scandinavia, originally built around the year 1000, was once a luxurious Eighteenth Century residence. According to local tradition this was where Desdemona met Othello, the...more
Manhattan makes up a number of neighborhoods that all have their own style and contribution to the city as a whole. Most of the areas have a great mix of business and residential life. They all have great places to eat, drink and relax or party. There is always a blend of people walking around. Some in a hurry and some just out for a stroll. There...more
Imagine a group of delightful islands in the warm sun. Glorious stretches of beach invite you for a relaxed and sunny encounter while hibiscus and frangipani blossom full of color. Delightful historical towns offer alfresco dining on freshly caught lobster and crab. For a moment, you think you're in some tropical paradise in the Caribbean. But then...more
Many people have different expectations from a safari to the African continent - some enjoy relaxing in five star accommodation with spas and the latest treatments, with world class dining and fine wines, whilst others want to totally immerse themselves deep in the bush. Either experience will afford high quality game viewing but the latter most definitely provides a real sense of Africa "unplugged".Walking safaris were pioneered in Zambia's South Luangwa by the renowned Norman Carr over fifty years ago and today his legacy is a small selection of high quality "bush camps" which are platforms for exciting foot safaris. "Bush camps" tend to be much smaller than traditional safari lodges, taking between 6 to 10 guests at a time and more traditional in design with a handful of thatched cottages, usually opening onto a tranquil bend of the Luangwa River. The key to any safari in Africa is the quality of the guiding and Zambian guides are amongst the very best - taking guests out on foot requires a high level of concentration and sensory perception. Imagine coming across all of the wildlife you would see from the comfort of your set in a large 4x4 vehicle, now imagine the same...more
For planning a wedding ceremony or reception or choosing a honeymoon destination, a chain hotel can be an excellent option. Granted, a chain might not offer quite the same local touch of a small boutique hotel, but the chains do represent brand...more
Earlier, Goa was prominent for its natural exquisiteness and breathtaking beaches intended to offer a rejuvenating experience to the holidaymakers, however, the picture is entirely different today. Five star luxury, endless cuisines, modernized...more
Saving those dollarsMany people think that cruising the open seas on a luxury ship is a vacation we cannot even dream of. However, with some careful planning and searching for incredible cruise bargains a cruise can be affordable. A cruise vacation...more
Most people associate Orlando with Disney World, but there is more to do there than just visit Disney. Here are the top 5 Orlando attractions that have nothing to do with Disney World, or its other operations in the area.Islands of AdventureThis is...more
San Francisco has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the country, making it a veritable chowhound's delight. There are plenty of things that San Francisco is famous for in the culinary world, notably the Dungeness Crabs, sourdough...more
I moved to the Detroit Area in 2001. I didn't know very much about the area, but I heard plenty. Around the nation, haven't we all?It wasn't until 2007 before I heard about one of the coolest places EVER—IN the City of Detroit. I didn't actually...more