Travel Inspiration
5 Must-Have Products To Help Banish Travel-Related Stress
Traveling can be described as either life-changing or as a complete nightmare. No matter how much effort you put into planning the perfect vacation, you can’t account for flight delays (or cancelations), lost baggage, turbulence, theft, or any other hellish...
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This Is What 125 Euros Worth of In-Flight Duty Free Beauty Products Looks Like
Truth: I get pretty excited about the beverage service cart on an airplane — even the food cart despite the fact that I actually rarely eat the meal (I am big into packing healthy goodies and not-so into overly cooked pasta and mystery meat.) But one rolling in-flight...
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Virtual Vacation: St.-Paul-de-Vence
There’s no shortage of charming villages in France and while there are still many on my bucket list, I’ll never tire of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Between the winding cobblestone streets, the remnants of some of the greatest artists and literary greats, and quaint...
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At Maison Francis Kurkdjian With The Master Perfumer Himself
When I attended the Bal Magique du Maroc for the Woman’s Board of The Alliance Française de Chicago back in 2012, I had no idea that years later I’d be chatting with award-winning perfumer Francis Kurkdjian at his Fragrance Maison in the Marais arrondissement in...
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In Paris With Julien Pruvost Of Cire Trudon
If you've ever visited the Palace of Versailles, then you're well aware of its magnitude in both size and stature. Even if you haven't, the numbers speak for themselves: Imagine 700 rooms, more than 2,000 windows, 1,250 chimneys, 67 staircases, and a capacity...
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19 Hotel Openings To Watch In 2019
I recently became a contributor for TripExpert, a really cool resource for getting unbiased reviews from experts. I’ll be contributing pieces on Paris (and France in general), as well as other wonderful destinations around the globe. Here's an excerpt from my piece on...
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Leap Of Faith: Moving Abroad To Paris, France
How It All Began The travel bug bit me at a very young age — not because I was a child jet-setter, rather, my dad would occasionally hang a large white sheet against the wall so he could project his slides (yes, slides) from his days living abroad in the sixties. But...
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Experiencing Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam: One Of Istanbul’s Oldest Bath Houses
If you’ve ever been to a fancy hotel or destination spa, then you’ve probably experienced some sort of treatment incorporating traditions and ingredients from a faraway land. Whether it was a Thai massage, Chinese acupressure, or an Indian Shirodhara ritual, it...
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Suite Dreams: 5 Plush Pads We’re Dying To Check Into
For most of us, taking a vacation requires strategic planning, to include saving enough dough to make the whole experience worthwhile without having to come home empty-handed with your pockets turned inside out like the Monopoly Man. After all, how many times have you...
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10 Spa Treatments Inspired By Culture And Tradition
I worked in a five-star hotel spa for over four years, so I can tell you that the majority of my clients were there to receive a pampering experience. Don’t get me wrong, today’s savvy spa consumer wants results, too—but this type of guest is also willing to think...
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Beyond The Mat: 7 Inspiring Yoga Retreats
While one of the most obvious (and immediate) benefits of yoga is stress relief, there’s no denying that it can sometimes be challenging to find your Zen in a cramped city or strip mall studio illuminated by battery-operated candles. With that said, it’s no surprise...
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16 In-Flight Essentials Every Traveler Should Own
Flying today is a far cry from the Golden Age of Travel when meals such as prime rib and lobster where served upon a white table cloth (on real china no less), every seat had copious leg room, and there was a free bar to keep passengers entertained. We don’t need to...
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Afraid To Fly? Read This
Fear of flying? You’re not alone. But the reality is, all the Xanax, meditation music, aromatherapy, and in-flight cocktails in the world are only going to mask your problem, not solve it. That’s where FlyHome comes in. The savvy service offers online courses (ranging...
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How Travel Inspired This Former Actress To Make A Major Career Change
While you may have traveled to the same destination as your friends, family or social circle, it is our individual experiences that shape us, inspire us and leave an impression that cannot be replicated through someone else’s eyes. It's an impact that lasts longer...
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The Pros And Cons Of Renting A Vacation Home
I rented my first vacation apartment eight years before Airbnb even existed, let alone became popular. It was in Paris and, even adjusted for inflation, it was a steal at just $109 a night. Between the ample size (larger than my first abode in Chicago); killer...
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