At just 31 miles long and 16 miles wide, it’s hard to believe such a small island can command a big space on the global travel stage. Home to such a variety of cultures Singapore one of the most unique and fascinating stops in Asia. I want to go for the rainbow painted colonial buildings of Little India to the high-rise glass sky scrapers in the Financial district, but I know I would want to stay because despite its rich history, it has an identity unto itself that is still being defined.
Crushing On... Joshua Tree
After nearly a week of mild 60 degree weather then a plunge to freezing temps with snow, I am dreaming of Joshua Tree more than I usually do this time of year. Set in California’s low desert, where both Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley are located, the area originally became the getaway destination for Hollywood’s elite. Today, Joshua Tree is the new ‘it’ destination in the area drawing a folks away from the low desert and out to the high.
Loving... London
Each February when the weather in the North East is dismal and the gray skies seem oppressive, I start to dream about travel. London (while not particularly bright and warm this time of year) is one of those cities I try to get back to again and again. I wish I had known about this charming children's book by M. Sasek when Claudia was young and we were planning one of our over-the-pond adventures. Sasek, whose other travel books include Paris, New York, and San Francisco, shares his impressions of London with its beautiful architecture, historic monuments, parks, shops, and black cabs with such playful elan artistry that it makes all of us want to board a plane for The Old Smoke and head right to Piccadilly Circus.
Happy New Year...from the Blue Ridge Mountains
Each New Year I try to make only one or two resolutions that I can actually meet on a daily basis. Aside from my resolve to write each day, I am committed to a daily dose of nature where ever I can find it! The New Year began with a bracing hike in Shenandoah National Park, part of the Blue Ridge mountain range that extends along the western edge of Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length, and a vast network of trails includes a section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail. Mostly forested, the park features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains.
Paris...One Croissant at a Time
The first overseas map from All-You-Can-Eat Press highlighting 34 of the best croissants if you happen to be in the Paris area. Written, researched and photographed by pâtissière and European pastry researcher, Yuriko Yamamoto. They also offer maps for doughnuts, oysters, and diners in New York.
Postcard from... Long Beach Island, NJ
There are few places so restorative as an empty beach in the cold autumn months. And when the sky is overcast and you can see the subtle color shifts from sand to sky, its all the more so. I try to make a trip to the beach each year after the season traffic slows to a trickle and you can find yourself at the shore for long hours without seeing a single person, a perfect time to slow down, take stock,a nd ready for the winter months.