Archives: Articles

We crept past the sleeping desk clerk and out of the hotel at 1.30 am, walking through Old Manali in the pouring rain. Stray dogs howled and a rat scurried across the street in front of us. Along with my partner Teresa, I had been traveling in India for a few months. I both loved and hated this fascinating, vibrant, consuming and sometimes shocking country. Although there were times when I wished I was elsewhere, …

Just barely 30 minutes outside the hustle and crowds of Puerta Vallarta lies charming Bucerías, a beach town offering the best of two experiences: Traditional Mexican beach town with lots of over-ocean restaurants, a town square and cobblestone streets and a more modern, upscale district offering trendy boutiques, rental condos and a variety of cuisine options.

Long a popular getaway and destination spot for Puerta Vallarta residents and seasonal snowbirds, Bucerías has been growing with …

If I ask you to describe a sommelier, you’ll almost inevitably picture a man. White and middle aged, perhaps a little portly, and with a slightly intimidating air.

The exact opposite of Karla Abarca, who gives a huge grin as she swirls some wine around in her glass, raises it up with her tattooed arms, and takes a big, appreciative gulp. She’s a tiny powerhouse, young and lively, cheeky and irreverent, and she giggles when …

International travel becomes a bit more complicated when navigating with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction in your rearview mirror. DUIs, seemingly straightforward in their nature, can actually vary significantly in their impact on travel opportunities, depending on the destination and the severity of the offense.

While some nations may treat a DUI as a minor offense, akin to a misdemeanor, others elevate its seriousness to that of a felony, especially if it involved …

The U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that can be a lifeline in case of emergencies or unexpected situations when traveling abroad. Overall, the STEP program provides the traveler with a direct connection to U.S. government support resources while abroad, helping them stay informed, prepared, and connected during unexpected situations. STEP allows you to access valuable resources and information provided by the local U.S. embassy or consulate before …

The minute I step onto the red soil of Prince Edward Island, I relax. I can’t help it – the environment demands it. It must be the sea water. No matter where you are on the island, the ebb and flow of tide creates a meditative Zen-like atmosphere that slows your mind, body and soul.

I’m here with several other literature lovers, including one from Japan interested in a certain red-headed heroine. We are here …

The Dutch say ‘April doet wat hij wil’ (‘April does what it wants’) to describe the weather in the Netherlands during the early spring. It’s true, the weather in April can be unpredictable, but for flower enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone with an appreciation for nature, Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands is a destination that encourages you to brave the weather, if not ignore it.  This horticultural wonder virtually explodes with color during tulip season, a …

National journalist Charles Kuralt once said, ” Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything. “

While US highways provide an undeniably efficient method of travel, it’s true that unless you journey off the beaten path, you may never see the amazing natural wonders found in the United States of America, Canada, South America, or even in your favorite destinations …

Liverpool is by far one of the most original, cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in England. The edgy downtown cobbled area around Seel Street is undergoing massive regeneration and is bursting with people having fun at the hipster bars and trendy restaurants.

Towards the end of Seel Street, in a row of historic terraced warehouse styled buildings, is the Nadler Hotel, which, in recent years, has undergone a £14m renovation. In its former life, this 19th …

Baja California’s raw beauty and stunning contrasts draw visitors year-round. Most common is the entry point at Tijuana, just south of San Diego. While convenient to accessing the area’s coastal towns of Puerto Nuevo, Roasarito and Ensenada, the border crossing is large and somewhat confusing, and drivers need to be quick on their toes to catch the right road out of town. Coming back into the United States, this crossing can be a nightmare, with …

Just 95 miles north of L.A., but a world away from the home of hype, understated but cosmopolitan Santa Barbara is home to its own eclectic community of surfers, socialites, Hollywood escapees and transplants from around the globe. Somehow, it all coexists well in this city strung along a gorgeous strip of coastline, bordered by pristine beaches and the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains.  This variety is reflected in the diverse activity that Santa Barbarans enjoy.  …

The best way to see the National Parks during the busy summer tourist season is simply not to do it. Stay home. Come back in the fall, when there are fewer visitors and lower temperatures. But if summer travel is your only option, as it was for my husband and me, follow these tips to beat the crowds— and the heat.

Start Early: Many National Parks actually close their parking lots during the day, either …

Thirteen minutes—that’s all it took to arrive in Barcelona and encounter one of its greatest claims to fame—the slickest pickpockets in Europe. If you’re going to hit, best get hit by a professional, I always say. And they’re at their slickest and quickest on the underground trains at Barcelona Sants railway station. Barcelona treats its notoriety as a pickpocketer’s playground with a zesty inverted snobbery, with the landlord of the apartment I was renting cheerfully …