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Travel Guide

Your Guide To Experiencing Hospitality, Good Eats, and Historical Sites in Syracuse, NY

by xoJohn October 3, 2018

written by xoJohn 1 minutes read

The area that is now known as Syracuse wasn’t much of anything more than two centuries ago, but that all changed in the early 1800s. It was inevitable to many, as the land was level, it was near numerous salt supplies, and it would be the perfect spot to connect the eastern and western parts of the state. John Wilkinson thought the village looked quite similar to a city over in Italy, so when it came time to name it in 1820, he gave it the same name. It was then that Syracuse was born, and it became a city once the village and the nearby village of Salina merged.

October 3, 2018 0 comment

Wanderlust

I Love NY: Autumn In New York

by Sia-Alika Battle September 24, 2015

written by Sia-Alika Battle 0 minutes read

Fall is one of the best times to vacation in New York State and the New York State Division of Tourism celebrated with a Culinary Harvest “Beer Garden” themed event held at the legendary Prince George’s Ball Room in New York City.

September 24, 2015 0 comment

Wanderlust

When In Texas, Visit Houston’s Museum District

by xoJohn July 15, 2014

written by xoJohn 4 minutes read

Summer is the perfect time to visit your favorite destinations or to explore the good ole USA. If Houston is on your short list of places to visit, we highly recommend these legendary places. Especially if you’re an art lover like ourselves.

BVLGARI: 130 Years of Masterpieces, an exhibition of approximately 150 sizable pieces of jewelry from Bulgari’s Heritage Collection, including masterpieces from the historical archives of the company headquarters in Rome or on loan from private collections. AB 055 Bvlgari Snake Bracelet-Watch in Gold and Platinum with Emeralds Sapphires and Diamonds - 1962 This exclusive retrospective marks the first time the storied jeweler has showcased pieces representing every period since its Roman beginnings in 1884, making BVLGARI: 130 Years of Masterpieces a once-in-a-lifetime event. The exhibition runs through October 5, 2014. More info: http://bit.ly/bvghmns

Hermann Park celebrates its Centennial in 2014 with a series of public activities, including the addition of the 15-acre McGovern Centennial Gardens and the restoration of the historic Grand Gateway entrance to the heart of the park, both set to open in Fall 2014. Art in the Park is a centennial project designed to bring delight to the more than 6 million annual visitors to the Park by bringing contemporary public art by international artists to the Park throughout 2014 and beyond. Installations include permanent and loaned works by Trenton Doyle Hancock, Patrick Dougherty, Louise Bourgeois, Sharon Engelstein, Yvonne Domenge, Orly Genger and Ugo Rondinone (to be installed in November 2014). More info: http://bit.ly/hpc2014

Believing in the spiritual powers of art, John and Dominique de Menil built what has been called one of the finest collections of the modern era. Still growing and housed in a landmark of modern architecture, The Menil Collection is a local treasure and a global destination – an urban oasis open free of charge to all. This summer, the Menil presents a micro exhibition of works by Charles James in A Thin Wall of Air: Charles James. saffron_brocade_3 navy_blue_2 Featuring gowns, suits, hats and coats made for Dominique de Menil alongside furniture James designed for the de Menil’s home, the exhibition affords an intimate look into the close working relationship between artist and patron. More info: http://bit.ly/menil

Soto Summer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Jesús Rafael Soto’s signature Penetrables series is one of the great marvels of contemporary art. The Houston Penetrable—the Venezuelan artist’s final, and most ambitious work—is the only one Soto (1923–2005) designed as permanent or semi-permanent, and one of the few he created as an indoor piece. More info: http://bit.ly/mfahsoto

Currently on view at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is an exhibition featuring more than two hundred works of art as well as notebooks, sketchbooks, studies and other artist materials and ephemera from artist Trenton Doyle Hancock. For nearly two decades since his graduation from Temple University, Trenton Doyle Hancock has brought to life a cast of colorful—and often not so colorful—characters through his work. The artist’s use of vivid imagery and mythology has earned him national and international recognition and prompted a fascination with the foundation of his practice. What emerges upon further examination of those foundations is a wide-range of influences including comics, graphic novels, cartoons, music, and film. More info: http://bit.ly/camhhancock

House_Hallway

July 15, 2014 0 comment

Destinations

A Beginner’s Guide to Paris

by xoJohn October 18, 2013

written by xoJohn 3 minutes read

One of the world’s major capital cities, Paris, France has a venerable history spanning more than 10,000 years. It grew from a small settlement in the middle of the Stone Age to be the greatest city in France, developing as a center of art and culture, fashion, high finance, medicine, science and tourism. The metropolitan area is one of the largest in Europe, home to more than 12 million people. Centuries of political and cultural development have resulted in an abundance of museums, theaters and galleries as well as a wide selection of architectural styles and monuments.

What to see

Top of the list of famous Parisian landmarks is the Eiffel Tower, which has become the symbol of the ‘City of Love’, also known as the ‘City of Light.’ Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the tower was created originally for the 1889 World’s Fair. It stands 1,063 feet tall (around 81 stories) and is the tallest building in Paris. No first visit to the city is complete without climbing it to benefit from the incredible views from each of the three different levels, the first two of which have restaurants and can be accessed via elevator or stairs, while the third and highest level is only accessible via the elevator.

The wonderful cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité is one of the most famous in the world. Originally built in 1163 and added to many times over the centuries, it was damaged during the French Revolution in the late 18^th century. The fabulous French Gothic architecture was restored during the early part of the 19^th century and it is now a stunningly beautiful building and a major tourist attraction.

Fine art lovers all over the world are familiar with the world’s most visited museum in Paris, the Louvre, and more than eight million visitors each year flock to see the extraordinary collection of artworks gathered there from all parts of the globe, particularly Leonardo Da Vinci’s enigmatic Mona Lisa. Established in 1793, the Louvre was a product of the French Revolution. The controversial glass pyramid leading to an underground lobby was completed in 1989.

Where to eat

There are many wonderful restaurants and diners in Paris and more than a few are very special indeed. If seafood is a favorite, try the charming, unassuming Huitrerie Regis in St. Germain des Pres for the best fresh oysters in town, delivered directly from the Marennes-Oléron region on the Atlantic coast. Fruits de mer may also include, clams, sea urchins and prawns, depending on availability.

In the heart of the city overlooking the Palais Royal try Macéo for great vegetable dishes as well as scallops and wild sea bass. The wine list here is superb and Englishman Mark Williamson, who owns the restaurant, also runs the bar around the corner.

Getting around

First-time visitors to Paris arriving on one of the Air France flights at Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports can take the train, an airport shuttle bus or a minibus into the city center, depending on where their accommodation is located. Public transport in the city is excellent and there are a range of travel cards and tickets to choose from, depending on the length of your vacation.

October 18, 2013 0 comment