I never know why the pressure to write original content is so strong, when we have so much great content out there, and not enough time to read it. I just stumbled onto a wonderful series of Christmas Celebrations, travel around the world via National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel Blog.

Perfect! Travel to foreign countries (and America, too) is one of my great life pleasures.

We’re a little late arriving at the National Geographic party. Just think of all we have to read, travelling to Tokyo and Moscow, Chicago and Dublin. I’m skimming and calling out my favorites. You find yours, too.

Unfortunately, some of their navigation is a bit confused. If you get lost, return here.

Washington D.C.

I stopped in Washington D.C. because it’s Obama territory now; I love the photo and years ago I had a shop in Washington’s Willard Hotel.

Christmas in Washington D.C.

Buenos Aires

Architectural Digest shares takes us on a tour of Venezuelan-born and Beirut-born, Dubai-based Chakib Richani’s opulent restoration of a home for designer Elie Saab.

Lebanon is blessed with a pleasant Mediterranean climate and relative calm these days. In an “aha” moment, I watched the Architectural Digest article draw a connection between traditional Arab residence designs and the status of women.

Spending time in Istanbul and Marrakesh, I’ve observed and commented on the beauty that lies behind seemingly austere, barren exteriors. I never connected the design to a cultural need to sequester women.