2012

London Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, May 2012 - May 2013

"The story of London is a tale of two cities. One narrative is an urban landscape littered with long-established landmarks, time-honored art and culture and a stubborn hint of Britishness..."

Rome City Vacation Guide

A city guide for Expedia, December 2012

"It was once considered the centre of the universe, when all roads lead there. Now the Italian capital is a living museum of three million with all the smart trimmings of a cosmopolitan hub..."

Prague Airport Renamed After Václav Havel

An article for Vertu Select, December 2012

"Ever since the much-loved former Czech dissident, poet and politician Václav Havel died in December last year, the country has been looking for a suitable way to commemorate him..."

THE DUOMO IN FLORENCE, ITALY

An audio walking tour for Tourizz, December 2012

“A design by Arnolfo di Cambio was approved in 1294. It included three wide naves and one large octagonal dome, which was to built, in his words, ‘higher and wider than any before’…”

HOLY GHOST HOSPITAL CHURCH IN FUSSEN, GERMANY

An audio walking tour for Tourizz, December 2012

“Then, once you get beyond the beautiful facade, things only get more impressive. You see, the interior of this little Spitalkirche is one of most intricately-decorated in all of Germany…”

The Call of the Cayman Islands

An article for Private Air Magazine, November 2012

"The Cayman Islands may be best known as an off-shore tax haven, but regular visitors will attest that this charming corner of the Caribbean has far more to offer than fat cat financiers..."

Shenzhen: A Better Investment Than Hong Kong?

An article for Private Air Magazine, November 2012

"For more than half a century, Hong Kong has been a great economic powerhouse. Yet today it has a significant threat to its established global position - and it's coming from next door..."

The Best City Cruises in Eastern Europe

An article for Vertu Select, November 2012

"Medieval hilltop castles, gold-domed churches and ancient trading ports: Eastern Europe's cities have a wealth of treasures to discover. And there's no better way than with a cruise..."

Prague City Vacation Guide

A city guide for Expedia, November 2012

"A popular city escape in the heart of Europe, charming Prague has more than 1,000 years of history written into its stunning fairytale church spires, ancient castles and beautiful bridges..."

Heart of Seoul: Five Grand Palaces in Two Days

An article for Serendib (Sri Lankan Airways in-flight magazine), November 2012

“It's 10 in the morning when the drumbeat starts. A heavy thud-thud-thud of anticipation. The Changing of the Guard is a rare celebration of the past in a capital obsessed with the future…”

UKRAINE AGAIN: IS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT BACK?

An article for Private Air Magazine, November 2012

“In October, the Ukrainian government passed a law that allows non-citizens to become land owners when buying real estate. But is Ukrainian property a good investment for foreigners…”

Jordan’s Surprise Luxury Tourism Trend

An article for Forbes Travel Guide, November 2012

“It was 200 years ago that Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt rediscovered the Nabataean capital Petra. And the city, made from sandstone, has been a booming attraction ever since…”

The Rise of the No-Choice Restaurant

An article for Forbes Travel Guide, September 2012

“Commonly known as a prix-fixe (fixed price) or table d’hôte (host’s table), the idea is simple: restaurants offer a set menu at a set price, so they can focus on just a few perfected dishes…”

Magical Morocco (Women Only Worldwide)

A tour itinerary for Indus Travel, August 2012

"Inhale the exotic spices at the souks, explore the captivating landscape of the desert, gaze in amazement at the snake charmers of Marrakech, and dine at Rick’s Café in Casablanca..."

SAPSAN: RUSSIA’S SPEEDY SUCCESS

An article for Vertu Select, August 2012

“It once took eight hours to travel the 650 kilometers from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Then, in 2009, Vladimir Putin halved the time with the launch of the luxury high-speed train Sapsan…”

Glasgow Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, August 2012

"Scotland's second city Glasgow is often considered Edinburgh’s little brother. That simply means it stays out later, has far hipper taste in music and still has its best years ahead of it..."

London’s 10 Best Secret Sights

An article for Forbes Travel Guide, August 2012

“London attractions like the Tower of London and Big Ben welcome millions of tourists each year. But there are other, lesser-seen, secret attractions concealed amid the urban bustle..."

Vienna Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, July 2012

"Vienna is a city shaped by its imperial past. You’ll find its ancient streets home to magnificent state palaces, grand baroque architecture, fine museum squares and ornate opera houses..."

Zurich Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, July 2012

"Zurich is a city in transition. Once considered a boring financial hub populated by buttoned-down bankers, the city is now reinventing itself as a vibrant, trendy and modern metropolis..."

Noma Restaurant Pops Up in London

An article for Forbes Travel Guide, July 2012

“The restaurant - named the best in the world on S. Pellegrino’s list three years in a row - will close shop in Copenhagen later this month and relocate to the ballroom of Claridge’s hotel..."

Frankfurt Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, July 2012

"It may be only the fifth-largest city in Germany, but Frankfur is the country’s business capital, continental Europe’s largest financial center and one of the world’s busiest transport hubs..."

Salzburg Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"The illustrious birthplace of Mozart, the inspirational drawing board for “Silent Night”, and the mountain stomping ground of Julie Andrews’ Maria, Salzburg's a city with music in its blood..."

Stockholm Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"A collection of 14 serene islands, the city is blessed with a wealth of green spaces, inspiring panoramas of the Baltic Sea and probably the freshest air of any major metropolis on earth..."

Warsaw Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"It might not have all the quaint historical culture of Krakow or the distinctive Baltic beauty of Gdansk, but Warsaw is the ever-changing, endlessly fascinating face of 21st century Poland..."

Prague Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, June 2012

"Known affectionately as “The City of a Thousand Spires,” the Czech Republic capital boasts some of the grandest churches in Europe, along with the world’s largest atheist population..."

Amman: A Modern Arab City

An article for Serendib (Sri Lankan Airways in-flight magazine), May 2012

“Amman is a capital with many memorable millennia behind it and more to come; where time-worn temples and mosques jostle for space with high skyscrapers and picket-fenced villas..."

KIEV’S ARSENALE 2012: RETURN OF THE ART

An article for Vertu Select, May 2012

“The 20th century was a difficult period for Ukrainian art. After a promisingly avant-garde to the 1900s, everything came to a sharp halt in 1922 with the foundation of the Soviet Union..."

Edinburgh Overview and Q&As

A guide for Forbes Travel Guide, May 2012

"Described by the famous Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid as "a mad god's dream,” Edinburgh is a multifarious mishmash of a metropolis. It has a history reaching back to the Bronze Age..."

Off Everest’s Beaten Path

An article for Shoestring Magazine, February 2012

"I feel like throwing up. My head is spinning, my stomach churning, my joints throbbing. I suck in a lungful of icy air but there isn't enough oxygen. Yet still I ignore the thought to turn back…”

The Search for Ischia’s Seaside Spa

An article for The Telegraph (Travel Supplement), February 2012

""Have you got the eels?” I ask, teeth chattering, as my girlfriend steps off the yacht and onto the jetty. She nods. “And the mullet? And the calamari?” She holds the bag of seafood aloft..."

Sleeping with Strangers in Busan

An article for Everywhere Magazine, January 2012

““I am very sorry” he says, with a bow, as the door swings open. “This is all that is left.” I look down at my bed for the night - five-feet long, two-feet wide and three-feet deep - and smile..."

The Search for Ischia’s Wild Seaside Spa

An article for Amateur Traveler, January 2012

"The steam spirals into the sky, pirouetting beneath the delicate winter sun, as the blistering spring water trickles, lathers, into the salty sea. A seagull swoops from the frosted cliff top..."