I just returned from a wonderful weekend of viewing art in Dallas and Fort Worth Texas. The trip was arranged by the Auxiliary Board of the Art Institute of Chicago of which I have been a member for almost 15 years. I had not been in Dallas for quite some time and was impressed with the growth of the mid-town area just north of downtown. I liked seeing the Dallas Museum of Art and was so impressed with the generous gifts that three prominent Dallas families, the Roses, Rachofskys and Hoffmans have made to the museum. I was even more impressed with the new Nasher Sculpture Center next door. Raymond Nasher personally guided us through his outstanding new museum which was designed by Renzo Piano. Don’t miss the wonderful works by Matisse!In Ft. Worth, we toured the museum campus which include the Kimball designed by Louis Kahn, the new Modern designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando and the Amon Carter which was designed by Philip Johnson. The Kimball has a wonderful collection of European paintings, and the Amon Carter an equally impressive collection of American paintings, bronzes, prints and drawings and photographs. As far as the Modern goes, I loved the building but was not impressed by the collection.

We also toured four private homes and collections including those of Rusty and Deedie Rose designed by Anton Predoc, the Rachofsky House owned by Cindie and Howard Rachofsky which was designed by Richard Meier and the home of Charles and Jessie Price which was designed by Stephen Holl. The highlight was Raymond Nasher’s private home with outstanding garden and sculpture park. This 1949 home is exquisite in every detail and filled with magnificent art.

When in Dallas, make sure you try Stephen Pyles and Abacus for Dinner. We had two wonderful meals. Both have top ratings according to Texas Monthly Magazine. We stayed at the Crescent Court which was a lovely hotel just north of downtown.

Aspen/Snowmass

I just returned from a weekend at the Private Residences at the Snowmass Club. Now run by the Little Nell Hotel in Aspen this club has improved considerably over the last two years. The restaurant is now excellent and the health club is one of the best in town. The units of the private residence club continue to be the most attractive in the entire Valley.

In addition to the great skiing and the X Games that were taking place my last weekend, Aspen is still a cultural city even in Winter. The film series at the Wheeler Opera House always shows the best independent and art films, likewise the Zazz Apen series at the Wheeler is always good. The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is coming back in February which is always a highlight on the Winter cultural season while the Aspen Music Festival and School always has some great performances at Harris Hall.

New Years in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is becoming a tradition for me as I find it truly magical. It reminds me of a simpler time when the world was safer and more innocent and not as fast paced. Hundreds congregate just before midnight, where there is music and dancing in the Jardin.

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In November 2006 I visited Hanoi and it bustling Old Quarter. The charm of this 600 year old artisan’s district are the narrow lanes, small vendors and intense motorbike and bicycle traffic. Each street has its own specialty. One specializes in beautiful Vietnamese silk, clothing and embroidered articles, others feature toys, stationery, flowers for funerals, decorations for weddings and even a street for colorful boxed gifts used for wedding engagement parties.

There are numerous shops selling Vietnamese laquerware and many art galleries found next to motorbike repair shops and small restaurants. You see many people sitting on small chairs drinking beer or eating squid and drinking rice wine, or eating pho or the traditional noodle soup from large bowls with chopsticks. One even sees baguettes being sold, a remnant of the French Colonial days. With 70% of the population under the age of 35, everyone is young it seems. The commercial frenzy has evolved from nothing, from the days when private trade was prohibited for more than 40 years. This is an experience in Asia that is not to be missed.