Grand Hotel Timeo, Sicily

Can you stay in one of the most beautiful hotels in Italy for E360 a night?Yes! And also receive full breakfast daily and a magical lunch for two at the restaurant above, when you book through me. That memorable lunch on the terrace, was just what we enjoyed in October at the restored Grand Hotel Timeo, perched above Taormina, Sicily.An infusion of investment funds from Orient Express Hotels, has resulted in a fresh but traditional look for this iconic property. There is simply not a more beautiful setting ( although the Hotel Caruso in Ravello comes close) in an often overlooked destination. Taormina is all about a riot of flowers, charm and beauty, Italian tradition, ancient monuments (the hotel shares a wall with the Greek amphitheater from 300 BC) and incomparable views.Make a detour on your next trip to Italia. After all, D.H. Lawrence loved it!

Chartering a Gulet in Turkey

Typical bedroom aboard a luxury gulet.

Dawn on the Turquoise Coast-waking on your yacht to the smell of Turkish Coffee!

Marmaris harbor: masts at the right are several gulets we toured.

Imagine dining with friends or family after an afternoon of swimming and exploring.

Gulet: Definition: A gulet  is a traditional design of a two-masted wooden sailing vessel from the south-west coast of  Turkey. 
A number of clients have expressed an interest in sailing the famed Turquoise Coast. I too, have had a yearning to be under canvas on those aqua waters, one day. But my biggest worry has been the uncertainty about the crew that comes with the boat. So when the opportunity to tour 5 of the top gulets in Marmaris, Turkey presented itself last month, I was all over it and  able to get many of my questions answered by our charter contact there. Prices are all over the board depending on the month, size of vessel, number of crew and level of amenities. We toured  gulets that retail for Euro 9,000-E 35,000 a week. Take into consideration that the higher figure includes six deluxe bedrooms with private baths and a crew of 8. When you divide this by 12 you are at a  reasonable rate of about $4000 a week pp. all inclusive ( even wi-fi) for your private yacht charter. At the other end of the spectrum, we saw a still charming vessel suitable for  a family of 6-8, for E 9000 in low season-October or April. It's your call where you wish to go-north or south, islands or coastline harbors, but everywhere, turquoise water, ancient ruins, sun beds on topdeck and that wonderful Turkish cuisine making the best use of fresh fish and vegetables. The clients who accompanied me on the tour are ready to book for 2012. Combined with a week in Istanbul and perhaps Cappadochia, or ending with a Greek Island stay, what could be a more memorable vacation?

The New Library of Alexandria, Egypt

Exterior Roof line of the Library

Interior Reading Room

A must for any fan of great architecture, the new Library of Alexandria is a fitting replacement of the famous ancient wonder. For 2 centuries before Christ, it was the repository of the world's knowledge. Burned to the ground in 48 AD ( or so most think), it has taken almost 2 millennium to replace, and what a structure it is, designed by  a Norwegian and Egyptian team.
A mix of galleries, museum exhibits, planetarium, research centers  and over 1 million books,  it hosts 1.5 million visitors each year. Check out it's internet archives at:

http://www.architectureweek.com/cgi-bin/wlk?http://www.bibalex.gov.eg

So the next time you are in Alexandria, put this monument to the past and the future, on your list of sightseeing. Tours in many languages given daily.