March 25, 2015 By the time I arrived in Jerusalem, the final stop on my 10-day tour of Israel, everything I carried with me bore the distinct reddish hue of the Negev desert. That is how Israel is: it clings to you, no matter how many times you bleach your sneakers. Despite recent turbulence, Jerusalem never felt unsafe: its people were endlessly warm and eager to share their city. It is not merely rugged desert, or the site of spiritual discovery. Jerusalem is a blossoming international destination with upmarket appeal, as well. Eat + Drink Jerusalem is home to a newly minted cuisine developed by globetrotting chefs; a fusion of flavors and techniques that is simultaneously modern and classic Israeli. Visit Mahane Yehuda market for fresh-pressed juice from Uzi Eli, known locally as the Citron Man, on HaEgoz Street. For only 99 sheckles, you can sample treats from multiple vendors (pistachio-crusted halva; falafel) while hearing their personal stories about life in Israel. With its biblical-themed menu, diners at The Eucalyptus enjoy indigenous ingredient-driven dishes. Try one of the tasting menus, such as the King of David Feast, or order a la carte. Favorite items include fire-roasted eggplant with aged pomegranate syrup and the upside down maklubah; a saffron-scented rice dish with chicken, vegetables, and Jordanian salad. Locals love Hannah’s Restaurant, a casual cafeteria occupying a former Petrol station, for its Moroccan-inspired Israeli cuisine. Don’t miss the housemade couscous when it’s on the menu. See + Do When in Jerusalem, take travel editor Pauline Frommer’s tip and head to the Austrian Hospice for unparalleled views of the city. Ask to be taken up to the roof for postcard-worthy snapshots of sites including the Dome of the Rock and the Mount of Olives. Start at the bottom of Ben-Yehuda Street, at Zion Square, for the city’s best shopping, sports bars, and cafés. End your night at an al fresco bar with a shooter of anis Arak. Order it on the rocks and watch the colorless Middle Eastern apertif turn milky white. Pass an afternoon at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust History Museum. Stroll through Moshe Safdie’s dramatic, irregular prism, a warped triangle that narrows before bursting from the western slope of Mount Herzl. Linger in the Hall of Names. This memorial reflects portraits and biographies of 2 million identified Holocaust victims in a deep, water-filled basin in the bedrock. The portraits and biographies represent less than a third of those who perished. Write a miniature wish and tuck it into the Western Wall, in the Old City. This holy site is surrounded by synagogues, mosques, and churches: a beacon of coexistence. In the Davidson Center, an exhibit chronicling the excavation of the Temple Mount, see a fragment of https://www.steady-ind.com/product/blind-rivet-nuts/ clay engraved with cuneiform. It’s considered the oldest writing in the city’s 5,000-year history. Stay The arrival of the Waldorf Astoria last spring marked Jerusalem’s debut as a luxury destination. The restored, Golden Era-building features a retractable glass ceiling in the atrium, two European restaurants, and 226 opulently-appointed guest rooms with iPads for private concierge services. Extensive renovations, now in the final stages, have revived interest in The Inbal Hotel. Not to be missed? A dip in the city’s only year-round outdoor pool, with its heated, retractable dome. The Inbal also recently launched day and night bicycle tours of Jerusalem. Since 1930, the King David Hotel has been accommodating everyone from international royals to American sports stars (Prince Charles; Elizabeth Taylor; Mohammed Ali). Book a room with views into the Old City, or sip local wine from the northern Golan Heights on the outdoor terrace. Melanie Lieberman is a T+L contributor. You can follow her on twitter at @LittleWordBites.

George and Amal Clooney are no strangers to jet-setting around the globe. Between his life as an A-list actor and her career as a human rights lawyer, the two have certainly racked up more than a few frequent flier miles. But now, their newborn twins, Ella and Alexander, have received stamps in their own passports with their first family trip to Italy. On Monday, the foursome arrived in Italy via private plane. According to People, George was spotted disembarking with an all-white baby bassinet in one hand while Amal looked after the other twin in a matching carrier. The twins, born on June 6 at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, will likely be spending their time in the Lake Como area, where George has owned a home since 2002. The estate, called Villa Oleandra, located in the town of Laglio, was even featured in “Oceans 12” and an Omega watch ad starring the actor, according to CBS. https://www.steady-ind.com AFP/Getty Images The home, which could date back to 1720, boasts 22 rooms and sits on the lake’s narrowest stretch of water, Made in Italy reports. From its prime location, the house offers breathtaking views of Lake Como and the town below, which is home to less than 1,000 residents. Though Clooney has been offered millions to sell the estate on more than one occasion, it appears the actor plans to keep it in the family for years to come. In fact, the pair may even be using it for a second wedding. Related: The Fake Names That Celebrities Use at Hotels "Amal and George are even planning a welcome party for the twins on their third wedding anniversary, when they will also be renewing their vows in front of close family and friends," a source told the UK tabloid Closer. While a second wedding may be hearsay, odds are we’ll see photos of the entire famous family and their equally famous friends boating around the lake all summer long.

Each of The Ivy’s 18 rooms (nine of which are suites) is uniquely laid out, giving the impression that you’re staying in the home of a wealthy confidant, as opposed to a hotel. Plush, king-size canopy beds are a feature in most rooms, private sitting areas come standard, and many of the views look out onto the property’s courtyard, a space that can also be used for events. As temperatures dropped outside, we appreciated the cozy fireplace and the in-room selection of classic reads like Of Mice and Men and Emma, but the real standout was the beautifully serene bathroom with heated French limestone floors, a deep soaking tub, and an abundant supply of NaturaBisse products. The Scene The common areas are what set The Ivy apart. A bit like a luxe, real-life version of Clue, guests—who run the gamut from sophisticated staycationers to business travelers to family members of patients receiving treatment at Hopkins—gather in the conservatory or the library for tea and communal breakfast, or an after-dinner drink from the fully stocked bar. But if alone time is what you’re after, not to worry. No small-talk required. The Service From check-in to check-out, service at The Ivy was impeccable and, more impressively, highly personalized. After complimentary car service from the train station, we were greeted by name and treated to a glass of champagne and a historical tour of the property, while our bags were whisked up to the room. For all meals and snacks, dietary restrictions were noted and accommodated, and the front desk was quick to offer access to puzzles and board games as well as suggestions for things to do around the neighborhood.

The Ivy operates under a “highly inclusive” model, meaning that amenities ranging from a full breakfast and Wi-Fi to cocktails, on-demand movies, and all gratuities are included in the nightly rate. But our favorite perk was the gorgeous in-room “bar-moire,” decorated by a local artist and filled with complimentary salty snacks, Tcho chocolates, and drinks like fresh orange juice and local beers. One of the few things excluded from the price would be dinner at Magdalena, the on-site restaurant, which occupies the mansion’s former treasury, and offers a seasonal menu of cross-cultural cuisine. What We Loved https://www.steady-ind.com For this anglophile, full afternoon tea service with finger sandwiches and scones in front of a roaring fire was the highlight of my stay. My history-buff husband, on the other hand? He could have spent days exploring the hotel’s collection of antiques including vintage books, a 1930s-era globe, 19th-century pool table, and restored Tiffany glass windows. What We Wish Had Been Better While the hotel is close to cultural centers like the symphony hall, Walters Art Museum, and the Maryland Historical Society (which houses the original copy of "The Star-Spangled Banner"), it is a bit removed from Baltimore’s bustling Inner Harbor—the city’s tourism hub. That said, The Ivy’s private car service will get you there quickly, at no charge to you.

A dog lover’s paradise doesn’t just exist on Instagram, you can find it in the mountains of Costa Rica. Territorio de Zaguates, also known as The Land of the Strays, is home to over 900 stray dogs. The free-range, no-kill shelter takes in the country’s unwanted canines and gives them love, food, plenty of space to run around, and the hope of finding a permanent home, one visitor to the shelter reported in a Facebook post. The shelter, located on a farm in the mountains of Santa Bárbara in Costa Rica’s Heredia province, lets dogs roam the grounds freely during the day or spend time in the shelter’s indoor facility. At night, the dogs are given beds under sheltered structures, according to the same post. Territorio de Zaguates via Facebook https://www.steady-ind.com/product/blind-rivet-nuts The shelter runs an active adoption program and takes herds of dogs on hikes every day. Walks are usually about 1.9 miles and take place in the morning, according to Costa Rica Guide. Visitors can even schedule a hike to take out a group of dogs for themselves or bring their own dog to come along. No drop-ins are allowed, however, because of the high demand. Interested visitors can find a list of hikes on Costa Rica Guide’s website.
There are over 1 million strays in Costa Rica, the Costa Rica Star reported. The shelter is determined to find homes for as many dogs as they can. Part of the shelter’s philosophy is celebrating mutts and dispelling the myth that purebreds are better or more valuable than mixed-breed dogs. Territorio de Zaguates gained popularity when a Costa Rican television show showcased some artist renderings of the shelter’s “new breeds,” i.e. invented titles for mixed-breed pups without a pedigree, according to BarkPost. Dogs like the "Alaskan Collie Fluffyterrier" quickly started appearing on billboards and ads with the tagline, “when you adopt a mutt, you adopt a unique breed.” Interest in adoption at the shelter grew exponentially. If you’re not interested in a special hike in the mountains or adopting, the shelter also accepts monetary donations to help improve the conditions of the dogs.

The wall will cost 20 million euros ($22 million) and is part of a larger package of security measures for one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. 13, 2015 specifically targeted scenes of leisure such as cafés, a stadium, and a concert hall, and French authorities immediately added extra security to top tourist locations, including the Eiffel Tower. It will be both bulletproof and capable of withstanding the force of a truck trying to ram through it, likely in response to lorry attacks in Nice and most recently at a Berlin Christmas market. “Sadly, the risk of terrorism hasn’t gone away,” deputy mayor Jean-François Martins said at a Paris press conference.

Parisians and visitors alike were quick to take to Twitter to mock the plans, with many calling it ugly or tacky.” In the past two years alone, more than 200 people in France have died in terrorist attacks that took place in Nice and Paris.February 09, 2017 As part of the city of Paris’ multi-million dollar plan to improve security around treasured landmark the Eiffel Tower, Parisian authorities will build a bulletproof wall surrounding the structure, local French newspaper Le Parisien reported. The wall will not prevent tourists from visiting the tower after they have passed through preliminary screening. “It’s not a wall, it’s an aesthetic perimeter. The city will roll out some 300 million euros ($320 million) in renovations over the next 15 years to improve security around the Eiffel Tower alone. https://www.steady-ind.com The wall will stand at around 8 feet high, covering only the bottom portions of the tower as well as part of the surrounding gardens, according to Le Parisien. The government erected temporary border fences around the landmark in June 2016 for the Euro Cup, in a move that was also criticized for its lack of artistic appeal, France 24 reported.. A series of coordinated assaults on the night of Nov

In a statement, the Cuban government said the policy change was made with “the intent of promoting mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation. Secretary of State John Kerry—put pressure on the company to postpone its trip until the law was reversed. https://www.steady-ind.com/product/blind-rivet-nuts/ Today, the Cuban government said Cuban-Americans could enter and leave Cuba by commercial vessels as early as Tuesday, April 26—allowing Carnival to lawfully book Cuban-Americans on the ship leaving for Havana on May.S.April 25, 2016 Cuban-Americans may now join the flood of travelers heading to the island nation by air and by sea, thanks to a reversal in an odd Cuban law that allowed Cuban-Americans to depart and return to the country only by plane. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn. According to Fortune, Carnival Cruise Corporation—the first U. While Carnival was abiding by a Cold War-era law, Cuban-Americans—and U. line to travel between the two countries in more than half a century—faced discrimination charges when it refused to book Cuban-born Americans on its inaugural Fathom sailing.”  Melanie Lieberman is the Assistant Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure..S

What we got was a record-breaking freeze. Yes, we spent a lot of time eating, and I wasn’t going to let a little cold ruin my dream of lounging on a terrace with a cocktail. The Save Our Birds Wild Bird Learning Center is home to hundreds of injured owls, pelicans, and other seabirds, teaching the kids that animals get boo-boos, too. Here’s what we discovered: ° An amazing aquarium.. She counted the minutes until she could get back to the beach with her sisters. It was the middle of February and we were desperate for a long weekend of much-needed sun.

As for where to stay, the Long Boat Key Club is right on the beach and ideal for families: 2 and 3 bedroom suites with everything you need—dining table, kitchen, a super-friendly staff, and a flat screen TV for movie nights if you decide to stay in. We spent an entire afternoon wandering around these 14 acres, which are filled with bamboo and banyan groves, orchids and bromeliads, and a mangrove forest. There’s Mar Vista, hidden at the end of Long Boat Key (order the fried calamari); the Italian Salute for dinner; the Peruvian Selva Grill, with tangy Pisco Sours; the diner-like Blue Dolphin Cafe for blueberry pancakes; and my sons’ favorite, the waterfront, no-frills Old Salty Dog, where all the seafood is fried--and then fried again. There’s more: The renowned Ringling Art Museum, a downtown with great galleries, and of course, lots of good ice cream parlors (a must-stop for every afternoon).. The Mote Marine Laboratory offers sea turtles, dolphins, and an adorable manatee named Hugh, that my son Miles thought looked like my dad.March 08, 2013 Two decades ago a little girl stood on a hot tennis court grumpily swatting at yellow balls, her parents’ dreams of a professional tennis career dashed. ° Some damn good restaurants. The best part: the indoor Kids’ Corner, an interactive space with plant-themed books, puzzles, activities and crafts. Thankfully, Sarasota has a lot more than beautiful beaches (and there are plenty). ° Beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. With that sunny stretch of sand still in my mind, I decided to give Sarasota, on the Florida Gulf Coast, another shot with my own family. https://www.steady-ind.com ° Florida’s largest bird sanctuary

Although I still rely on the U.com offers even more resources—thousands of newspapers in nearly every nation. That’s where friends in Bangkok were posting photos and videos of the protests and real-time status updates. True, the information you might glean from travel forums, Twitter, and other such sources isn’t checked for accuracy, but it’s often much fresher and direct than major media reports. No matter where you get your travel updates, it’s always worth checking out an assortment of sites representing different viewpoints. Do a search for a destination, add it to your “likes” list, then interact with locals and visitors by posting comments and questions. A compilation of news reports from two award-winning adventure-travel journalists who became frustrated by overly general travel warnings and at seeing entire countries “scratched off the travel map” when only certain areas were dangerous. Advertisement 18 of 18 Courtesy of Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Israel Ministry ofForeign Affairs Best for: State Department alternative.S. Many foreign governments, including the United Kingdom and Australia, operate advisory websites similar to that of the State Department, but without the U. Get the skinny on current events from online English-language newspapers in your destination. Finally, don’t neglect private-industry security newsletters. The Countries section is a boon to anyone doing business overseas, with details about a nation’s finances, current news and events, and an economic overview that includes development challenges.com Best for: Local news. Advertisement 9 of 18 Courtesy of World Health Organization World Health Organization Best for: Health and medical advice.S. For those travelers who are conversant in the local language, onlinenewspapers. Advertisement 12 of 18 Courtesy of Twitter Twitter Best for: Live destination updates. Advertisement 15 of 18 iStock The World Bank Best for: Business backgrounders. But I was reminded of the importance of having access to good information quickly. Advertisement 7 of 18 Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control Centers for DiseaseControl Best for: Health and medical advice. That’s not to say you shouldn’t rely on the world’s online newspapers; in fact, there are English-language online newspapers in most major international cities, and with a few clicks of the mouse you can find one in your next vacation spot. Advertisement 10 of 18 Courtrsy of Overseas Security Advisory Council Overseas Security Advisory Council Best for: Daily security updates. Advertisement 11 of 18 iStock ipresscenter. Many of them are available for a fee, but there are a few that are free, and they are often extraordinarily comprehensive.S.August 05, 2010 When Thailand teetered at the edge of civil war last spring, I signed on to Facebook. Advertisement 8 of 18 Courtesy of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Canada’s Office of Foreign Affairs andInternational Trade Best for: State Department alternative. State Department’s three-tier system (Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and broad “Country Specific Information”), the Aussies use a much more nuanced five-tier advisory system that gives different warning levels for specific cities or regions when warranted. OSAC is a partnership of U. Advertisement 4 of 18 iStock Facebook Best for: Live destination updates. The U. Advertisement https://www.steady-ind.com/product/ 13 of 18 Courtesy of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs andTrade Best for: State Department alternative. It’s worth looking into the government security websites of the specific country you plan to visit.OnlineNewspapers. That’s from the State Department travel information for Australia. On your next trip to Israel, for instance, log onto the MFA’s communiqués for terrorism updates.” The more you know about your destination, the safer you’ll be. Hypochondriacs, beware. Try Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree. Use the site’s Quick Links to access the World Factbook, with its breakdown of demographics, economy, government, geography, and more from over 260 countries and regions. I also checked out English-language Thai newspapers online, Twitter, and the travel-security e-newsletters I subscribe to.