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Hollywood, California
by
Jeff Greif
The W Hollywood
A Return to Glamour
Hollywood always loves a return. That is why everyone in Los Angeles is excited about the opening there of new restaurants, stores and hotels that are revitalizing the neighborhood and bringing it back to life. Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea and Vine, once the heart of tinseltown, fell into a spiraling decline in the eighties and nineties bringing in low income housing and rockers drawn to LA with dreams of stardom.
Hollywood’s long awaited rebirth began in 2001 with the opening of…
in En Suite
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Budapest, Hungary
by
Jeff Greif
A Red Star is Reborn
“Are you ready to get into the time machine?” Zsófi our tour guide said.“Look around you and we will soon discover what Budapest used to be like, but before we start what year do think it is?” she continued.Everyone in the group answered “the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s”Zsófi confirmed that “Yes, you are all correct. This was the Retro period in Budapest; the time during the great Soviet occupation of the city. There are still remnants of this period all over the city…
in Europe
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San José, Costa Rica
by
Sabrina Canfield
Do you Know the Way to San José?
San José is not always on the receiving end of favorable mentions in travel reviews, and maybe this is due to the fact that, with so much to see, when reviewers really start gushing about their recent Costa Rican adventures—the beautiful coasts, enchanting cloud forests, extensive wildlife and lush, tropical climate—there just aren’t any superlatives left to pour over the sprawling city of San José. The fact of the matter is, when you visit Costa Rica, you’ve got to know what you’re…
in Caribbean
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Stockholm, Sweden
by
Dina Mishev
I didn’t realize it when I made my plans and still didn’t realize it a month later when I landed at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport. Rushing through customs and boarding the express train into central Stockholm, there were clues. “Hmm … the skies are really gray,” I said to myself, maybe there’s snow on the way.” It was just before two in the afternoon. Twenty minutes later as I pulled into the station in darkness, it dawned on me. It was winter in Scandinavia.
in Europe
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Los Angeles, California
by
Marina Gage
When someone says Los Angeles one often thinks of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, movie stars, and endless traffic jams. But only 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown (depending on the notorious LA traffic) is an oasis that combines the edginess of the city with the calm of the beach—and a boho-chic vibe that's a welcome escape from the phony business types of LA proper.
in North America
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Richmond, Great Britain
by
Valerie Gladstone
A Royal and Bucolic London Getaway
‘‘Richmond’s great for walking,’’ says a patron named Bruce, raising a glass of ale to his mouth. ‘‘It’s best for seeing real history, without running into crowds,’’ counters Alan, who shares a wooden bench with him near the crackling fireplace in the cozy Victoria Inn. It’s easy to join conversation here and they field my questions about the town with pride.
in Europe
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Stockholm, Sweden
by
Dina Mishev
Ulf Hinds - Stockholm Visitors Board: Parts of Gamla Stan, the oldest part of Stockholm, date from the 13th century.
Winter Charms
I didn’t realize it when I made my plans and still didn’t realize it a month later when I landed at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport. Rushing through customs and boarding the express train into central Stockholm, there were clues. “Hmm … the skies are really gray,” I said to myself, maybe there’s snow on the way.” It was just before two in the afternoon. Twenty minutes later as I…
in Europe
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Monterrey and Chihuahua, Mexico
by
Stephen Keeling
Surrounded by vast, empty deserts of twisted cacti and chains of dusty mountains, the industrial cities of Monterrey and Chihuahua might seem odd choices for a vacation. Hammered mercilessly by the summer sun, the two urban giants are usually bypassed by foreign travelers desperate to see the exotic jungles, beaches and Mayan ruins of the south. This is a shame: cut though the traffic and grimy outskirts of both cities, and you'll discover rich colonial centers, incredibly innovative museums and some of the most significant historical monuments in Mexico. Monterrey,…
in North America
