The Lowdown on Tacky Souvenirs and Christian Kitsch - Hautes-Pyrenees France I think it was Goethe who said that the imagination was man’s “deadliest enemy,” but how could that be so when all of us have dreamed up so many fabulous places to visit, celebrity people to admire, and unique pleasures to seek out. Even so, nightmares notwithstanding, we are all vaguely astonished when legend becomes reality and we actually arrive in a place we … [Read more...]
On Location at the Napa Valley Film Festival
Wine, camera, action! Luscious wines and innovative independent movies in enticing venues on a gorgeous fall weekend in the Napa Valley? The Napa Valley Film Festival gets two thumbs up from my husband (“Mr. TWS”) and me! As film buffs and wine enthusiasts with a special affection for Northern California wine country, Mr. TWS and I indulged our senses at the third annual (but our first) Napa Valley Film Festival, which ran from November … [Read more...]
New Public Television Series, The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg
New Public Television Series, The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg, Premieres Fall 2013 (check local listings) Travel guru offers tips and tricks for traveling like an insider Tired of feeling like a helpless traveler? In the new series The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg, premiering nationwide beginning Monday, September 30, 2013 on public television (check local listings), CBS News Travel Editor and The Royal Tour co-host Peter … [Read more...]
Yung Chang: Writer & Director
I have enjoyed fruit for as long as I can remember. My early childhood memories involve visiting Asian markets with my father - scouring the shelves for mostly canned fruit in the absence of the real thing. Over time this changed - demand increased within these communities and USA agricultural laws changed to allow the import of a wider variety of fruits. In the last 4-5 years where I live - depending on the time of year, you can now find fairly … [Read more...]
West Sweden & Skane: Volvo’s Car plus Vacation – Day 3-4 of 14
DAY 3 Volvo Tour, pickup vehicle, drive to Lysekil Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel. A driver will pick you up in the morning and take you to Volvo's headquarters. Volvo offers a unique experience for buyers overseas interested in purchasing a new Volvo. They combine picking up your new car with a personal trip in which you get to test drive your new vehicle. Then when you are finished exploring Sweden, simply drop off your car … [Read more...]
Culinary Highlights at Sweden’s only Floating Hotel
Both my Napa Valley winemaker friend, Emil and I were looking forward all trip to a visit and stay at Sweden's only floating hotel - along with a visit to the adjoining restaurant (Salt & Sill) - in the small ocean-side town of Klädesholmen on Tjörn Island in Western Sweden. This was one of the restaurants on our itinerary we had planned to wear the finest clothes we brought along! However, it was not to be - we barely arrived before closing … [Read more...]
Tel Aviv’s Annual White Night Festival
New York - May 29, 2013: Tel Aviv will host the 10th annual White Night Festival, a 24-hour event featuring citywide art, culture and music events, June 27. The White Night Festival first started in 2003, in celebration of Tel Aviv being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its collection of more than 4,000 Bauhaus and International-style architecture buildings. Now in its 10th year, the festival will include a lineup of citywide street and … [Read more...]
Win a Free Trip to Israel with New “Beyond Belief” Video Contest
New York - May 23, 2013: The Israel Ministry of Tourism launched its new "Beyond Belief" video contest this week, offering travelers a chance to win a trip for two to Israel. To enter the "Beyond Belief" contest, participants must visit the Israel Ministry of Tourism Facebook page and select the "Win a Trip" tab at the top of the screen. Participants should then post an original two-minute video that incorporates the phrase, "Israel is … [Read more...]
Jerusalem: the Lion of this Kingdom
In May of 2009, my mother and I traversed France over 10 days. On our final day, at a Paris hotel, I perused cheap flights on the Internet, chancing upon a low-cost Belgian airline, JetAirFly, with one-way flights from Liege, Belgium, to Tel Aviv, for 99 euros. In Jerusalem, my nephew, Guy, and his mother, Miri, agreed to shelter me from the incoming cultural storm. My nerves tingled as I considered the implications: Judea, Israel, Jerusalem, … [Read more...]
Step back in history in Savannah
Time has stood still in Savannah with its 24 squares and picture perfect parks with homes dating to the 1700's when General James Oglethrope arrived here to build a colony in the name of England’s King George II. Oglethrope and with city planner, William Bull of South Carolina established the squares and reserved them as public parks among the neighborhoods. One of the homes along the squares Monterey Square is home to Congregation … [Read more...]