Month: December 2009

A decade ago, a hotel restaurant was mostly an afterthought, the sad stomping grounds of weary business travelers and harried families who couldn’t make it off site to somewhere better. But in the last few years particularly, an on-site eatery has become a property’s star attraction drawing both well-heeled locals as well as discerning out-of-towners. …

One of the main hotel trends I have noticed in the last few years is the revamp of the grand dame properties. Basically after these places become a little fusty the owners inject a good amount of cash, hire a hot shot interior designer, add a few funky details like a great spa or bar, …

It’s that time of year again, the moment to unveil my annual It List for Concierge.com that features the destinations that I think travelers will (or should be) keeping on their radars in the upcoming year. Some highlights: * A number of the places are spots that I would love to travel to myself, like …

Palermo, Sicily Epic operas, all-you-can-eat seafood, and fewer tourists inflating the prices. Home to some of Italy’s most underrated cultural attractions (not to mention lower prices than you’ll find in overtouristed Florence and Venice), the Sicilian capital is a masterpiece of hodgepodge architecture and noisy street culture. Make your first stop the sprawling Palermo Cathedral, …

We’re declaring 2010 to be Travel’s Comeback Year. And not just because of the recovering economy: A combination of changed political circumstances, increased access, and once-in-a-lifetime events is opening up some of the world’s most beautiful hideaways for your traveling pleasure. The ten destinations on our 2010 It List are next year’s travel trophies, the …

One of the most memorable trips I have taken for Condé Nast Traveler was to Mozambique a few years back (read “A Once and Future Eden” from the December 2007 issue). The country was spectacularly beautiful, with barely developed tropical islands in the north and south (and some of the best diving I have ever …

Thanksgiving in London has become a tradition for me. In fact, this holiday marks my twelfth year of making the pilgrimage and I love it. I celebrate the festivities with my dear friend’s family (whose mother is American so they go all out on the turkey, fixings and pies) and then we have plenty of …