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 the Asian Pacific. The founder, Armi Ratia, commissioned young artists to create distinctive fabric patterns, which resulted in boldly colored,…

It’s not Your Momma’s Cuisine! Wild reindeer terrine with tart lingonberry jam. Earthy trumpet chanterelles in a wine reduction sauce over seasoned trout. Crispy buckwheat blinis with Russian pickles, honey and sour cream. It's enough to give any culinary enthusiast warm and fuzzy goose bumps. Yet that's what makes dining in Finland such a delightful experience. Simple yet sophisticated, anticipated yet surprising, locally grown, hunted and snared fare derived from Finland's ecologically diverse terrain has played a prominent role in traditional Finnish dishes for decades. And it is just this…

Let’s face it: celebrities are on the pulse of what’s hot. They create trends in fashion, in film and in music. So why shouldn’t they set the course for what’s destined to be a must-do in travel? St. Barts, Aspen, Miami and Las Vegas are go-to vacation destinations for the A-list, but these twelve locales are where you’ll find the risky, the bold and the trailblazing famous folk of 2012. Get your passport ready! 1)    Myanmar (also known as Burma) Why They’ll Go: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has…

Beano’s Cabin It just does not get any cozier then this. After a wonderful day of skiing, followed by après-ski, and a long, hot shower, forty-two of us jump on board a Sno-Cat powered sleigh.We are given wool blankets to share, and breathe in the crisp Beaver Creek air as we make our moonlit journey from the base of Beaver Creek mountain up to an intimate former hunting lodge where we are greeted by a warm fire and a genial staff waiting to whisk away our ski jackets, scarfs, mittens,…

The ski season is under way. Here are twelve of the best places to ski, to see and be seen in this winter, in no particular order. Some are classics which never go out of style; some are new in-destinations for the ski elite. All offer the ultimate in luxury accommodations, gourmet restaurants and sublime skiing. Aspen, Colorado, USA. Haunt of the rich & famous since the 1940's. The slopes are as groomed as the celebrities who ski here, the runs as smooth as a botoxed face. Serious skiers go…

The Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, one of Florida’s most beloved hotels has just undergone a spectacular lobby renovation. Overlooking Tampa Bay in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, the hotel recently completed renovations on a new lounge like lobby decorated with colors reflecting the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Designed by award winning firm, Leo A. Daly, the hotel now has the best of both worlds—a blend of modern elegance with cutting edge 1920s architecture. The original vaulted ceiling and quarry glazed tile floor were carefully preserved while new touches were added,…

Giorgio Armani has designed something extraordinary this year, something so big it can't strut the catwalk or glide down a runway. The renowned fashion designer and godfather of cool, has just opened his second hotel on November 10th in the heart of Milan's magnificent palazzo at Via Manzoni 3. Dubbed the Armani Hotel Milano, the new abode conforms to that ideal combination of elegance and simplicity that defines the Armani style. The hotel's sleek austerity harmonizes with Milan's obsession with all things designer by adding an impressive sense of refinement.…

At TravelSquire we believe you should know before you go what to expect when traveling. Have you ever visited somewhere new expecting people to be friendly and receptive—then for some reason, just weren't? It puts a damper on the whole trip, even if the experience itself was OK. This scenario may ring true especially for gay and lesbian couples who think they'll be greeted warmly by the hotel staff when they arrive in a foreign country but experience the opposite. As a result, many European destinations are taking a stand…