If there’s one thing I´m glad that someone had told me before our trip to Jordan, it’s this: get the Jordan Pass. It’s the closest thing to a VIP shortcut you’ll find in a country packed with world-class historical sites, sprawling deserts, and ancient cities at every turn.

We travelled from Istanbul to the legendary canyons of Petra—a trip that my wife planned down to the minutest detail as we were meeting friends along the next leg of our journey.

It was our youngest’s birthday and we wanted to go camping. Nothing was really popping until we happened upon this beautiful looking Lake Taghkanic (pronounced Taconic) State Park. It had campsites, cabins and reeeeeeeaaaaallllly nice cottages on a lake with a man-made beach. Since we had recently done tent camping and it was September, we thought we’d get an upgrade. As the lakefront was completely booked up, we opted for the lesser cabins.

I recently spent a long weekend camping at Turkey Swamp campground in Freehold Township, New Jersey—and it turned out to be a surprisingly refreshing escape from suburban life. We were just trying to find some place new and were not disappointed.

Today we went to Deia Beach. The partner restaurant to luxury hotel Bougainvillea Barbados.  It was fabulous.

Arriving in Tangier by overnight train felt like stumbling into a dream — a slightly wobbly, too early in the a.m. dream, but a dream nonetheless. I couldn’t sleep most of the night. As we stepped off the train into the early morning haze, we were greeted by the city’s unmistakable mix of salty ocean breeze, distant honking, and — most importantly — cats. So many cats. I imagine that this is where the Doctor Who writers got the idea for the Catkind nurses in New New York. It quickly became clear that Tangier’s kitties were the unofficial mayors of every street, rooftop, and sun-warmed stoop.

If you’ve ever dreamed of eating your way around the world, then an event like the Uptown Night Market in West Harlem is your new favorite Thursday plan. This culinary baccanal happens on the 2nd Thursday of each month (April through October). The entrance to this monthly festival is on 12th Avenue at 133rd Street. It’s a delicious, high-energy block party—with over 80 vendors, live music, and enough global flavors to make your passport jealous.

Lisbon had long been on our family’s travel wishlist — a city of sun-drenched hills, cobbled-stone streets, and soulful music. When we finally booked our spring getaway, we knew we were in for something special. What we didn’t expect was how deeply Lisbon and nearby Sintra would charm us with their layered history, vibrant food scene, and warm hospitality. Here’s how we spent three unforgettable days exploring with our family.

There’s something about a road trip that brings out the adventurer in all of us. The promise of open roads, unexpected detours, and quality family time makes even the smallest journeys feel special. This Sunday morning, we loaded up the car—kids bundled in puffy jackets, coffee cups filled to the brim, and a carefully curated karaoke playlist queued up. With the music blasting and spirits high, we set off on a winter adventure. Destination: Ulster County.

Bienvenue à Basse Terre. La Kaz du Douanier is a small town restaurant in the beautiful seaside Deshaies. Every time we go to Guadeloupe, La Kaz is a must stop for at least two night’s dinners. The food is fresh. The Rhum Ti Punch is potent. The service is spot on. The owners and staff are friendly and attentive. 

Welcome to Sapphire Beach Resort in St. Thomas where you can sip rum on a white sand beach watching the waves come to and fro. A lovely place where I got sunburn, seagull trauma, and had a standoff with an iguana, let’s call him Sam. And honestly? Worth it.