Having covered the spa industry for the past decade, I've had the opportunity to visit spas throughout the world. However, I'm always excited to discover some of the inviting gems found in my own backyard. When looking for a reprieve from the city, these charming spa destinations provide the perfect...

When it comes to finding great places to eat and drink on a quick getaway, we've often left things to chance, happening upon a hidden gem from the seat of a bike or while walking into town...

So you're a hearty bicyclist who's undaunted, even invigorated, by cold weather. You're not alone. For many New Yorkers, the joys of cycling--keeping fit, saving money and sailing past traffic jams--are an all-season proposition.

Whether you're stepping off on a weekday morning...

Sure, we've got it pretty good on the left coast. No two-degree days or sludgy puddles... But that doesn't make that morning frost on our windshields any less maddening, and, hey, sometimes we wanna throw a snowball or two.

And so, while your New...

Plan to celebrate winter with a flourish by attending one of these seven mid-winter carnivals. Ice carvings, snow sculptures and polar bear swims are some traditional winter pastimes that will warm your spirit in spite of the single digit temps.

No...

While we love our city...

The Top of the Mark, Coit Tower, Twin Peaks, Dolores Park... It goes without saying that our fair city has no shortage of stunning vistas. And whether it's a quiet stretch at the top of Taylor Street or the crowded Marina Green on a sunny day, we all have our...

REAL or FAKE? We've been embroiled in this debate for years now.

We're talking Christmas trees, of course, and which is better for the environment. Is it better to cut down more of our already disappearing forests or to...

The leftovers have been eaten, sale mania is winding down, and Christmas music is officially the soundtrack everwhere. There's just enough time to fit in one or two more calming hikes or hardcore workouts before all the parties and treats...

If you're looking to spread joy at home and around the world this holiday season, there's no gray area when it comes to the many ways these stylish items are making a difference.

Consider this your guide to the gifts that keep on giving.

Visit

It's hard to believe that vivacious Robert Luke is nearly 85 years old. Even harder to believe, though, is that this delightful octogenarian is also Robert "Cold Blue" Luke, who did time at one of the world's most notorious prisons. Fifty-one years after his release...

On Thursday afternoon, Con Ed reported that most of its customers won't have power until the weekend of November 10. So whether you can't spend another night in your power-less pad, need a place to stay while volunteering in some ravaged...

Napa, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles... wine towns abound in California. But factoring in travel, expensive accommodations, and various other factors, a simple "wine weekend" can translate to a hefty price tag. Fortunately, wine country is closer than you think --just a short BART ride away, in fact.

During a recent sojourn to San Jose, we stumbled upon several spooky reasons why the Capital of Silicon Valley is the place to celebrate Halloween this year.

The house that ghosts built

The Winchester Mystery House (525 S Winchester Blvd.)...

If the idea of being called a "gym rat" (or the idea of gyms in general) makes you shudder, if your secret Zumba class was just outed, if you haven't exercised since "Tony Little" and "Billy Blanks" videos made sense...

Fear not, physically...

A secret winery and a new inn along the Silverado Trail make this wine region ripe for a return visit.

1. Tulocay Winery, Napa
Get off the beaten Highway 29 and book a tasting at Bill Cadman's Tulocay Winery....

By Leah Mandel

With the unveiling of the Citi Bike program this summer, all New Yorkers will have the opportunity to experience cycling in the city, and know the ease and joys of getting around town without needing to rely on the MTA or...

Bay Area locals have a burgeoning foodie revolution in the form of underground supperclubs, pop-up restaurants and an ever-growing gaggle of gourmet food trucks.

Regular Joes can now sample prix-fixe five-course meals from internationally recognized chefs, previously available only to an exclusive...

The drive down US-1 from San Francisco to San Diego is widely celebrated as America's most scenic drive. But what's a car-free traveler to do? Many people don't realize there is in fact an eco-friendly route down California's coast, via Amtrak's Coast Starlight train.

While certainly not a choice for...