A Monaco Grand Prix experience. A world food tour for culinary aficionados. A proposal on top of Mt. Everest. To most of us, these sound like fantasy trips or ideal vacations. But to others, they're actual birthdays and trips that were set up by the luxury travel agency In The Know. The brainchild of founders Lia Batkin and Seth Kaplan, the agency calls itself a "travel and lifestyle company" that caters to a young, savvy demographic. The team puts together personalized luxury experiences for their clients, with a wide range of locations, experiences, and elements that turn an ordinary birthday into a glamorous memory. We sat down with Lia Batkin to talk about how the company was founded, as well as the passions that fuel its success. Click through for our interview and slideshow. More»

Have a look at our guide to dining like the Prince of Wales or the Queen of England in Manhattan. High in starch and fat, British food generally gets a bad reputation, but with the popularity of acclaimed British chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, and Jamie Oliver, it's time to give British fare a second taste. In Manhattan, the delicacies of Great Britain have undergone a culinary makeover. A slew of British establishments have opened up across the city to satisfy the Anglophilic cravings of New Yorkers. Offering more than just fish and chips, several chefs have prepared the challenging cuisine for the American palette.

From Singapore to Australia to London, we've rounded up some of the best specialty cocktails that are unique to particular bars or locations. They may be a long flight away, but for these cocktails, it's worth the miles. More»

[SkyBar in Bangkok via]

Traveling from city to city can be demanding enough when it comes to choosing hotels, restaurants, travel and endless leisure options. And when it comes to nightlife, there are almost limitless chic scenes to choose from.  To make it easier, we've picked some of our favorite bars all over the globe-- with views to die for. From Dubai to Hong Kong, Paris to Sydney, check out the tallest bars in all your favorite cities.

British DJ Chelsea Leyland grew up in London, with aspirations of becoming a big-time actress in NYC. Although her career didn't go quite as planned, her gig still landed her in the city DJing for top industry leaders such as Valentino and Chanel. She even made it on to our list of NYC it-girl DJs. Check out this exclusive interview with Chelsea, where she lets us in on her Halloween plans, her true feelings on NYC nightlife, and her advice for aspiring DJs. More»

The Big Apple is known for its eclectic variety of crowds and countless cultures, varying in scene on every street corner, so It's hard to know which way to turn when we want a brush of something different. Luckily, there are a bunch of specifically-themed bars to narrow down the quirks. From jungles to castles, to salons and spooky spaces, we've rounded up 8 themed lounges in the city to give you a taste of diversity. More»

We live in an era wrought with conflict, when even a moment of peaceful introspection can be hard to come by.  We have stress and we have joy, we support our close friends and chosen charities, and we always have spare time (and a spare fork) for a slice of cake.  But it's less often that we take time out of our schedules to stand in solidarity for peace with our families, friends, and neighbors.  Today, however, is the United Nations' annual International Day of Peace (sporting a theme of "Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future") and you're invited to the celebration.  From Yoko Ono's IMAGINE PEACE films in Times Square to a Peace Day concert in Baghdad, here are some of our favorite peace-promoting celebrations across the globe! More»

When the Olympic Flame enters the Stadium and inevitably lights the Cauldron, the Games will officially be underway. The ceremony will provide an opportunity for the host nation, Great Britain, to captivate the world through a sequence of performances. Some details of the $42.3 million ceremony have been leaked so let's fill you in on all the details you need to know for tonight. More»

While this sultry red-head may vaguely resemble Lana del Rey, she's making headway in America as a British pop-star. Her singles have made it onto the top 20 UK Singles Chart and her album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?, went platinum. Paloma appeared in the scene around 2009 but her U.S. debut at Le Baron was just last month. Her powerful vocals have finally reached stateside and it's time to check out how this ex-magician's assistant turned into one of Britain's sassiest pop-stars. More»

Competitors, rivals, teammates, and most importantly, best friends. As we get closer to the start of the 2012 Olympic games, we see the intense relationships between fellow athletes begin to grow. It's a true test of friendship as lifelong and new-found friends must withstand the competitive nature of the Olympics in order to "go for the gold." Check out these siblings, childhood friends, and fraternal twins that will be competing together in the Summer Olympics. More»