I’ve been waiting for this one.
For years, I’ve wondered when American Cruise Lines would bring its easy, small-ship style to the Great Lakes. And now it’s happening. Starting May 2026, American will debut three brand-new Great Lakes cruises aboard its newest ship, American Patriot.…
I’d heard about Savannah’s charm for years, but nothing quite prepared me for the reality of stepping into what felt like a picture-perfect movie set. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by something unexpected: the cleanliness. The streets were immaculate, the squares meticulously maintained, and everywhere I looked, people were unfailingly polite—holding doors, offering directions, greeting me with genuine Southern hospitality.
Savannah’s layout is unlike any American city I’ve visited. General James Oglethorpe …
In a landmark environmental agreement, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have joined forces to establish one of the largest protected areas in the Western Hemisphere. The creation of the Great Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor represents not just a victory for environmental protection but also a rare example of successful international cooperation in a region often marked by political tensions.
On August 15, 2025, three heads of state met in the rainforest of Calakmul, Mexico. Mexican President
The Tren Maya represents what may well be one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in modern Mexican history. This railway system is transforming how travelers can travel through and experience southeastern Mexico, connecting ancient Maya ruins with Caribbean beaches through a network that spans nearly a thousand miles.…
If you’re looking at cruising the Mississippi, you really have two choices: American Cruise Lines or Viking. A few smaller companies do offer shorter trips of three or four days, but those are more regional outfits and not the focus here. For most travelers planning a weeklong or longer itinerary, American and Viking are the names you’ll be choosing between. Before we get into the options, let’s get to know the mighty river that …
Each year, as the air turns crisp and city lights glow a little warmer, New York City enters a season unlike any other. Between late November and early January, the city becomes a living celebration — from parades and public art to Broadway marquees and winter markets. For visitors, these weeks offer a chance to witness the city in full holiday splendor, shaped not just by tradition but by the energy of the moment.
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Lounging back on the comfortable love seat of the First Class railroad car on the train, I popped a chocolate brownie in my mouth. There was a sumptuous spread of food on the table before me and someone was strolling around taking drink orders.
I could not be more comfortable. This was the way to travel.
On a train.
No tiny airline seats, no elbows banged into your head as people pass, no seats reclined …
There are many nicknames for the city of San Francisco, including “The City.” There is “415” – the area code, “San Fran” – (don’t use this one), “Fog City” – self-explanatory, “Golden Gate City” – for the bridge, and even “Baghdad by the Bay” – with reference to the cosmopolitan nature of the population, much like that of pre-war Baghdad. Lately, The City …
Lake Tahoe is a destination perfect for a getaway, provided you appreciate skiing or hiking or nature, golf, shopping, gambling, fishing, boating, or dozens of other outdoor activities. Straddling the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe often exceeds the expectations of first-time visitors. Its natural beauty, crystal clear waters, towering Jeffrey pine trees, and mountains are stunning during any season.
But there is more. Lake Tahoe surprises with its casinos and city life. It …
The huge redwood we were gazing at in the middle of Muir Woods soared high above our heads, filtering out the sun. The ground around it was covered with dappled images of light and shade that moved and shifted as the mighty tree swayed slightly in the breeze.
Established on January 9, 1908, as a national monument, Muir Woods is located only about 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, but this wilderness of …
Wyatt Earp still lives, and he is leading a group of visitors through historic Tombstone, Arizona. In the original Boot Hill cemetery, he points out a particular gravestone. The epitaph reads, “Here lies Lester Moore Four slugs from a 44 No Les No more.”
Oft-quoted and credited to gravestone makers throughout the West, this funny epitaph was originally written for the tombstone right in front of us. Another gravestone reads, “Joseph Ziegler Mitered 1882.” Many …
Dig deep enough, and you will find that every small town in America has a story to tell. Here’s one that is more outsized than most. In the shadow of the Great Depression, when most Americans struggled to put food on their tables, an unlikely financial phenomenon took root in the small Florida town of Quincy, a modest farming community in the state’s Panhandle region. As a result, this sleepy little hamlet would eventually become …
Casinos?
Ca’seen them.
Yes, the megalith casinos keep getting bigger and bigger and they will likely always be the top draw for Vegas visitors. But when you are suffering from casino fatigue and can’t take even one minute more of the atmosphere of smoke, sweat, and desperation, take a look inside any of three museums that cry out “Vegas” but have nothing – okay, let’s say little – to do with casinos.
The Mob Museum …
Leaning back in our comfortable, padded seats, sipping on cold bottles of water, and watching the scenery of the city slide by on either side of us, we decided we had happened upon possibly the most comfortable and unique way to see a city.
In a gondola.
No, we were not in Italy.
In fact, we were thousands of miles from Italy in a beautifully restored gondola on the Providence River in Providence, Rhode Island.…
