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Looking for the Perfect 'Eden' (Arnie Greenberg, pictured above in Greece, has loved travel since he was a boy. He is still traveling and today is sharing his adventures and insights with readers the world over. In this essay, Greenberg describes the places that have left a lasting impression on his senses, as he searches for the perfect 'Eden.' -- Editor) It's a lifetime of looking. Each of us, in his own way, looks for that perfect holiday spot, that perfect retreat, that most exotic place, Eden, paradise. It's a quest we never give up on. I once traveled to New York City by bus from Montreal. I was not ready for what I saw. I was a boy from a small city gawking at a metropolis. I couldn't wait to go back one day and show it to someone else. Now, every time I see an exciting place I feel the same way. I've since traveled more than most and want to share with you my list of favorite places. None is "paradise," but I'm still looking. (In no order of preference). 1. Lake Como: Nestled at the foothills of the Italian Alps is a crystal clear lake with tiny villages along the shores. Leaving the city of Como on the western shore, one passes tiny forgotten villages like Cernobbio, home of the Villa d'Este (one of Italy's finest hotels), Tremezzo and Menaggio. Stop in Cadanabbia and stay at the 100-room Hotel Tremezzo Palace facing the lake. It's not cheap but worth every penny. The view of the lake is spectacular. The food is excellent, and you'll feel regal. Right next-door is Villa Carlotta, one of the most exotic botanical gardens in Europe once owned by British Royalty. Across the lake only 11 minutes by ferry is Bellagio, one of the most charming villages I've ever visited. For sheer romance, a few days in Bellagio's Villa Serbalone or Hotel Belevedere atop a hill will breathe life into romance-seeking souls. You're only an hour from Switzerland on this perfect lake. If it was good enough for Queen Victoria's vacations, it will be to your liking. 2. Bangkok: Shock value alone makes Bangkok a place to re- member. The streets are crowded, the air is polluted, sidewalks broken and too hot to enjoy in spring and summer. But for sheer excitement, a shock of color, a night market to remember provide a taste of what this once powerful nation once was. This is one exciting city. The temples will awe you, and if you take the time to visit the palace slowly, it will take away your breadth. You can eat exotic food (stay away from stalls), glide along the river, ride a tuk-tuk or an elevated train, or just pay a visit to Jim Thompson's for the greatest selection of colorful silks I've ever seen. Just watching them roll out the colorful bolts on long tables is worth the effort. Add to that a very gentle, hard-working population and upscale hotel like the 532-room Duset Thani on Rama IV Rd. with its waterfall as a backdrop to an enormous lobby. Some of the best food I ever ate was at this hotel.
You'll long remember this mega-city teeming with people, 3. Florence: There is no city like Florence. It's not the place to go for peace and quiet, but if you want excitement, romance, great food and wonderful shopping, there's no city that comes close to it. The art is unbelievable, the cathedrals mind-boggling, the hotels first class and the ice cream special. Add to that the architecture and history, and you have one of the greatest adventures in Europe. It's no contest when selecting a holiday with a difference. The St. Lorenzo market will astound you with its leather and local souvenirs. A walk over the Ponte Vecchio or through the Bobboli Gardens will be memorable and rewarding. Looking up at the Duomo, bell tower or baptistry doors will take your breath away. Just think of the great writers, artists and thinkers who made Florence, the one-time capital of Italy, the city that it is. Da Vinci's first artistic experiences were in Florence. Michelangelo and Rafael created here. Dante, the father of the modern Italian language, lived here. Machiavelli wrote his ideas of the State here. The Uffizi is filled with priceless treasures, and the great men of Italy are buried in the walls of Santa Croce. Add to all that the Academia, one of the best sculpture galleries in the world. You'll love it. But for sheer romance, a walk along the Arno or past the statues of the Piazza Signorina is memorable. This is a walking city. It's not large, and there's something interesting at every corner. Stay in the Hotel Brunelleschi in the heart of Renaissance Florence. This 96-room hotel and Byzantine tower is on Via de Calzaioli in the city center. 4.
Cape Sounio, Greece In the late afternoon we moored just off the shores of the southernmost tip of Europe at Cape Sounio. A climb to the top of the rocky point of the island brought us to the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, God of the Sea. From here we could see the sun setting and the tiny islands outlined against a darkening sky. It was a magical moment with yachts and white sails dotting the horizon. We stood there holding hands in silence. The memory of the myth of Aegeus came flooding back. It was at this point that Aegeus had waited for his son, Theseus, to return from an ancient mission. He had gone to Crete with seven girls and seven boys as a tribute to feed the mythological minotaur, a bull-headed man. If successful, Theseus was to return sailing under white sails. If not, he would fly black, a signal of his death. Theseus, after an adventure in the labyrinth at Knossos, forgot and flew black sails. Aegeus, filled with anguish, hurled himself to his death from the jagged cliffs. We stood looking out to sea for a long time, drinking in the serene beauty of this hallowed ground. We would now sail the last 50 miles to the port of Piraeas, as we were engulfed by darkness. We
lay on mattresses on the deck, arm in arm, in silence, watching the jeweled sky
and remembering the beauty of our sailing adventure in Greek waters.This was as
close to paradise as I ever felt. (Click below for more travel).
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