A visit to the castle: Lyndhurst, New York

Lyndhurst Castle

This weekend, I promised myself I would go far away from soaring skyscrapers, honking cars and bustling streets. I needed to take in some fresh air, smell the blossoming spring flowers and soak in as much sun as possible. I needed something similar to my hiking trip in the Hudson Highlands last fall in Cold Spring, unexpected but invigorating. And so, I hopped on Metro North from Grand Central, and within 36 minutes, I was in Tarrytown New … [Read more...]

How to start a travel startup: The TripCommon story

success-exit-startup

It’s a known fact that travel is not the easiest industry to monetize, and hence one that scares investors away. There are several valid reasons for that: Most consumers book around 3 trips a year, mostly to visit friends and family Less than 30% of people book online, which means most people are still less mobile and flexible than the avid traveler Many abide by the lowest-rated rule, an irrational attachment to the lowest price (even … [Read more...]

Featured as Gogobot NYC’s Rockstar of the Month

Gogobot NYC Rockstar of the Month

I've been badged! Check out my latest interview, my Istanbul custom guide and my curated spring guide for NYC. I'm honored to be featured as Gogobot NYC's first Rockstar of the Month, and be part of a vibrant travel community such as Gogobot's. I generally love to share pictures of my favorite places in the world, and so posting postcards and reviews came very natural to me. As a blogger, photographer and traveler, Gogobot provides all … [Read more...]

Welcome to Silicon Alley: the new tech capital

Union Square from above

Work hard and play harder. The stretch along Broadway and Fifth Avenue, between Union Square, up until the Flatiron District is rapidly becoming the nation’s second-leading hub for technology companies. Forget about Silicon Valley. These days, it’s all about New York’s Silicon Alley, a thriving hub for start-up founders, web designers and young creatives. Startups and incubators are growing at a brisk pace, providing the biggest … [Read more...]

Escaping the city: The Orchid Show at the NY Botanical Garden

Orchid NY Botanical Garden

With the recent spring weather we’ve been enjoying in New York, I just had to escape the concrete jungle for some fresh air, rich greenery and beautiful flowers. I had never been to the NY Botanical Garden, and so I hopped on Metro-North and within 20 minutes I was there. As soon as I arrived, it was evident this is one of the best outdoor activities to be enjoyed in the city. Not only is it close to the city, but easily available for … [Read more...]