By Pamela Jacobs

Belize is a truly unique country in Central America that is fast becoming a favorite vacation spot for Americans. It’s a tropical, naturally beautiful country whose abundance of wildlife, unspoiled beaches, and diverse culture make it an ideal choice for a getaway that is at once relaxing, adventurous, and different. Visit one of these amazing destinations in Belize, and you just might have the best vacation of your lifetime.

By Aly Walansky

Despite their popularity, all-inclusive resorts carry a certain underlying stigma. They are thought to be cheap, with overcrowded buffets (of mediocre food), watered down cocktails, and underwhelming accommodations.

By Maxine Albert

Giant Dali-esque puppets loom over tall buildings as a continuous cacophony of explosions climaxes with a nightly display of fireworks. Red devils spout streaming fire from their pitch forks. Crowds gather in the streets as revelers party jubilantly and torch their beautiful city. This is not the latest blockbuster special effects sci-fi movie – this is the annual Fallas Festival in Valencia.

By Pamela Jacobs

Destination Weddings are more popular than ever, with thousands and thousands of couples deciding to combine their wedding day with travel, and say “I do” away from home, in a vacation atmosphere. Gone are the days when the only choices for weddings were a banquet hall (often referred to as a “wedding factory”) or a country club. Nowadays, brides and grooms want more, and want their guests to truly enjoy the experience. We’ve searched the options, and chosen five of the best tropical destination wedding spots. Each is in a different but equally wonderful place, and each spot guarantees luxury, paradise, and an ideal beginning to the rest of your lives together. Pick one of these, and your guests will be thanking you for years to come.

By Josh Engel

Manhattan during the spring and summer is packed with options for outdoor food and drink. Here are a few of our favorites for enjoying the warmer months with a beer in hand.

By Anja Mutić

I touched down in Johannesburg on a warm rainy evening in February. On my non-stop flight from JFK on South African Airways, the feather pillow and duvet handed out in business class ensured sweet sleep for some good 8 hours of my 14-hour flight. So tired I wasn’t but I admit to feeling some apprehension about my first South African trip. I had traveled solo in many corners of the world, some with a reputation for danger, but South Africa’s surpassed. Or so the story went. On the taxi drive to my residence for the night, I tried to visualize my next eight days in South Africa. I had put together the perfect itinerary for an initiate, taking in the highlights: one day in Johannesburg, four days on a safari, and three days in Cape Town. For a South Africa novice, an ideal start.

By Lisa Loverro

It’s a sunny day at the lowest point on the Earth’s surface, home to The Dead Sea. As I effortlessly float above its salty, blue waters staring at Israel across the way, I begin to realize how much I have come to love the Middle East. The warmth of its people and diversity of its landscape, combined with their ancient history and exotic cuisines are by far some of the most unique the world has to offer. Of course, the area is comprised of many different countries, some more westernized than others in both their attitudes and cultures. It’s during this recent trip to the historical Kingdom of Jordan that I have become more determined than ever to change the perception of this region to those here in the States.

By Esmé von Hoffman

As American cuisine morphs and diversifies, pioneering chefs have helped to expand the mainstream American palate. Television chef Daisy Martinez, a New York native and self-professed “mom,” is introducing Latin flavors into the American kitchen much the way Julia Child did for French cooking over four decades ago.

By Farrah Sarafa

Living in Soho or the West Village can be extremely costly and for little space; Little Italy and China town, just a couple blocks south, is an excellent alternative to these over priced locales! Chinatown reaches over Mott Street, Elizabeth and Bowery’s east edge from Grand to Canal streets. Just one block east, the Feast of San Gennaro holds its annual festival over in Little Italy- on Mulberry/ Broome. In its 85th year this upcoming summer, dozens of restaurant vendors reach business into the streets for low cost- high quality desserts, gelatos and wood-burnt pizzas.

By Dorri Olds

I can trace my love for museums back to a 1964 family outing when I was three and we lived on 89th Street. One Sunday in the Metropolitan Museum of Art I went up to a guard all smiles and friendly. “My parents are lost.” I said. “They must be scared.”