Inside the Mahjong Cult There are easier games to learn, quieter games to play, and games whose devotees are less likely to correct your terminology before you’ve finished your drink. Mahjong is not one of them. Walk past a mahjong table and you hear the clatter of tiles and a strange vocabulary. “Three bam.” “Soap.”
Bams, Craks & Secrets: Inside the World of American Mahjong Read More »
From Rajasthan’s Painted Courts to the Objects We Live With There are things made quickly. And then there are things made by people who seem to have an entirely different relationship with time. In Rajasthan, painting has been one of those things for centuries. Look closely at a traditional Rajasthani miniature and the first thing
Before the Brush: Rajasthan’s Secret Art of the Pinhole Read More »
There are certain moments in travel when enthusiasm collides rather abruptly with bureaucracy. Applying for a Chinese visa is one of them. China has changed its visa application process fairly recently, so much of what you find online—including perfectly confident advice from people who went to China a few years ago—is outdated. For Americans applying
Applying for a Chinese Visa: How to Insure a Smooth Process Read More »
The world offers endless access to beautiful things, yet many feel increasingly anonymous—disconnected from the people who made them, the places they came from, and the stories they carry. I believe the most meaningful objects are discovered rather than manufactured. They are found through travel. Through conversation. Luxury has never been easier to purchase.
Luxury has become easier to buy and harder to remember Read More »
Essential oils are part of our culture…used in aromatherapy sessions, relaxation techniques, in massage therapy, for holistic medicinal purposes, in yoga studios and an expansive range of cosmetics, perfumes and skincare. And as a lifelong scent devotee…I found Egypt a mecca for magnificent essential oils which, as I write this, scent my home with rich
From Aphrodisiac to Mummification: Explore Egypt’s Rarest Essential Oils Read More »
First, why is this important? As a solo female traveler, especially if you like going “off the grid” to explore on your own, you’re less conspicuous. Pickpockets are a factor in every large city, here and abroad. Also, there are cultural norms which, as a woman traveling in a different country, merit your attention. Here
My Simple, Practical Tips on How Not to Look Like a Tourist Abroad Read More »
I’ve been researching. Planning the next great escapade for travel abroad. In the midst of this wonderful distraction I came across listings of the world’s most luxurious destinations. So I asked myself…”if money didn’t matter, where would I go for the ultimate spa experience? Here’s my curated super-short list of top spa destinations with their
My Bucket List of the World’s Ultimate Luxury Spa Destinations Read More »
Today I should be in the bustling capital of Bangkok. Three years of planning. My bucket list trip to Southeast Asia. Siem Riep, Angkor Wat, a cruise on Ha Long Bay, Luang Prabang, 150 foot reclining Buddhas, Hanoi. Silks, pearls, Pho and the Khmer Dynasty. Three flight cancellations and delays over three days nixed the
Know When to Fold ‘Em: My Best Advice If A Trip Goes Sideways Read More »
Dreaming of spending Valentine’s Day in the most romantic city in the world? Don’t limit yourself to the 14th of February. Paris is the perfect city for a romantic getaway, ANY day. First, check and book flights. Skyscanner is a great app for that. Make hotel, lunch and dinner reservations online with the information provided
How to Plan the Perfect Valentine’s Day in Paris Read More »
Museums around the world engage and enthrall. A visit for me is never finished, I just run out of time. The most prestigious are not my only favorites since the smaller, stumbled upon gems can delight without the crowds and with greater access to the works displayed. Vienna On a fall afternoon in Vienna, I
Art-Inspired Travel: Secrets of the World’s Least Known Museums Read More »