October 2008

I travel a lot, but also spend chunks of time in London where I live. Of course, I enjoy being home and having a bit of ‘routine’!  Here are some of the upcoming trips 2008-2009 I am planning to find the best and leave the rest—so that all of our readers can access the Files when I return and write them up.

Oman - Can’t wait to swim with wild Dolphins
Dubai - Not a favorite destination of mine, but one of my dearest friends lives there, I’ll go en route to Oman to suss out the latest and greatest for our file collection
Prague - Too long since I’ve been; crystal to buy and palaces to visit
New York City - A week of business meetings leaves me with little time to discover new finds, but I always make the time
St. Lucia - Seems from a topographical perspective simply stunning.  I hear the sand is grey though…
Namibia - On my list for 8+ years. Sleeping in a tent, staring at the dunes. Total quiet.
Garden Route, South Africa - Costal paths, whale watching, bright sun and great moonlight nights; amazing food and wine (and plenty of hikes and runs to work it off!)
Bologna, Italy - How have I missed this special spot all these years? I’ll take my parents.
Scilly Islands, UK - Had to cancel this past summer.  Summer 2009 August: a top destination on my list.
Corsica - Embarrassed to say.. I’ve not visited this Mediterranean beauty.
Montana - A  tented camp called “Paws Up” looks just dreamy
Santa Barbara - Montecito, CA - Two of my favorite areas in the US; on my next biz trip to LA I’ll venture out a few days
Miami - In April at a conference I’m attending, I’ll tack on a few days to this perennial favorite
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Where might you like to see me go  to “report back” in the Files for your benefit?
Write us: inquiries@spire.com

Used to stimulate the digestive system, I often opt for campari or white  (or red) lillet, served over ice with a twist of orange. Typically though, I go straight to wine, and skip this lovely custom as many of us do these days in most countries.  However, while I’m not touting the benefits of alcohol (for which there are some, with more detriments it seems) the reason the notion of a before dinner elixir can be traced to the biblical days of ancient Egypt and more recently! the 1900s in Europe and certain circles in the United States.  The effect readys one’s system via the bitter taste for the food about to be consumed.  It tells, so to speak, the organs to kick in the digestive enzymes to break food down when in one’s system. Voila…

So, Thursday night I was invited to a Remy Martin dinner and tasting as they are now marketing the world famous cognac over ice as .. an Aperitif.  All of us at the table agreed it was a nice way to start the meal, and ‘felt’ good going down.  The 240 year old privately owned family business sounds a fascinating one; I soon hope to go visit La Maison de Remy Martin in the Burgundy area, aptly, named Cognac. They decided to market the drink as such when they saw the now 30’s generation were taking to the tonic as a sophisticated, and unique option.

Chin chin! Give it a try.  You’ll be admired by your friends who will find you ahead of the curve.

In this crazy time where everyone is being careful and less whimsical I’ll take a second to point out a fact about the Files.  Some people interpret this—I’m not sure why as it is not at all my credo, nor would I accurately be curating the best and leaving the rest if I only selected very expensive things to buy, places to go, where to stay.  Often, in my personal life, I opt for the simpler options amongst the over-the-top, which I sometimes like.  I find that the simpler, quality experience makes me feel more enriched.  Hard to explain unless you know me personally.

See some great examples of my and our international collective’s picks that are affordably wonderful!

• Inventive gifts under $125
• Hotels under $300

What kinds of things would you like to see covered in Suzanne’s Files that are affordably wonderful? Write to us: inquiries@spire.com.

…was to get a puppy one day. So, I did 2 weeks ago. *See photo here of my little Henry Wallace, with whom I am insanely in love and in like. He happens to be sitting on my lap with his head rolled into my tummy cosily as I write this. (He’s a mommas boy, what can I say?)

Why am I writing about this?  Everyone who likes dogs and puppies knows what an absolutely wonderful, rewarding experience it is to raise one.  Just to say, sometimes the items on our ” To accomplish in life” list that we think are for the future, are better and sweeter today.  Why put off what you can do tomorrow?  Why not just do it today?

Henry sends a little lick. In love.

The cultivated consumer trusts their friends opinions most.  It’s usually only our friends who say: Don’t Believe the Hype! Time is precious and information sources many; so when it comes to planning and investing in a big ticket vacation, discerning and time-starved professionals and over-scheduled parents don’t want to get it wrong. That’s why I created my “BEWARE” files—a bold and unique editorial coverage of places to stay worldwide – as is relevant of course!

Often the gorgeous hotel and resort photos you see on Websites and in magazines are misleading, and many properties receive undeserved praise in the press. By giving you honest feedback from my personal experience, or that of my editors, and our savvy International Collective contributors and other discerning travelers we know and trust, the Beware files help people steer clear of disappointment and wasted time and money. Read the rest of this entry »