Since 1927, the national landmark Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park has hosted its Bracebridge Dinner, a Christmas season tradition of grand proportion that sells out months, perhaps a year, in advance. This historic hotel surrounded by steep granite cliffs has hosted presidents — and myself — on occasion. Every holiday season, it turns into…
She calls her “Yu Hu Stewardess” blog, “The modern version of coffee, tea or moi.” She says, “The stories are pretty much true. The names, dates, places, and some of the details have been changed. Because no one wants to get fired or sued.” I’ve dated flight attendants, have friends who are pilots and I’ve…
This definitely is not a ski resort where you can wear jeans, gators and last year’s parka. If you wore anything other than the latest fashions on the slopes, you may get snubbed at the cute, 92-room luxe Aspen chalet known as Little Nell. With a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, a genuinely caring staff, and a…
Known as one of America’s greatest resorts and run by the same family for generations, the four Sea Islands Resorts along the Georgia coast are offering their Twelve Days of Chrismas celebration from December 21 through January 1. You can begin a new family tradition with the joyful notes, crisp weather and jovial spirit of…
In June, we wrote about the Hotel Des Arts in San Francisco. Now, the START Art Gallery that gathered the artists to paint the walls of that hotel are offering a way cool new service. With Smart Mobile Art from Start, you can download thousands of pieces of art work to your phone from hundreds…
If you’ve ever stayed on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman for a snorkeling or scuba diving trip, you know it’s one of the world’s most pristine settings — featuring the warm Caribbean Sea, shallow water, lots of tropical fish and drop-dead gorgeous sunsets. Now, this beach is pleased to welcome the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman…
Yesterday, the A gate at San Francisco International’s Terminal began testing its new state-of-the-art security equipment. It’s not yet screening actual passengers, but hopes to after gaining approval from the Transportation Security Administration. Designed by GE Security to speed up lines while strengthening security, the equipment will eliminate the need for passengers to remove their…
Wines from Spain has published a new 120-page guide to Spanish wines called the “Far From Ordinary Wine Guide” that is available free while supplies last on their website at www.winesfromspainusa.com. The guide was written by noted wine authority Doug Frost, who is one of only three wine professionals in the world to have both…
Imagine yourself in a hotel so hip, so cool, so utterly fashionable, that you feel like you’re dressed for a soccer game when everyone else is dressed for dinner. That’s how my pal and Vagablond co-founder Branden felt at the Hotel Rialto, Warsaw’s only boutique hotel with 44 well-appointed and uniquely designed rooms. In fact,…
I’m pretty lucky. Of all the times I’ve been to New York over the years for business or pleasure, only once did I witness a strike. And it was for sanitation workers, in winter. So while piles of garbage bags were on every curb throughout Manhattan, they didn’t stink like they could have in the…
As one of the Caribbean’s Top 100 Resorts, Pirate’s Point Resort and Dive Center on Little Cayman, just announced that it will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary with both special programs and special pricing throughout 2006. First, they’re offering last summer’s prices – $1495 per person for the all inclusive dive package or $1195 per…
In the town of Ely, Nevada, at the junction of Highways 6, 93 and 50 (the loneliest road in America), stands a once flashy showgirl. Although she’s a little long in the tooth, the old gal is still a sweet tease. The ground in front of her is splayed with the stars of Jimmy Stewart…