5 Things To Do In Vienna That Will Make You Fall In Love
It's pretty easy to fall in love with Vienna, that magical 'City of Dreams' in Austria. And it's not because of the vast amount of things to do in Vienna—the palaces, gardens, or world-class food. It's about the harmony of the city. The symphonic undercurrent of Vienna captivates locals and tourists alike. There are so many things to do in Vienna that have been written about time and again. Here are five highlights that made me fall for Austria's enchanting capital city. I’ve come to...
The Best Of Mérida: Mexico’s Newest Hot Spot
“Where’s Mérida?” you wonder, and “Why should I go there?” I’m happy you asked. Mérida, Mexico, is the capital city of the Yucatán State. Its simple luxuries fly under the radar in terms of typical Mexican tourist destinations—more rustic, less bells, less whistles, and friendlier on the wallet. Long may that last. Recently, I spent three days uncovering the best of Mérida, Mexico, old school style with a pen and paper. Three days exploring boutiques, boutique hotels, hidden watering holes, and airy rooftop bars. Was...
Taking on the Medina, and More—What To Do In Marrakech
What To Do In Marrakech, A Guide / Were it up to me, The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah would be required reading for anyone traveling to Morocco. Without reading this candidly funny novel, I would've been confused, baffled, and bewildered during our visit to Marrakech. After spontaneously moving his family to Morocco from the UK, Shah buys a home—the Caliph’s House —and begins the arduous task of renovating it. At the same time, he's attempting to rebuild his family’s lives in a foreign country....
5 of the Best Caribbean Beach Bars
My top five favorite Caribbean beach bars and restaurants are personal. They're based on my memories of food, wine, people, and views. My top five list might change over time, but these are the Caribbean beach bars and beach clubs that keep my travel memories alive and kicking. My Top Five Caribbean Beach Bars When assessing the best beach bars, suffice it to say that I have a few baseline requirements. A vibe that naturally pairs with the island’s culture is one. Combining tourists and...
Blue Rock: A Beautiful Mini-Break in the Blue Ridge Mountains
A butterfly floats out from the greenhouse door as I walk in. Its pale amber and brown wings catch the breeze. Inside, the smell of ripe tomatoes fills the air—intoxicating in the way only farm-fresh vegetables can be. It’s early morning at Sunnyside, a farm in Washington, Virginia, just 90 minutes west of where I live in Washington DC. Earlier, I’d spent time speaking with Sunnyside’s Vegetable Production Co-Manager at the Flint Hill Latin Market. Nik Kohl had Asian pears, tomatillos, purslane, herbs, and other...
Welcome to the Neighborhood, Kappo Makoto
Kappo Makoto opened in DC's Palisades not long ago, filling a sushi-shaped hole in the neighborhood. Recently, I snagged a reservation at one of Kappo Makoto's 21 seats and watched Chef Ogawa create an omakase dining experience not unlike the kind one would have in his home country of Japan. I turn left onto MacArthur Boulevard. The peloton races by, all lycra-clad and perky in their collective excitement. I walk past Black Coffee, its line for morning glory muffins and oat milk lattes rolls out...
12 Hours In Mérida: Everything You Need To Know
Mérida has captured the attention of intrepid travelers seeking a combination of history, art, architecture, music, culinary adventures, shopping, and good old-fashioned fun. Located in the northwest corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is quickly climbing the hot list ranks with its boutiques, boutique hotels, rooftop bars, and street-side taco stands. Follow along for my Mérida guide—the ultimate way to spend 12 hours in Mexico’s hottest city. My whirlwind trip to Mérida is hardly enough time to scratch the surface of the Yucatán State's culturally...
The end of the road in José Ignacio, Uruguay
Travel to Uruguay's famous small town / Depending on when you travel to Uruguay's José Ignacio, you could either find a sleepy fishing village or a crowded jet setter’s playground. Chances are, you will love José Ignacio either way as there is just so much to fall in love with. Well off the beaten path, and fantastically difficult to get to, José Ignacio combines some of our favorite things in one place; untouched beaches, casual but fabulous food, and a chill vibe. Lunch at the...
Is The Ryokan Nobu In Malibu Worth The Trip?
Ryokan Nobu in Malibu was named the #1 Best Resort Hotel in the continental U.S. by Travel + Leisure's World's Best List. Nobu in Malibu is one of the most sought-after dinner reservations on the west coast, located along California's famed Pacific Coast Highway. Is all this Nobu-centric press well-deserved? The Nobu Ryokan, In Malibu. What's a Ryokan? Having spent time in a few ryokans while living in Tokyo, I was a bit skeptical about the highly anticipated Nobu Ryokan opening in Malibu. Owned by...
On Being Imperfecto, The DC Restaurant Review
Imperfecto fired up an already hot trending restaurant scene in Washington DC. Today, Chef Enrique Limardo has three fabulous DC restaurants to rule over in his crisp, chef’s whites. What makes Imperfecto so darn near perfect? It’s all in the details. DC is a culinary wasteland. This was my first thought when we moved to DC from Tokyo in 2010. It isn’t because I’d spent nearly four years in the world's foodie capital (with 202 Michelin stars, the most of any city, I dare you...