The Berkshires in Massachusetts is the home of Gilded Age mansions, Tanglewood® - the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, theatre, Shakespeare & Company, and dance, Jacob's Pillow, however there is much more to delight the eye as well as the palate, as the region also offers culinary, cultural, and outdoor activities that are sure to please at any time of the year. Conveniently located 147 miles (247 km) from New York, 120 miles (193 km) from Boston, 36 miles (58 km) from Albany, and 258 miles (415 km) from Philadelphia, it is perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer stay vacation.

Dutchess County conveniently located 90 minutes north of New York City, and 90 minutes south of Albany, the state capitol of New York, offers visitors a wide range of culinary and historic attractions including The Culinary Institute of America, the former homes of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, and examples of Gilded Age splendor in the Vanderbilt Mansion, Mills Mansion, and Locust Grove. Combined with year-round activities, Dutchess County is waiting for you to discover all it has to offer.

Puebla, Mexico is an enchanting UNESCO World Heritage city where the historical architecture is a delicious mélange of Baroque, Classical, and Renaissance styles that captivate the eyes; it is the home of talavera pottery, and Cocina Poblano, Mexico's famous gastronomy featuring mole poblano.

Iceland with its dramatic landscape created by volcanic eruptions has a rugged, natural beauty that is waiting for adventurers to discover its Icelandic horses,  waterfalls, hot springs, lava caves, and glaciers, and for those that prefer more urban adventures, Reykjavik, the capital city, offers excellent shopping, culture, museums, and diverse gastronomical possibilities. With the weakened Icelandic Krona and a stronger US Dollar and Euro, there has never been a better time to visit this unique country.

Although Montréal, located in the Province of Québec is Canada's second largest city, this charming city is easy to walk and offers visitors much to discover with its rich history, culture, gastronomy, and attractions that are sure to please.

Québec, Canada celebrated its 400^th anniversary in 2008, and is one of the oldest cities in North America. Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage rides, museums, culture, gastronomy, and the opportunity to speak French, make this city oh so charming.

Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, offers visitors much to experience. As lovers of architecture, the Chicago skyline beckoned to us like a candy shop calling to children with its diversity, and its rich culture of museums, theatre, and attractions, had us wishing that we had an extra day or two to spend in this fascinating city.

Driving from Sunny Isles Beach to South Beach, we discovered that there is much to explore in Greater Miami, Florida than the beautiful stretch of beaches; the area is a treasure trove of culture, gastronomy, and boating.

Did you ever wish that you could jet set off to an exotic destination for one perfect day? That is exactly what I did on the inaugural SWISS International Air Lines flight from New York to Zurich, Switzerland. Although the Vernon Duke and E.Y. Harburg song extols the virtues of April in Paris, Zurich in April is wonderful.

Luxurious Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 23 miles of sandy beaches to stroll, upscale restaurants, mega yachts, multi-million dollar homes, and interesting sights to explore was the perfect spring getaway when we desperately needed sun and sand.

Mont-Tremblant, Canada, located in the province of Quebec in the Laurentian region offers breathtaking views, and is the perfect playground for a winter weekend getaway without even needing a car.

What could be more romantic than visiting San Francisco, California with your special someone? Toney Bennett definitely struck the right chord when he sang, "I left my heart in San Francisco." 

Washington, DC, the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790, is a city that will capture your heart with its exceptionally rich history, beauty, and charm; it did mine.

New York is perfect in any season; however there is something very special about winter in the Big Apple when the stores sparkle with spectacularly dressed holiday windows, ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, or taking a carriage ride through Central Park.

Founded in 1630, Boston, Massachusetts, is an exciting historical city where you can learn about Paul Revere's famous ride and the Boston Tea Party, shop on posh Newbury Street, and savor New England gastronomy; come experience what makes New England so special.

New Orleans, Louisiana, sometimes called "Nawlins" or "The Big Easy," is a city rich in its mélange of cultural history that blends delicious flavors, sights, and sounds, into an intriguing mix that offers something for every visitor.

To experience the Skåne region of Sweden, it is necessary to drive, and drive we did, discovering along the way charming villages, castles, windmills, yellow  fields ablaze with color, and of course, the gastronomy for which the region is famous.

The Riviera Maya in Mexico encompasses more than 200 km (124 miles) along the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, palm trees sway in the warm breezes, exotic flowers perfume the air, and an ocean in a myriad of tourmaline colors gently laps the stunning sugary soft white sandy beaches. Ah, paradise, at last.

Stockholm is the glorious capital of Sweden and celebrates culture, cuisine, and good living. It is a city that will dazzle your senses with its clear light and bright blue skies, castles, 24,000 islands in its archipelago to explore, and much more.

As a frequent visitor to Berlin, the capital of Germany, I am always on the lookout for what is new to explore in this vibrant city when it comes to restaurants, entertainment, and of course, new spas, and invariably, I always find something wonderful.

Heiligendamm, Germany nestled on the Baltic Sea, was Germany's first seaside resort and has a royal history as Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg established it in 1793. Located 160 km (99 miles) from Hamburg and 220 km (137 miles) from Berlin it is a perfect holiday getaway or a pre or post business retreat. 

St. Moritz, Switzerland is more than a destination - it is a lifestyle! Home of the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow, the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival, world-class skiing, horse racing, sailing, and shopping, and boasting an average of 322 days of sunshine, this sophisticated city is the ultimate jetsetter paradise.

In the mood for a winter vacation, Luxury Experience Magazine traveled to Arosa, Switzerland and discovered why it has been a Swiss favorite and an alpine health resort since 1877, and added it to our own list of favorites.

Winding, narrow country roads, ivy-covered houses, spectacular golf courses, and a rich diversity of experiences is what we found on our drive through County Wicklow and on to Dublin, Ireland where a cosmopolitan, sophisticated city awaited.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico is perfect for enjoying "Sun and Fun" with beautiful white sandy beaches, dolphin encounters, bicycling and ATV tours, snorkeling, kayaking, shopping, culture, and so much more.