Even a well-traveled tourist can fall victim to crime. Don’t make the same mistake…

Originally published in Viva. DOWNLOAD

Long dismissed as dirty little secrets, Rembrandt’s erotic etchings have been known to collectors for centuries but rarely seen by the public. In 2001 the British Museum exhibited several of the prints. Now, the World Erotic Art Museum (weam.com) in Miami Beach is showing the entire collection together — 20 etchings — for the first time.

Rembrandt depicts sexual encounters in a suggestive but unambiguous way in works like “The Ledikant” (1646), which portrays a couple making love. Right, “Woman With the Arrow (Venus and Cupid?),” 1661.

By today’s standards, the etchings — inspired by the Bible, Greek mythology and everyday life — seem tame. But in Rembrandt’s time they were scandalous and closely guarded by those who owned them.

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Whether your looking for an all-night roving dinner party or an adventure in the desert, one of these international hot spots will provide the unique holiday you seek. Let the festivities begin!

Originally published in VIVmag, Nov-Dec, 2010. DOWNLOAD

What’s better than a superb ocean view? That same vista enjoyed from a relaxing beachfront spa. Suzan Crane and others select their top spa-resort choices.

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51-year old Suzan Crane gave up a cushy life to travel gypsy-style wherever the wind blows her. Does she get lonely? Does she miss the U.S.? And how does she fit all her stuff in one bag?

Originally published in Palm Beach Post, July 1 2007. DOWNLOAD

In 2003, writer Suzan Crane packed her bags and hit the road, with only her diary for company. This is her story… (Originally Published in KLM Airline’s inflight Holland Herald , 2007.)

Flight between LA and Sydney, March 31, 2003

Well, I’ve done it! Sold all my stuff – which shockingly included 200 pairs of shoes, just the tip of the conspicuous consumption iceberg. Said goodbye to my friends and family. Abandoned apathy, complacency and a no longer fulfilling or fruitful career. Wielding only a backpack and a sense of adventure, I have no idea what lies ahead and ponder this prospect with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I’m resolved to keep my eyes, ears, heart and options open. No, I’m not running away, as some suggest, but running towards. So, we shall see where this new self-granted freedom leads me…

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What do we do when someone close dies? Do we ‘manage’ the pain or ‘submit’ to it? How do we get over it? Suzan Crane finds the answers. (Originally published in FEMALE magazine.)

Death is an inevitable part of life. Usually, the loss hits close to home, but sometimes we grieve for strangers, as the world did recently for victims of the Asian tsunami. Even when it’s not on such a scale, grief is the unavoidable result. FEMALE asked experts, and those who have grieved, to guide us through the process of mourning.

Spiritual, religious and cultural beliefs differ for different people and methods of coping vary, but certain reactions to death – particularly of a loved one – are universal. Most ways of grieving are “a necessary, natural part of the healing process” according the best-selling book How To Survive The Loss of A Love. They are: shock, denial and numbness, followed by fear, anger and depression, and finally, understanding, acceptance and moving on. Symptoms of bereavement also often include feelings of guilt and helplessness, and the emotional impact of the loss can provoke physical maladies such as loss of sleep, appetite and sex drive, difficulty concentrating, and diminished energy. If you feel any one of these, know that it’s normal; don’t suppress them. Experts advise that those who grieve can fall ill and experience psychological problems if they don’t submit to these phases.

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