Philadelphia: On Sixth Street, a Walk Through African-American History
Throughout the city that produced Bill Cosby, Patti Labelle, and Will Smith, the African American imprint remains strong and evident. Along a short stretch of Sixth Street, though, a host of relatively low-key, uniquely Philadelphian, black history sites await. The narrative of this short walk isn’t museum-linear, and it contains no whiz-bang “environments”. »
Hamburg: Scaling the Heights in Blankenese
In Hamburg, to truly ‘arrive’ means an address that either mentions the Elbchaussee, or Blankenese. The Elbchaussee is the road connecting downtown with the neighborhood of Blankenese, but to say ‘road’ is to call Chanel a clothes shop – a slight understatement. »
Tokyo: Ahhh, the Smell of Fish in the Morning
Some things you only do once in your life. Like wading through a floor of fish slop to enjoy the best sushi-and-beer breakfast you'll ever experience. . . . »
Beijing: Stepping Back in Time
Beijing's quiet hutong neighborhoods are about as close as you can come to experiencing what everyday life was like in the capital more than 700 years ago. »
New York City: Still the Lower East Side
The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently declared the Lower East Side “endangered." Has the neighborhood simply caught up with the times — or is it truly about to be obliterated by them? »
New York City: Walking and Eating in Queens
It usually comes about 10 minutes into the conversation with a first-time visitor to NYC. We walked so much. It was exhausting. I wait for it. I celebrate it. I love it. If they don’t say it, they’re not doing the city right. While I will just smile and nod and allow you your (completely unfortunate)... »
Lima: Villa El Salvador’s Micro-Economic Success
A picturesque patchwork of despair and optimism, this Lima, Peru neighborhood might not be on everyone's itinerary, but it's guaranteed to be a treasured highlight of any trip that does include a visit. »
Quebec City: Funky St. Roch
Black-clad teenagers cruise down St. Joseph-Est in the St. Roch neighborhood of Quebec City, heading for the DJs and late-night punkers of Le Cercle, one of the city’s premier jazz clubs. A few blocks away, a gorgeous, fashionable crowd flirts over cocktails, sashimi, and cotton candy (served with sparklers on the side for special... »
Ottawa: The Capital’s Parliament Hill
At first glance, I could be forgiven for being confused. Three Gothic Revival buildings - offering the expected mix of turrets, buttresses, arches and spires, as well as a soaring clock tower - loomed commandingly over an adjacent river. »
Luxembourg: Cafe Central at the Grund
The scene greeting us at a certain Cafe des Artistes could have been in Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam or any number of European hot spots. In the dark, smoky room, a chanteuse, young and lovely, yet already world weary, sat perched on a high stool by a piano. With the requisite lit cigarette. .... »