LONDON for Beginners

If this is your first time in England, there are five basic rules you need to know – that will save you a lot of hassle. Story, Holiday Goddess Editors, London. ONE – DON’T BE A TRAIN DUMMY The rip-off prices of British trains from London to the rest of the country have to be seen […]

4 Reasons to Pack for Paris, Tout Suite!

Audrey Hepburn was right of course: Paris is always a good idea. Here are 4 of the latest reasons why. THE PARIS CHOCOLATE FAIR Every year, thousands of hungry guests flock to the Parc des expositions in Paris to peruse the stands of 220 taste-making exhibitors. Visitors will find chocolatiers, patissiers, confectioners and other artisans from […]

ROME: The Basilica San Paolo

The Basilica San Paolo may not be the most famous place in Rome, but it’s one of the most interesting. This ancient Roman church has a shop (shampoo made by monks), a great local bar and a holy water tap.

Sydney’s Best (Old) Bookshop

Ten reasons why Berkelouw, Oxford Street, Paddington is Sydney’s best rare/old/vintage bookshop. 1. You can pull up a chair at the window, order a drink from the licensed cafe, and watch fashionable Oxford Street walk past you. This bookshop is so vast that you can do all this, and still only be on the first […]

A Day Out In Dumbo, New York

low light photography of New York buildings

Cross the East River from Manhattan via the Brooklyn or Manhattan Bridges and you’ll arrive in Dumbo (Down Under Manhattan Brooklyn Overpass). Once a manufacturing district, this tiny wedge of Brooklyn is now one of New York’s premier arts and creative hubs. Since the City of New York and New York University joined forces to […]

Saffire Freycinet’s Heavenly Tasmanian Devil Experience

Vicki Arkoff falls in love with Luxury Lodges of Australia’s jewel thanks to an irresistible eco-friendly wildlife encounter featuring some very special locals.    Nature lovers looking for a wildlife adventure in Australia have a wealth of options to choose from:  kangaroos bounding across the Outback, salt water crocodiles in tropical Queensland, dolphins and whale sharks along […]

A Chocolate Bar Fit for a King at Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris

Paris is always a good idea, so a Parisian chocolate menu is sheer genius, decides Holiday Goddess’ Vicki Arkoff. You might as well give up your pledge to eat and drink less, because your good intentions are not going to survive this:  a pop-up chocolate bar.  In Paris. Oh, mon dieu. Leave it to the lavish Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris […]

London: Christmas in London

There’s no more magical time in London than Yuletide. Ever since Charles Dickens immortalized London as the 1840’s setting of the classic “A Christmas Carol,” ye olde English capital has been the world’s most ideal place to celebrate a traditional Yuletide. Just being in London’s city center in the wintertime elicits nostalgic excitement thanks to […]