petra

best bed: Movenpick Petra Resort, Wadi Musa, Jordan

Location, location, location. The Movenpick is only steps from the entrance to Petra. Why should you care? Well, the site is huge, a bit overwhelming and there is a lot to see. I loved being able to go back several…

me enjoying the pool

best bed: Hotel Albergo, Beirut, Lebanon

Old world charm and top-notch personal service meet at the Albergo Hotel. A boutique gem in the heart of the residential Ashrafieh neighborhood it is only a 10-minute walk to the hustle and bustle of downtown Beirut. This luxury hotel …

sunset in the dead sea

best bed: Hilton Dead Sea Resort, Sweimeh, Jordan

The new kid on the block, the Hilton Dead Sea Resort only joined the string of resorts which line the beach in March 2017.  I am not a resort person, but the Hilton does a good job of taking the…

view from the breakfast terrace

best bed: Le Gray Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon

Sleek, chic and contemporary,  Le Gray is Gordon Campbell Gray’s first hotel creation in the Middle East. Gems from the art collection that he has curated are everywhere, he personally decided where each of the more that 500 pieces scattered…

Pacific Ling Cod ribs

the new kid you need to know: quinton bennett

Hawksworth Restaurant has long been of my favorites. It is my go-to in Vancouver when I want a white table cloth meal. They don’t actually have table clothes, but you know what I mean….top notch service, great wine list and…

still standing, baalbek

go go go to baalbek!

If Baalbek isn’t on your bucket list, it should be.  This site has been wowing tourists, pilgrims and explorers for thousands of years. What one sees today is largely Roman. But the area has been inhabited since about 9000 BC.…