Contributor Profiles
Melissa Biggs Bradley
The daughter of an Australian ballerina who was a soloist with England’s Royal Ballet and an American money manager, Melissa Biggs Bradley believes that travel is in her blood. After all, if her parents hadn’t both been living “abroad” in London, where they met, she wouldn’t have been born. At twelve, she went on a month-long safari in Kenya with an inveterate traveler, her 72-year-old grandmother. She chose to spend her junior year of high school in Rennes, France living with a French family. She attended Yale College, but spent her junior year living and studying in Paris. After beginning her magazine career at European Travel & Life, she joined Town & Country as travel editor in 1994. In 2001, her article, “Far and Away” on a twenty-three day trip around the world by private jet was selected as one of the Notable Travel Writing Selections in the Best American Travel Writing of 2000. She was the founding editor of Town & Country Travel magazine, which was nominated for a General Excellence award by the American Society of Magazine Editors in 2004. In March 2007, she founded Indagare.com.
Read more information on Melissa Biggs Bradley.
Destination Reports
Germany: Berlin
Berlin is one of Europe's most fascinating, stimulating and underrated capitals.
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France: Paris
With major European cities looking more and more alike, Paris stands gloriously apart.
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China: Beijing
Home to fifteen million people and site of the 2008 Olympics, Beijing is a superpower capital to see.
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China: Shanghai
China's embrace of capitalism is transforming this historic city into an urban marvel for this century. Come witness its rise.
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Sydney
Sydney's time is now—and the city knows it. As locals say, 'Come in, the water's great.'
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New York
New York is at a new zenith of creativity, with exciting new hotels, restaurants, galleries and shops.
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England: London
London is nudging past New York as the world’s financial capital and the ripple effects are being felt all over town. From Russian oligarchs to freshly-minted hedge fund traders, a...
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Czech Republic: Prague
The only other city in Europe that comes close to being as perfectly beautiful as Prague is Venice. Now, its extraordinary architecture has been restored after decades of neglect and...
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Marrakech
Marrakech has it all: history, romance, atmosphere. It exudes a happening, hip vibe, but it also has a sterling pedigree. If you’re looking for an indulgent time in an exotic...
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Belize
“A nature lover’s paradise” may be a tired cliché but it actually applies to this small Central American country.
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Tanzania
Exquisite small safari lodges and visionary conservation projects have raised the wilderness experiences in Tanzania to an incredible new level.
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Italy: Sardinia
Writer D. H. Lawrence once described Sardinia as “lost between Europe and Africa and belonging to nowhere.”
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Australian Lodges
There's no better way to see the real Australia than by heading to the stunning lodges in the remote Outback and on the coast.
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St. Barth's
St. Barth’s has a rhythm of its own that mixes l’art de vivre with a laid-back tropical ease. What's new; where to stay and shop.
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Deer Valley
No longer a secret among well-heeled families, Deer Valley is now ranked #1 ski resort in the U.S. and a new crop of hotels and amenities is raising the bar...
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Brazil: Bahia
Discover the best beach hideaways in the area that Brazilians call "the land of happiness."
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California: Santa Barbara
Sophisticated living combined with a refreshingly laid-back California attitude in a drop-dead gorgeous landscape.
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France: Courchevel
As part of the Trois Vallées, Courchevel in the French Alps has access to one of the world's largest linked ski resorts with some 375 miles of groomed slopes and...
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Chile: Atacama Desert
Few places on earth are as dramatic in appearance as Chile’s Atacama desert.
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Turkey: Cappadocia
Imagine a Grand Canyonesque landscape with clusters of wild, wind-sculpted rock spires and networks of mountain caves that have been converted into churches, homes and hotels, and you begin to...
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India: Jodhpur
Known as the Blue City for its cobalt-painted facades, Jodhpur is home to maharajah palaces, gorgeous gardens and the legendary Mehrangarh Fort.
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France: French Riviera
The South of France most storied region was one of the world's first summer resort areas thanks to its gorgeous seaside setting.
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Articles
California Wine Country: Sonoma: Where to Stay: Hip: Hotel Healdsburg
The hip fifty-five-room Hotel Healdsburg is proof that the warmth of a country inn can be maintained without the grandmotherly decor of hooked rugs and lace curtains. When you first...
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California Wine Country: Napa: Where to Stay: Luxury: Auberge du Soleil
For years I had heard that this was one of the most romantic hotels in the country, and when I finally visited four years ago, I was not disappointed. Set...
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California Wine Country: Napa: Where to Stay: Family Friendly: Meadowood
This privately-owned property reminds me of a New England summer enclave. Its white clapboard cottages are sprinkled over a 250-acre private estate with hiking trails winding past tennis courts, croquet...
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New Zealand: Where to Stay: Luxury: Kauri Cliffs
In 1978, on a sabbatical from Wall Street, investor Julian Robertson Jr. chose New Zealand as a place where he could escape and ponder the future. He and his wife,...
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New Zealand: Where to Stay: Luxury: Blanket Bay
A forty-five-minute drive from Queenstown, this lodge sits in a breathtaking spot on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, looking towards the Humboldt Mountains. In the 1970s, when an American couple...
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Family: Pulse: A Kid's Guide to Washington D.C.
You asked: Any advice for traveling with young kids to Washington, D.C.? Last March, when we took our kids to Washington, D.C., we found a book in our suite at...
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Active/Adventure: People: Ranch for a Reunion
You asked: We are eight adults and ten kids (ages five to twelve). We want to travel during Christmas week to a very upscale ranch where there is a lot...
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Morocco: Where to Eat: Setting: Kasbah du Toubkal
We had a driver take us up to the Berber village of Imlil (a little more than an hour’s drive) and then hiked fifteen minutes up to Kasbah du Toubkal....
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Morocco: Strategies: Lay of the Land: Essaouira
What: This seaside town has changed very little in the past decade, except for the addition of a few stylish riad hotels and one noteworthy shoe boutique. Getting There: It’s...
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California Wine Country: Napa: Guides & Tour Operators: John Thoreen, the Wine Tutor
When I stayed at the Calistoga Ranch for a girls’ weekend a few years ago, we hired a wonderful wine guide for the afternoon. John Thoreen, a.k.a the Wine Tutor,...
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Leading the Way: Welcome to Indagare
Dear Members, In the first few weeks of our launch, you can expect new highlights and Destination Reports to be added daily. Every Wednesday, we will update this page with...
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Style: Indagare Bests: Global Bazaar
One of the downsides of globalization is the uniformity of shopping around the world. With the same luxury labels everywhere from Aspen to Shanghai, it’s getting harder and harder to...
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Style: Places: Global Bazaar: Sydney
If you had only one afternoon to shop in Sydney, I’d tell you to hop a cab to Surry Hills and direct it to the emporium david met nicole. Most...
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Style: Places: Global Bazaar: Marrakech
You can’t visit the city without going to the bazaar, but the most beautiful things made in Morocco will not be found within it. Browse here, but buy at Meryanne...
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Style: Pulse: Global Bazaar: Jaipur
JAIPUR: As if running one world-famous emporium weren’t enough, Munnu Kasliwal (of Jaipur’s Gem Palace) teamed up with French jewelry designer Marie-Hélène de Taillac to open a shop in 2005...
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Style: Places: Global Bazaar: Shanghai
If you like beautiful, authentic crafts, you shouldn’t visit Shanghai without stopping at Suzhou Cobblers. The small boutique, on a road just off the Bund, sells exquisite hand-sewn silk shoes...
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Leading the Way: Special Private Jet Invitation for Members
Having been a travel journalist for more than a dozen years, I am often asked about the best trip I’ve ever taken. The answer is easy: it was a TCS...
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Leading the Way: News & Notes
This weekend marks the 16th annual Napa Valley Wine Auction, which officially kicks off tomorrow with a series of private dinners and lunches. For information on how to get last-minute...
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Family: Pulse: Palm Springs Family Style
You Asked: What is the best resort in Palm Springs for a family vacation with kids aged 4 to 14? Writer Carrie Doyle Karasyov (co-author of The Right Address and...
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Escape: People: Honeymoon Hotels in Paris and Rome
You asked: We are going to go to Rome and Paris for our honeymoon in October. Any suggestions for romantic hotels? —S.G., Los Angeles, CA For the most romantic options...
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Active/Adventure: Pulse: Brazil and Argentina Experts
You asked: My husband and I want to plan a trip to Brazil and Argentina. Who would you recommend who could help us with guides and drivers in the cities...
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Escape: People: Parrot Cay Versus Harbour Island
You asked: Is Parrot Cay the best place to go for a three-night stint getaway? Better than Harbour Island (Pink Sands or Coral Sands)? Is Parrot Cay flashy or can...
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Active/Adventure: People: Surfing and Pampering
You asked: My exhausted investment banker husband and I are looking for a beautiful resort, not too far from New York, that offers surfing instruction. What would you recommend? L.C.,...
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Spain: Ibiza: Boating: Coral Yachting
With an office in the Ibiza marina, Coral Yachting arranges for boat charters of various sizes, including speedboats, yachts and sailboats, which are perfect for day trips to Formentera. Our...
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Mexico: Riviera Maya: Where to Stay: Value: Fairmont Mayakoba
Part of the Maya Riviera’s Mayakoba resort community, the Fairmont Mayakoba has 401 guest rooms located in casitas of various sizes scattered around the forty-five-acre property. Most rooms have views...
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Bahamas: Where to Stay: Family Friendly: The Cove Atlantis
My nine-year-old daughter summed up the main problem with the Cove Atlantis, the newest addition to the Atlantis resort. “The supposedly magnificent rides and service is not so magnificent after...
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Bahamas: Where to Stay: Luxury: One & Only Ocean Club
This storied property was once the home of grocery-store heir Huntington Hartford II. More recently, it appeared in the 2006 James Bond remake of Casino Royale, and just like the...
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Commentary: Buyer Beware: A Cautionary Tale of Shopping Abroad
Shopping in a foreign country can carry risks—and rewards—that you may not be aware of. In yesterday’s New York Times, I read a story about a St. Louis resident who...
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Family: Places: You asked: Christmas Ski Vacation with Kids
From the Ask Advice board: “In addition to the information provided in the Deer Valley post, can you recommend other places to travel out West over a Christmas holiday with...
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Leading the Way: The Holiday Rush and a New Compromise
Summer is not yet officially over, but it’s already time to start figuring out winter holiday plans. For the past two months, we’ve been fielding questions from members who were...
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Leading the Way: What's Your Travel IQ?
Dear Members, I’ve learned a lot in my travels but our new Indagare Quotient Intelligence Quiz, or IQ², reminds me of how much more I have to learn and how...
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Spa/Wellness: Places: Airport Nail Salons & Spas
It’s hard to find something positive to report about flying commercial in the U.S. these days, with a record number of canceled and delayed flights and unavoidable security hassles. But...
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China: Hong Kong: Where to Shop: Jewelry: Tayma Fine Jewellery
When I first discovered this shop in the late ‘90s, Tamya was operating out of a small studio in a non-descript office building in Hong Kong. An English friend had...
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Leading the Way: Global Holiday Shopping
It’s that time of year when hopefully you have squared away your travel plans. (If you haven’t, members will receive another blast next week with still-available-for-the-holiday options.) And now we...
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Style: Pulse: Global Bazaar: Online
When I travel I often find unusual products that seem just right for friends and family. One year I bought almost all of my Christmas presents in Shanghai. I piled...
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Food/Wine: Pulse: New York Newcomer: Grayz
THIS RESTAURANT CLOSED IN 2008 I have been a fan of Gray Kunz since he was at Lespinasse in the St. Regis. The way he fuses his old world Swiss...
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Mustique: Introduction: Why Go Now
There’s a natural chic here that exists in certain Mediterranean places and nowhere else. Other islands in the Caribbean are terribly pretty: St. John, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos. Other islands...
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Mustique: Strategies: Getting There
It is possible to take a ferry from St. Vincent but flights are the preferred mode of arrival. You fly either to Barbados or Grenada and then take a six-seater...
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Mustique: Introduction: Overview
Paradise. You do know it when you see it. My first glimpse of Mustique was of massive houses perched on jungle green hillsides from a tiny six-seater plane as we...
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Mustique: Where to Shop: Fashion & Accessories: Pink House
The pink, gingerbread-style Treasure Houses (next to the Purple House) is one co-owned by the island’s iconic designer Lotty Bunbury. An English woman who moved to the island with her...
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Commentary: To Ship or To Check Bags: One Flier's Opinion
A month ago, I checked a bag for the first time in three years because I was combining city and country stays in Denmark, and I couldn’t fit boots, sweaters...
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Harbour Island: Introduction: Why Go Now
Harbour Island is one of those places people either love or simply don’t get. For the many glamorous folk who want to drop out, the island’s small-townpace is the perfect...
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Leading the Way: December 18, 2007
Need to Know: Shipping Luggage I am getting ready for skiing and sunning after Christmas and my secret helper is FedEx. A week or so ago, the Wall Street Journal...
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Leading the Way: Good Intentions
This year, I decided to give myself some extra help in keeping my new year’s resolution by reserving a few days at one of my favorite spas, Mii Amo. I...
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British Virgin Islands: Where to Stay: On the Water: Bitter End Yacht Club
This beachfront resort is great for families. Known for its excellent sailing, it’s a water sports mecca where guests can learn to sail at Bitter End’s U.S. Sailing-accredited Sailing and...
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Commentary: A New Breed of Flier
Last week I realized that a new breed of flier has emerged in America’s airports and reluctantly, I have joined its ranks. Call us defensive fliers or strategic schedulers. In...
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Leading the Way: On My Mind: Making Connections
In September one of our members posted on our Discussion Boards a tentative trip itinerary with the following comment: “I am trying to plan a nine-day trip to Morocco in...
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Escape: Places: Brazilian Beach Retreats
To read about the best beach hideaways in the area that Brazilians call “the land of happiness,” see our new report on Bahia.
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Mexico: Cuixmala: Introduction: Why Go Now
A recent visitor compared arriving at the private landing strip at Cuixmala, the former estate of the late British billionaire, Sir James Goldsmith, as akin to landing on Fantasy Island....
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Mexico: Cuixmala: Where to Stay: Most Indulgent: La Loma
The jewel of the property, La Loma, looms like a Moorish castle (complete with a tiled dome) a few hundred feet above the gorgeous sweep of two-mile-long private beach. The...
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Mexico: Cuixmala: Where to Stay: Luxury: Casa Alborada
This three-bedroom Moorish-meets-hacienda style house on the Cuixmala property overlooks the ranch’s coconut plantation as it rolls down toward the private beach. Decorated by Alix Marcaccini, one of Goldsmith’s daughters,...
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Escape: Places: Fantasy Escape: Cuixmala
Many of the most beautiful unspoiled places have been preserved by individuals with vision. Laurance Rockefeller bought up swaths of Maine, Wyoming and the Virgin Islands, which remain protected from...
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Active/Adventure: Pulse: My Spring Skiing Favorites
Disclaimers first: 1) I haven’t skied everywhere. Whistler and Gstaad could be favorites. Haven’t tried them yet. 2) I don’t believe in lists and rankings, only in personal preferences, because...
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Family: Pulse: Last-minute Family Spring Break Ideas
This year, I didn’t plan my family’s spring break early but settled on places where I knew I could get flights and rooms. The first week, I am taking my...
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Leading the Way: Top Spring Break Choices
This Month’s Strategy: There’s only a bit more than a month left to escape your winter routines with a getaway. I’ve found that the best spring trips come in two...
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Family: Places: Family Skiing Lech, Austria
You asked: I am skiing with my family in Lech, Austria for the first time. Any advice? General Tips: You should definitely reserve a ski guide from one of the...
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Leading the Way: March Travel News
In the Know: Paris Rentals The savvy way to stay in Paris these days is not in a hotel but in an apartment. One reason is a crop of stunning...
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Peru: Introduction: What's New
Peru is on the verge of becoming the “It” destination of South America. While foodies buzz about its savvy young chefs, even 100 years ago Auguste Escoffier declared Peruvian cuisine...
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Escape: Places: Malibu Beach Inn
For west coasters there’s no better beach to walk your dog on in summer than Carbon Beach in Malibu (a.k.a. Billionaire’s Beach). Last week, when I was in L.A., the...
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Leading the Way: Spring 2008 Update
This Week’s Strategy: Finding Great Summer Rooms With A View For west coasters there’s no better beach to walk your dog on in summer than Carbon Beach in Malibu (a.k.a....
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Giving Back: Pulse: Zimbabwe Crisis
The crisis in Zimbabwe is worsening by the day. I participated in a summit in New York today on Responsible Luxury Travel where Steve Fitzgerald, CEO of CCAfrica, recalled recently...
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Commentary: Crisis in Burma
Last week our news blast included a member’s rave about a special riverboat in Myanmar, the country which has just been devastated by Cyclone Nargis. Tens of thousands of people...
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Commentary: Reading on the Road
Years ago, at my grandmother’s suggestion, I began a travel tradition that I have just begun instilling in my own kids. Before I went to Greece and Turkey for the...
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Italy: Venice: Where to Shop: Fashion & Accessories: Cristina Linassi
This gorgeous lingerie shop between Campo Santo Stefano and Campo San Angelo sells exquisite nightgowns and housewares, all of which is made in Venice by true artisans. There are camisoles...
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Hamptons: Where to Eat: Hot Spots: Nello
This seasonal branch of the Madison Avenue trattoria has people talking and not about the food. The prices have gotten so out of line with those charged at restaurants around...
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Hamptons: Where to Eat: Family Friendly: Sip n’ Soda
This old-fashioned diner just celebrated its 50th anniversary by turning back the dial on the prices on the menu for a day and charging the 1958 menu prices. There are...
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Hamptons: Where to Shop: Fashion & Accessories: Altona
For years, this space on Job’s Lane was occupied by Nancy & Co. But this year, Altona moved in and is now the go-to place for great jeans (Dead Sexy),...
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Hamptons: Where to Shop: Books & Paper: Canio’s Books
This famous used book store in Sag Harbor still hosts local author readings, and some are big, literary names since the area has been home to masters like Peter Matthiessen...
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Hamptons: Where to Shop: For Children: Marie-Chantal
Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece (one of the Miller sisters) opened this outpost to sell her gorgeous baby and children’s clothing last year. For those little ones who must only be...
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Commentary: Letter from London
Thursday, October 23, 2008 “While the world was awash in money, no two Western cities benefited more from the spending spree than London and New York. Mayfair, like Madison Avenue,...
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Washington, D.C.: Strategies: Tips: Family Activities in Washington, D.C.
I wasn’t sure my kids were ready to appreciate an American history lesson when I brought them to D.C. at the ages of 6 and 8. They had studied pilgrims...
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Washington, D.C.: What to See & Do: Family Friendly: Family Activities in Washington, D.C.
I wasn’t sure my kids were ready to appreciate an American history lesson when I brought them to D.C. at the ages of 6 and 8. They had studied pilgrims...
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Commentary: How Style Can Serve a Greater Good
Last week I moderated a panel on “Preserving Culture through Style” at Madeline Weinrib’s Atelier at ABC Carpets. Weinrib and I, who co-hosted the event, share the belief that the...
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Commentary: On Your Mind: Changes in Travel Climate
The current economic turmoil has had a dramatic effect on travel plans and increasingly members are contacting us for guidance. Here are some of the frequent questions, major trends and...
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Escape: Places: Zürich's Widder Lives Up To Its Hype
There are some hotels that deliver such a sense of place that even less than twenty-four hours in a city can feel like a concentrated dose of escape. I recently...
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Food/Wine: Places: Zurich's Crowd Pleasers
On a recent trip to Zurich, I discovered new and old favorites that serve up very good food and a sense of the city. Lumiere Widdergasse 5; 41 (0) 44-211-56-65;...
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Commentary: Letter from Zurich: Follow the Google Guys
As more and more cities around the world start to look the same, it’s a pleasure to spend even a day in one that retains its distinct character. I spent...
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Commentary: Airport Hell: Plane Travel Hits New Low
As a lifelong traveler, I was despaired this holiday season to witness the new low that has arrived at our airports and how American travel companies are participating in their...
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Cairo: Introduction: Overview
“When we lived there, I always thought of it as four or five different places at once—a great, infuriating, ramshackle, remarkable city, set superbly on the Nile. For centuries, it...
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Cairo: Introduction: Why Go Now
1. Go because the country is probably as safe for tourists as it has been in decades. President Hosni Mubarak rules with an iron fist, which is deeply troubling from...
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France: Cannes: Where to Shop: Fashion & Accessories: Le Grand Bazar
This fabulous multi-level shop on the city’s main shopping street is one of those rare boutiques where the owner’s curatorial eye will reignite your love for fashion. Diverse collections come...
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Egypt: Where to Stay: On the Water: Decadence on the Nile
Just as the Nile played an essential role in the lives of the pharaohs who ruled Egypt, so has it always been an integral part of a visitor’s journey to...
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Commentary: The Fear Factor
Last week, I posted a story encouraging people to travel to Egypt. Two days ago a French tourist was killed and many wounded when a bomb exploded near Khan el-Khalil...
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Active/Adventure: Places: Tips on Taos
You asked: Can you recommend a hotel in Taos, New Mexico? Editor’s note: The Fechin Inn has now closed There is no hands-down best hotel in Taos. There are a...
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Commentary: Hooray: Anchor Brian Williams reverses on Spring Break.
Last week on a radio talk show, it was announced that NBC News anchor Brian Williams had decided to forego spring vacation with his family this year because of the...
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Commentary: Now the Negotiator
So the rules have changed—drastically, quickly and, I believe, for the long term. Even if this recession does not turn into a depression and if the most optimistic financial seers...
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Savannah: Where to Stay: Newcomers: AVIA
This contemporary boutique hotel just opened near City Market. With 151 guest rooms, AVIA aims to draw a younger, hipper audience than the many bed and breakfasts in historic Savannah....
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Giving Back: People: If the Shoe Fits: Blake Mycoskie
Blake Mycoskie won by losing. He lost the $1 million prize on the second season of the Amazing Race by four minutes, and yet if had won, he may not...
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American West: Introduction: Just Back From: Montana
“How was Montana?” A friend asked about my most recent family adventure. “I discovered the Singita of America,” I replied, referring to the game lodge in South Africa that is...
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Active/Adventure: People: The Man Behind Explora: Pedro Ibáñez
To say that Pedro Ibáñez single-handedly brought South America to the attention of high-end adventurers would be an exaggeration; but one with an element of truth. The first time that...
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Escape: Places: The Inn at Perry Cabin
Remember the glorious waterside estate in “The Wedding Crashers”? Well, it’s possible to check in to the elegant white manor house that, with its waterfront spot and vast lawns, so...
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Family: Pulse: Just Back From Annapolis with Kids
The best way to arrive to Annapolis, Maryland is from the water. You’ll pass everything from tankers to kayaks in the Chesapeake Bay and as you near town, the elegant...
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Peru: Sacred Valley: Where to Stay: Most Indulgent: Rio Sagrado
With the opening of this gorgeous new resort in the Sacred Valley, Peru is one step closer to attracting the Aman crowd: those who like exotic destinations with guaranteed comfort...
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Peru: Sacred Valley: Where to Stay: Newcomers: Ticllabamba
On land that once served as a garden for the last Inca ruler, Huayna Capac, one of Peru’s most stylish women has created a secret paradise that she has just...
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Green/Eco: Places: Flip Flops Recycled
When I was in Kenya last spring, a friend brought me and my family to an inspirational workshop outside of Nairobi that just goes to show that eco fashion is...
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Peru: Cusco: Strategies: Overview: Cautionary Advice for Cusco Visitors
Most international visitors fly from Lima, which sprawls along the Pacific coast at sea level, to Cusco, at an elevation of 11,000 feet (3,399 meters) or a bit more than...
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Style: Pulse: KIS (Keep It Secret) in the Souk
Leave it to a stylish Brazilian to open a Marrakech version of Daslu, i.e. a private showroom kind of shopping experience where women can have the place to themselves to...
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Giving Back: Places: Preserving History One Hacienda At a Time
More than a dozen years ago, when Mexico City native Marilu Hernandez was on her honeymoon in the Yucatán, she and her husband, a young architect named Luis Bosoms, fell...
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Giving Back: People: The Bodhi Tree Foundation
A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a conference on Responsible Luxury Travel. One of the questions I was asked was, “Do people who spend a lot...
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Giving Back: Pulse: Bodhi Tree Book Drive
In November, I visited a community library on the Yucatán, which clearly plays an enormous role in the locals’ lives. The simple structure at the edge of a playing field...
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Mexico: Where to Stay: Boutique: Hacienda Temozón
The first property in the Hacienda Collection to be transformed into a hotel, Hacienda Temozón is the largest and best known of the group. (read about Preserving History One Hacienda...
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Peru: Lima: Where to Eat: Big Night Out: Astrid & Gastón
One of South America’s most celebrated chefs, Gastón Acurio has become a true ambassador for Peru through his culinary talent. The menu at this landmark restaurant calls Peru “a land...
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Peru: Lima: Where to Eat: Relaxed but Refined: Pescados Capitales
This stylish seafood restaurant in Miraflores attracts Lima’s business class, ladies who lunch and well-heeled families. What you will rarely see is tourists. It’s a true locals’ canteen and, despite...
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Cartagena: Introduction: Cheat Sheet
Preserved by ancient fortifications and years of neglect, Cartagena is a colonial gem by the sea that is fast becoming one of South America’s most stylish retreats. Throughout the historic...
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Cartagena: Where to Eat: Hot Spots: Vera Restaurant
If you are lucky enough to snag a table at the hottest new restaurant in Cartagena, which is set in the restored colonial mansion that has been converted into a...
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Family: Places: First Look: Casa de Campo's Redo
The hotel at one of the Caribbean’s legendary resort properties, Casa de Campo, just underwent a major facelift—the first in a series of planned upgrades—and while improvements such as a...
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Palm Beach: Introduction: Just Back From: Palm Beach for Presidents' Weekend
One of Palm Beach’s greatest appeals is how little things change. I have stayed at the Breakers more than a dozen times, and it remains a fabulous place for all...
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Uruguay: José Ignacio: Introduction: Just Back From: Just Back from...Uruguay, Argentina and Chile
For my kid’s spring break this year, we went south—way south—and caught the beginning of fall (think perfect Indian summer weather) in the southern hemisphere. Our first stop was José...
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Explora Atacama
Sitting on a forty-acre property with its own stable of horses, a private space observatory and a dedicated group of guides, Explora Atacama, which was the first luxury resort in...
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Tierra Atacama
Opened by the Purcell family, who own the well-known Chilean ski resort Portillo, Tierra Atacama makes the most of the area’s incredible natural beauty and the family’s expertise at serving...
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Kunza
One of the newer luxury hotels, Kunza is located very near to Tierra Atacama. Sadly, three of its four owners were recently killed in a plane crash. (They were on...
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Learning: People: Trips of a Lifetime
As a longtime travel writer, I am frequently asked: “What one trip should I make before I die?” In all my years as a travel journalist, including as the editor...
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Greece: Corfu: Where to Eat: Local Cuisine: Spyros & Vasilis
Set in a rural village in central Corfu, Spiros & Vasilis is an award-winning restaurant that serves primarily French food (the owner trained in France) such as omelets and crème...
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Greece: Corfu: What to See & Do: Family Friendly: Aqua Land
Europe’s largest water park pales in comparison to Atlantis in the Bahamas but for kids who are weary of sight-seeing it provides a few hours of amusement. Aqua Land covers...
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Escape: Places: Confessions of a Cruise Convert
In my first two years as the travel editor of Town & Country, I logged more than a month sleeping on cruise ships. My conclusion: they are not for serious...
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Active/Adventure: Pulse: Top Spots for Hot-Air Ballooning
A few weeks ago, I got to ask a seasoned balloon pilot where the best places in the world are to ride in a hot-air balloon. Turns out we were...
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Spa/Wellness: People: Spa Bonding in Sedona
It was my daughter who suggested that we go on a mother-daughter spa weekend. And as soon as she did, I knew exactly where to head. Mii Amo, a spa...
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Escape: People: Where I Want to Go in 2011
Given how much I travel, some people might think that I would tire of getting back on a plane. But even as I explore destinations—in 2010, I traveled for the...
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China: Hong Kong: Introduction: What's New
While the economic boom of China has been a boon for Hong Kong, one of the great things about the city is that even in the midst of the luxury...
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Spa/Wellness: People: Boot Camp: The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu
Read about special discounted weeks at the Ranch for Indagare members this May and June. “Someone has finally created a butt-kicking spa as tough as the Ashram but with beautiful...
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Oriental Taipan
The best chain of day spa/massage spots in the city. Oriental Taipan has locations throughout the capital. All offer spa treatments such as pedicures and facials but they are known...
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Family: Pulse: Just Back from...Spring Break
For our family, spring break is usually a time for a far adventure (in recent years Tanzania, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil), but this year, we revisited three favorites (London,...
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California: Los Angeles: What to See & Do: Family Friendly: Must-Do with Kids in Los Angeles.
One of the most fun tourist experiences that I have had in a long time was going behind-the-scenes at Universal Studios. I signed up for the VIP experience at Universal...
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South Africa: Safari: Strategies: Tips: Safari Packing Advice
First, you should pack in a soft, weather-resistant duffle bag as you will most likely be taking charter flights, and there are often strict luggage limits of no more than...
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Jordan: Introduction: Just Back From: Just Back from....Jordan
With all of the political upheaval in the Middle East, it’s not surprising that quite a few people questioned my decision to travel to Jordan this spring. People lump the...
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Jordan: Introduction: Why Go Now: Indagare Insider Trip to Jordan
Before I left for our Indagare Insider trip to Jordan, many people expressed concern that I was traveling to the Middle East given the unrest occurring in Egypt, Syria, Israel,...
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California: Carmel: Where to Stay: Family Friendly: Carmel Valley Ranch
“The Pacific Ocean meeting the Monterey Peninsula creates one of the most diverse and stunning regions in the world,” notes John Pritzker, who recently resurrected the Carmel Valley Ranch as...
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Family: People: Food For Thought: Culinary Barcelona
One of the things I have learned from traveling with my kids is that when sight-seeing is disguised as an adventure—surf lessons in Hawaii, Gladiator School in Rome, a tidal...
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India: Introduction: Just Back From: Just Back From... India
I am just back from one of the most amazing trips of my life. India, to my mind, is not just another country but a realm between reality (at times...
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The Netherlands: Amsterdam: Where to Shop: Fashion & Accessories: Tamago
One of the most attractive vintage shops I’ve ever discovered is on a street best known for art galleries and antiques dealers. Tamago, which means egg in Japanese is in...
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Style: Places: Street Smart: Amsterdam
When I only have a short amount of time in a city, I love to go to a street that delivers the quintessential soul of the place along with some...
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Havana: Introduction: Just Back From: Cuba November 2011
Havana is a place that has been high on my travel list for years. My grandmother used to talk about going in the early 1950s, when the city was at...
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Escape: Pulse: Melissa's Where I Want to Go…in 2012
Before I list where I want to go next, I should mention highlights of 2011. Jordan was one. I visited in May with a group of members for an Insider...
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Nicaragua: Where to Stay: Most Indulgent: Mukul Boutique Hotel
One man, Carlos Pellas, who is fifth generation Nicaraguan has used his wealth (from sugar, rum, banking and more) and his savvy (he received his BA and MBA from Stanford)...
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Spa/Wellness: People: A Tale of Two Kinds of Spa: Tough and Gentle
Last year I did something that I never expected to do: I signed up for a brutal boot camp. I had always marveled at people who went to the notoriously...
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Russia: Introduction: Just Back From: Just Back From Russia
Before I left for Russia three weeks ago a well traveled friend questioned why I was going? “What’s the appeal?” she asked. I was stunned. Aside from the fact that...
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Monaco: What to See & Do: Museums & Galleries: The Private Collection of Antique Cars of HSH Prince Rainer III
A car fanatic, Prince Rainier III spent more than thirty years collecting wonderful automobiles and he now has opened his collection of more than 100 vehicles to the public for...
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Fiji: Where to Stay: Boutique: Royal Davui
This private island resort off the southeastern coast of Viti Levu is a popular honeymoon and wedding destination. The ten-acre island lies just off of the famous Beqa Lagoon, one...
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Fiji: Introduction: Overview
The purity of the nature and the warmth of the people are what strike you when you arrive and what stay with you when you leave. The air smells clean...
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Style: Pulse: Looking Forward: 2013
Every year we hear about new hotels. Sometimes partners come to us and ask where we think they should be opening. (Brazil, Panama and certain islands in the Caribbean are...
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Nicaragua: Introduction: Just Back From: Just Back From... Mukul
I capped off an incredible year of travel with a visit to a place that many still imagine is a war zone: Nicaragua. The war ended twenty years ago but...
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Myanmar: Introduction: Just Back From: Myanmar 2013
I have long believed that the best moments in travel are those that are unscripted, the chance encounters or sudden disruptions that send you on an unexpected course and allow...
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