Tag archives for Annie Fitzsimmons
Posted by 
During the summer season, Florianopolis swells to two million people, nearly five times its usual size. My driver, Leo, tells me it’s the “number one place people wish they could move to in Brazil,” citing a boom in tech start ups along with its natural beauty (“over three quarters of the area is preserved,” he boasted) as reasons. Plus, Brazil’s third-largest university provides a youthful vitality that keeps the city fresh.
Deciding against the group-tour-bus approach allows you to map out a customized route based on what you really want to see. For me, it was a mix of ancient sites and pilgrimage spots (along with a good dose of delicious Israeli food along the way).
Mothers don’t always make the easiest traveling companions. Check out these tips for how to survive one-on-one travel.
Tel Aviv’s creative energy and global influence are on display everywhere you look, but the blending of old and new is also striking. In the growing Tel Aviv Port area, I could indulge my imagination by picturing the icons of history sailing the crashing waves, then indulge my appetite at Kitchen Market, a wholly modern destination for serious foodies.
Whether I’m whizzing down to Washington, D.C. or wending my way through Wallonia, traveling by train is by far my favorite mode of transport — especially when I’m in Europe.
I had planned to write a review of the new hotels and restaurants on the horizon in Jerusalem — a story about the city’s present and future. But when I arrived, I was overwhelmed by the past, and by an intense desire to know something, anything, for sure.
Behind every star is a place, and Liverpool continues to be a pilgrimage site for those obsessed with John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Yet the city holds wider appeal to folks who, like me, have been touched by their music and look back with fondness on the unique brand of swinging creativity and free living the group came to represent.
Three major canals divide Amsterdam’s Central Canal district into nine little streets that are big on personality. While the more casual shopper may breeze through in an hour or two, serious shoppers can spend an entire day (or more) exploring the quaint boutiques and eateries — all with signature Dutch style — down each lane.
As I was preparing for a recent trip to Amsterdam, I did my usual pre-trip rounds of asking for restaurant recommendations from friends and mining relevant articles and blogs for ideas. Surprisingly, the pickings came back very slim. But there was one trend that proved an exception to the rule.
Most people who travel through Belgium make a stop in the northern city of Bruges, but it felt a bit too much like Disneyland to me. Instead, I stumbled upon a hidden travel gem in Wallonia, the southern, mostly French-speaking half of the nation.
Posted by 
Spring is upon us (at least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere), and we’re embracing it with open arms by highlighting seasonal must-dos from our amazing I Heart My City community.
Brussels is far from undiscovered, but it can feel underrated. Here are some highlights from a recent trip to a city that feels more like an inviting village than an anonymous urban expanse — where everything is close by, prices are reasonable, and a decidedly peaceful vibe works its way into your stride.
When we travel, we can become someone else, and in Brussels, I fancied myself a chocolate designer. I’d open a small corner shop just off the Grand Place, where it’s less chaotic and I could create beautiful pieces of art that also happen to be delicious.
Oh, the Places Nat Geo Goes
Posted by Intelligent Travel on March 11, 2013 
When you work at National Geographic, one of the first questions people ask is if you get to travel. The answer is often “yes.” That’s why we asked folks on our travel team to share their favorite passport stamps and stories with our Intelligent Travel readers. Check out where we’ve been and what it’s taught us along the way, then share your own!
On a recent road trip, a friend remarked that the Hudson Valley carries us through the seasons, and that each one draws us back for a different purpose. Promises of the perfect “fall” day may have drawn me here in the first place, but I now return for the quaint shops, historical treasures, and sophisticated dining. There’s always something new to discover.
When I’m in L.A., the epicenter of healthy eating, the heaping plates of chopped salads and veggies, fresh sushi, and soups make my cravings for New York pizza and bagels disappear. Whether your idea of healthy is sweet potato fries with a turkey burger, or a raw kale salad with avocado and chia seeds, you’re guaranteed to find something worth writing home about at any of these restaurants…
The Santa Monica Pier evokes nostalgia for me, but it’s the cross between urban culture and SoCal cool that keeps me coming back. Somehow, even on the hottest of days, there always seems to be a breeze that promises excitement.
Packing for a weekend away isn’t an exact science. I’m not going to tell you “bring two dresses and a pair of jeans.” So much depends on where you’re going, the weather, and your personal style. But there are some tips I can offer to help you pack for success.
The West Village is a labyrinth of shady brownstone-lined streets, hidden gardens, corner shops, and a mix of sophisticated culinary temples and casual downhome joints — and a place I’m proud to call my home. Here’s a guide to getting lost in my favorite neighborhood in New York.
I have to laugh when I see things like “rented” swans, petal-strewn hotel beds, and string-quartet serenades. That’s why I asked 10 concierges in some of my favorite cities what they would recommend to the most discerning of guests for a night of off-the-beaten-path romance — whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a wedding proposal, or simply a much-needed date night.
It has been said that Central Park was the first place in New York City where people from all walks of life could gather and relax together — and it still rings true today. But who’s responsible for keeping the park looking its best all year long, and what does it take? Central Park Conservancy President Doug Blonsky shares fun facts and insider tips about the most visited urban park in the U.S.
Céad míle fáilte, Ireland’s oft-repeated blessing, means “a hundred thousand welcomes.” That promise of hospitality has rung true wherever I’ve traveled in the Emerald Isle, but I’ve never felt more welcome than I did in Galway. And nothing embodies that spirit quite like Frank Maher of the Petra House Bed & Breakfast. Here are a few of Frank’s favorite things about his hometown.
A few years ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to ski. With the right gear, a little help, and some advanced planning, it is possible to learn as an adult. And the best part? Being an avid traveler, previously unreachable corners of the globe — from Aspen to Zermatt — opened up to me.
Hotel enthusiast Annie Fitzsimmons shares her picks for the top 10 places to stay in Barcelona (with some tips about shopping and dining thrown in for good measure).
The chocolate chip cookie is about as American as it gets. Urban Insider Annie Fitzsimmons got the scoop from local luminaries around the U.S. on the must-eat cookies in their cities.
