""Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." - Steven Wright
Epicurean Union Stars of the Upper Rhine
Ilona Kauremszky
Travel Industry Today
June 3, 2011
The upper reaches of the Rhine hold some big surprises. And it’s not the Lorelei tale kind either.
For starters, these bulging banks contain some of the best fertile soil that translates into countless wineries and a culinary basket of organic proportions.
The vintners and high-browed chefs in this wedge of Europe seem to have dropped their competitive edge and adopted a UN approach to their crafts by forming a revolutionary tri-country epicurean détente.
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Wuzhen: Venice of the East
Habeeb Salloum
Special to mycompass
WUZHEN, China -
Two hours after leaving the booming metropolis of Shanghai, we parked at the entrance of Wuzhen, fondly called by some of its admirers the ’Venice of the East.’ In a few moments, we had climbed into a pole-steered large barge that ploughed the waterways of Wuzhen - the last of China’s ‘water towns’ to be opened to visitors.
The town reminded me of Venice and its canals - only on a smaller scale. more...
The Transformation of Shanghai
Habeeb Salloum
Special to mycompass
SHANGHAI, China -
“It’s like magic!” my guide replies. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the hundreds of skyscrapers transforming Shanghai’s skyline. “The world will see the metamorphoses at the World Expo, to be held in this city from May 1 to October 31, 2010, when China will showcase its accomplishments to the world.” He proudly grinned.
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Helping Haiti
- Ilona Kauremszky
The Globe and Mail January 23, 2010
CABRERA, Dominican Republic - Life is slow on the country roads in the Dominican Republic. “There is an assistant for every assistant,” goes the running joke, but little gets done anyway.
Last Tuesday life changed, literally overnight.
I was in the Dominican Republic with my other half for what was supposed to be a week of fun in the sun when the earthquake struck. That day we walked the coastline, oblivious to the destruction unfolding in Haiti, a 10-hour drive away. That evening, though, all eyes were fixed on the television above the bar at Hotel La Catalina as CNN announced the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the largest ever recorded in the area, and broadcast a tsunami alert for the Dominican Republic and other islands.
We sat, in silence at first, stunned by the scenes unfolding on the screen. Laptops and iPhones lined the counter as guests tried for more information and to contact loved ones elsewhere......more...
Learn more about PIETRO ANNIGONI & purchase DVDtune to mycompasstvMy Date with a Prince
Buckingham Palace, LONDON - Okay some of us go through life kissing plenty of frogs with none ever turning into a prince. But what about meeting one? I decided to go for the real deal...
To Hana with Love
Under a Maui sunset with waves lapping around our catamaran the melodic pu conch was paying tribute to the end of the day. “You are surrounded by the sea of love,” smirks longtime...
Riu Opens in Costa Rica
Costa Rica — I wonder if singer songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk’s upcoming vow renewal at the swanky Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Costa Rica will go off with as big of a bang...
The Artful Royals at Buckingham Palace
London, ENGLAND — Who said the Royals are old school anyway? Royal Watchers and techno geeks take note. Despite the Old World pomp and circumstance surrounding the British monarchy...
Need for Speed: My Ride with Sarah Fisher
Speedway, INDIANA - Instead of sporting femme fatale attire like in Thelma and Louise we’re decked out in sponsor-ladened fire-retardant coveralls, balaclava, gloves and shoes. With a blonde helming the steering wheel...
Hard Work Soft Sheets
Maui - Here at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua luxury rules the day. In total seclusion between two sprawling championship golf courses on Maui’s northwest shore....
