UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee named a site in the Gaza Strip — Saint Hilarion Monastery, or Tell Umm Amer — to both its “World Heritage” and “World Heritage In Danger” lists in late July. The decision, made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, reflects the ancient monastery’s … Read more
Years ago, the manager of a hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand told me about an unusual booking that he once received during the middle of the night. A traveler had flown his entire family via private jet from Brunei to the Thai island after learning upon landing in Brunei that it is a “dry country” … Read more
I’m often asked: “What is your favorite country to visit?” For an avid adventurer, it’s a confounding question. How to distill culture, vibes, food, scenery, and all the other factors that shape the international travel experience? Identifying the nations I have explored in depth over multiple visits — popular places like Turkey, Nepal, South Africa … Read more
Was it the Parisians who bluntly told travelers “do not come” to Paris during the Summer Games? Or did sky-high prices for hotel rooms, house rentals and event tickets turn travelers away? For a multitude of reasons, many people — including residents — avoided Paris in the build-up to the Olympic Games, despite prognostications … Read more
Paris boasts many luxurious five-star accommodations. At the Hotel Plaza Athénée, a single night during peak season can cost around $44,000, while a stay in the Imperial Suite at the Ritz Paris can command an astounding $70,000 per night. Hôtel de Crillon, an 18th-century palace which was converted into a luxury hotel in 1909, has … Read more
During the six years that I was lucky enough to live in the center of Paris, I learned a lot about the ups and downs that come with being a Parisienne. I would move back in a heartbeat. But I also feel for international visitors who arrive with a romantic vision of beautiful perfection, only … Read more
The iconic Raffles hotel brand announced the opening of Raffles Jaipur on July 8 — the second to open in the Indian subcontinent. The first, Raffles Udaipur, opened in 2021. Both hotels are in Rajasthan, a northwestern Indian state known for its stunning forts and historical palaces, like the Hawa Mahal. Jaipur, the capital city … Read more
With New York’s congestion pricing plan indefinitely delayed, traffic into Manhattan this summer is set to be gridlocked as usual. But travelers staying in some of the city’s top luxury hotels can avoid the highways altogether. Announced Tuesday, Marriott International Luxury Group is providing free helicopter transfers from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark … Read more
Chateau de Villette is more than a French manor house — it’s a walk through history. Built in the late 17th century with the help of Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Andre Le Notre, both of whom were instrumental in building the world-renowned Palace of Versailles, the chateau features seven suites in the main house, each extravagantly … Read more
Few hotels are as synonymous with old world grandeur and colonial architecture as the Raffles Hotel Singapore — the hotel of choice for the city-state’s visiting elite since it first opened in 1887. Guests from Rudyard Kipling to Catherine, Princess of Wales have graced its hallways, which like the rest of the hotel were revamped … Read more
