Melanie Votaw

New York

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Ghostwriter, editor, author, & book coach. 43 nonfiction books for Hay House, Macmillan, etc.; Finish Your Book Online Group Coaching Program; BWayWorld critic

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Articles

Special Insurance for Travel Delays?

1 week ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Yes, if you’re on an expensive trip, you should always purchase travel insurance. But I’ve just learned that there’s a new membership called Delay Defense that offers more than just monetary compensation. Now, I haven’t tried this yet, so I can’t personally attest to it. But I did want to make you aware of it. I’m seriously considering a membership because the service arranges for and pays for rebooking you if you’ve been delayed.
Georgia: The World's Oldest Winemakers

1 week ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Did you know the country of Georgia has been making wine for 8,000 years? I didn’t until recently. At a site that’s still being excavated, clay pots from that period were found with remnants of winemaking. Georgia borders Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Most of its terrain is wine country, and its population is small at about 3.5 million. A lot of Georgians make wine at home, as you don’t have to have a license there to make alcohol.
Travel News & Advice - June 15, 2025

1 week ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Air India plane crash. The big news this week is the horrible crash in Ahmedabad, India of a flight destined for London. All passengers and crew were killed except for one man, who was thrown from the plane and survived with slight injuries. I can’t imagine the kind of survivor’s guilt he’s going to have. At least 28 people on the ground were also killed. Mount Etna eruption. The other big news is that Mount Etna erupted in Sicily early in the month.
Two Days in Atlanta

3 weeks ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

I recently spent a couple of days in Atlanta, enjoying unseasonably cool weather for late May. I arrived in the late afternoon and checked into the 4-star Starling Atlanta Midtown Hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. There were a couple of issues with my room, but it was overall a good stay. The main perk of this hotel is that it’s right next door to midtown’s Colony Square, where people sit outdoors or eat at any number of nice restaurants.
Travel News & Advice - May 31, 2025

4 weeks ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Bruges, Belgium news: Tourists are stealing up to 70 cobblestones from Bruges’ old town every month, so the mayor is asking people to stop and be more respectful. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of reading about bad tourist behavior. I wish people could follow the Golden Rule while in someone else’s territory.
Stock up for Summer with the Best Groupon Wine Deals

1 month ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Stock up for Summer with the Best Groupon Wine Deals Groupon has a lot of wine deals going on right now that could help you stock up for summer and beyond. Click on the headline of the deal you’re interested in and use our affiliate links to save money. Up to 79% Off One or Two 18 Packs of Top Wines for Spring Bundle from Splash Wines – $55.20!Photo courtesy of Groupon.
What To Do in St. Petersburg, Florida

1 month ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

I recently spent a week in St. Petersburg and found a lot of fun things to do beyond the usual “hanging out at the beach” fare. First of all, did you know the city has numerous great museums? I didn’t know until I started planning my visit. During my stay, I checked out five of them. First up on my list was the Imagine Museum of glass art. This was my favorite of all of them. I was floored by this exquisite collection and the ingenuity of the artists who are pushing the limits of working with glass.
Travel News & Advice - May 15, 2025

1 month ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Newark Airport. The big news this month is all about Newark Liberty International Airport, which has been deemed unsafe for flights because of the lack of air traffic controllers. This has caused numerous delays, and United Airlines has cut 35 daily flights from there. I, for one, am grateful I don’t have any flights scheduled in or out of that airport, but I worry that this will become a concern in other airports. I usually fly out of JFK or LGA. Addressing air traffic concerns?
Restaurant Review: Mama Mia 44SW in NYC

1 month ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

Mama Mia 44SW has been a go-to Italian restaurant for me in Manhattan’s theater district for decades. I often recommend it to friends because not only does the restaurant allow larger parties than many NYC establishments, but the prices are more reasonable than many others in the neighborhood. Yet, the food is still excellent!The restaurant, on the southwest corner of Ninth Avenue and West 44th Street (hence, the name), has been run by three generations of the Schiattarella family.
Summer Broadway Preview: What Shows Should You See?

1 month ago | luxurywebmagazine.com | Melanie Votaw

While I haven’t seen every show currently on Broadway, I’ve seen most of them. In this article, I’ll give you my honest opinion about the ones I’ve seen, but I’ll only include the news shows. I won’t discuss long-running shows like Hamilton or The Lion King. Here’s my rundown (I’ve given 6 of these “top pick” status, so there’s lot to see):Boop! The Musical. *TOP PICK* If you want to see an old-fashioned style, big Broadway musical that makes you feel good, this is an excellent choice.