Round the World in 30 Days

Photo of the Day – Zurich, Switzerland

The Limmat River winding through Zurich

It’s a global financial center and the wealthiest city in Europe, but to most travelers, Zurich calls to mind a swan-filled lake, a cobbled Old Town and, of course, chocolate! In the summer months, this Alpine city known as the “Gateway to the Alps” is perhaps best seen from the water with a cruise around Lake Zurich and down the Limmat River. Climb to the summit at Uetliberg for panoramic views over the city and lake with the snow-capped Alps on the horizon. Known by the locals as Dörfli – the “little village” – the Old Town district of Niederdorf is a prime spot for exploration with quaint boutiques, winding alleys and craft shops. For dinner, don’t miss a chance to sample Zurich’s most famous dish, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, sliced veal in a cream sauce. And for dessert, head straight to Sprüngli, a Zurich institution for sweet and savory goodies where the house specialty is a type of soft macaroon called Luxemburgerli that was a Zurich highlight for me!

Photo of the Day – Starwood’s “Hear the Music, See the World” Concert Series

SPG members on their feet as Jamie Cullum performs

To my regular readers, it will come as no surprise that I’m a huge fan of Starwood Hotels and (what I consider to be) the world’s best frequent guest program, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). And while I have cleverly perfected the art of turning those SPG points into seven trips around the world, this past weekend made me realize I’ve been missing another great opportunity. Friday night, I was invited by Starwood to attend a members-only acoustic performance of jazz musician Jamie Cullum at the new St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort. The event was the first in a series of nine for Starwood’s Hear the Music, See the World concert tour where just 5,000 points buys you two tickets for the intimate performance including an elegant cocktail reception. As one fellow-SPG enthusiast at the concert told me, “I love Jamie Cullum and I earn 5,000 Starwood points in a week, this was a no-brainer for me.”  The broader Starwood Moments program allows members to redeem points for one-of-a-kind experiences around the world like luxury suite access at a major sporting event or a backstage tour with your favorite artist. As I quickly realized while sipping a glass of champagne and enjoying a fantastic exclusive performance Friday night, if you’re an SPG member and you’re not checking out what the Starwood Moments program has to offer, you’re probably missing out. And if you’re not an SPG member yet, you’re definitely missing out.

Disclosure: Though airfare and one night’s hotel were provided by Starwood, I was not compensated for attending this event and, in fact, I was not even asked to write about it. I chose to write about it because I had a fantastic time. I include the link purely for the convenience of my readers who may wish to check it out for themselves. As always, the views expressed here are completely my own. 

Photo of the Day – Bal Harbour, Florida

A room with a view at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort

Just north of Miami Beach sits one of America’s most exclusive oceanfront neighborhoods, the tiny village of Bal Harbour. Plans for the “dream village” envisioned by industrialist-founder Robert C. Graham began in the 1920′s and were temporarily suspended during World War II when the area was used for military training. In 1946, the Village was incorporated and the decades that followed saw the arrival of upscale homes, luxurious hotels and high profile visitors. Today, Bal Harbour is also home to the hugely successful Bal Harbour Shops, sometimes referred to as the “Disney World of luxury retail.” I’m in town today to attend the Jamie Cullum concert tonight as part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Hear the Music, See the World concert tour. And (as if that’s not awesome enough) I’m lucky enough to be calling the recently-opened St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort home for the weekend. It’s a little slice of oceanfront heaven and I can only hope that the resort’s magnificent Atlantic views will be enthralling enough to keep me out of the shops across the street!

Photo of the Day – Amman, Jordan

Overlooking Amman from the Citadel

Built on seven hills and considered one of the richest and most Western-oriented cities in the Middle East, the diverse capital of Amman is a great base for exploring the wonders of Jordan. Most travelers visit Jordan to dive the Red Sea resort area of Aqaba, hike the monolithic rockscapes of Wadi Rum, take a float in the Dead Sea or explore the rose-red city of Petra. But the city of Amman also offers a number of engaging sights for travelers. Get an overview of the city by starting your tour with a visit to the ancient Citadel. Here you’ll find the Temple of Hercules and the Jordan Archeological Museum featuring an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Take a stroll downhill to the impressive Roman Theater, a relic of ancient Philadelphia, and don’t miss one of Amman’s most famous structures, the King Abdullah I Mosque with its magnificent blue mosaic dome. If you’re planning a visit to Jordan, the engaging city of Amman is the perfect place to base your explorations.

Photo of the Day – Positano, Italy

The village of Positano, a jewel of Italy's Amalfi Coast

There are few stretches of coastline more spectacular than Italy’s Amalfi Coast and the striking village of Positano is perhaps the region’s shining star. Once a relatively poor fishing village, Positano emerged on the tourism scene after John Steinbeck published an essay about it in Harper’s Bazaar in 1953. Steps replace roads in this vertical town with pastel-colored houses cascading delicately from the hilltops to the Mediterranean. Positano’s most recognizable landmark is the church of Santa Maria Assunta which features a majolica-tiled dome that can be seen from every corner of the town. Whether you’re soaking in the gravity-defying architecture from a hillside cafe or gazing out at the sea from a beach chair on Spiaggia Grande, Positano is a place that will steal your heart. Perhaps Steinbeck said it best when he wrote, “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”

Photo of the Day – Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo

Overlooking Kota's colorful night market by the sea

Located on the northwest coast of Borneo overlooking the turquoise South China Sea, Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sabah. Known simply as “K.K.” within Malaysia, the city is a popular gateway for visitors to Borneo. The world’s 3rd largest island is divided among three countries: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak make up 26% of the island and include Borneo’s highest point, Mount Kinabalu, and most-visited destination, Kinabalu National Park. For those looking for beautiful beaches, the nature preserve known as Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is made up of five pristine islands just off the coast of K.K. Day trips to these islands (Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Sulug and Mamutik) are an excellent way to spend a day and were a highlight of my visit to Borneo.

Photo of the Day – Berlin, Germany

Berlin's most famous landmark, The Brandenburg Gate

First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was the third largest municipality in the world by the 1920′s. In the aftermath of World War II, the city was divided into East and West Berlin. In 1961, escalating Cold War tensions resulted in the building of the Berlin Wall by East Germany. In 1989, the Brandenburg Gate became the center of the world’s attention as continuous news coverage focused on the long-anticipated opening of the Berlin Wall. Since German reunification in 1990, the city has regained its status as the capital of Germany and become one of Europe’s most prominent economic success stories. The booming metropolis is home to renowned universities and museums, hi-tech industries, an eclectic arts scene, energetic nightlife, diverse architecture and a high quality of living. Today’s Berlin is a vibrant cultural hub and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations.

Photo of the Day – Waya Island, Fiji

Octopus Resort, Waya Island

Closed to land-based tourism until 1987, it was once only possible to visit the Yasawa Islands for day trips or on live-aboard yachts. Today, this volcanic archipelago of six main islands and numerous smaller islets boasts resort accommodations that cater to a variety of travelers from backpackers to billionaires. The 1980′s movie The Blue Lagoon was filmed in the Yasawa Group on Nanuya Levu (also known as Turtle Island) and the bures originally built for the film crew were later converted into the luxurious, all-inclusive Turtle Island Resort. On the backpacker end, the lively Beachcomber Island Resort is a private island paradise for students and travelers on a budget. If you’re neither billionaire nor backpacker, the remaining islands (like Waya) are home to a number of beautiful boutique resorts offering secluded tropical getaways at reasonable rates. So, if you’re headed to Fiji, don’t miss the opportunity to escape the main island of Viti Levu for the unspoiled beauty of the Yasawa Islands.

Photo of the Day – Golden Circle, Iceland

Iceland's most reliable geyser, Strokkur, in mid-eruption

Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is the world’s 18th largest island and one of the most geologically-active countries in the world. But there’s more to Iceland than the Blue Lagoon and the colorful capital of Reykjavik. For a look at the country’s impressive interior, rent a car for the day and drive the 180-mile loop into central Iceland and back to Reykjavik known as the Golden Circle. The three primary stops on the route are the national park Pingvellir, the waterfall Gullfoss (which translates as “golden falls”), and the geothermally-active valley of Haukadalur, home to the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Research shows that the Great Geysir (after which all geysers are named) has been active for more than 10,000 years, though it erupts infrequently today. Far more active is the nearby geyser, Strokkur, which erupts like clockwork every 4-8 minutes sending a combination of water and steam up to 100 feet into the air. It’s an impressive sight and there’s no doubt that Iceland truly is a geothermal wonderland.

Photo of the Day – Vancouver, British Columbia

Colorful houseboats in Vancouver's Coal Harbour Marina

Nestled between the striking Coast Mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean, Vancouver’s naturally scenic beauty is impossible to ignore. Continuously ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities over the past decade, in 2010 Vancouver was ranked as the city with the 4th highest quality of living in the world. Boasting a moderate climate by Canadian standards, Vancouver’s downtown area is eminently walkable and features both historical buildings and a wealth of parks and gardens. Perhaps the city’s most famous green space is Stanley Park. With beaches, magnificent views and miles of walking and cycling trails, the park is one of the best places to appreciate all this majestic Canadian city has to offer.