ArcaMax

Like a German child’s fantasy, Nurnberg’s fairy-godmother-like teenage angel stretched out her arms and said, “If you’re very, very gentle…you can touch my wings.” I stayed seated while little Bavarian preschoolers delicately mobbed the stage to touch their Christkind.

Bavaria and Tirol – two traditional regions of Germany and ...Read more

Think about the best holiday gift you’ve ever received.

Chances are, it’s something you didn’t even know you wanted but are so glad to have, none the less. So, as you are thinking of last-minute gifts for your favorite travelers, think about things they don’t have, would be sure to appreciate and, hopefully, will think of you fondly ...Read more

Brian d’Arcy James said that when he was a young actor, he couldn’t have imagined landing prominent roles in three major projects in one year. “You never really aim to try to orchestrate these kinds of things,” said James, who this year is promoting a film (“The Family McMullen”), a series (“The Copenhagen Test”) and an off-...Read more

When travel dreams take people to Europe, Italy is often their first stop. There’s something seductively charming about this country, its people, and la dolce vita. I always feel at home in Italy, whether struggling onto a crowded bus in Rome, navigating the fun chaos of Naples, sipping a cocktail in a Venetian bar, or sitting on the ...Read more

Let’s have some holiday fun!

Many of us are forgoing expensive vacations or flying this holiday season. But we could enjoy holiday traditions – or make new ones without spending a fortune by visiting a big hotel’s gingerbread display or seeing light displays at local zoos and botanic gardens. At ...Read more

Born and raised in Hawaii, singer-songwriter Mikah said every day felt like he was in paradise. “The beach is right there, the weather is almost always perfect, you see rainbows nearly every day and you drive home after school with the most beautiful sunset in front of you,” said Mikah, 26, who currently lives in Shanghai. “Being a kid in ...Read more

A big statue of a tiger sits in front of the train station of Norway’s capital, Oslo. A local once explained that Oslo is nicknamed “Tiger City” because, in the 19th century, when country boys would visit this wild and crazy "New York City of Norway," it would "make a mark on their soul."

I find Oslo more of a kitten than a tiger. Its mix...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — A wheel cranks on the machine at the Independence Visitor Center, slowing with every turn until: CLINK! A reward drops out the bottom waiting to be collected.

It’s a familiar, elongated penny. In its new form, Honest Abe’s head is swapped for an illustration of Rocky — naturally.

Philadelphia — along with other cities ...Read more

Are your bored kids driving you nuts? You’re certainly not alone. Whether it’s Thanksgiving weekend or the weeks leading up to the December holidays, keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge at home or while visiting relatives.

And a lot of us will be trying to corral the kids with relatives this holiday season, according to a new ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Make sure to pack some patience in your carry-on.

This Thanksgiving holiday travel period is expected to be the busiest in 15 years, federal officials said, as Americans brush off the recent government shutdown that snarled air travel across the country.

All told, more than 360,000 flights will take to the skies this week ...Read more

Six-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Paul Winter is back with his latest album, “Horn of Plenty.” “It is the literal meaning of cornucopia, the traditional Thanksgiving symbol of abundance,” the musician said. “I have always referred to my soprano sax as a horn, and I’ve aspired to produce a voice on saxophone that is similar to...Read more

Whenever I'm in Greece, I don't let a sun go down without enjoying a nice glass of ouzo. It's funny, because I don't even like the taste of that licorice-flavored firewater when I’m back home in the United States. But you can't experience Greek culture without really tasting it – from olives at breakfast to ouzo after dark.

You don't drink ...Read more

Travelers heading to O’Hare International and Midway airports this week can rest assured that a government shutdown-related national air traffic meltdown has been averted, airlines said.

Passengers can expect things to be mostly back to normal after a rocky period this fall, airlines said. Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation ...Read more

More Americans than ever are expected to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday period, and the lion’s share of the nearly 82 million people making a getaway will be going by car.

AAA predicts that 73 million people will drive to their destination, and that number could rise if those who originally opted to fly switch to driving after the ...Read more

I wish you a stress-free Thanksgiving. You are probably thinking that’s impossible, whether you are traveling, hosting or being a guest.

Believe me, I’ve been there – the oven that conked out Thanksgiving morning; the relative who stormed out in a huff mid-dinner; the complaints about sitting at the kids’ table; the inappropriate ...Read more

Playing a ghost has worked out well for actor and comic Richie Moriarty, who portrays Pete Martino on the CBS series “Ghosts.” He spends half the year filming in Quebec, and the other half at home in New Jersey. “We film mostly in studio in Montreal on our beautiful set, but it’s really fun to be able to film on location occasionally,”...Read more

Once one of Belgium's medieval powerhouses, Ghent today is home to one of Belgium’s biggest universities and a vibrant student population. While it has plenty of pretty canals and gables, it also enjoys a certain amount of urban grittiness, with a welcome splash of creative hipster funkiness.

Ghent is very walkable, and I enjoy strolling ...Read more

Are you ready? I’m not talking about Thanksgiving or navigating the inevitable family drama (more about that in next week’s column!)

I’m talking about being ready to snare one of the excellent Black Friday-Travel Tuesday travel deals, prime time for scoring major deals on hotels and all-inclusive resorts, according to Expedia travel ...Read more

Actress, producer and wellness entrepreneur Zina Wilde is used to traveling the world. Born in London and raised in Thessaloniki [Greece], she currently splits her time between homes in New York and Los Angeles. Wilde said that one of the things she has learned over the years is to go with the flow. “Plan things, but not too many,” Wilde ...Read more

Every November 11, local Poles gather in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Warsaw’s Piłsudski Square to honor Poland’s Independence Day. The ceremony itself is filled with somber commemorations and highly-structured military salutes – reminders of the country’s harsh history, and enduring spirit of resilience. Poland’s ...Read more