The J.M. Smucker company has always been run by a Smucker. Mark has ascended to the roles his father and uncle, Tim and Richard, held previously. They have grown from a six hundred million dollar jam and jelly company to an eight billion dollar food company that owns and manages some of the oldest and best brands in the center of the store, Foldgers, Jif, Pillsbury, and they have done so while maintaining the values that their family instilled in their company so many generations ago.

I was fortunate to spend a year in Switzerland at the “turn of the century.” Most of that year was spent in Bern and the last few months were living in Zurich which is where I began to paint. I had the privilege to ski in Zermatt and Grindelwald, cycle from Bern to Grindelwald and back daily, float in the glacial rivers surrounding Bern, and visit so many of the beautiful lake towns nestled amongst the vivid greens. Switzerland is filled with amazing food, scenery, and people. There is no end to what you can do there and moving around the country using their impeccably maintained and operating trains is easy and enjoyable, not to mention they run quite literally like a Swiss watch. If you only have time to visit one country in Europe choose Switzerland. If you want a place to use as a starting point to visit Germany, France, and Italy you can’t go wrong by starting in Zurich or Bern.

This one is not quite as easy. I have several that I have enjoyed when I was traveling a lot, but the Steigenberger Wiltcher's, formerly the Conrad International, is simply an exceptional old-world 5-Star hotel. The food is beyond belief, and the staff is polite and professional and ensures a perfect stay. There is a three-floor fitness center and spa that by itself is worth the stay and the rooms are huge and beautiful. And the location is just a few steps from the shops and restaurants of the city center. If you ever get the chance to visit this is one hotel stay you will never forget.

The rest of my top five: 2 - The Carlton Tower, which used to be Hyatt Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge, London, 3 - Villa San Michele, Florence, 4 - The Worthington Renaissance, Fort Worth, TX, 5 - The Ritz, Atlanta.GA (I have to believe most any Ritz will do, however, the Ritz in Atlanta is exceptional).