Mexico City

One of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, with a population of over 22 million people, nearly the total population of the entire country of Canada, far more sophisticated and European than strangers might realize, with a strongly beating faith-filled heart, beautiful people, music, food, art, gardens, and the miracle of roses in December.

Stay at - The Marquis Reforma

Go shopping - Street market in the Zona Rosa (Londres 154), gift shops at La Villa, San Angel. There's a marvelous shop near Hacienda de los Morales with antiques, artwork and sculpture that's a don't miss on my visits to Ciudad de México.

Eat at - San Angel Inn, Calle Diego Rivera 50
Fonda el Refugio, Liverpool 166, Zona Rosa (fabulous for lunch, great lollipops finish the meal)
Hacienda de los Morales, Cómo Llegar Vázquez de Mella 525

Be aware - Many restaurants have dress codes that require women to have their arms covered. In the nicer restaurants, men will be in business suits and ties, and women smartly dressed.

Take side trips to - the pyramids at Teotihuacán if you must, Puebla

Be sure to visit - La Villa de Guadalupe/Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Zócalo, Diego Rivera Murals
Xochimilco Floating Gardens
Chapultepec Park

Best time of year to go - Feast days in December, 8-13th, or any other Marian feast days. If you are there for the feast days in December, don't miss the Mañanitas a la virgen de Guadalupe on the night of December 11th at the Basilica de Guadalupe. Weather can be lovely late winter through early summer, and again in the fall, but is temperate year-round.

Best things to buy - Religious articles, Guadalupana, art, sculpture, clothing, local folk art, silver.

Best indulgence - Dinner at San Angel Inn surrounded by monastic gardens in the company of statesmen. If you're very brave, try street food in front of La Villa de Guadalupe, but choose wisely. Spend an afternoon being serenaded to on the canals in Xochimilco, and get a private vessel if you're able.

Fly into - Mexico City (MEX)

Transportation - I recommend getting a private car and driver if possible. If you take taxicabs, have the concierge at your hotel arrange them. The Zona Rosa is very walkable.

The Great Smoky Mountains

The quality of light and shadow in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is unmistakable, dotted with spectacular scenery and retreats rustic and resplendent.


Stay at - Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee

Go shopping - in Pigeon Forge

Eat at - Blackberry Farm (rooms are on the American Plan; gourmet box lunches are provided)

Take side trips to - Townsend
Pigeon Forge
Gatlinburg
Knoxville

Be sure to visit - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Best time of year to go - May through October, unless you want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays with family at Blackberry Farm

Best things to buy - local Tennessee arts and crafts

Best indulgence - Sitting in a rocker at dawn on the veranda watching a Tennessee sunrise

Fly into - Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS)

Transportation - Rent a car and drive to Walland

Honolulu

Stay at - Westin Moana Surfrider

Go shopping - on Kalakaua Avenue, the International Marketplace and at the Ala Moana Mall

Eat at - Duke's Canoe Club (casual breakfast buffet with Diamond Head views on Waikiki)
The Hanohano room (elegant dinners and drinks overlooking Diamond Head and Waikiki)
La Mer
The Golden Dragon

Take side trips to - the neighboring islands of Kauai, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, Molokai or Lanai

Be sure to visit - The Bishop Museum
The Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbour
The Polynesian Cultural Center

Best time of year to go - February through June.

Best things to buy - Hawaiian arts and crafts, jewelry, Niihau shells, local souvenirs, designer clothing

Best indulgence - Walking barefoot on Waikiki while the sun rises over Diamond Head

Fly into - Honolulu (HNL)

Transportation - Taxi, limousine or shuttle to the hotel, then take taxis or the Wiki Wiki bus as necessary. Take interisland flights to neighbor islands.

Paris

The City of Lights, a diamond on the Seine, Paris is eternally for lovers.


Stay at - Hotel de la Tremoille

Go shopping - All over the city

Eat at - Tour d'Argent
Le Jules Verne, Tour Eiffel

Take side trips to - the French countryside

Be sure to visit - The Louvre
Montmartre
Notre Dame
Sacre Couer
Champs d'Elysses

Best time of year to go - in the spring, when everything is in bloom

Best things to buy - flowers, perfume, fashion

Best indulgence - taking the bateaux mouche by night

Fly into - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Transportation - take The Metro (subway) or taxicabs, or walk

Istanbul

The bridge from East to West, spanning two continents, two cultures, cradle of civilization, Constantinople. There is nothing more incredible than being at the shores of the Bosphorus and contemplating what the city has seen.



Stay at - Çırağan Palace Kempinski

Go shopping - the Grand Bazaar

Eat at - Tuğra Restaurant at the Çiragan Palace

Take side trips to - Kusadasi, Ephesus

Be sure to visit - Hagia Sophia
The Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace

Best time of year to go - Spring through fall. Summers can be hot.

Best things to buy - gold, carpets, clothing, jewelry, spices

Best indulgence - Sipping champagne on the Bosphorus

Fly into - Istanbul International Atatürk Airport (IST)

Transportation - metro, train, taxi, or foot

London

Steeped in tradition and history, London is the undisputed capital and crossroads of the Western world, the heart of an empire and heartbeat of a generation.



Stay at - The Capital Hotel, just a stone's throw from Harrods in Knightsbridge

Eat at - The Capital Restaurant at The Capital Hotel
Borshtch 'n' Tears (Russian, 46 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge)
The Tate Gallery Cafe

Go shopping - Harrods

Take side trips to - the English countryside

Be sure to visit - Buckingham Palace
The Tate Gallery

Best time of year to go - mid-April through June, and late August to mid-September

Best things to buy - China, crystal, lace, linens, tea, biscuits, gourmet, books

Best indulgence - Walking through the Food Halls in Harrods

Fly into - London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) or Stansted (STN)

Transportation - London taxicabs are excellent, as is public transport. Take the tube (Underground) and buses, and walk where you can.

San Antonio

Take equal parts Amsterdam and California Mission, and you have the lovely city of San Antonio, with it's splendid Riverwalk, an enchanting jewel of Texas.


Stay at - La Mansion del Rio

Go shoping - On the Riverwalk

Eat at - Las Canarias at La Mansion del Rio
Boudro's on the Riverwalk

Take side trips to - the San Antonio Missions

Be sure to visit - the Riverwalk

Best time of year to go - April or May

Best things to buy - Mexican souvenirs on the Riverwalk

Best indulgence - Having dinner by candlelight aboard a boat on the river

Fly into - San Antonio (SAT)

Transportation - taxicabs, walking