Barbara Balfour

Of all the enchanting moments I experienced on the Amalfi Coast, none captivated me more than the tranquil early mornings in Ravello, where I would watch the sun rise gently over the mountains each day from my secluded wrap-around terrace. Perched high on the cliffs above the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, Ravello offers an elegant, serene contrast to the lively fishing villages below and a welcome reprieve to the more well-known — and crowded — Positano and Capri.

Florence’s grandeur is undeniable, but just beyond the city walls you’ll find another kind of beauty—rolling vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages that embody the soul of Tuscany. If you’re seeking a stay that balances easy access to the city with the idyllic romance of the countryside, the villas, estates, and castles that dot the Florentine hills offer an unparalleled escape.

Florence is home to hundreds of hotels, from charming boutiques tucked into quiet corners to stately Tuscan villas just beyond the city’s edge. But the ones on this list occupy a category all their own. These are the timeless classics. Like Filippo Brunelleschi’s Duomo itself—that indelible 15th-century landmark cathedral that looms over the city—they are grand and historic, as well as centrally located. Sparing no expense and spanning riverside retreats and palatial residences alike, each hotel here is worthy of its price tag.

Cybersecurity breaches and phishing schemes are not just a concern for IT departments or tech-savvy individuals. They also pose significant risks to the general public, particularly in the age of Artificial Intelligence (Al). As the sophistication of cyber attacks and online scams continue to evolve, it's more crucial than ever for individuals to remain vigilant both in their personal and work lives.

Despite the rise in cyber threats, many people do not have a holistic view of security.

When Maj Dafinone stepped off the plane in Toronto in 2018, she felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Born in Nigeria and having lived in five U.S. states while working and earning degrees from Columbia Business School and the University of Pennsylvania, she was no stranger to change—but arriving in Canada felt different.
“I thought I was prepared, but I felt a wave of culture shock I hadn’t anticipated,” she recalls.

On a recent trip to Rome, I drove as the Romans do: on the back of a Vespa behind a ruggedly handsome local who, despite the heat, stayed impeccably chic in loafers and a salmon-coloured linen shirt.
For the next four hours, Riccardo, my private tour guide with Scooteroma, would weave through the narrow streets and bustling piazzas of the Eternal City, bringing its rich past to life in ways no guidebook ever could.

Yes, Bolognese is the name of a pasta sauce, but it also belongs to another, equally wonderful Italian export: a sweet-tempered toy dog breed who was once a favorite of Roman nobility. You’ll be instantly smitten with the beauty, playfulness and charm of this silky white ball of fur, as will everyone you pass on your daily walks together. (Be sure to budget extra time to get home!)

The American Pit Bull Terrier is the Hollywood action star of dogs. It’s hard to imagine how you could find anyone more qualified to defend your family from peril or scoop you away from a fiery inferno than this often misunderstood, yet fiercely loyal muscleman (er, dog). If you’ve been looking for a teammate for life, you’re in luck, because these high-energy super dogs certainly fit the job description.

With the unique way it juts out into the Pacific, it’s hard to miss Point Dume State Beach in Malibu, California. The long bluff that forms the northern end of Santa Monica Bay offers up some out-of-this-world views of Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Catalina Island. You can even spot Zuma Beach right to the northwest.
Use this helpful travel guide to learn more about Point Dume’s history, how to get there, and all of the activities that await in Malibu, California.

Each year in the month of April, National Park Week promotes the natural beauty widely available across the entire expanse of the United States. To make the experience even better, weekend visits are often free during National Park Week, which might give you extra motivation to explore at least one of the more than 400 unique national parks scattered across the country.

If you’ve ever wanted the feeling of having an entire island to yourself, consider taking your next vacation in the stunning archipelago of the Maldives. This collection of nearly 1,200 tiny coral islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a paradise of powdery white sand and crystal-clear, bathtub-warm waters, where walking barefoot is the norm, and aquatic playgrounds are steps outside your front door.

In today’s legal landscape, small and mid-sized law firms often grapple with managing documents, workflows, and costs while simultaneously providing value to their clients.

Now imagine an environment where traditional practices seamlessly intertwine with cutting-edge technology to optimize operations, streamline collaboration, and elevate your client services at a lower cost to you.

If you borrow money through a fixed rate loan, or other financial product, you may expect to pay the same monthly interest rate on your balance. However, if your borrowing terms include a variable annual percentage rate (APR), you’re likely to see your interest charges fluctuate periodically. Some forms of lending that may have a variable APR include credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, and mortgages.

As a small business owner in Canada, you can save money on taxes by claiming eligible deductions on your annual returns. Keep reading for a deeper understanding of how this works, and whether you could qualify for the common tax deductions below.

Even if you're prone to hitting the snooze button and grabbing your coffee on the road, you can still make time for a personalized morning skincare routine. It's much simpler than you think. Not only does it start your skin off clean, hydrated, and glowing, it allows customized treatments to work even better. While the basic steps — cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize — are the same for everyone, your routine and the number of steps required may evolve according to your individual skin type and concerns.