ToniD

When I tell people I am traveling to Siem Reap, it is usually met with questions of where is that and why are you going there? I answer that it is in Cambodia and home to one of the best preserved temple complexes dating back to the 12th century including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom; the one featured in Angelina Jolie’s movie Tomb Raider. That usually brings a glimmer of recognition to people’s faces. I tell them the main reason this is my third trip there in six years is that Siem Reap is brought to life by some of the most humble, resilient people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I try to explain the recent history of genocide by the Khmer Rouge and how the tenacity of the Cambodian people have helped ... read more

If you’re looking for an intimate and stylish boutique hotel experience in the heart of the Flat Iron District, the new Flat Iron Hotel on W. 26 St and Broadway fits the bill. The airy 2-story aquarium and lobby immediately tells you that you’ve entered a hip zone with a friendly feel. Just off the lobby is a great little bar with nightly entertainment featuring an array of upbeat and current music styles. Elevators whisk you upstairs to rooms in designer chic with plush bedding and modern earth tone accents. Free standing wardrobe closets, desks, electronic safes, ihome entertainment systems, and flat screen TVs make for a comfortable stay and wi-fi throughout the hotel keeps you connected. The bathrooms are white marble with glass-enclosed showers sporting Swiss and Rainfall showerheads. A TV built into the ba ... read more

If you’re looking for a good quality mid-priced hotel in the theater district of Paris (2nd), give strong consideration to Les Theatres. It may not look like much from the outside, but inside you’ll find a freshly renovated hotel with new furnishings and fixtures. The lobby/check-in area is tiny and staffed with efficient personnel, most of whom speak fluent English. A small elevator lifts you to the rooms above. We booked a Queen Bed Superior (Larger) Room which was slightly larger than a standard inside cruise ship stateroom. The bed was extremely comfortable with a pillow top mattress and high thread count linens. It had a 35 inch flat screen TV which was a bit too large for the room size. It was fastened to the wall on a swivel which made it stick out far ... read more

One of the best kept secrets in New England is the Equinox Resort and Spa located in Manchester Village in Southern Vermont. The resort has a long history dating back to 1769. The original building on site was the Marsh Tavern which is still part of the existing building complex. The Council of Safety headed up by Ethan Allen’s brother met here to raise money for the “Green Mountain Boys” during the American Revolution. It has also hosted four presidents and Mary Todd Lincoln as some of its prestigious guests. The property has changed hands several times over the last two hundred plus years and is now part of the illustrious Starwood Luxury Collection managed by HEI Properties. A major renovation of the property was just completed in November 2011 and the results are spectacular. I ... read more

Our trip started with a Lufthansa flight on the new A380 airbus from JFK to Frankfurt. It was operated with German efficiency and was an enjoyable and comfortable 6 hr. 30 min. flight. We disembarked quickly and excellent signage led us through the airport on foot through immigration and on to our connecting flight to Berlin. We were greeted with complimentary coffee, latte or cappuccino at the gate while waiting to board our flight. The A300 Airbus was also brand new and whisked us to Berlin in 50 minutes flying time. Berlin TXL airport was one of the most user friendly airports I have ever been to. The plane disembarks directly into the baggage claim area for your flight and the luggage was quickly dispatched within 5 minutes of landing. We exited into the arrivals area ... read more