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Kissimmee calls itself the Vacation Home Capital of the World® for obvious reasons. The city resides in the heart of Central Florida’s theme parks—Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World, Gatorland, Wild…

On the first day of my visit to Frankfurt, Germany, I set out for a walk around the city’s medieval core, known as the Old Town. Just a few steps…

My fascination, respect, and appreciation for all things handmade began in my hometown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  As the capital city of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the largest anchoring “Cajunland” and…

In my world travels as The Design Tourist, I’ve visited many museums, some with marque names and international fame, others with local or regional collections.  Museums that leave a lasting…

The Atlanta Market Reveals a New Mindset about Consumerism In our new normal, trade shows are starting back up with products and people reframing  why, where and what we buy.…

Asheville, North Carolina, is a muse to many, attracting artists, makers, musicians, and writers who take up residence and tourists who come to connect with them.   The Asheville of yesteryear…

How to Biohack your Brain with Light, Sound, and Vibration Ever wonder why lighting a candle or listening to the ocean instantly relaxes you and lifts your mood?  Brain health…

I sit down with the wellness guru Deepak Chopra to set the record straight on  healthcare shortcomings  Deepak Chopra could say, “ I told you so,” about this watershed moment…

“If health is the new wealth, then mental wellness sits at the core of our personal health portfolio.” — The Global Wellness Institute  Happy 2021! The new year brings hope…

Calling on all Orlando house hunters! Check out the pilot episode of Selling Orlando, a new reality show that I wrote and helped produced. If you are looking to make…

Like many people, the pandemic has me spending most of the workday in my home office, and I was getting a little uninspired or, shall I say, bored with the…

There are personality types and there are sleep types. What type of sleeper are you? Read on to determine your sleep type and how to make lifestyle changes for a…

I recently attended the 2020 Global Wellness Summit as a member of the press. The event brought together experts from around the world to share their latest research and ideas…

An Exhibit at the Art Center Sarasota, Shows the Sculptural Talents of Renown Modernist Architect Carl Abbott As the pandemic lingers on, I miss all the artistic stimulation as an…

At Art Ovation Hotel, Visual and Culinary Art Coalesce for an Immersive Experience with Sarasota’s Art Community Sarasota, Florida is known for its thriving arts community, home to artists, renowned…

JEFRË’s Large Sculptures and Art Installations Activate Public Places, Connecting People in Shared Humanity.  A New Exhibit At the Orlando Museum of Art Delves Into His Powerful Messages and Metaphors.…

I travel to connect with humanity through its creativity, expressed in art, craft, design and architecture. Things of the imagination, crafted by hand speak to my soul and make me…

Traveling is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can ever have. Visiting another country gives you the space to explore and broaden your horizons. You get to…

In this episode of The Design Tourist, host Karen LeBlanc travels to Regensburg, Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage to explore the link between the city’s culture and creativity through its…

Artist Tim De Vries exposes secrets with transparent epoxy resin. By hiding the items in plain sight, he questions the secretiveness of it all.  Tim De Vries was born in…

Collectors bring curiosity to a week of Miami art fairs making emotional connections and purchases. Miami Art Week takes place Dec. 3-8, 2019 with more than 80,000 collectors, curators and…

 One of South Florida’s Oldest Homes Celebrates its 100th Anniversary Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, an eclectic 1920s winter retreat that became a popular tourist destination in South Florida, celebrates…

Join The Design Tourist Karen LeBlanc as she takes you on a whirlwind tour of Miami Art Week, hitting all the major art shows and fairs to check out the…

ZAZ10TS Brings Art and Nature to Times Square with “ZAZ Corner”  as a Curated Digital Billboard Gallery Visitors to Times Square in New York City can check out a new…

  During the week of Art Basel Miami Beach,  the city is electric with creative energy. All around the Wynwood district, street artists are at work painting buildings with new…

After Art Basel Miami Beach is Over, Art Installations Remain as a Testament to the City’s Creative Soul Art is everywhere during Miami Art Week as dozens of installations, pop-ups,…

Miami Art Week 2019 Meet the Artist: Experience the Art Series The Artist: Ralph Ziman The Idea: Humanitarian Art That Reconciles South’s Africa’s Apartheid Past  The Art: The Casspir Project An…

Design/Miami continues to be one of my favorite satellite shows during Miami Art Week for its immersive installations and focus on design and art objects. Located next door to Art…

Miami Art Week 2019 Meet the Artist: Experience the Art Series The Artist: Michael Seri The Idea: Social Commentary on Our Addiction to Smart Devices and Social Media The Art: iPorn…

Miami Art Week 2019 Meet the Artist: Experience the Art Series The Artist: Andrea Mancuso The Idea: Stimulate Curiosity by Juxtaposing the Familiar with the Unexpected The Art: Metamorphosis In my…

Miami Art Week 2019 Meet the Artist: Experience the Art Series The Artist: Antonio Brasko The Idea: The Acculturation of Graffiti, Street Art and Fashion The Art: Brandalism At the Spectrum…

With dozens of art fairs and shows Miami Art Week competing for my attention, it’s impossible to attend and experience every art, fashion and entertainment event. Shows extend from Miami…

Miami Art Week 2019 Meet the Artist: Experience the Art Series The Artist: Eduardo Cabrer The Idea: Art that Calls Out Consumer Behavior The Art: Plasticidad At Spectrum Miami, one of…

Miami Art Week 2019 Meet the Artist: Experience the Art Series The Artist: Ilan Neuwirth The Idea: Spreading Joy by Illuminating the Beauty of Found Objects The Art: Neon infused Pop…

What to See and Do During the Holiday Season Across Central Florida  As a resident of metro-Orlando, I look forward to the holiday cheer expressed throughout the city’s distinctive neighborhoods,…

Six years ago, I founded The Design Tourist blog and video series on the idea that as travelers we can experience a culture through art and craft. Creativity speaks a…

Buy It for Life and Biomaterials are the major lifestyle movements setting the direction of design in home and fashion as consumers rethink what they buy, what its made of,…

Legend has it that Santa Claus lives in the North Pole but in real life, Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland claims to be his official hometown. Located in the Arctic Circle,…

In the town of North Hampton, New Hampshire, there are around 4,460 people who call it their home. And not only that, but most of these people think of this…

Meet Brad Joffrion, an artist who hails from my home state of Louisiana, known for its culture and creativity. Find out how this former Mechanical Engineer followed his passion for…

 J’adore l’automne: a common phrase in France that goes to show how beautiful a trip would be. Check out some of the best autumn destinations in France here! France in…

‘Instagrammability’ is a crucial factor for millennials choosing where to go on holiday, more than 41% of people under the age of 33 prioritize ‘Insta-picture-worthiness’ when choosing their holidays. Searching…

If you like getting out in nature and enjoying all the beauty and exhilaration it brings, you should think about going on an adventure vacation. So many places around the…

What I Wish I Knew About London Before Traveling: Random Facts and Useful Travel Tips I Learned about London Traveling teaches me a lot about myself— the things that pique…

Emerging Color and Design Trends for Christmas As the holiday season approaches, attention turns to planning parties, events and decorations. The overarching theme for holiday decorating is authenticity and craftsmanship…

Some of Europe’s Most Expensive Cities are Surprisingly Cheap for Travelers Omio, Europe’s leading booking platform for travel by train, bus, and flight, has released a ranking of Europe’s most…

If you’re curious about living large in small spaces, why not take a vacation from your own home to stay in a tiny house? A tiny house resort in Lancaster…

Scottsdale, Arizona is an Architectural Treasure Trove of  Frank Lloyd Wright’s Work  Internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio, Taliesin West is one of eight Wright buildings recently…

In the latest episode of The Design Tourist, I travel to Healdsburg California, the Hospitality Heart of Sonoma County Wine Country. We’ll tour several Sonoma County vineyards as we sip…

The desire to stimulate the senses is an instinct that defines us as humans and propels the creation of art. ARTECHOUSE in Miami Beach, Florida delivers a sensory experience through…