In the mid-1990s, reports circulated of a hyper-driven New York advertising executive who had finally permitted herself a getaway, to the Himalayas. And yet, she insisted on daily contact with headquarters, relying--not always successfully--on a briefcase-sized satellite phone with a retractable antenna, much to the consternation and bemusement of her... more

 As the world suffers, the glare of attention has returned again and again to the Middle Eastern emirate of Dubai, exposing the supposed ruin of an economic golden boy. Tales of expats losing their jobs in droves and fleeing the country have become common fare, along with reports of thousands... more

 Founded in 1535 by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Lima was, for centuries, one of the most important outposts of the Spanish Empire. In the city’s historic center, visitors still gaze in awe at the impressive colonial architecture and wander the mysterious catacombs beneath the church of San Francisco.     Today,... more

 In Russia, nothing is ever easy—unless it’s suspiciously easy. Everything is boom or bust, sink or swim. Until recently, if you had the right friends, the invisible hand of the marketplace was quite visible. Nowadays, even the Kremlin is struggling to maneuver its way through the global economic mess.    Last... more

 It’s no secret that soccer is a national obsession in Brazil. Take that passion and concentrate it in one of the world’s largest cities, and you can begin to imagine the intensity with which Paulistanos regard the game.    What may be surprising is that this love for futebol, as it’s... more

 My arrival at the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, located within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an oasis 40 minutes outside of Dubai, conjured up a scene from “Lawrence of Arabia” or “The English Patient.” Amid the poetic rolling hills, desert romance met Arabian elegance, granting an intoxicating switch... more

 What began over a decade ago as a series of loose marketing agreements between airlines has grown into three giant alliances known as Star, oneworld and SkyTeam—global partnerships that encompass most of the world’s major carriers. Being under the umbrella of one of these alliances brings big benefits, with member... more