One of Bangkok’s claims to fame is its floating markets where vendors sell crafts and food on the Mekong River.

But is this an authentically local experience, or a tourist trap to avoid? Sarah Lahey investigates.

Dear Peter,

It’s time for us to talk dirty. Dirty water.

The island of Phuket, Thailand has long been known as a great destination for beachgoers, but these days there’s a lot more than just surf and sand.

Read on to find out how Suzy Gershman’s partner-in-crime, Sarah Lahey, took on Phuket for some family fun and, of course, lots of shopping.

Dear Peter,
I’ve never been much of a beach person, but since I was headed to Thailand to research our new Born to Shop Bangkok & Beyond travel guide, I invited my sun-loving husband and daughters to join me in Phuket (say Poo-ket) for a few days.

This is part three of a four-part series by Karen Elowitt, who recently took a cruise on the Danube River, sailing between Budapest, Hungary, and Passau, Germany with Uniworld Cruises.  

While battling the frigid temperatures of Eastern Europe in winter, she realized that small touches can make a big difference in the cruising experience, and narrowly avoided tourist burnout by discovering some unexpected surprises.

Over breakfast in the ship’s restaurant on Saturday, our tour director sheepishly informed us that it would in fact be the coldest day of the year so far in Austria.

In part one of Cruising the Danube River, Karen Elowitt reflected on the festive Christmas markets and historic sights of Budapest and Bratislava as she sailed along the Danube River on a Uniworld cruise.

In part two, she shares her impressions of Vienna and Krems, both from the vantage point of a ship and on land, and notes some pros and cons of traveling by river. 

If viewed from the river, Vienna doesn’t make much of an impression. Aside from one dramatic 19th-century church and glimpses of a few skyscrapers, it looks like a large, unremarkable European city.

Dear Peter,
Now we’re in Munich! It was a quick drive from Oxford to the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.

As you know, Terminal 5 is the newest addition to LHR—after the initial meltdown on opening day, today many think it’s a great arrival/departure point.

Dear Peter,

The rain in Spain stayed mainly at the mall and I escaped—off to London for an overnight and then onto Oxford, with its university, High Street and yup, the factory outlet mall.

The pound may be high these days, but that’s why they invented outlet shopping.

While shopping maven Suzy Gershman tipples her way through Napa wines, she set a shopping challenge for her partner-in-crime, Sarah Lahey: visit three countries in five days to see what bargains she could uncover without compromising style or experience.

Dear Peter,

I’m often told that I have the best job in the world as Editorial Director for Suzy Gershman’s “Born to Shop” travel guides. Well, it just got better.

Dear Peter,
I know it’s our tradition to leave notes for each other in hotels around the world and for me to send you these electronic postcards as I travel on my own, but today I have decided to begin the Napa Bottle Blog since I am out and about doing the entire area scene.

There’s going to be a Born to Shop California Wine Country, so I will have a lot more to report on besides Napa, but right now I am living in the Westin Verasa in East Napa, California.