What can one say about Rome’s charms that hasn’t been said before? It seems that every sight has been seen, written about and filmed. Yet, as much as I thought it would be another overcrowded European city, Rome captivated my imagination and fueled a mad dash to see everything possible.

Our enchantment began almost immediately upon checking in at the posh Hotel Eden (Via Ludovisi 49), where my husband and I and our two friends stayed for three nights, courtesy of Starwood hotel...

The Pink City of Jaipur, in northwest India, offers a host of exquisite landmarks, yet during my March ’09 visit I made sure one of my stops was the shoe store Mojari (D-67, Shiv Heera Path, Chomu House, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; phone 091 141 2377037), listed in the Lonely Planet guide.

I sought out this store for the beaded and sequined slipper-type shoes seen throughout the vibrant state of Rajasthan.

India maintains a long tradition of these shoes, typically known as...

Drenched in Incan and Spanish history and culture, Lima, Peru, is an amazing place to visit, and the Plaza Mayor, with its Government Palace and cathedral, is a great starting point for a walking tour, as we found in November ’09. The architecture there is only one appeal. Many of the street signs are made of decorative tiles, and the tops of the street lamps look like crocheted metal.

Downtown Lima offers a lively street scene, with vendors, music and dramatic colors; my camera was...