By Pamela Jacobs

The history of the famed ‘21’ Club is so interwoven with that of New York City itself, that dining at this New York landmark is like being placed directly into a black and white photograph of the Manhattan skyline and becoming a part of that rich history. It’s like stepping back in time, and for lovers of great food, of New York, and of nostalgia, there couldn’t be a better place in all of NYC.

By Bri Thomas

Tucked away on the Upper East Side, The Surrey Hotel is recognized for its devotion to art and culture. Traditional designs that echo a 1920s townhouse blend with unique modern twists to make up this glamorous hotel. Featuring 189 suites, a spa, and a café, The Surrey allows direct access to the city’s upscale boutiques & restaurants, Museum Mile, and iconic landmarks.

By Paulette Safdieh

If the McKinley High teens on the award-winning TV show Glee can sing and dance their way through academic and social pressures, why do your children have to spend hours stressing, their faces buried in textbooks? Supporters of alternative teaching methods argue that the best education builds children up by fostering their strengths and interests, from performing arts to science experiments. As our society continues to grow and change with time, education seems less cut and dry, sending city parents searching for more progressive options. Teachers as well recognize the need for a fresh approach, as opposed to forcing traditional, standardized curriculums behind classroom walls. From the family-oriented Upper East Side to the art microcosm of Chelsea, alternative schools are now in high demand for the city’s youth. Wishing everyone a successful (and open-minded) school year for 2011-2012!

By Pamela Jacobs

I’ve traveled around the world, and until recently had never been to Maine—a state that many consider to be the most beautiful in the Northeast, and arguably, the country. Travelers often venture far and wide, forgetting about the splendors our own country has to offer. This summer, I finally decided that enough was enough; I had to go see the state where lobster (my favorite food) is in abundance, wild blueberries (my favorite fruit) grow aplenty, and the sea offers up a bounty of activity, beauty, and charm.

By Bri Thomas

Montauk has often been considered the low-key and laid back alternative to the Hamptons glitz and glamour. Whatever your preference, these restaurants represent the best of Montauk dining.

The Clam Bar:

The Clam Bar is a classic seaside snack bar, serving fresh seafood with the roar of the ocean in the distance. Specials straight-off-the-boat include swordfish, striped bass, and clams served on the half shell, in chowder, fried, or stuffed. Other favorites include a lobster roll, Cajun popcorn shrimp, crab cakes, and even burgers and hot dogs.

Written & photographed by Lavanya Sunkara

Swisshhhh, swissshhhh…the silver line from the fishing rod shone in the morning sun as it made its way across the aqua green waters of Fresh Creek in Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas 30 miles west of Nassau. At the back of the flat boat, Ricardo navigated slowly from the poling platform. In a hushed tone, he told Glaister who was up front to cast the line 20 feet as we floated quietly above tranquil shallow water. “There are hundreds of bonefish here!” Glaister said handing me his sunglasses, which apparently help with seeing the dusky finned fish in the clear waters. I stood up, trying to catch a glimpse of the much sought after fish, which bring many around the world hoping to try their hand at this delicate art of pursuit. I didn’t see any, which explains why they are called “gray ghosts”. A few moments later, a catch! A grinning Glaister pulled up a slithering bonefish out of the water. Cheer erupted. A sooty tern seabird soared above the mangroves near us. A few Facebook worthy pictures later, the fish was let go and the anglers were already casting for another.

By Lina Zeldovich

The three jewels of the Austro-Hungarian Empire are rich with history, medieval tales, and striking architecture. Yet, no matter where you travel you realize how inevitably intertwined are the local traditions and the Jewish culture.  Every city has so much to offer its explorers. Location is key—you want to be in the center where everything is a short walk away, restaurants are aplenty and views are unforgettable.  Well, there’s hardly a hotel that can beat the InterContinental’s panoramas in the three European gems.  It would’ve been the Hapsburgs’ choice.

By Maxine Albert

My heart starts to flutter with excitement whenever I hear an Irish import is heading to Broadway. Whether it’s the stark realism of Martin McDonagh’s “Beauty Queen of Leenane,” or Conor McPherson’s emotionally riveting “Sea Fearer,” where a man loses his soul in a poker game with the devil, I know I’m bound to be transported and stirred. And then there are the American born Irish, such as Eugene O’Neill with “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” and “The Iceman Cometh.” The language, the lilt, the imagination, the way they know just how to spin a yarn and leave you spellbound—where does it all come from? These were the things on my mind when I embarked on my journey of discovery to Ireland.

New Boeing, Airbus Aircraft Will Be Used on American Airlines’
Domestic, International Routes from New York

FORT WORTH, Texas -- AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, has announced landmark agreements with Airbus and Boeing that will allow it to replace and transform American’s narrowbody fleet over five years and solidify its fleet plan into the next decade. The pacts are good news for American Airlines passengers flying from the three New York Airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, for the new planes will enable American to deliver state-of-the-art amenities to its customers and reduce its operating and fuel costs.

By Sandya Sagar

A historic journey via the longest-running travel company in the world, Cox & Kings. Through the arched windows of the Musamman Burj palace in Agra Fort, I saw the Taj Mahal amid the green fields in the distance, shining like a diamond in a sea of emeralds. The snaking Yamuna River in the foreground was calm under a bright cloudless sky, birds soared above and the wind gushed through the ventilated fort where Mughal emperor Shah Jahan ruled India 350 years ago. I was standing in the very room where the king spent his final days grieving his wife Mumtaz Mahal’s death and staring at the tomb he built for her as a testament to their love. The interior walls of the Agra fort, beautiful with carvings and marble inlay work, have witnessed history and I was fortunate to be in the space once occupied by royalty. Up close, the Taj Mahal, with its fine white marble is the most beautiful monument I ever laid my eyes on. It sparkled in the sunlight, its four pillars scraped the heavens and the tree-lined azure pools in the front reflected the arched domes. It was my first time in Northern India, a place steeped in history and vibrant with various cultures and languages.