Hong Kong The Most Amazing City in the World. I never had high expectations when my partner first told me he had used my vacation money for two tickets to Hong Kong. I was suppose to go to Paris that fall, not some over developed city in the South Pacific. Much to my surprise, the 16 hour flight from LAX went rather smoothly in our coach class seats. China Airlines is one of the last that actually provide amenities without tacking on fees to your ticket. No doubt due to the heavy subsidies they receive from the PRC. I believe my opinion of Hong Kong began to change as we approached the runway. The airport, situated on it's own island, is reportedly the largest in the world, entirely reclaimed from the ocean and boasts the only ... read more

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Istanbul Mystique The last truely exotic city... Istanbul’s exotic skyline is the stuff of dreams. It has always been the gateway to the Orient, Middle East, Europe and, thanks to the Bosphorous, has a natural split between Western and Eastern influence. The Western ‘half’, essentially the majority of Istanbul is also divided into the Old and New Towns by the ‘Golden Horn’, a 7km inlet from the Bosphorous. It’s along this that you’ll find the major historical sites of interest; the Palace of Sultans - Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, Aya Sofya, the famous Blue Mosque and the Old city Walls. The heart of modern Istanbul is Taksim Square and the area of Beyoglu. It’s home to a lot of restaurants, theatres, shops and of cours... read more

Riyadh & Jeddah Busy reforming in Riyadh and getting jiggy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabians are, in their own tentative way, making the Gulf swing. Some Background Out on the arid western edge of Riyadh, in a neighborhood inhabited by the upper echelons of the royal family, there are two buildings, each in its own way as revealing of modern Saudi Arabia as the two totemic towers that dominate the city centre. The first, in the city-sized, walled compound of Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd bin Adbul Aziz-al-Saud, son of the late King Fahd, is a replica of Granada’s Alhambra Palace. Reportedly identical to the original in every detail, it differs only in size. The one in Riyadh is, naturally, larger. The second, commissioned by King Fahd in the 70’s, is beyond the compound. It, too, is a ... read more

Miami Must Beautiful people abound at Miami's world class beaches. Be prepared to work on your tan and people watch in the historic Art Deco beachfront restaurants and cafes of South Beach. Take a lesson from one of the numerous models and work off those unsightly pounds until 7AM at some of the hottest dance clubs anywhere. South Beach- SoBe sizzles with a sensual energy, glitz, a latin beat, and a fashionable and trend-setting youth culture. This Southern portion of the island-city of Miami Beach has art deco buildings that are palatial masterpieces or boutique gems. Developed in the first half of the 20th century, it's businesses include art galleries, modeling agencies, performing arts theatres, shops, fashion magazines, Sony Music's Latin American HQ and a Spanish-language TV station. Plus, endless bars and restaurants... read more