It's the biggest annual winter sports event worldwide - nope, not indoor soccer. From May 4-20, the 2012 IIHF World Championship will be held in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, where the world's top teams will compete for the highest title in hockey. This year, the IIHF will debut its new championship format in which the 16 teams will be split into two groups of eight. Each team will play…

If you've ever traveled to Finland more than likely you've shopped, seen, or heard of Marimekko. Admired by fashion lovers and interior decorators alike, the company designs and manufactures high-quality clothing, textiles, tableware, and a bunch of cool accessories. Known for its strikingly inventive patterns and clever use of colors in prints, Marimekko was first a phenomenon in 1951 when it was founded, then a lifestyle throughout Northern Europe and…

What began as a series of classical music concerts in the 1950's has transformed into a midsummer romp in the heart of Finland that includes contemporary pop and world music, dance, theatre, cinema and exhibitions. From August 17th to September 2nd, feed yourself the arts at the 24th annual Helsinki Festival. One of many worldwide "White Nights" events, the Helsinki Festival celebrates the long days and nearly nonexistent nights at…

Are you ready for some samba, you know, colorful costumes and feathers in every color of the rainbow? No, I'm not talking about heading to Brazil, that's way too predictable. Everyone knows that Brazilians are experts at the samba - skimpily clad dancers and lots of hip swaying - but have you ever seen the Finns do it? Now you can, because just in case you miss the February 18th…

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa Photos by Steve Collins From the minute you pull up to The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and are greeted by the impeccably uniformed doorman, you know you are in the lap of luxury. The pampering at this Four Star, Four Diamond property starts at the door and continues throughout the stay. Dating from 1892, the lobby of the Italian Renaissance building is richly…

Who hasn't experienced trouble falling asleep?  We all have and then there's that awful feeling of fatigue. Coupled with the normal stress of every working day, it's a combo we want to avoid. Now there's a fast solution so you can be alert and ready for early morning meetings, which for me sometimes involves exhausting fashion shoots. But how about just getting through the day? The answer is a Yantra…

Sometimes we look back on our childhoods and hear nursery rhymes as clear as day, only to realize how truly old we are once new renditions of these classics debut. Remember when Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet? Well, now her great-great-great-great granddaughter is doing some of her own sitting - that is, babysitting ... for monsters. Young-at-hearts and children of all ages will gather round to see "Little…

The Bettoja Hotels are luring North American travelers to Rome this winter with incredible offers good for the pocketbook, palate and intellect. One of the largest family owned hotel groups in Italy, Bettoja has four properties in Rome: Hotel Mediterraneo, Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, Hotel Atlantico and Hotel Nord. All are within walking distance of the Coliseum, Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps. Good food and warm personal service is their…