The Hamptons: life’s a beach
As I stepped out from the bus with tinted windows and took a look around, I thought for a second I was a millionaire… Allow me to explain: My friend Robin Leacock invited me to spend the weekend in...
Category: Travel
Montepulciano and the birthplace of the Renaissance
I recently stayed in Montepulciano, a town in southern Tuscany, famous for its “Nobile” wine. On the drive there, looking out the window, I was hypnotized by the harmonious landscape: there was...
The traveler hypothesizes
I’m traveling again. I’ve found that this sort of experience gives rise to much scientific thought. While many travel writers use the tried and true “stream of consciousness” approach, I...
Americans in Paris: a love rekindled
Picture courtesy of Liza Bishop & Kent Morris. Back in 2003, the love affair between France and America ended. To make matters worse, the "break-up" between the two countries happened on...
Medjugorje: fervent worship and booming business
The last time I came to Bosnia was in the middle of the Balkan War. My mother loves bargains and war zone holidays always are cheaper. In Bosnia, though, we were looking for something more profound...
There and Back Again: my trip to Orlando
I’m like a million other people: I’m at the airport, waiting for a flight. I packed last night, and even checked in on-line; it was all extremely organized. I’m that sort of person. Of course,...
Monaco: for those with massive credit limits!
For the last ten years, I have been coming to sunny and opulent Monaco for the odd weekend here and there. My mother moved here following my parents' divorce. Monaco a strange place, rather like...
Budapest: good food and good times
I was excited to explore this city after having heard so much about Budapest from my Grandmother, Pempe Aitken, who once joined Queen Juliana of Holland on her honeymoon here. It was the celebratory...
In Belgrade and in love
No. 42 was once an elegant house. Its crumbling façade exuded an air or mystery and romance. As I stood on its cracked marble doorstep I felt I had arrived home. For sixty years, No. 42 was the home...
48 hours in Warsaw
I arrived in Warsaw by train from Krakow. I forgot to take a book for my train ride, but this was a blessing in disguise, because Polish people have devised a wonderful system for book promotion:...