Back from Pakistan

It is difficult to adjust to what look like dull colors and smells. I had a wonderful time, I felt at home in a country that is miles and miles away from mine. The hospitality I found cannot be described, as it is something that can only be experienced.

The variety of colors, food, fabrics, music, decoration filled my eyes every day.. Here is a selection of pictures (very limited) from my two weeks in Isloo and Karachi.
Getting ready to go


two men and two women


The beautiful decorations


Delicious food


Helping hands

Ciao...for now!

Heading to the airport. Don't know how much internet access I will have while in Pakistan, but I just got a brand new camera and will be taking some (I hope) good pictures.

Will miss you all! See you in two weeks

I am on the radio...but it's a long interview

A few weeks ago, while I was in NY I was asked to give an interview for a fun travel radio station called Travel Radio Show. The interview was fun and easy, so much so that I completely forgot about it, until today when I found the information on the internet.

You can listen to this painfully long (but informative) interview here

http://tribecaradio.net/wpradioblog/letstravel/lets-travel-show-97/

And read some of the ideas and suggestions from it, here:

http://www.letstravelradio.com/thisweek/

My Rome List- Accommodation

As Spring approaches, the number of friends coming to visit in Rome increases.
I love being the point of reference for many people, but often I find myself not having much time to compile a personalized list of fav places for everyone that asks. So here is my general list, applicable to all. If you have questions of want to personalize the list, drop me a line or a comment:
Accommodation:

Grand Hotel La Minerve: expensive and beautiful, with a great location right behind the Pantheon. This hotel also has a great roof terrace bar

Casa Howard: I had the chance to meet the owners once, and immediately I realized the genius behind the place. Each room is different, and each one is beautiful. Here you will feel like a noble living in your own Roman palazzo.

Hotel Locarno: hip and at the same time quietly old school. Right by Piazza del popolo. I like the fact that they have bycicles available for guests to use.

Ferragamo Portrait Suites: only 14 rooms (or a few more) but each one "dressed to the nines" in full Ferragamo syle. This boutique (literally) hotel is right by the shop in via Condotti: shop and sleep. The concierce service here is incredible and so is the rooftop with American bar.

Nicola's Inn:around the corner from our office, right by the Forum, this is a great B&B that mixes Italian hospitality with American efficiency. The owners are an Italian-American couple residing in Rome. Rooms are spic and span clean, a bit spartan but great value for price

Hotel Il Grifo: In the heart of Monti, small old school hotel. The location is great, the staff friendly and in general the feel of it is good.

The Beehive: perfect if you are on a budget. It reinvents the whole concept of hostel and budget hotel making you forget of all you bad back packing experience. The owners are Americans living in Rome and they have made their budget hotel a little oasis in the area around the station

My apartment: this is for my friends. You can always crash on our sofa..just don't touch Mr. R's books:-)

NYT Travel Show

So we started. We are at the booth 474 in the Europe section.
Today was the first day, and it was great! Lots of people came by, including American Express agents, Sean from Bootsanall, and other friendly people!
If you are reading this, and you are in NY, come by in the next days. Here is our schedule:

Saturday, February 6 all day - we'll be in booth 474 in the Europe section

Saturday, February 6 @ 1pm - Context docent and culinary historian Cathy Kaufman will discuss "Tasting the Immigrant Experience," her walk of Manhattan's ethnic food, U.S. stage

Sunday, February 7 all day - we'll be in booth 474 in the Europe section

Sunday, February 7 @ 11 am - Context co-founder Paul Bennett will discuss sustainable tourism and stewardship on a panel of travel professionals and journalists, seminar room 2

Sunday, February 7 @ 12:30 pm - Context docent Katie Parla and Jarnac head chef Maryann Terillo will discuss our 8-day trip to Rome and Naples, "A Taste of Two Cities," with a tasting of Roman and Neapolitan specialties at the Context booth to follow, Europe stage.

We are also running walking seminars throughout the weekend. Check out the schedule here

Paris-Rome-Frankfurt-Philly-New York

I am no jet setter, but in the last four days I have moved across five cities, four countries and two continents.
Surprisingly I am not tired, nor jet lagged. I went from Paris to Rome, where I spent two wonderful day relaxing.
On monday morning one of our cars picked me up and took me to the airport. From there I flew to Frankfurt and then to Philadelphia. The gods of air travel must have kept an eye on me, because the flight was not only extremely smooth, but also I had a row of seats all for myself! I slept, read and overall had a good time.

I arrived in Philly, where I was greeted by my friends P, L, their lovely kids and my favorite dog in the world. After less than 24 hours, I am on the road again. Heading to NY to meet some other dear friends and enjoy a meal at the Harvard Club

More tomorrow