Meryl Pearlstein

I had never stayed in an overwater villa before. I had only admired them from a distance when I visited Tahiti on a cruise.

But finally, staying at Sun Siyam resorts in the South Malé Atoll in the Maldives provided me with the visceral experience of waking up to an endless view of blue above, below, and extending to the horizon. It was as if I had entered an underwater world without a snorkel.

Tired from my 20-hour trip but stimulated, I couldn’t resist the glistening ocean. I donned my swims...

Fine wines are one thing. But enjoying them in a beautiful setting is another. That makes a visit to Long Island Wine Country an ideal way to enjoy the sippable bounty that comes from the area in New York. Writer Meryl Pearlstein is back with a guide for RealFoodTraveler.com readers for where to experience some of the best.

Exploring Long Island Wine Country

A beautiful day on Long Island’s East End is as lovely as they come. Open fields, grand estates, and some of the world’s top-rated beach...

You’ve probably heard of the Hamptons, the destination favored by celebrities, influencers and vacationers simply wanting to chill on the beach. The Hamptons sit at the end of the island in an area known as the East End, providing an oceanside escape rich in farms, estates and history.
With a mix of communities like boho Ditch Plains and Montauk at the furthermost tip of the island to chic East ...

You don’t need a passport to feel like you’ve gone to Europe when visiting these 12 US cities.

A perfect commemoration of MAMA MIA’s return to Broadway after opening 25 years ago, Ellen’s Stardust Dinner has scheduled a series of festive “MAMMA MIA! brunches. The brunches will feature Ellen’s famous singing servers, the Stardusters, for a non-stop, energetic musical brunch in the downstairs theater at the Iridium. MAMMA MIA! will play next door at the Winter Garden Theatre beginning August 2 for six weeks only.
Here we go again! MAMMA MIA!, the ABBA musical megahit and ninth-longest ru...

New York City has some of the most exciting culinary experiences to be had, from classic fine dining to trendy and new. As a restaurant reviewer and NYC resident, I schedule my social life around finding top places to discover. Here is a baker’s dozen of my favorite dining spots.

If Fine Dining Is Your Passion

Le Bernardin

Le Bernardin is the kind of restaurant that inspires romantic proposals. Turning the concept of seafood dining on its head, Eric Ripert and Maguy Le Coze’s revered formal r...

Vancouver is a hot spot for foodies. Offering cuisine distinct from Canada’s eastern Toronto and Quebec menus, restaurants in Vancouver benefit from their location on the Pacific coast and relative proximity to Asia.

While seafood reigns supreme at the numerous aquatic-themed eateries here, the Asian influence is equally strong, with often edgy Japanese and Chinese restaurants. Second only to Tokyo for its raw fish, Vancouver is not surprisingly known among foodie cognoscenti as the “sushi ca...

A slideshow of what's new and worth seeing on Broadway. The 2025 Broadway season is filled with favorites, old and new. Long runs from the past show up in dazzling new renditions.

Mom has fed you so many times, so this Mother's Day, treat her to a special brunch on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Browse our list of the Best Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants in NYC / Manhattan and Brooklyn, presented in alphabetical order.

History meets hip in the City of Brotherly Love
by Meryl Pearlstein

If you haven’t yet ventured to the East Coast because you thought the cities were too big, too crowded, or lacked enough green space to keep you happy, you should consider a visit to the City of Brotherly Love. With a wealth of historical, cultural and culinary attractions, America’s “first planned city” is also the park-filled birthplace of the United States, where the Founding...

If you’ve been to Las Vegas and covered the requisite activities like walking the Strip, ogling the Bellagio fountains and trying your hand at slots, it’s time to take another look, this time in New York style. Here are some of the ways you can stay on a Big Apple track.

STAY
As a city person, you’ll want the shiniest and brightest resort in Las Vegas. Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened in December to well-deserved fanfare. With 36 dining options, mul...

While most theatergoers are comfortable with selecting a play or musical on Broadway, there is much on offer Off-Broadway as well. Designating theaters with between 100 and 499 seats, Off-Broadway offers a range of shows that encompass musicals, drama, comedy, magic, and more.

Not eligible for Tony Awards® and with less expensive ticket prices, these shows often have shorter runs, may be more experimental and feature up-and-coming artists and writers along with well-known stars. Here are a do...

Southeast Asia is a region brimming with contrasts, history and unique beauty. When deciding which countries to explore, I crafted an itinerary combining land and water experiences as the key to uncovering each area’s distinctive soul.

Some countries like Japan, China and Thailand merit in-depth exploration on their own, as I had discovered on previous visits to the region.
Others meld better into a multi-country journey with overlapping history and geography. For this Southeast Asia trip, I ...

Check out GAYOT's St. Patrick's Day dining guide to find the best local restaurants, bars and Irish pubs where revelers can chow down on traditional Irish fare like corned beef hash, fish and chips, and cabbage stew — and maybe have a pint or two! We've also included other restaurants getting into the Irish spirit with cocktail or food specials just for the holiday.

A slow-paced river cruise is a luxurious and relaxing experience and opportunity to see amazing sites. Combine that opportunity with the history of major world events and it becomes more than just a vacation. Writer Meryl Pearlstein shares her journey on a Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours itinerary that commemorates D-Day.

Sailing the Seine aboard Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Eighty years have passed since General Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the order that changed the course of world history. On ...