Chinese New Year began on 3 February 2011 and marked the start of the current Year of the Rabbit and people form all over the world will be celebrating with the Chinese this week. The bustling atmosphere and finger-licking-good food on offer make Chinatowns worth a visit at any time of year, but we’ve made up a list with the 5 cities around the world that host the craziest parties, the most colorful parades and the best firework shows New Year’s Eve!…

Darned if I was going to be dragged down into senior citizenship without a fight by letting my grandchildren call me “grandma”. The very word conjures up images of little old ladies hunched over knitting needles, warmed by fuzzy cardigans and sporting chunky black lace up shoes – not an option for a boomer ex-soccer mom who grew up with bell bottoms and the Beatles. So after the birth of my first grandchild, I borrowed an idea from a hip friend who successfully avoided the same dilemma by…

Out with the old and in with my new routine.  Each week I have kindly let myself checkout those odd places that strike my curiosity.  I have the author of The Artist Way (Julia Cameron) to thank for these new found discovery walks.  What a great concept?  Lots of hidden gems right in my own backyard.  My recent find is a trendy little cafe, pardon me coffee house right around the corner from my home and B&B called…

When we were in Thailand a couple of years ago, we did the Chiang Mai trek thing that one is supposed to do. I appreciate it can be fantastic - part of ours was. But part was just strange. Here's my daughter's blog about that trek…

What is your Favorite Tasmanian Attraction?

Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Bay of Fires, Stanley, Cataract Gorge

Today, the seventh day of the revolt against President Mubarak and for democracy in Egypt, 2 million people are said protesting in Cairo. Some have estimated 8 million nationwide; that’s 10% of the population and that, technically speaking, is a…

Jaisalmer Fort ( Jaisalmer )

There is a fort that seems to rise out of a desert haze, its yellow sandstone walls and Jaisalmer Fortbastions taking on a golden hue in the afternoon sun, which is why it is aptly called Sonar Kila or the Golden Fort or Jaisalmer Fort. Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156. It is the second oldest in…

On the two-day journey from a town near Trashigang to Thimpu, which she had seen only on television, Karma felt numb with fear. She barely noticed Bhutan's pastoral beauty as the road wound through mist-clad passes, descending into idyllic valleys peppered by patchworks of rice paddy fields.

Her eyes fill up with tears at the sight of hundreds of fluttering prayer flags - it reminds her of a ritual for which her mother had saved every ngultrum…

Good quality, stylish accommodation does not have to break the bank for vacationers. Working out up to half the price of hotels and often less, there are 53,000 holiday homes worldwide on SunnyRentals.com, including chic new apartments, luxurious houses and spacious villas with pools. For those without an A-list budget who still want to holiday in style, SunnyRentals.com has made the definitive list of top…

Valentine’s Day is approaching – a day that women who are not in a relationship, and want to be, really do not look forward to. Add in frequent travel to the equation and many of these women send me pleas of, “How do I find someone when I’m traveling all the time?”

So I asked professional relationship coaches, online dating gurus and other women travelers for their advice.

Joyce Morley, Ed.D. of doctorjoyce.com starts off with a great…

Dear Bev & Hilton,

Thankyou for making this a holiday we will all remember forever.This cottage is in the perfect place; such easy access to the beaches. We all loved this place so much and we look forward to coming back again. Thankyou. The home-made preserves were delicious. We all loved them.

Kirsten, Daniel, Liliy, Amberley, Florence and Olli (the dog)

Are you ready to an excelent plate at lunch? A caldeirada, a traditional Portuguese fish stew, can consist of seafood (caldeirada de marisco), salted codfish (caldeirada de bacalhao) or any fish of your choice.

Ingredients (besides the fish):

4 large potatoes, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 large onion, 3 large tomatos, 1 red and 1…

A NEW YORK LANDMARK CHURCH REOPENS

By Denise Mattia

If you were in New York in the 80’s you’re likely to remember the Limelight nightclub, on Sixth Avenue and 20th Street. The 19th century Gothic Revival church formerly the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, had undergone several metamorphoses, and now has become the chic Limelight…

From NMT Images

Please watch the 1- minute, Travel Video PostCard at…

This is one of the famous and most beautiful drainpipes in Paris. It can be seen at the  Hotel de Lauzun at 17 quai d'Anjou on Île Saint-Louis in the 4th arrondissement. (N.B. No, you can't book a room here).

The hotel…