Bucking Starbucks in Spain

I don’t really know Alberto Romero but thanks to the Internet, I have seen what he has for breakfast, and I love him for his dedication to one of Spain’s perfect meals: a little crema-topped café with a glass of water back, olive-oily bites of crunchy fried dough in...

Quebec City’s winter top 10

Visiting Quebec City this winter? Say, mais oui to these 10 must-see/must-do places and activities. • Breakfast at Panache: At least one morning, treat yourself to breakfast at this restaurant, housed in an 1822 stone warehouse and part of the Auberge St. Antoine, a...

At business lunch, who picks up the tab these days?

The International Herald Tribune ran an article this past weekend about a new dance that’s taking place. At the power lunch, the check is kryptonite. Clearly not everyone is frequenting the Beverly Hill Hotel. But entertaining budgets have come under scrutiny during...

8 tips for taking iconic photos of must-see attractions

Landmarks like Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, New York’s Statue of Liberty, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, The Great Wall of China and Paris’ Eiffel Tower are geographic icons which you must capture with your camera — if only to...

United Airlines to unplug complaints phone line

From The Associated Press —UNITED TO UNPLUG PHONE NUMBER FOR COMPLAINTS— United is dropping an Indian customer call center that handled compliments or complaints, telling customers to send a letter or e-mail instead. United informed workers that it would...

Nine basics every hotel room needs

After the bed, the shower and the TV (and cleanliness), there are some basic amenities that I want in every hotel room I stay in. It’s not hard. Really. My message to hoteliers. Please make sure you give me: … A remote control for the TV, preferably with a sleep...

In an always-on world, why fly the Wi-Fi skies?

The interior of an aircraft used to be one of the only places on the planet where you could turn your Blackberry off, unplug your laptop, and catch a few Zs. We were challenged to embrace stillness and moments void of the typical distractions. It was time that wasn’t...

My kinda Fantasy: Some cruise ships get better with age

When it comes to a cruise vacation, a new ship is better, right? Not always. Older ships often have lower price points, sail shorter voyages — which appeals to first-timers — and sail from ports close to home. Most importantly, as cruise lines renovate and...