I write about what I know best and what I love: Travel, Restaurants, Theater, Culture, Luxury, Spa/Beauty, and the Arts. I speak many languages, so I am adept at getting to know a culture and location
Glorious Fall Trips Along New England’s Three Capes
Summertime shines in New England with white-sand beaches, lobster bakes and sailing trips. But fall is when the area shimmers with colors along with great eats and cozy inns.
Inland and coastal routes put on their New England fall foliage finery, ablaze with apple greens, scarlet reds, oranges and yellows. Pick a route, pack your hiking boots, and make reservations in these fabulous ...
Fall Foliage in New York State
It’s the time of year when we all go color crazy. Especially now, when we’re longing to travel and have a change of scenery, this is the time to hit the road and soak up some much-needed fresh air every fall.
Discover NY State’s Fall Foliage
With the deeply saturated reds, yellows and oranges of the changing leaves, mixed with greens from various evergreens and deciduous trees, you’ll be in sensory overload as you view the oriental carpet of colors around you.
Catskills Scenic Byways
So you’v...
Commemorating D-Day with a Scenic Cruise on the Seine River
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 ...
The Best Markets in New York City
New Yorkers love a good bargain, and they especially love to shop outside of large department stores at indoor and outdoor flea markets, specialty markets and greenmarkets. Jewelry, art, food, clothing… you can pretty much find anything you’d want at these great markets at excellent prices.
Brooklyn Flea Williamsburg
Saturday is the day to head for the uber-popular outdoor Williamsburg market. With stands galore specializing in vintage and handmade goods...
The Latest Shows on Broadway in 2024: New And Current Listings – It’s the Year For Women To Shine
The new 2024 season is filled with performances by powerhouse women as well as shows about women. In what might be considered a “who’s who” of top female stars, plays and musicals currently running or soon to open feature Broadway royalty including Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, Andrea Martin, Ruthie Ann Miles and Patti Lupone. Look for Kristen Chenowith, Bernadette Peters, Lea Salon...
2024 Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in New York Area
Best Restaurant Patios in New York
Enjoy dining al fresco? Let yourself be romanced by the sidewalk sounds of a big city or pampered by the peacefulness of a restaurant's patio garden. Flock to the terrace, deck or boulevard table and share a bite under the sun, an oversized patio umbrella or the stars.
Check out GAYOT's list of the Best Restaurants for Outdoor Seating in New York, presented in alphabetical order.
Travels With A New York Sensibility - Las Vegas
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...
Fall in Love with Philadelphia
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...
My Favorite Walking Tours In Rome And Why They’re Great For Solo Travelers
Anyone who has read Eat Pray Love will understand the mystique of Rome. There’s the appeal of the food, the history, the “dolce vita” lifestyle, and of course, the beauty of the people and the country. Like the author of the book, I ventured to Italy on my own but to a yoga retreat instead of an Italian language immersion.
Not far from Rome in the tiny medieval town of Pitigliano, I enjoyed the camaraderie of a small group of like-minded “friends,” all eager to explore Tuscany’s small towns a...
SPA LIFE | A Visit to Two Desert Resorts
Warm weather is the perfect time for a wellness tune-up. After the recent ups and downs, earthquakes, eclipses and other all-involving stressors, an escape with a focus on oneself is the prescription, a chance for personal spring-summer cleaning.
I feel the cleansing spirit best when I’m in a desert-like setting. There’s something magical about open spaces --healthful living with a dose of spirituality mixed with physical activity -- that makes everythin...
Winesday Thinks Every Theater Day Should Include Wine and You Will Agree
Winesday, the new off-Broadway musical from lyricist and writer Jenne Wason with music by Joseph Benoit, has a premise that you’re bound to agree with: enjoying wine with musical theater makes everything that much rosier (or is it rosé-er?). Hence, the subtitle, “the wine tasting musical.”
Opened at the Jerry Orbach Theater at the Theater Center, 210 West 50th Street, on the northern edge of New York City’s Theater District, Winesday: the wine tasting musical presents a no...
13 Top Restaurants in New York City Not to Miss
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...
11 Best North Fork Wineries to Visit | Explore the Rich Wine Culture of Long Island
As the wine culture has developed on the North Fork of Long Island, so have the opportunities to sip reds, whites, and rosés and soak up the beautiful scenery. Some wineries stay open year-round, others re-open in the spring and close after the fall harvest. Some require res...
Where to See the Cherry Blossoms (and Other Flowers) in New York City This Spring
Flower lovers have it made this Spring. If you missed Philadelphia’s Flower Show at the beginning of March, there’s the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx to wow you. This year’s theme, “Florals in Fashion,” is all about color and mixes orchid design with a fashionista flair. You have time to see the exhibit – it runs through April 21. It’s also the beginning of daffodil and magnolia season, but the main draw in New York City is the arrival of the c...
Best St. Patrick's Day Restaurants in New York Area
The Best St. Patrick's Day Pubs in New York
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.
Celebrate on March 17th with a trip to one of the Best St. Patrick's Day Restaurants...