Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto enjoys a booming and extensive waterfront culture. Our neighbor to the north holds great allure. Sharing the longest stretch of relatively undefended border in the world, the proximity of Canada to the United Sates fosters deep familial, cultural, and travel connections with both nations enjoying a similar standard of living. Most of that nation's southern strip stretches along the US border, which fostered early settlement. In

Doing business in India requires patience, building trust and navigating many layers of bureaucracy. After a good night’s sleep at the Rambagh Palace Hotel upon arrival in Jaipur, I faced a few days of a professional conferences and any number of meetings. Doing business in India has often been described as a high-reward, high-complexity endeavor, frequently likened to a "surprising marathon" due to its mix of massive opportunities and unique logistical, regulatory, and cult

Jaipur, India's first planned city, was painted pink in 1876 to welcome Albert, the UK's Prince of Wales. I had occasion to visit India on an annual basis every January and normally went to larger cities like Delhi or Mumbai. One such trip to the subcontinent, however, took me to Jaipur, the capital and largest city of the north western Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is affectionally known as the Pink City and is a captivating destination that blends rich history, stunning

The impressive Manor House of the Graylyn Estate features 85 guest rooms and elegant dining rooms. For some time, we’ve wanted to visit the Graylyn Estate in close-by Winston Salem, NC and selected Easter Weekend as the time to make this trip with two other couples. The estate is set on a 55-acre historic property. It includes a boutique hotel designed by Luther Snow Lashmit built in 1932 for Bowman Gray, Sr., the former president of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and his

ANA dominates Haneda operations, utilizing it as a primary hub for domestic and international routes. After several days in Tokyo, it was time to say goodby to the city and the lovely Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I had booked another flight with All Nippon Airways and, as this was a domestic flight to Hiroshima, it departed from close-in Haneda Airport. That airport is only a short, nine-mile distance from the hotel and it didn’t take long for my taxi to navigate the Tokyo traffi

With Japan's deeply rooted traditions, there exists a profound sense of both harmony and discipline. Japan is an alluring nation and a fascinating mix of old and new, from Tokyo’s bustling neon streets juxtaposed with its serene temples and traditional tea houses. This nation is also a paradise for food lovers offering sushi, ramen, tempura and street food that emphasizes precision and quality. Japanese cities are world renowned for being safe, clean, and quiet, with incredib

Portland is a vibrant Pacific Northwest city known for its eco-friendly culture and lush green spaces. Portland, Oregon, known as the "City of Roses," is the state's largest city and is located in the Pacific Northwest at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Although I had never traveled there, I was anxious to make my first visit for two days in springtime time some time ago. Famed for its eco-friendly culture, craft breweries, diverse food cart scene, and

Considered one of the safest large US cities, San Diego also enjoys mild, sunny and dry weather. It was on a Friday in May several years ago when I had the pleasure of traveling to San Diego for a weekend business meeting. San Diego is a premier travel destination due to its near-perfect year-round weather, 70 miles of stunning coastline (including La Jolla and Coronado), and world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park . The city boasts a unique blend of la

Denver is a premiere travel destination with many world-class outdoor, cultural and sports attractions. It had been a while since I’d traveled to the Colorado Rockies to visit family. Normally, I’d schedule such a journey to Dillon, CO, in November to avoid the worst of the winter weather. But, that month found me in Dallas pursuing my Presidential Library quest (see my post of January 24, 2026 titled A Charge to Keep ). As a result, I opted to travel in late January. Aware

Edinburgh is one of the world's most beautiful cities with stunning architecture and a rich history. While my business travels took me to many wonderful places, I was very excited to visit Edinburgh in Scotland a number of years ago and scheduled the trip to take place on my way home after several days in Munich, Germany. Edinburgh is so beautiful and reminiscent of the old-world, thanks to the city’s stunning architecture. Medieval buildings and neoclassical structures make

The streets of Bridgetown, Barbados are lined with brightly painted Colonial-era buildings and homes. Although I briefly touched upon the Island of Barbados in a post dated November 15, 2025 titled The Caribbean Beckons , a single paragraph does not do it justice. The allure of Barbados lies in its perfect blend of stunning natural beauty, from turquoise Caribbean waters to rugged Atlantic coasts. Add to the mix its vibrant Bajan culture , which is a blend of West African and

The Sixth Floor Museum chronicles the legacy and 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. My extra day in Dallas was spent visiting the infamous Texas School Book Depository Building . It was at this site from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the shots which assassinated President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This is one of the most well-known crime scenes in the United States and indeed, one of the 20th Century's most famous. Even after the passage o

The White House years of George W, Bush is well detailed in his Presidential Library and Museum. After a restful sleep at the Westin Dallas Park Central Hotel , I had the buffet breakfast at the lobby's Urban South Restaurant . From there, I headed off to Southern Methodist University in order to visit the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, arriving on campus shortly after the center's opening hour of 9:00 AM. The 207,000-square-foot facility opened in 2013 and

The National Archives Building is headquarters for the National Archives and Records Administration. As any reader of this blog post knows, I’m an avid American history buff and have made it my mission to visit all of the Presidential Libraries in chronological order. These libraries are archives and museums established by the US Government to preserve the papers and artifacts of American Presidents and their administrations. Their archives contain millions of pages of docum

From VIP lunches to welcome fresh air breaks, we welcomed access to the hotel's outdoor terrace. My conference at the Four Seasons Hotel Prague drew participants from many nations and a variety of oral health disciplines. That property was a wonderful place to call home during the days of my visit and I must compliment the hotel and its staff for ensuring that all the needs of our international attendees were met. The hotel provided dedicated function rooms that were adapted

Many picturesque and enchanting areas of Prague look like they came right out of a Grimm fairy tale. It was with great anticipation that I undertook a business trip a number of years ago to the enchanting city of Prague, the Central European Capital of the Czech Republic. Prague is a special place due to its remarkably preserved, historic city center, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . At over 1,100 years old, the city originated as a settlement with a cas

A trip to Ottawa is a great way to explore Canada's roots, culinary delights and its walkable streets. There’s much to discover when visiting our “Neighbor to the North” and, although it’s not like going overseas, a trip to a Canadian city can often feel like a trip abroad. Certainly, both our nations are closely linked. But , the bilingual nature and distinctly Canadian culture offers a different and positive experience. While Americans do require a valid passport to enter

Idyllic beaches and abundant sunshine are part of the charm and allure of the Caribbean Islands. Winter is just around the corner and with the cooler temperatures come thoughts of tropical escapes on sunny, sandy beaches.The Caribbean hosts any number of islands that fit the bill. The allure of these islands is legendary. Visitors are drawn to the famous white-sand beaches and warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. For the more adventurous, the islands are also home to extens

The CA state capital lies in the Central Valley at the junction of the American and Sacramento Rivers. When business called me to Sacramento a number of years ago, I was delighted as it was one of our American cities that I had not yet had the pleasure of visiting. It proved to be a great locale for a weekend meeting and I was fortunate in having some free time to explore. Sacramento’s an historic city and it began with John Sutter's establishment of Sutter's Fort in 1839 , w

Helsinki embodies the best of Scandinavia with its balance of urban development and green space. When I received news some years ago that a business trip to Helsinki was in the cards for me, I was justifiably anxious to begin my travels. Personally, the nations and cities of Scandinavia always held great allure. Their enormous popularity may be attributed to the region’s high quality of life, social and economic stability, stunning natural landscapes, and a reputation for saf