My Top 10 Urban Oases

I am a quintessential city girl. I love big cities and preferred being in the midst of a concrete jungle than in the wilderness. But even a hard core city girl like me needs to chill and relax from time to time, and I retreat to a tranquil space that allows me to just that.

Botanical Garden (San Francisco) 

Smack dab in the middle of the Golden Gate Park is the Botanical Garden (at Strybing Arboretum), and it truly is a beautiful oasis in the heart of San Francisco. There are so many wonderful things to discover, and with more than 7,500 various species of plants, spouting fountains, wide open fields and a number of lovely little nooks, such as the Garden of Fragrance and the Children's Garden, you can sit quietly with your family and friends lazing together in the sunshine, reading books or exploring the various garden floras.  Also, it is one of the loveliest places for a picnic.

Shakespeare Garden (San Francisco)

Hidden away along a small path to the California Academy of Sciences, the enchanting Shakespeare Garden, with an arched iron-wrought gate, is the type of homely garden opening that one would to expect to stumble upon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Even visitors who have strolled through Golden Gate Park dozens of times may have never wandered into Shakespeare Garden. It’s pretty easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

The Shakespeare Garden contains numerous plants that are referenced in Shakespeare's actual writings, and on the back brick wall, quotations and passages from his plays are engraved on stone tablets for visitors to read.

Central Park (New York City) 

What more can I say about Central Park that hasn’t been said. It’s FABULOUS! Immersed in lush and wild nature with a massive skyline as a backdrop, it’s truly an urban oasis that defies all logic.

For most New Yorkers, the park is a sanctuary. Especially for me, it was a place where I would retreated to whenever my life in the city got too much, and I needed to regroup and recuperate. Also, some of the best and most memorable experiences I’ve had were in the park, like serendipitously meeting my husband.

It’s a place where we always go back to reminisce about our wonderful past lives in the city as well as creating beautiful new ones with our son who absolutely adores every corner of the park.

Our favorites in the park: Heckscher Playground, Poets Row, Bethesda Terrace, Alice in Wonderland Statue, John Lennon Imagine Memorial, and the always entertaining and eclectic street performers.

The Highline (New York City) 

After all the places I’ve seen in NYC, I can honestly say that the Highline (from Gansevoort St to West 34th St, between 10th & 11th Avenue) is my favorite. It epitomizes the city that is constantly evolving and recreating itself. Not only the design and the atmosphere of the park unique and innovative, it has transformed a neighborhood which was formally known as the “Death Avenue” into a trendy, upscale, and more importantly, family friendly area.

As the park expands from lower Manhattan to 31th Street in Midtown, it provides some of the best views of the key monuments, the Empire State building, Chrysler Building, and on a clear day, the Statue of Liberty.

There's an eclectic mix of art installations as well as tasty food carts, art vendors and musicians, and the great thing about the Highline is that it enables you to have and enjoy an urban experience in the midst of (man-made) nature.

Riverside Park (New York City)

I loved living on the Upper West Side. Aside from it being one of the more residential and child-friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan, you're privy to two of the most beautiful urban oases in the world, Central Park and Riverside Park.

Although Riverside Park is by no means as well-known as Central Park, it is a vast expanse of green space and a home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views.

Venice Canal (Los Angeles)

Secreted away from the hustle and bustle of the famous boardwalk, the picturesque canals of Venice, California, are one of the seaside community's hidden charms.

More than 100 years ago, developer Abbot Kinney conceived the mad idea of building a "Venice of America," a cultural Valhalla dedicated to the fine arts, complete with canals, gondolas and imported Italian gondoliers. The experiment failed, and the gondoliers went home, but the canals remain and are a splendid place to take a walk.

Begin this walk near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, at the corner of Washington and Strongs Drive. There, under a small sign that says "Venice Canals Walkway," turn in and begin exploring. Within minutes, you'll lose the roar of Venice traffic and begin to experience the charm of canal life.

Jardin du Luxembourg (Paris, France) 

The Jardin du Luxembourg has always been one of my favorite places in Paris! I love the beauty and the elegance of it all. When I lived in Paris, it was a sanctuary where I could go to think and write.

Being back in the Luxembourg Gardens with our son, I discovered that it was a delightful place for kids as well, and there were many activities for children to enjoy, and each time I’m there, it’s as memorable as the first time I’d visited Paris.

Promenade Plantée (Paris, France) 

I absolutely love the High Line in NYC! So, when I heard that it was inspired by Promenade Plantée in Paris, I had to check it out and see it for myself.

Created in 1988 by Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely on the former railway line, which linked Place de la Bastille to Varenne-Saint-Maur from 1859, the Promenade Plantée mixes areas of wild vegetation that has sprung up alongside the railway line with more modern landscaped areas.

It begins behind the Bastille opera house and runs above avenue Daumesnil to the Jardin de Reuilly: it is the famous Viaduc des Arts. The Allée Vivaldi then comprises the shopping part of the walkway. Then, it continues through tunnels and trenches and ends at Porte Dorée and the Bois de Vincennes.

About halfway to Bois de Vincennes, there is a large green park with a pelouse (lawn) that's not forbidden to walk on as most of the green lawns are in Paris, and there is also a small playground.

Promenade Plantée truly is a hidden gem, and although the ambiance is definitely different from the High Line, it’s a perfect place for children – also, you won’t see many tourists here.

Kollwitz Platz (Berlin, Germany) 

Named after the famous German painter, print maker and sculptor Käthe Kollwitz, it is one of the loveliest and liveliest squares in Berlin.

Farmer's Market at Kollwitz Square has a great selection of meats, cheeses and organic food, as well as wine – and oh, fresh oysters! Also, there are playgrounds nearby, which is perfect if you have a little one.

Cheonggyecheon (Seoul, South Korea) 

Neglected merely as an overpass since 1970, Cheonggyecheon was was a small stream that flowed through the downtown area along some of Seoul’s popular sights. Then, in 2003, the mayor of the city decided to restore the stream and give the city some much-needed natural space, and when the restoration was completed in 2005, Cheonggyecheon became a haven of natural beauty and oasis in the midst the cosmopolitan city.

Situated smack dab in the middle of the city, it is one of the nicest place to take a stroll. For children, it’s an absolutely perfect place to explore as you walk along the stream, there are many artistic and fun details that are sure to delight every child.

Fun Things To Do With Children In Paris

There’s no disputing that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Paris, however, is not known for being the most child-friendly city – or people friendly for that matter.  

Therefore, as soon as my husband and I booked our trip to Paris and planned to do a road trip to Provence, I started to feel some reservations about taking our 7-year old to the city that is known more for its aesthetic beauty, culture and romance rather than joyous atmosphere. 

Then again, even for grown ups, visiting Paris can be daunting, and as breathtaking as the city may be, dealing with the locals can be about as pleasant as the trip to the dentist office – actually, our dentist is much nicer than the surly Parisian waiters. 

Regardless, after being away from Paris for almost a decade, I knew it was time for me to go back and introduce our son to the city of light.

We started to prepare him for the trip and generated some excitement.  We told him all about the food – oh, the food!  The delectable pastries that were like a slice of heaven and baguettes that tasted like nothing else he’s ever eaten.  He already knew that the Eiffel Tower was there and made it clear that he wanted to climb to the top of it.  Although my husband and I never felt the need to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in all the years we’ve lived and visited Paris mainly because we absolutely detest standing in line for anything, if that’s what our little boy wanted, we were happy to oblige.

Then, a few weeks before our trip, I started to panic and wondered whether we had enough activities planned, things to do and places to go with our little boy who would literally climb the Eiffel Tower if he was bored.  I mean, we couldn’t very well sit in our hotel and stuff ourselves with pastries the entire week.

I combed the internet in search of “fun things to do with children” and found it sparse and disturbing that the majority of the list comprised of activities that seemed eccentric even for adults.  Taking a 7-year old to an underground sewage system or a cemetery – seriously?!?

Ultimately, we discovered plenty of fun things to do in Paris and found that the city is filled with lesser-known draws that are authentic and a pleasure to visit as a family.  The secret to discovering Paris like many other big cities in the world is to explore the neighborhood’s microcosm of parks, bakeries and cafes.  In other words, when in Paris, do what the Parisians do. 

I’m happy to say that we had a wonderful time, and here are some of the awesome places and fun things we did in Paris.

Les Berges de Seine 
In a city that prides itself on maintaining its tradition and old world atmosphere, innovative leisure spaces have been created all over Paris.  In one of the latest urban renewal projects, Les Berges de Seine offers Parisians and visitors a new space to relax and unwind.

The city has closed almost 1.5 miles of its UNESCO World Heritage-designated Seine riverbanks to car traffic and created an area solely for pedestrians, filled with restaurants, immaculate gardens, 'zen' spaces, and children's play areas complete with climbing wall.  It also offers some of the most picturesque views of the city.

The easiest way to reach Les Berges de Seine is just by Musée d'Orsasy via the grandiose Emmarchement staircase, which links the upper quai to the lower quai.  Other access points are Port des Invalides and Port du Gros Caillou.

The Jardin du Luxembourg 
The Jardin du Luxembourg has always been one of my favorite places in Paris!  I love the beauty and the elegance of it all.  When I lived in Paris, it was a sanctuary where I could go to think and write.   

Being back in the Luxembourg Gardens with our son, I discovered that it was a delightful place for kids as well, and there were many activities for children to enjoy.

Our little boy’s favorite was renting a sailboat (2€ for 30 minutes), and he loved navigating and watching his little boat float across the boat pond (the Grand Basin).  The sailboats are not remote control, and the boats are controlled with a long pole that your child will be given at the time of the sailboat rental.  The sailboats are marked by flags of different countries around the world, and as your child will be able choose their boat, they will know exactly which boat is theirs.

However, keep in mind that this is a very popular activity among tourists and locals, and during the weekends and summer holidays, it may take up to 30 minutes to get a boat. Nevertheless, seeing the joy on our little boy's face made the wait worthwhile.

Also, there is a large playground located in the Luxembourg Garden as well.  However, it didn’t sit well with me that we had to pay an entrance fee (2.60 euros for kids over 18 months, 1.60 euros for adults) to get into a playground – it didn’t feel very égalité. 

Jardin des Tuileries 
As I've always said, traveling with a child can be such a blessing, as it has allowed us to interact with the locals and be in an environment that is more authentic to the place that we visit.  Traveling with our son has also enabled my husband and I to see and experience a whole another side of the places we’ve visited many times and thought we knew so well. 

Although I’ve always known and enjoyed the lovely parks and gardens in Paris, not until we returned with our little boy, have I realized the wonderful nooks and crannies of it.  For instance, I didn’t know that there were so many wonderful areas for kids in the Jardin des Tuileries. 

Contrary to the playground at Jardin du Luxembourg where you have to pay, the former is free. There are slides for big kids and toddlers alike, jumping platforms, metal merry-go-rounds and net hammocks among others. The ground is also covered with sand or a foam-like material so kids don’t hurt themselves when they fall.  For an fee, you can also head to the trampolines just around the corner and a carousel.

Bateaux Vedettes du Pont Neuf 
In all the years I’ve lived and traveled in Paris, I’ve always put off taking a boat tour of the Seine, as it seemed – well, a bit too touristy. 

However, on a 90 degree summer day, we couldn’t have chosen a more perfect way to see the sites and gain a whole new perspective on a city that I thought I knew well.

Boat tours in Paris is about as common as finding taxis in NYC.  However, we opted for Bateaux Vedettes du Pont Neuf because it was closest to our hotel, and it offered a great summer discount: 9€ morning cruise, 10€ afternoon and evening cruises.

The Parc du Champs de Mars & the Eiffel Tower 
Before leaving for France, our son was adamant about one thing; he wanted to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  When we arrived at the Champs de Mars and saw the mile-long line for the elevator, he merely cringed and said he would rather play soccer in the park.

I realized that kids are more flexible and pragmatic than adults when traveling, and their happiness and joy doesn’t necessarily depend on seeing and checking off a list of tourist attractions but on the sharing moments and experiences.  Our son was happier playing near the Eiffel Tower rather than actually going up it.

The field in front of the Eiffel Tower (The Parc du Champs de Mars) is an absolutely lovely place for children.  The scenery is unbelievably French, and it was surreal to see our little boy and my husband playing soccer with the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

There’s also a nice playground at rue de Grennelle and a little crepe stand, where we had the best ham and cheese crepe in France!

Promenade Plantée
I absolutely love the High Line in NYC!  So, when I heard that it was inspired by Promenade Plantée in Paris, I had to check it out and see it for myself.

Created in 1988 by Philippe Mathieux and Jacques Vergely on the former railway line, which linked Place de la Bastille to Varenne-Saint-Maur from 1859, the Promenade Plantée mixes areas of wild vegetation that has sprung up alongside the railway line with more modern landscaped areas.

It begins behind the Bastille opera house and runs above avenue Daumesnil to the Jardin de Reuilly: it is the famous Viaduc des Arts. The Allée Vivaldi then comprises the shopping part of the walkway. Then, it continues through tunnels and trenches and ends at Porte Dorée and the Bois de Vincennes.

About halfway to Bois de Vincennes, there is a large green park with a pelouse (lawn) that's not forbidden to walk on as most of the green lawns are in Paris, and there is also a small playground.

Promenade Plantée truly is a hidden gem, and although the ambiance is definitely different from the High Line, it’s a perfect place for children – also, you won’t see many tourists here.

Stravinsky Fountain & Centre Pompidou 

One thing that was on my list of things to do that we didn’t get around to during our trip was seeing the Centre Pompidou.  I’ve read that there were great activities for kids: Children's Gallery (Galerie des enfants) on the ground floor and the Atelier des Enfants (a supervised activity center) that has a workshop on Wed and Sat from 2:30-4.

However, we did get around to seeing the Stravinsky Fountain, which our son really liked, and we loved watching the sunset from Le Restaurant Café Georges over the city of light, which was absolutely stunning!

Palais Royal 

As we were taking a nice stroll through the city one morning, we came upon the Palais Royal, and although it wasn’t a place we planned to take our little boy, it turned out to be an excellent place for him.  Our son loooved jumping up and down the statues (not sure what they’re called), and if he wasn’t busy jumping, he had a great time running around the courtyard.

Square d'Anvers & Sacre Coeur
The playground at Anvers station isn’t one of the more appealing places in Paris.  However, if your 7-year old has been walking all day and need a break, this little patch of greenery with few play equipment at the foothill of the Sacre Coeur might as well be Disneyland.  There’s also a nice carousel at the bottom of the stair way – the same carousel that appears in the millions of sketches of this world-famous monument.

Forum des Halles 
Despite its seedy reputation, I always love the area near the Forum des Halles.  It’s vibrant and edgy, and it’s one of the few neighborhoods in Paris, where you can really get a feel for the city's diverse culture and dynamic energy.

Unfortunately, the Forum des Halles has been going through a major renovation and construction since 2011 and due to be completed by 2016.  Equipped with two large playgrounds (2,500 sq.m for 7-12 year old and 1,370 sq.m for 2-6 year old), 8,244 sq.m of lawn, and 4 hectares of uninterrupted parkland, it will be one of the largest leisure spaces in Paris.  I look forward to taking our boy there on our next trip!

Practical Tips & Recommendations:
As mentioned in most travel guidebooks and forums, buying a book of 10 Metro tickets (carnet) is the best and the most economical way to utilize the public transportation in Paris.  There’s also a carnet for children (ages 4-9) that are ½ price of adults, which makes it a great deal!

The bus is the most scenic and easiest to board.  The Metro and RER can require a surprising amount of walking (both getting to and getting through the station) and a large number of steps if you’ve got a stroller.  Our favorites were buses 42 and 69 that stoped at all the major tourist attractions.

Although there isn't a shortage of charming, stylish and chic hotels in Paris, there are limited number of hotels that offer a room for families with children, and the majority of the hotels requires booking two rooms.  Therefore, we prefer to book an apartment hotels or a vacation rental instead.

Great shops for kids and adults alike: Hema, Village Joué Club, Au Nain Bleu, Pain d’épice 

More of my favorites in Paris
http://0dysseusjournal.blogspot.com/2011/09/expats-guide-to-paris.html

These are some of my favorite things. (Part 1)

These are some of my favorite airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc that make traveling even more enjoyable.

Favorite Airline:
In all the years of my travel, only one airline stands out from the rest, Singapore Airlines.  From the moment I boarded my first flight from NYC to Frankfurt almost 20 years ago, Singapore Airline has consistently provided excellent customer service.  Every time I board one of their air crafts, no matter what class seating I’m in, I know that I will be embraced by their friendly and courteous staff for the duration of the flight.

Furthermore, in the world of airline mergers and cutbacks, Singapore Airlines is one of the few companies that still provide little perks reminiscent of the glory days of travel.  Every international travel starts with a friendly greeting from the flight attendants, hot towels to wipe your hands, and even a goodie bag for children including a colorful headphones and toys.

Also, there are over 100 channels of latest released movies, Vegan/Vegetarian Meal upon request, and flight attendants who come by regularly with all your favorite snacks and drinks.

With airline industry being so lackadaisical about customer service or in some cases, completely lacking, I find Singapore Airline’s continuous striving to provide excellent service noble and commendable, and I for one am their number one fan.

Favorite Airports:
Most often, your first encounter at the airport sets the mood of your trip.  If you arrive at an airport that’s chaotic and in pandemonium, the chances are, the rest of your trip will follow suit.  However, there’s nothing better than arriving at an airport that is clean, well-organized, and welcoming, and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea provides a great start or a great ending to your travel experience.  

As South Korea’s largest airport, Incheon Airport, in my opinion, is the best airport in the world.  Year after year, it has received a five-star rating from Skytrax and has been selected by the Airports Council International as the world's best airport in air service quality; however, you only have to step foot in Incheon Airport to experience its awesomeness.

It’s not only the cleanest, the most organized and architecturally spacious airport I’ve seen, but it has some of the best selection of restaurants and shops, comparable to any restaurants in Seoul.  The airport is easy to get around, has great multilingual signage and staff, and the every staff member I’ve encountered were friendly and helpful.

Also, the airport offers free internet access and laptop computers, and there are not only great rest areas but seven gardens to help you relax while waiting for your flight.  There’s even a Korean Culture Museum in the airport and a spa, complete with a sauna, showers, private sleeping rooms, meeting rooms and a snack bar, and customers are free to lounge around the facilities as long as they like.  And as this is South Korea after all, one of the shopping Meccas, the world-class shops at Incheon Airport offer some of the best and finest duty-free items in the world.   

Aeropuerto Internacional Madrid-Barajas (MAD) is one of the main international airports in Spain, and unlike the airports in other European hubs, MAD is located within the city limits of Madrid, less than 10 miles from the center.  It also has a great selection of food choices, especially the tapas bars, and much like the city of Madrid itself, the airport offers a great variety of retail and entertainment stores.

The ground floor showcases fashion, retail, multimedia equipment, supermarket and everyday needs; the first floor is designed entirely for personal goods shopping, and the second floor is designed for leisure, cafes and restaurants. Although I didn’t get around to all 200 stores, as advertised in the airport website, I’ve had some of the best shopping experiences at this airport. 

Going through the airport is one of the most difficult aspects of traveling with children.  10-15 minutes of wait in line can seem like an eternity when you have a toddler who has just learned to walk, and he or she wants to explore their immediate world at that very moment as you are heel-to-toe in line with hundreds of strangers.  Then, the thought of being confined in a tiny space of an airplane for 12-hours on an international flight with that same toddler can deter (m)any parents from traveling all together.

That is until you arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO).  In my opinion, San Francisco Airport is one of the best airports for one simple reason; it is the most child-friendly airport in the world.

From spacious lounges and waiting areas to the award-winning museum program, its great variety of eclectic food and beverage options to unique Kid’s Spots and play areas, SFO provides an array of entertainments for your little ones to expel their energy before a long flight – so much so that every time we fly out of San Francisco Airport, our little boy is more excited about being at the airport than the flight or the destination.

It is also one of the cleanest and most elegant airports I’ve seen, and SFO offers plenty of kid-friendly amenities.  There are Family Lanes at the Security Checkpoint, and almost every airline offers early boarding privileges to those traveling with children – who needs a first-class ticket when your child gets you a rock star treatment at the airport?

Favorite Hotels:
Sheraton D-Cube City (Seoul, South Korea)
I’m not one of those people who can sleep anywhere.  It doesn’t have to be a 5-star accommodation, but it has to be unique, charming and most importantly, has to provide impeccable service.

The moment I walked into Sheraton D-Cube City in Seoul, I knew I’d hit the jackpot, as it surpassed all my expectations of what a great hotel should be.

First and foremost, the hotel is situated in an ideal location directly on top of a subway station, Sindorim.  As in all cosmopolitan megapolis, it’s not necessary to stay near the tourist sites or in the center of the city when you have a good access to public transportation.  What’s more important is staying near a subway station; so that you can have easy access to getting around in the city, and Sheraton D-Cube, situated on the 40th floor of a commerce building directly above a major subway line, provide a convenient access to all the sites in the city.  

The hotel and all its amenities are topnotch; comparable to any 5-star I’ve stayed in, but what makes the Sheraton D-Cube stand out from the rest is its staff and their level of customer service.  Even in South Korea, a country well-known for hospitality and generosity of its people, Sheraton D-Cube’s staff is exceptional.  Even before arriving at the hotel, the professionalism and the timeliness of the correspondence was excellent, and my questions and requests were handled with care.

Then, once we arrived at the hotel, we were blown away by not only the stunning architecture and the beautiful design of the building, but also the impeccable customer service.  From the moment we entered the building we were greeted and treated by every member of the staff as if we were VIP’s.  It was the most unforgettable experience I had while traveling.

Lutétia Hotel (Paris, France)
I’m a sucker for historical places, and as with the reality of life, history is filled with good and bad.  Staying at a hotel where the German army stationed themselves during WWII may seem morbid, but I must admit, I was fascinated by the history of Lutétia Hotel long before I arrived in Paris.  So, when my company decided to have our quarterly meeting at the Lutétia, I was absolutely delighted at the prospect of spending a week in this historical monument.

The Hotel Lutétia, located in the Left Bank of Paris, is one of the best-known and one of the most historical hotels in Paris.  It was built in 1910 in the Art Nouveau style to designs by architects Louis-Charles Boileau and Henri Tauzin, and it has always been one of my favorite buildings in the city.  Its location is absolutely ideal, as it’s convenient to walk to some of my favorite attractions in Paris, most of which are in the Left Bank.  And although the rooms are a little small in comparison to other hotels at same price point, its charm and the friendliness of the staff more than makes up for it.
 

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Georgetown, Malaysia)
No country embodies a wonderful diversity in landscape, culture and people of Asia like Malaysia.  It has everything that one can hope for in vacation destination, a great mixture of cultures, history, people and some of the most delicious food I've had in SE Asia!  Also, one of my favorite travel experiences was staying at the beautifully restored Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, which was like staying overnight at a living museum.

Favorite Restaurants & Meals:
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of the best meals I’ve had were in France.  Then again, I don’t expect anything less than greatness from cuisine that has been deemed by the UNESCO as being an intangible cultural heritage.

Many people mistakenly think French cuisine is extremely rich and sophisticated, and while some French cuisine does fit this bill, the food of France is diverse in both flavor and complexity.  Regional French cuisine can range from peasant-style dishes to upscale haute cuisine or from simple Salade Nicoise to Coq au Vin pairing wine with meat, and at its heart, French cuisine reflects a long tradition of treating food and cooking as a fine art to be mastered and taught to others.

The region of Bourgogne is well-known for its haute cuisine.  Although most of the restaurants offer reasonably priced, well-prepared tasting menus, our favorite meal was at Le Fleury in Beaune.  You can sample some of the region’s specialties as well as the staples of French cuisine that we know and love, such as Escargots, Boeuf (Beef) Bourguignon, and Confit de Canard.  Also, the impeccable presentation as well as the lovely ambiance of the restaurant made our dining experience unforgettable.    

On the other hand, provincial cooking is the backbone of French cuisine, as many gourmet recipes in haute cuisine were adapted or have evolved from provincial foods.  Therefore, great French meals don’t have to be upscale or “fancy” – and most often, are not.  I’ve always enjoyed the more provincial meals or down home cooking in France, and some of the best I’ve had were in the central area known as the Massif Central.

As the highlands of Massif Central are ideal for raising cattle and other livestock, the meals in this region tend to be hearty and filling, and consist mostly of meats – Vegetarians beware.  The specialties such as Cassoulet, Potée and a variety of saucissons and saucisses sèches (dry sausage) rely heavily on beef, pork and lamb, and the cheeses such as Roquefort tend to be richer.

Lastly, my favorite meal in Vietnam wasn’t in a restaurant.  It was on a junk (ship) in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.  Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site situated about 170km (3 ½ hour drive) north of Hanoi, and it is without a doubt one of the most spectacular natural sites I have seen in my life.  This densely concentrated zone of stone islands is world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, and resembles a geographic work of art, and the best way to get around and see it all is by a boat.

During our visit, my husband and I rented a private boat, which gave us the option to sail around the bay at a more leisurely pace and choose the course we wanted to go.  And the biggest highlight of our trip was the freshly prepared meal we had on the boat, which turned out to be one of the most delicious and memorable meals we’ve had during our travels.

Favorite Events:
dOCUMENTA (Kassel, Germany)

Every 5 years, the art world gather in Kassel, Germany to celebrate dOCUMENTA, one of the most important art exhibitions in the world that showcases the latest in modern and contemporary art.  

For 100 days (usually starts in June) over 150 artists present a wide spectrum of contemporary art, paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos, performance art, etc, from 55 countries.  It’s a spectacular event that turns much of this industrial town into a walking museum, and there are displays of art works and exhibits throughout the center of the city, including the Orangerie.

Documenta is not one of these art shows that focus on marketing and sales. It’s not about finding “art work” to display in the new office or that goes with the livingroom sofa.  There are no glitz and glam, and most of the exhibits displayed are true reflections and interactions of the world around us.  It’s definitely art for art's sake.

For almost 60 years, it has remained true to intentions of the original curator Arnold Bode, discovering and celebrating modern art, which was banished and repressed during the cultural darkness of Nazism, and it continues to enlighten and enrich the world with its own unique voice.

Weihnachtsmarkt, Christmas Markets (Germany)
There’s no better way to experience the festivities of the holidays than Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Germany.  The markets take place usually in the center of the town, and you'll find all manner of stalls selling a wide array of crafts and tasty regional delicacies, sweets, cakes, food, mulled wine (Glühwein) and other delights.  Especially, if/when there’s snow, the atmosphere is absolutely magical.

Farolito Walk (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
One of my absolute favorite events in the world is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk, a beloved holiday tradition in Santa Fe.  On Christmas Eve, thousands of holiday revelers come out to stroll, admire and sing carols around the displays of farolito lights, lovely little lights made out of paper bags with and tea candles that burn brightly into the night, and the entire neighborhood turns into a beautiful block party.  There are also bonfires on the streets where people gather around to warm themselves up, and plenty of vendors who sell hot chocolates and holiday treats.  It’s joyous event that I have always loved, and this year, it was even more special being there with my little boy.  He was so excited and told me that it was like being in a “winter wonderland”, and indeed, it was! 
NYC Marathon (NYC, New York) 
One of my favorite events in NYC is the NYC Marathon, which takes place annually on the first Sunday of November.  It’s the largest marathon in the world with 42.195 km (26.2 miles) course that runs through all five boroughs of New York City.

It is a spectacular event that attracts not only tens of thousands of professional competitors and amateur runners, but also spectators from all over the world, as the entire city and its five boroughs turn into a giant block party.

More importantly, it is an event that brings together people from all walks of life in celebration of the human strength and perseverance.

Skiing & Snowboarding 
Sure, I love lounging on a white-sand beach, but nothing beats the feeling of cold wind on my face as I swoosh downhill, waves of powder snow parting like feathers, blue mountain sky beaming above, and of course, the spectacular scenery that surrounds you when you’re on top of a ski slope.  And some of my most memorable vacations have been skiing or snowboarding in the midst of the majestic mountains, where the hills truly are alive with snow – lots and lots of snow.

Favorite One of a Kind Experiences & Places:

• Junk Boat Ride in Halong Bay, Vietnam
• Anyang Art Park, Anyang, South Korea
• Postman Chevallier, France
• Rocamadour, France 
• Picnics along the countryside roads in France
• Hunting for antiques and treasures in Berlin, Germany
• Summer nights sitting at outdoor cafes in Berlin, Germany

These are some of my favorite things. (Part 2)