Category Archives: Destinations

“Godmother of Wellness” Deborah Szekely, Visionary Founder of Rancho La Puerta, Honored on her 100th Birthday!

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Rancho La Puerta, a pioneering leader of the wellness-fitness movement, is named #1 International Destination Spa by Travel + Leisure magazine.

When my dear, longtime friend Deborah Szekely, founder of the world-renowned Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort and Spa in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, sent an invitation to her 100th birthday celebration, I booked my flight immediately.

For the occasion of Deborah’s birthday, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria proclaimed “Deborah Szekely Day” in honor of the health and wellness visionary, philanthropist, and community leader.

Deborah Szekely celebrated her 100th birthday at Rancho La Puerta, which she and her husband co-founded in Baja California, Mexico in the 1940s.

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The Best of Guatemala – Part 2

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Guatemala, “The Land of Eternal Spring,” is a hidden gem replete with breathtaking scenery and awe-inspiring colonial cities and Maya ruins.

THE BEST OF GUATEMALA – PART 2:
LA ANTIGUA, ANCIENT MAYA RUINS, LAKE IZABAL

A year ago, a group of my friends had a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity—seeing the best of Guatemala on a trip organized and generously hosted by our dear friend Ana Cristina Alvarado. None of us could have guessed that this would be our last trip of 2020, but shortly after returning home, we were quarantined due to Covid-19.

No other part of the world offers so much in so small an area: the splendor of the colonial influence; breathtaking mountains and lake scenery; the thriving and colorful culture of the indigenous peoples with their markets and unique lifestyle; and the awe-inspiring ruins of the mysterious lost Maya civilization.

Part 2 continues with our last days in historic La Antigua before heading to the jungle to visit the fabled Maya ruins and then on to Lake Izabal and Rio Dulce for the windup of our adventure.

CLICK HERE to read Part 1.

Lake Atitlán is considered one of the most majestic in the world.

Traditional weaving in a Maya village on Lake Atitlán.

The iconic Santa Catalina Arch in the colonial city of La Antigua.

Native to Central and South America, for centuries Macaws have been prized for their bright, colorful feathers, particularly in pre-Columbian civilizations.

La Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Center, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world.

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The Best of Guatemala – Part 1

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Guatemala, “The Land of Eternal Spring,” is a hidden gem replete with breathtaking scenery and awe-inspiring colonial cities and Maya ruins.

THE BEST OF GUATEMALA – PART 1:
GUATEMALA CITY, LAKE ATITLÁN, LA ANTIGUA

A year ago, a group of us had a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity — seeing the best of Guatemala. None of us could have guessed that this would be our last trip of 2020, but shortly after returning home, we were on quarantine due to Covid-19.

A dream destination, no other part of the world offers so much in so small an area: the splendor of the colonial influence; breathtaking mountains and lake scenery; the thriving and colorful culture of the indigenous peoples with their markets and unique lifestyle; and the awe-inspiring ruins of the mysterious lost Maya civilization.

Lake Atitlán is considered one of the most majestic in the world.

Traditional weaving in a Maya village on Lake Atitlán.

The iconic Santa Catalina Arch in the colonial city of La Antigua.

La Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Center, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world.

Tikal, an archaeological wonder of the world, was one of the greatest Maya cities ever built.

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Shanghai Social Diary: Treasures of China’s Heritage Part 5

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On a uniquely enriching and memorable trip to China, I explored some incredible off-the-beaten-path historical sites, including several sacred temples such as this Shuanglin complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Treasures of China’s Heritage: Touring with the Global Heritage Fund
(Fifth of a Seven-Part Series)

Fujian and Shanxi

In anticipation of a return to China, I’ve been revisiting my past travels to the country. Some of my best memories of the “Middle Kingdom” include my nine-day tour of historically significant sites with the Palo Alto-based Global Heritage Fund (GHF)—an organization devoted to supporting underdeveloped rural areas worldwide.

DAY 6: HISTORICAL TEMPLES IN THE ANCIENT WALLED CITY OF PINGYAO

After spending a third day in historic Pingyao, we wrapped up our exploration of this ancient walled city with tours of several historically significant Taoist and Buddhist temples in and near the Old City.

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Exploring Palm Springs, Part II

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Palm Springs, long a glamorous retreat for Hollywood stars, is now a flourishing arts community that has recently drawn a new surge of tourists.

I want to abandon New York this winter and join the international snow birds in flying to Palm Springs, in Southern California’s Coachella Valley (which locals call just “The Valley”), to enjoy the ultimate in resort pleasures: natural beauty, year-round sun, golf courses, tennis facilities, spas, hiking, gambling, and vibrant nightlife.

The nine desert towns that compose The Valley include Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.

It’s just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles and San Diego to Palm Springs, situated amid the dramatic peaks of the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, and Little San Bernardino Mountains.

The temptations of the city’s Uptown Design District include shopping, dining, and cultural events.

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San Francisco Social Diary: Art Happenings in Palm Springs, Coachella Valley (Part I)

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Palm Springs, long a glamorous retreat for Hollywood stars, is now a flourishing arts community that has recently drawn a new surge of tourists.

ART HAPPENINGS IN PALM SPRINGS, COACHELLA VALLEY (PART I)

I’m making vacation plans now to leave Manhattan once winter arrives. One of the places that beckons is Southern California’s Coachella Valley, the desert resort area that lures international snow birds drawn by its natural beauty, year-round sun, golf courses, tennis facilities, spas, hiking, gambling, and vibrant nightlife.

The Coachella Valley (locals simply call it “The Valley”) is a string of nine desert towns — the best-known Palm Springs, as well as Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella.

A mere two-hour drive from Los Angeles and San Diego, Palm Springs is surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, and Little San Bernardino Mountains.

The Uptown Design District of Palm Springs offers tempting shopping, dining, and cultural events.

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Shanghai Social Diary: Hiking in the Chinese Countryside

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Living in a city the size of Shanghai, with over 20 million inhabitants, requires an occasional escape. One weekend, my hiking group took a trip to Tai Hu Lake for some peace, quiet, and fresh air in the countryside.

HIKING IN THE CHINESE COUNTRYSIDE

Early one autumn Saturday, venture capitalist Jennifer Yan, publisher Andrea Mingfai Chu, and I went on a day trip to the countryside with our hiking group. Our destination was Tai Hu Lake, west of Shanghai, to visit an authentic farming and fishing village.

Tai Hu Lake is third largest freshwater lake in China, has 90 islands, and empties into the Yangtze River.

China is the world’s leading source of wild-caught fish and aquaculture, and Tai Hu Lake is a source for several fish species, including the seasonal delicacy, hairy crab.

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Shanghai Social Diary: Treasures of China’s Heritage Part 4

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On a nine-day trip to China with the GHF (Global Heritage Fund), I explored some truly incredible, off-the-beaten-path historical sites, including three days at my favorite stop, the stunning ancient walled city of Pingyao.

Treasures of China’s Heritage: Touring with the Global Heritage Fund
(Fourth of a Seven-part Series)

Fujian and Shanxi

I recently had the privilege of taking a nine-day trip to China in the company of board members of the Palo Alto-based Global Heritage Fund (GHF)—an organization devoted to supporting underdeveloped rural areas worldwide. Although I’d previously traveled extensively in China, this unusual excursion was uniquely enriching and memorable. It’s my pleasure to share this experience with you in a series of recollections illustrated primarily by my personal photographs. Links to the other installments in this series can be found at the end of this article.

After resting up from our first magical day in historic Pingyao, we looked forward to more experiences in the ancient walled city, including an up-close encounter with the walls themselves.

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Shanghai Social Diary: Treasures of China’s Heritage Part 3

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On a nine-day trip to China with the GHF (Global Heritage Fund), I explored some truly incredible, off-the-beaten-path historical sites, including my favorite stop, the ancient walled city of Pingyao.

Treasures of China’s Heritage: Touring with the Global Heritage Fund
(Third in a Seven-part series)

Fujian and Shanxi

I recently had the privilege of taking a nine-day trip to China in the company of board members of the Palo Alto-based Global Heritage Fund (GHF)—an organization devoted to supporting underdeveloped rural areas worldwide. Although I’d previously traveled extensively in China, this unusual excursion was uniquely enriching and memorable. It’s my pleasure to share this experience with you in a series of recollections illustrated primarily by my personal photographs. Links to the other installments in this series can be found at the end of this article.

After exploring the port town of Zhangzhou and touring ancient earthen residences called “tulous” in southeast China, we next travelled north to the ancient walled city of Pingyao.

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Shanghai Social Diary: Treasures of China’s Heritage Part 2

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On a trip to China with the Global Heritage Fund, we explored some truly incredible, off-the-beaten-path historical sites, such as Tian Luo Keng, a cluster of round, earthen tulou residences.

Treasures of China’s Heritage: Touring with the Global Heritage Fund
(Second of a Seven-part Series)

Nanjing and Pinghe Counties, Fujian

I recently had the privilege of taking a nine-day trip to China in the company of board members of the Global Heritage Fund (GHF)—an organization devoted to supporting underdeveloped rural areas worldwide. Although I’d previously traveled extensively in China, this unusual excursion was uniquely enriching and memorable. It’s my pleasure to share this experience with you in a series of recollections illustrated primarily by my personal photographs. Links to the other installments in this series can be found at the end of this article.

DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN ZHANGZHOU CITY

After landing in Fujian’s modern city of Xiamen and exploring earthen tulou buildings in the countryside on our first day, we proceeded to the historic port town of Zhangzhou and then to Pinghe and Nanjing counties, where we visited tulous of a different style.

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