Scenic Shopping in Celebrity Central

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Historic East Hampton Hosts an Antiques Show

With the likes of Martha Stewart, Steven Spielberg, Alec Baldwin in residence, celebrity spotting in East Hampton is almost inevitable.  But some tourists come to the Hamptons for historic ambience.  The eastern-most city in New York State East Hampton was founded in 1648 by a group of farmers and fishermen who established a rich legacy. That history is preserved by the East Hampton Historical Society which restores and preserves historic structures as museums  open to the public.  One historic house, Mulford Farm is the setting each summer of the East Hampton Antiques Show. Continue reading →

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Polo and Picnics

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

A Day Trip to Greenwich Polo Club’s Butler Handicap

While the action entails thundering teams of horses galloping around the field, it turns out that polo is a genteel spectator sport.  An afternoon at the Greenwich Polo Club is an excursion to a day of old fashioned  beauty and taste.

The Greenwich Polo Club

The setting is the gloriously green graciously wooded grounds of The Greenwich Polo Club in southwest Connecticut. Invited free of charge, visitors start driving in around 1 pm descending from their cars in various stages of finery ― from elaborate hats and fascinators to natty  khakis and blazers and, naturally ― designer polo shirts.

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Hiking with the World’s Greatest Mountaineer

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Following Reinhold Messner Up a Dolomite Trail

It’s the equivalent of shooting baskets with Michael Jordan, volleying with Roger Federer, playing catch with Peyton Manning, hitting a few with Jack Nicklaus — once a year Reinhold Messner leads his herd of yaks to an upper pastures in Italy’s Dolomites for summer grazing and hikers have the opportunity to trek uphill along with the world’s most famous mountaineer.

The first person to summit Everest solo and without supplementary oxygen, conqueror of all fourteen of the world’s 8000 meter peaks, a man who walked across Antarctica and the Gobi Desert, the supra-athlete is also founder of sixMessner Mountain Museums.  Scattered through the middle of the Alps in South Tyrol they are monuments to the culture and disciplines of mountains, mountain peoples. and mountaineers all over the world.  Each of the six satellite museums is devoted to a different aspect of mountain lore.

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Walking on Water – Once in a Lifetime

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Christo’s Extraordinary and Ephemeral “Floating Piers”

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It’s an incredible undertaking, a modular floating dock system covered with gleaming golden fabric bobbing gently on the water. It took 220,000 cubes + 220,000 pins + 200 anchors + 37,000 meters of rope and 70,000 square 2015 meters of felt under 100,000 layers of gold fabric to create the nearly two-mile long yellow ribbon walkway leading from Sulzano on the shore of Italy’s Lake Iseo to Monte Iseo Island and on to wrap around Isola di San Paolo. Every day thousands of people arrive by bus, car, train, and boat to walk the length of the golden ribbon — before it’s too late. An almost incomprehensible artistic and engineering feat, like all of Christo’s projects, it is temporary. After opening on June 18 it will run until July 3 before it’s totally dismantled. Continue reading →

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New York Social Diary Friends of Versaille

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge
On another note, historical/cultural, you may have seen the American Friends of Versailles’ New York schedule which we published here last week. It was a fantastic five days of luncheons, lectures, tours of private houses and collections, cocktail receptions, dinners, and finally a Grand Ball which took place at the Metropolitan Club.
David Rockefeller surrounded by Baron Roland de l’Espee, Patsy Callahan, Le Vicomte Olivier de Rohan, Juan Pablo Molyneux, and Chateau de Versailles President Catherine Pégard at Saturday’s lunch at the Playhouse at Kykuit hosted by Steve and Kimberley Rockefeller.

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Top 8010(!) Reasons to Visit Xi’an

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Visiting China’s “Cradle of Civilization”

The extraordinary display of 8000 Terra Cotta Warriors posed in formation to protect the first Chinese emperor in his afterlife is customarily the #1 reason tourists visit Xi’an. But the 200 BC life-size regiment is only one reason to visit the ancient imperial capital which is called the Cradle of Chinese Civilization.
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The Terra Cotta Army is the most famous tourist attraction in Xi’an

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Party Puddle Jumpers

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

by Sharon King Hoge in New York Social Diary

In the mist-heavy air with raindrops threatening, we were expecting a flood of Wellies at this year’s Hat Luncheon. We did see a few pairs of tall boots, and at least one set of sensible sneakers. But never mind the weather, most fashion conscious attendees steadfastly matched their elaborate chapeaux with storm-clouds-be-damned pumps, stilettos — even strappy-gappy sandals. Neutral patent leather heels held the #1 spot, and a rainbow of slingback “Carolyne” Manolos marched by. Studded Valentinos are holding their own, and versions of wingtip Chanels remain classics. Here were some of the unusual standouts … Continue reading →

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Celebrating This Year of China – US Tourism

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Climbing the Great Wall for Friendship

According to proclamations of both President Obama and Chinese President Xi, 2016 has been declared the China-US Tourism Year. In 2015 just over two million American tourists visited China, and by offering favorable visa policies and promoting attractions, the Chinese are aiming to boost that number. To launch the program, in March the country hosted “1000 Americans Visiting the Great Wall.” I was among the delegation that journeyed to China to take part in the ceremony.
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A section of the Great Wall stretches across the Jinshanling landscape northeast of Beijing Continue reading →

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Loot 2016–Global Baubles

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Unique Jewelry Designs from Around the World

Discovering unique local treasures is one of the many pleasures of travel. Brought home from overseas, handicrafts, implements, ethnic costumes can evoke memories of new cultures and happy times on vacation. For those who can’t get away right now, there’s a chance for one-stop global shopping at New York City’s Museum of Arts and Design. Curators have explored the world for unusual pieces of wearable art displaying unique technique and creativity. The artists have traveled with their work to New York City for a show — and sale — running all this week. Without packing a bag, browsers and shoppers can experience a round-the-world trip discovering investment-worthy souvenirs from many countries in the annual show: “Loot: MAD About Jewelry.”

Australia

2016-04-12-1460489838-3531960-Australia.jpgMelbourne designer Jo Hawley integrates shape, form, line, and color in wearable explorations of interior versus exterior space.

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Don’t Miss This Near Death Experience

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Ten Sights in Death Valley’s Sister Basin

A region of hot springs, primeval fish, mining lore, the Amargosa River Valley straddles Nevada and California between Las Vegas and Death Valley in the path of the Amargosa River which winds south through the desert, largely underground, before changing direction and turning up to end near the lowest point in America. Stretching from Beatty, Nevada, south to Baker, California, it offers a range of seductive sights and attractions.
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The scenic Amargosa River Valley lies in the Great Basin east of Death Valley Continue reading →

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Why Death Valley is a Bucket List Essential

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

10 Reasons Not to Miss Death Valley

Forget those stereotypes of a haggard straggler crawling across the desert thirsting for water. It’s true Death Valley has its extreme seasons, during the summer temperatures hover around 120 degrees. But for several months each year the lowest basin in North America showcases a glorious, unique global landscape, a not-to-be-missed destination. These are some reasons not to miss it.

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View of Death Valley
1. You will seen nowhere-else-on-earth vistas

Formed by sections of the earth’s crust pulling away from each other, and augmented by erosion and evaporation, the basin called Death Valley stretches over a hundred miles north and south. The vista from Dante’s View shows how the basin clearly lies between the mountains on either side. Technically it is not a valley, since valleys are formed by flowing water. The park is one of several in northwest America’s Great Basin region which resulted from movement in the earth’s crust. Continue reading →

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Shanghai: Culture Layered With Modernity

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

The country’s most vibrant city breathes fire into China’s future

by Sharon King Hoge | February 2016

Photo: The Bund © Chuyu | Dreamstime.com

Returning from the 1997 ceremonies that handed Hong Kong over to become the intended commercial center of China, I routed myself through Shanghai. In contrast to the gleaming city in the south, I found a dilapidated town. Once-grand Art Deco buildings had faded to shabbiness, and ox carts plodded among the cars and bicycles on downtown streets. But in fewer than 20 years, Shanghai achieved an incredible transformation. On the historic Puxi side of the Huangpu River, reclaimed buildings along the Bund now house fancy restaurants and hotels. Across the water in Pudong, a former swamp now crowded with skyscrapers stands as one of the world’s busiest financial districts. With its sights set on becoming a global city, Shanghai is booming. Continue reading →

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Ten Ways to Re-Discover the Fountain of Youth

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

Exploring Old and New St. Augustine

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Join the visitors enjoying the sights of historic St. Augustine

Although you’re not aware of it, you’re probably living in the area once called La Florida. Centuries before it became the US and Canada, that is the name Ponce de Leon gave to the whole of North America when first he stepped ashore in 1513. Whether or not he was seeking the fountain of youth, the Spanish conquistador did find the verdant east coast, claimed the whole for Spain, and proclaimed it La Florida, a name evoking its lush fauna and flora. The subsequent settlement established in 1565, 42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, St. Augustine is America’s truly oldest colony and today it’s a thriving mix of colorful history and charming kitsch. Invited to visit I learned how to go about discovering its modern incarnation. Continue reading →

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Casa de Sueños

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge
Casa de Suenos bed and breakfast

Casa de Sueños
Bed and Breakfast
20 Cordova St.
St Augustine FL 32084
(904) 824-0887
dream@casadesuenos.com
http://www.casadesuenos.com

 

Casa De Sueños
Hospitable B&B (and B&B) in St. Augustine, Florida

America’s original settlement, established decades before Jamestown and Plymouth colonies, past site of important civil rights protests, and graced with the “original” fountain of youth, St. Augustine, Florida, is a rich combination of colorful history and charming kitsch.  A few dozen of its historic homes have been converted to bed and breakfast inns, giving visitors an opportunity to experience hospitality reminiscent of bygone days.  I checked in at the Casa de Sueños, sister to the city’s venerable St. Francis Inn.   Conveniently situated just on the north end of the compact historic district, the two-story, Spanish-style former private house and funeral home (!) has been converted to a comfortable hostelry and I discovered it’s actually a double B&B — a Bed &Breakfast Beyond the Basics Continue reading →

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Discover A Brilliant Way To Cross The River In Shanghai

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Sharon King Hoge

by Sharon King Hoge | February 2016

Photo: © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com

Bridges and ferries cross the Huangpu River between the two sides of Shanghai, but a more adventurous option is a ride through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, particularly for someone who’s a kid at heart. Not just an ordinary subway, the half-mile-long train ride includes a multimedia sound and light show.

Descending the escalator into a sleek lobby festooned with plants and colored lights, passengers are guided by a red uniformed attendant into a sleek electric capsule of a car. With a galaxy of lights twinkling overhead, the car sets out through arcs of the tunnel illuminated with revolving yellow, blue, green and shocking-pink neon lights while a six-channel surround-sound system plays coordinated music ranging from eerie notes and grand “creation” themes to the roar of water and gurgles. Fish “swim” by in aquariums projected on the walls, and at one point floppy, inflated figures dance and wave hello.

Three to five minutes later, after passing through a “meteor shower,” passengers arrive at the other side. Departing from Chenyi Square in Puxi and the Oriental Pearl TV and Radio Tower in Pudong, the ride costs about $10 for those who choose to “af-ford” the crossing.

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