Remember when your mom, uncle, gramma, or older sibling read books to you when you were small? It was a magical time – maybe at bedtime, or maybe during the afternoon on a stormy day when you couldn’t go play outside (or head outside to read in a tree, as I did). Books and family – two of my very favorite things.

It is rare, when traveling, to find THE perfect restaurant. You know what I mean – we do the research (urbanspoon, yelp, chowhound), look at maps, try to figure out where you’re staying and what’s around there. But you still never know about service, food quality, location, and if it will fit your family.

Winter: a season of celebration and reflection, a season of travel and of savoring the joys of home, of solitude and community, of peace -- and of music. There is music for all those contrasting emotions and stories of winter. Traveler or at home, there is music to connect with, enjoy and share. Herewith, several new discoveries and an old friend or two for this winter season.

Florida Culture for the Week of December 15 By Josh Garrick

Now is the time to make a list and check it twice as you choose from among the splendid variety of Holiday performances and events in Central Florida.  These are all “highly recommended,” and in most cases we still have about two weeks to take in the performances.

In Suzhou, China locals and visitors literally ring in the New Year at the Hanshan Temple Bell Ringing Festival. Held on December 31st, the festival welcomes the New Year in Suzhou. Hanshan Temple, over 1400 years old, is one of the ten most famous temples in China. In ancient times, monks struck the bell at midnight to remind people a new day was coming.