A New, Sustainable Restaurant on Denmark’s Aero Island

 Biking Denmark’s islands couldn’t be more idyllic. But on my last couple of days, I discovered a new restaurant on the island of Aero that captured my heart. Not only was the cuisine creative and tasty, but the entire ethic of the establishment, Marstang Mad and Vin, revolved around sustainability. I recently interviewed the two young owners about why they feel so strongly about locally sourced ingredients, how they established their wine list, and what are must-see and must-do activities and sights on the island. I recently wrote about them and their restaurant for ForbesLife.

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A Cozy New York City Wine Bar

 I love finding a cozy, atmospheric, informal wine bar with a variety of selections by the glass. That’s what I found at Kurant, a Midtown east wine bar in NYC  that also has some wonderful food options, including the cheese platter, the guacamole with chips, and the sweet potato fries that are accompanied by a delightfully smoky (and spicy) huancaina sauce. And now they’re all decked out for the holidays.

The art hanging on the exposed brick walls depicting old world New York City contributes to the cozy vibe at Kurant that’s noted for its warm and welcoming vibe.

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Scenic Photos In My Backyard

 As a photographer, I’m all about presenting even tried-and-true destinations from a completely different perspective. I’m captivated by color and form. But, I don’t need to travel to locales that are far-afield. I find treasures right in my backyard — sometimes literally — as these images reveal. Of course, all my photos are available for purchase, whether as any occasion note cards or photo prints.

There are abundant botanicals to be found on New York City’s Roosevelt Island that’s a short tram ride from Midtown east.

These were the dramatically-hued leaves on my neighbor’s tree. 

After 15 mph winds, blowing most of those leaves off my neighbor’s tree, this is the picturesque scene nature left for me on my lawn.

I found this scene when I set foot on a wooden deck in the backyard of a tiny coffee shop in New York City.

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Exploring New Jersey’s Walkable Downtowns

 Over the past several months, I’ve been exploring walkable downtowns in New Jersey. I discovered the Bourbon Street Beignet in Westwood. This is an atmospheric coffee shop with a New Orleans vibe and plenty of scrumptious baked goods.

As I walked through downtown Maplewood, a glass of Tempranillo called out to me one sunny afternoon.

In downtown South Orange, I found some captivating street art.

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Travels in Saint Eustatius

On Saint Eustatius, I found many reminders of times gone by, including the ruins of this 18th century Dutch Reformed church, located in the Upper Town of Orangetown, the capitol. Also nearby is a dirt path leading to the ruins of a centuries-old synagogue. 

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A New Resort on St. Eustatius

I couldn’t resist lounging beside the asymmetric pool at the new Golden Rock Resort on St. Eustatius (Statia), a tiny Caribbean island that’s a short flight from St. Maarten.

At this resort, Breeze, an aptly named restaurant, has plenty to see inside with its stellar interiors, and outside with the abundant floral landscaping and ocean views beyond.

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Travels Around Prince Edward Island - Part 2

 Walking along the Black Marsh Trail in western Prince Edward Island couldn’t be more idyllic. You’ll see dramatic cliffs, curious botanicals, numerous bird species and this signature rock that’s red, like much of the land on PEI, because of iron oxide. 

Whether in the forests with their dense canopy or the red rock cliff tops with stunted foliage and towering wind turbines, I ambled this trail, feeling like I was wandering through a wonderful dreamscape with butterflies fluttering about, delicate orchids growing near my feet, the azure sea crashing far below, and the occasional eagle soaring overhead.

The clouds swell and the sea churns as a prelude to the arrival of Hurricane Fiona in Prince Edward Island. Here, I notice the rustling of the tall grasses, and the  humming of a wind turbine that rises in the distance.

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Travels around Prince Edward Island, Canada - Part 1

 On Prince Edward Island, sunrises can be quite dramatic, as seen here behind the 19th century Tignish Church.

The deep water harbor of Miminegash appears relatively calm.

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A Scenic, Low-Key Hotel in St. Croix

 As you know, I have a fondness for under-the-radar locales. And though St. Croix is hardly undiscovered, the eastern end of the island has a more remote vibe that I found quite attractive. Unlike the rest of the island that has lush foliage, the east side is quite arid. But the vistas are expansive and the vibe is low-key. And that’s why I chose the Grapetree Bay Hotel and Villas that’s located on the island’s eastern end as my favorite accommodation. I recently wrote about this hotel for Forbes Life. 

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