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Associates

Carol Sorgen Columnist, Writer, World Traveler

Carol Sorgen is a nationally recognized writer, editor, and public relations consultant. Her articles—on subjects as diverse as travel, health care, education, architecture, interior design, the arts, and business—appear in both print and on-line publications including The Washington Post, DC Style, Resort Living, The Baltimore Sun, European Homes & Gardens, Decorating Spaces, Chesapeake Home, WebMD, Baltimore Jewish Times and Washington Jewish Week…to name just a few. She is the contributing editor for The Beacon Newspaper Group, monthly newspapers targeting readers 50+ in the greater Washington/Baltimore area, for which she writes on travel, the arts, health care, and personality profiles. She is also the managing editor of the Internet-based travel publication, JustSayGo.com, developer of the JustSayGo monthly TraveLetter, and writer/researcher for the site's new cable TV show, to be produced for Bridges TV, a new cable network. In addition, Carol has also authored, contributed to, and edited a number of books on health care, the arts, business, and travel, including the recently published The Travel Writers' Guide to Their Favorite On-Line Travel Sites.

Carol's extensive editorial and public relations experience also includes positions with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, GEICO Insurance Company, the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol Information, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.

Carol received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from American University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of Who's Who in American Women and Who's Who in the Media.

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Moving to a New Beat in Lausanne

Moving to a New Beat in Lausanne By Carol SorgenNABBW's Travel Associate at whim Chocolate, cheese and Heidi? If that’s what comes to mind when you think of Switzerland, it’s time to revisit t…Moving to a New Beat…Moving to a New Beat in Lausanne By Carol SorgenNABBW's Travel Associate at whim Chocolate, cheese and Heidi? If that’s what comes to mind when you think of Switzerland, it’s time to revisit this beautiful Alpine country…as I did on a recent trip to Lausanne—a cosmopolitan city with a small-town feel. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva (known as Lac Leman in French), Lausanne is just 41 miles northeast of Geneva. Since Lausanne doesn’t have an airport of its own, most visitors fly to Cointrin Airport in Geneva. After an easy, overnight nonstop flight on Swiss International…

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Walking Vacations

Walking Vacations By Carol Sorgen NABBW's Travel Expert When Matthew and Ellie Fink of Chevy Chase planned their vacation last summer, they wanted to get away from phones and faxes, do some…Walking Vacations B…Walking Vacations By Carol Sorgen NABBW's Travel Expert When Matthew and Ellie Fink of Chevy Chase planned their vacation last summer, they wanted to get away from phones and faxes, do something completely different, go somewhere completely new to them, indulge their interest in history--and get a little exercise. They came up with the ideal solution--an 8-day walking trip to the borderlands of Scotland. "Our primary criterion," Mrs. Fink laughs, "was, \'It can\'t be too difficult.\' We\'re way out of shape." Both in their early 50s with their children "off in different direct…

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Travel to A Fairy-Tale Chateau in the French Countryside

Travel to A Fairy-Tale Chateau in the French Countryside By Carol Sorgen, NABBW's Travel Expert Who hasn’t had thoughts that in a previous life she was, if not a princess, perhaps a countess…Travel to A Fairy-Ta…Travel to A Fairy-Tale Chateau in the French Countryside By Carol Sorgen, NABBW's Travel Expert Who hasn’t had thoughts that in a previous life she was, if not a princess, perhaps a countess, a duchess, at the very least a mere lady of the manor? So when my friend, Nan, and I drove up the long approachway to the fairytale-like Chateau d’Esclimont outside the pocket-size French village of Saint Symphorien-le-Chateau, is it any wonder I thought, “I am home!” (Nan, by the way, harbors no such illusions herself; I, on the other hand, am a semi-permanent resident of “Fantas…

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A Fairy-Tale Chateau in the French Countryside

Who hasn\'t had thoughts that in a previous life she was, if not a princess, perhaps a countess, a duchess, at the very least a mere lady of the manor? So when my friend, Nan, and I drove up the long …Who hasn\'t had thou…Who hasn\'t had thoughts that in a previous life she was, if not a princess, perhaps a countess, a duchess, at the very least a mere lady of the manor? So when my friend, Nan, and I drove up the long approachway to the fairytale-like Chateau d\'Esclimont outside the pocket-size French village of Saint Symphorien-le-Chateau, is it any wonder I thought, “I am home!” (Nan, by the way, harbors no such illusions herself; I, on the other hand, am a semi-permanent resident of “Fantasy Island.”) Tucked away in the midst of a 150-acre park just 60 kilometers from Paris is the 16th century Ch…

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A Growing Arts Scene in Lancaster

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is justifiably famous for its picturesque countryside, its Amish farms, its Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, and more. But this quaint—yet growing—small city is turning into a …Lancaster, Pennsylva…Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is justifiably famous for its picturesque countryside, its Amish farms, its Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, and more. But this quaint—yet growing—small city is turning into a thriving arts center, which is drawing both tourists and new residents alike who want to be part of the scene. On a recent trip to Lancaster, which coincided with the American Quilt Society’s national quilt show (held in the recently unveiled Lancaster County Convention Center, attached to the new Lancaster Marriott), I took the opportunity to stroll along Lancaster’s aptly named Gallery R…

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The Garden as Work of Art

“Respect the site; do not impose your will on it.” --From The Winterthur Garden: Henry Francis du Pont\'s Romance with the Land, by Denise Magnani Visit the Winterthur Garden in the heart of…“Respect the site;…“Respect the site; do not impose your will on it.” --From The Winterthur Garden: Henry Francis du Pont\'s Romance with the Land, by Denise Magnani Visit the Winterthur Garden in the heart of the picturesque Brandywine Valley and the artistic vision of its creator cannot fail to impress—and inspire. Scion of Delaware\'s industrialist du Pont family, Henry Francis du Pont enjoyed a lifelong passion for horticulture and the principles of garden design, reflected throughout the 60-acre garden, with its year-round succession of blooms that enhance the natural setting of the family\'s on…

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National Harbor Showcases Nation\’s Capital

New York has its South Street Seaport. Baltimore has its Inner Harbor. Philadelphia its Penn\'s Landing. San Francisco its Ghirardelli Square. And now the nation\'s capital region has its own waterfro…New York has its Sou…New York has its South Street Seaport. Baltimore has its Inner Harbor. Philadelphia its Penn\'s Landing. San Francisco its Ghirardelli Square. And now the nation\'s capital region has its own waterfront destination, the National Harbor. I loved it on my first trip there and you will too. Billed as a “lifestyle destination,” the National Harbor (actually located in National Harbor, Maryland, not the District of Columbia, per se) is a well-thought-out blend of hotels, restaurants, shopping, office space, a convention center, and upscale residences. Its prime location on the scenic Potomac…

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Life is Sweet in Hershey

It should come as no surprise that a family vacation to Hershey, Pennsylvania, will meet with an enthusiastic thumbs up from the entire clan. What you may not realize is that you can have a fantastic …It should come as no…It should come as no surprise that a family vacation to Hershey, Pennsylvania, will meet with an enthusiastic thumbs up from the entire clan. What you may not realize is that you can have a fantastic time sans kids as well, as I did on a recent girlfriend getaway to the home of the chocolate bar. My former college roommate and I were sorely in need of a little R&R. A stressful couple of years involving injuries and illnesses for both of us had left us a bit worn out. Our “prize,” we promised ourselves, would be a few days of pampering when we were both completely back on our feet. That …

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Wandering Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Whether you’re attending the springtime Food and Wine Festival, the annual “Christmas in St. Michaels” celebration, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a year…Whether you’re att…Whether you’re attending the springtime Food and Wine Festival, the annual “Christmas in St. Michaels” celebration, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a year-round picture-postcard destination. The pocket-sized Chesapeake Bay village of St. Michaels makes a good home base for your visit, with its abundance of unique accommodations, restaurants, shops, attractions, and proximity to towns like Easton and Oxford, well worth a day trip—or even overnight stay--themselves. On my most recent visit to St. Michaels, I tried something different in term…

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From the Traveler?s Bookshelf

"Stylish, brutally frank, and sometimes, frankly brutal." That\'s how LUXE City Guides describes their accordion-pleated travel guides that are just the right size to pop into a pocket or purse. LUXE …"Stylish, brutally f…"Stylish, brutally frank, and sometimes, frankly brutal." That\'s how LUXE City Guides describes their accordion-pleated travel guides that are just the right size to pop into a pocket or purse. LUXE City Guides, headquartered in Hong Kong, first came out in 2002 with a series on-not surprisingly, Asian cities. Now there are 19 in the series featuring such tourist-friendly locations as Hong Kong, Melbourne, Phuket, Shanghai, Sydney, and most recently Istanbul, Madrid, and Paris. The recommendations for each city guide are gathered from 25 residents of that particular city, and are then asse…

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Chocolat a Paris

Ah, Paris! Strolling along the Seine, window shopping on Avenue Montaigne, gazing at the Mona Lisa.. Sure, you can do all those things (and at some point, you should!). Moi, however? Well, on my most …Ah, Paris! Strolling…Ah, Paris! Strolling along the Seine, window shopping on Avenue Montaigne, gazing at the Mona Lisa.. Sure, you can do all those things (and at some point, you should!). Moi, however? Well, on my most recent visit, I had another goal in mind....sample as many of Paris\' legendary chocolate and pastry shops as I could (without making myself sick, or a candidate for the South Beach diet when I returned)! I know...it was a tough assignment, but hey, I was up to the challenge. And it was all in the name of research, wasn\'t it? Not to mention, with all the news out now about the health benefits …

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What?s Hot Across the Pond?

Stroll through the many home interior shops in Europe and one thing will become readily apparent. Eclecticism is the design trend of the day. "There is really no ‘look\' in Europe," says Olivier Car…Stroll through the m…Stroll through the many home interior shops in Europe and one thing will become readily apparent. Eclecticism is the design trend of the day. "There is really no ‘look\' in Europe," says Olivier Cardon, CEO, Roche-Bobois US. "Just the opposite." Visit a European home and you may see a contemporary sofa, for example, paired with the bergere your friend inherited from her grandmother or a lamp picked up at a weekend flea market. "Reinventing the past" is how Belgian-headquartered Flamant Home Interiors describes their design concept. Minimalism contrasted with elegance, a raw wo…

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The Enchanting Emerald Isle

If you\'re short a few friends in your life, all you have to do is cross the Atlantic, arrive in Ireland, and within days-if not hours!-you will be embraced (literally as well as figuratively) by the …If you\'re short a f…If you\'re short a few friends in your life, all you have to do is cross the Atlantic, arrive in Ireland, and within days-if not hours!-you will be embraced (literally as well as figuratively) by the friendliest people in the world. Before I left for a two-week trip to Ireland this fall (my first), my father, who has made three trips there, said, "The friendliest people I\'ve ever met are the Irish." When I stopped in the camera store to buy film, the manager said, "Oh, you\'re going to Ireland...my family\'s from Galway...they\'d just love to meet you (never mind that I was a complete str…

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Bonjour Quebec!

For a vacation with European flair, without having to spend the time or the money to fly over an ocean to get there, you\'d do well to point yourself north and head to the charming Canadian destinatio…For a vacation with …For a vacation with European flair, without having to spend the time or the money to fly over an ocean to get there, you\'d do well to point yourself north and head to the charming Canadian destination of Quebec City. This unique walled city on the St. Lawrence River combines a scenic location, architectural beauty, gourmet dining, fashionable shopping, year-round activities, and-here\'s an added bonus-the exchange rate won\'t put a dent in your wallet! You\'ve gotta love a city that doesn\'t hunker down and hibernate when the weather turns frosty-actually, that\'s a bit of an understateme…

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Grandeur at The Biltmore

What do I have in common with former President and First Lady Clinton...or Martha Stewart (and Rob Stewart for that matter)...or Oprah Winfrey? Unfortunately, not as much as I\'d like, but at least I …What do I have in co…What do I have in common with former President and First Lady Clinton...or Martha Stewart (and Rob Stewart for that matter)...or Oprah Winfrey? Unfortunately, not as much as I\'d like, but at least I too was able to enjoy the stately elegance and grandeur of The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. World leaders, television and movie stars, and music legends have all been guests of this beautiful retreat-and now, so have I! Built at the height of Florida\'s land boom in the 1920s, the Biltmore was the dream of Coral Gables developer George Merrick and Biltmore hotel magnate…

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Southern Charm Lives On in Charleston

It won\'t take you long to figure out what Rhett-yes, that Rhett-was talking about when he told Scarlett that he was going to return to Charleston, where he could find "the calm dignity life can have …It won\'t take you l…It won\'t take you long to figure out what Rhett-yes, that Rhett-was talking about when he told Scarlett that he was going to return to Charleston, where he could find "the calm dignity life can have when it\'s lived by gentle folks, the genial grace of days that are gone. When I lived those days, I didn\'t realize the slow charm of them." That slow, Southern charm is still pervasive in this beautiful coastal city that today is known as much for its fine dining, world-renowned arts festival and architectural preservation as it is for the fact that the nation\'s bloodiest war was launched f…

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A Gem of a City

Antwerp has had a long reputation as one of the world\'s great diamond markets, but in recent years, this Belgian city, just 45 minutes from the capital of Brussels, has become something of a gem itse…Antwerp has had a lo…Antwerp has had a long reputation as one of the world\'s great diamond markets, but in recent years, this Belgian city, just 45 minutes from the capital of Brussels, has become something of a gem itself. Once home to artists Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck, Antwerp has now become a center of fashion and home design, and a modern city that still honors its medieval heritage. In its very early history, Antwerp was a maritime city, owing its very existence to the river Scheldt. Through the centuries, the city center and the port eventually diverged, and today Antwerp\'s thriving me…

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North of the Border

I have to admit that I was not one of the legions of readers of the popular "Anne of Green Gables" books. Yet somehow, the appeal of Nova Scotia, the setting for the fictional childhood series, has al…I have to admit that…I have to admit that I was not one of the legions of readers of the popular "Anne of Green Gables" books. Yet somehow, the appeal of Nova Scotia, the setting for the fictional childhood series, has always fascinated me. So when I was looking for a quick getaway recently and found out that nonstop flights were now available from Dulles International Airport to the capital city of Halifax, I wasted no time in booking a flight. Once on the plane, I was across the border in less than two hours and ready for my Nova Scotian experience. After picking up my rental car at the very manageable …

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