Articles

Designed in 1879 to evoke the avenues of Paris, Lisbon’s Avenida da Liberdade is often considered the city’s Champs-Elysees: a broad, leafy boulevard lined with fountains and statuary alongside sidewalks of Portuguese mosaic. The Avenue (as it’s known to locals) is home to fashion houses, art deco movie palaces and luxury hotels, all of which made it a fitting neighborhood for one of Portugal’s most famous actresses, Beatriz Costa, who made her home at the five-star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa.

One of the more fortunate felines in the world is a Burmese named Fa-Raon (the phonetic spelling of the French word for “pharaoh”) whose fabulous realm is free “reign” of Le Bristol Paris. Given the ancient Egyptians’ belief in the regal nature of felines, it’s fitting that Fa-Raon should lay claim to a six-story limestone palace located on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré—two blocks from Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France.

Chicago bartender Jay Schroeder has written a timely 101 called Understanding Mezcal that tells you everything you need to know about the smokey Mexican spirit.

Stuttgart, in southwestern Germany, is celebrated for its mega fall Canstatter Volksfest beer festival (#2 in the world) and sleek, stylish Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.  Among its many other attractions are hillside city vineyards great for strolling and some excellent museums, including art galleries.

So many people love Charleston it’s often voted the number 1 city to visit. And I’m one of them. It’s charming, it’s rich in history and culture, and it’s delicious. Read more about it here

Captivating Charleston

There’s so much happening in New York City this spring there’s no reason to ever leave town. The highlight is the massive Hudson Yards development. Every marquee chef you’ve ever heard of has a restaurant. Plus Mercado Little Spain is an edible 101 on Spanish cuisine.

Fathom: Anyone planning to make time to recharge for the New Year (or at any time of year) should consider Red Mountain Resort near St. George, Utah. For 20 years, this excellent-value resort and spa in the midst of Utah’s stunning red-rock landscapes and blue skies has provided inspiration and support for personal adventure and change of many kinds.

Monuments, museums, and now meals makes DC a hot tourist destination.

Working behind the scenes,  kitchen designers set the stage for the world’s great chefs. Read what the tops names–Mark Stech-Novak, Russell Stilwell, Stuart Davis, Tim Harrison, Jimi Yui–have to say about what’s hot and what’s not.

Dickie Brennan and Ti Martin of Brennan family restaurant fame have opened a culinary school in New Orleans which will offer an accelerated program more affordable than traditional schools.