Julie L. Kessler
lawyer traveler writer

News

Hawaii's island of Lanai: Heaven

Aug. 28, 2017

My article on "Lanai: Heaven while still on earth" appeared this morning in MoneyInc. With only 3,000 residents in an idyllic setting and an incredibly redesigned Four Seasons Lanai Hotel, it's an unforgettable experience. 

http://moneyinc.com/the-island-of-lanai-heaven-while-still-on-earth/
tagged: Four Seasons Lanai, Nobu Lanai, Restaurant 140, Shipwreck Beach, Hulopo'e Bay, Lanai City, Lodge at Koele

Food and the arts in our nation's capital

Aug. 20, 2017

My article on Washington, DC appears on the front page of today's edition of The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Sunday Travel Section. 

https://www.vagabondlawyer.com/uploads/News/Food_and_the_arts_in_our_nation's_capital.pdf
tagged: Ritz Carlton Washington DC, Westend Bistro,

Colorful, classy Cape Town

Aug. 14, 2017

My article "Why one should visit colorful, classy Cape Town" appears in today's edition of MoneyInc.

http://moneyinc.com/visit-colorful-classy-cape-town/
tagged: Cape Town, Table Bay Hotel, Baia Seafood Restaurant, Kalk's Bay, Boulders Beach, Grand Synagogue,

Following one's passion

Jul. 31, 2017

The American Bar Association Perspectives Magazine ran a story on attorneys who followed their passions to make changes or add to their professional lives. I was one of the attorneys featured in this story written by G.M. Filisco. 

 

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/women/publications/perspectives/2017/summer/theyve-followed-their-passiand-life-good.html

Luxury travel in Dubai

Jul. 24, 2017

My article on Dubai appeared today in MoneyInc. If you're heading from the U.S. to Africa, it's quite an interesting place for a few days to layover.

https://moneyinc.com/a-dazzling-trip-to-dubai-the-city-of-the-future/
tagged: Shangri-La Dubai, Desert Safari, Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai

The Kingdom of Bhutan

Jul. 23, 2017

My front page feature story on travel in Bhutan in today's edition of The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Sunday Travel Section. It is a travel experience like no other.

https://www.vagabondlawyer.com/uploads/News/Beautiful_Bhutan.pdf
tagged: Bhutan, Punakha, Thimphu, Tiger's Nest, Paro,

Beautiful Banff

Jul. 17, 2017

My article on Banff appeared today in MoneyInc. For those who love the great outdoors, there is no place like Banff.

 

Click on the link for the full article and some inspiring photographs.

https://moneyinc.com/banff-review/
tagged: Banff, Cascade Botanical Gardens, Bow River, Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Banff Adventures, Banff Canoe Club, Mount Royal Hotel, Elk & Oarsman Pub, Cow's Ice Cream, Park Distillery Restaurant & Bar, Balkan Restaurant, Bear Street Tavern

Weekend Escape to wine-loving Paso Robles

Jun. 29, 2017

My Weekend Escape piece on Paso Robles appeared in today's edition of The LA Times. If you love wine, you'll love Paso Robles. 

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-escape-paso-robles-20170702-story.html
tagged: Paso Robles, Allegretto Hotel, Daou Vineyards, Caldera Cuvée

Cruising the Cape

Jun. 4, 2017

My article "Cruising the Cape" on South Africa and Mozambique appears on the front page of today's edition of The Honolulu Star-Advertiser.  South Africa is steeped in history, is a naturalist, foodie and cultural delight and Cape Town has some of the world's finest restaurants and wines. And Mozambique boasts some wonderful architecture and fabulous beaches. Start packing!

https://www.vagabondlawyer.com/uploads/News/Cruising_the_Cape.pdf
tagged: Silversea, Cape Town, South Africa, Mozambique

A slice of history in Silicon Valley

May 20, 2017

My article on San Jose's Japantown appeared in the Sunday edition of The Asia Times. 

https://asiatimes.com/2017/05/japantown-slice-history-silicon-valley-capital/
tagged: Silicon Valley, Japantown, Executive Order 9066,

Heaven in Fiji

May 20, 2017

My article on travel in beautiful Fiji appears in today's edition of The Asia Times. Bula, bula!!!!

https://asiatimes.com/2017/05/fijians-many-words-heaven/
tagged: Fiji, Nadi, Yasawa Island,

Gross National Happiness in the Kingdom of Bhutan

Apr. 30, 2017

My article on traveling in Bhutan appeared in yesterday's edition of The Asia Times. Such a tiny, interesting country in the Himalayas from which we in the west have much to learn.

https://asiatimes.com/2017/04/gross-national-happiness-kingdom-bhutan/
tagged: Gross National Happiness, Bhutan, South Asia, Tiger's Nest, Thimphu,

A look into the Kingdom of Bhutan's Supreme Court

Apr. 25, 2017

In today's edition of The Asia Times is my article covering my interview earlier this month with Bhutan's Supreme Court Chief Justice, Lyonpo Tshering Wangchuck. Our meeting in his chambers in Bhutan's capital of Thimphu was lengthy as CJ Wangchuck was generous both with his time and his spirit. And from the small world chronicles, I learned shortly before our meeting that CJ Wangchuck received his LLM degree from my alma mater, George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. A small world indeed. 

https://asiatimes.com/2017/04/judicious-view-emergence-modern-bhutan/
tagged: Bhutan, Constitutional monarchy, Chief Justice Lyponpo Tshering Wangchuck, Buddhism,

Now in Sweden

Apr. 24, 2017

My book, Fifty-Fifty: The Clarity of Hindsight is now being marketed in Sweden. Glad läsning!!!!

Fabulous Fiji

Apr. 2, 2017

My front page article "Welcomes never cease on Fiji" appears on the front page of today's travel section of The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Fiji is truly a magical place. Get there if you can, you'll love it. Bula, Bula!!! And nevermind the smudge when you read the article as coffee has its way of getting everywhere!!!

https://www.vagabondlawyer.com/uploads/News/Fabulous_Fiji.pdf
tagged: Fiji, Yasawa,

Off to the Kingdom of Bhutan

Mar. 21, 2017

Heading out shortly to the Kingdom of Bhutan to interview Bhutan Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyonpo Tshering Wangchuk which story will appear in The Asia Times. After the interview was scheduled and I was reading CJ Wangchuk's  CV, I learned that he received his LLM degree from my alma mater, George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. A very, very small world indeed. 

 

I will also have the pleasure of meeting "Married to Bhutan" author, Linda Leaming, a Nashville, TN native, resident in Bhutan, and yes married to Bhutan. For non-fiction lovers, whether jet setters or armchair travelers, "Married to Bhutan" is an wonderful read, as is Leaming's second book, "A Field Guide to Happiness."

 

While in Bhutan, known for its "Gross National Happiness" quotient, a concept written into its Constitution, I will also be writing travel stories which will appear in various media outlets. Stay tuned.

tagged: Bhutan, Lyonpo Tshering Wangchuk, Linda Leaming, Married to Bhutan,

South America

Mar. 13, 2017

I'm back from a lovely two week adventure to Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Newspaper articles to follow.

Staycation Getaways

Feb. 26, 2017

My article on Staycation Getaways in Hawaii appeared on the front page of today's edition of The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. It covers tennis and golf heaven at The Mauna Kea on the Big Island, an Uncruise Adventure from the Big Island to Molokai, and the iconic Kahala Hotel on Oahu. Aloha.

https://www.vagabondlawyer.com/uploads/News/Staycation_Getaways.pdf
tagged: Mauna Kea Hotel, Uncruise, Kahala Hotel

The not-so-new world disorder

Feb. 2, 2017

My article on Trump's immigration ban appeared as a feature story in today's edition of The Asia Times. These are frightening times indeed. 

 

Click on the link for the full article.

https://asiatimes.com/2017/02/nation-immigrants-must-heed-past/
tagged: immigration, Trump, refugees, politics,

Cruising the Rhone River

Jan. 15, 2017

My article "Cruising the Rhone River" appeared on the front page of today's edition of The Honolulu Star-Advertiser's Sunday Travel Section. Commencing in Lyon and ending in Avignon, seeing this lovely part of France on Viking's Buri longboat river cruising was a delight. A final night at the Sofitel Marseille with its gtreat views and scrumptious food made it  a perfect France experience.  

tagged: Rhone River, Viking Buri, Sofitel Marseille,