This year has not been kind to the magazine publishing world, with so many publications folding  that there’s even a website called MagazineDeathPool.com.  But that hasn’t stopped Greg Sullivan and Joe Diaz from creating a brand new travel magazine called “Afar.”  With a focus on cultural travel, the founders of Afar have a mission to “inspire and guide those who travel the world seeking to connect with its people, experience, their culture and understand their perspectives.”  They have even created an Afar Foundation, promoting cross-cultural exchange for college students and recent graduates who are looking to immerse themselves in another country.  Unlike other travel magazines that focus on hotels and resorts, Afar is all about connecting with real people and places through experiential travel.  To subscribe to the magazine or check out the website, click here:   http://www.afar.com/.

I have a co-worker who describes where he grew up by saying this, “I’m from Washington…” oh, yeah?! cool…I’ve been there…. “No, it’s Washington State - The Big One…You know? Not the capitol…The state, you know?” oh….hmmm….

We don’t have nearly enough opportunities to see the beauty of North America. I’ve been on roadtrips through the midwest, cross-country, up to Montreal, and even along the coast in California (by myself!). Now, I’m flying to Vancouver and along with my friend M*, heading down to San Francisco. We intend to see the mountains in Washington State, the great Pacific Coast, Portland Oregon and even hit up Sonoma Valley. Our final destination is a wedding for a friend in Oakland. We have yet to make one hotel reservation!

Stay tuned for updates!

By the way - have you noticed our new logo? It comes to us from Eric Strenger. Eric is an artist and designer and is living the good life in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He’s designed for Oxygen, Def Jam, and many others. If you’d like something designed by Eric - head to his website for contact information or to just stare at his artwork - www.ericstrenger.com. I particularly like wittle piggly. 

If you love a bargain and plan on being in New York City this spring, check out NYC: The Real Deal at  www.nycgo.com/realdeal.  The site is sponsored by New York City’s official tourism organization and has links to all kinds of special offers, such as Madame Tussauds, the Cosmetics Warehouse, the New York Waterway Tours, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, just to name a few.  For out-of-town visitors, make sure to click on the hotel listings for great savings! 

I’ve just returned from a marvelous 10-day trip to Greece, which now ranks as one of my favorite places to visit.  What’s not to love about a mountainous country with picturesque landscapes, impressive ruins and delicious food?  While there are many things I enjoyed about Greece, here is a list of my top 10 favorites:

1) The Oracle of Delphi: a stunning must-see if you’re ever in Greece!  The ruins are as majestic as the natural surroundings.

2) The Acropolis in Athens:  what an astounding glimpse of the ancient world!  Spotlights illuminate the Parthenon at night, which can be seen from most parts of the city.

3) The marketplace in Athens: small shops can be found along narrow cobble stoned streets near the Acropolis.  The Greek currency is the Euro, but some vendors accept US dollars and many are willing to bargain. [Read more →]