Visiting Santa Fe, Taos’ larger neighbor
A first-time visitor to Santa Fe may initially view the city as Taos on steroids. That observation does tell part of the story — but only part. New Mexico’s capital city and its neighbor share many attributes, but also have their differences. Therein lies the appeal of seeing both places in a single visit; Santa Fe is about an hour and a half south of Taos. Santa Fe is known... READ MORE
The many allures of Taos, New Mexico
Editor’s Note: As of the time of publication, the COVID-19 virus has reached New Mexico and is spreading through the community. As with most areas of the country, there are widespread restrictions on person-to-person contact, and many businesses are either closed or are limiting operations. This is not the time to travel there, or anywhere, for enjoyment. Please enjoy this travel... READ MORE
A question for tourists today: What now?
The coronavirus situation has changed our world dramatically. Problems initially confined to Asia have expanded to Europe and beyond. Travel within the U.S., overall, has tanked. Airlines are chopping not only their intercontinental flight schedules, but also domestic flights as well. Cruise lines have suspended operations. As of press time, the travel marketplace is in chaos, ... READ MORE
When you’re traveling with grandchildren
Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are interested in taking our two grandkids on a big trip this summer and are looking for some good ideas. Can you recommend some travel companies that offer special travel packages for grandparents? —Doting Grandparents Dear Doting, There are a number of travel companies today that offer specialized, multi-generational trip packages for... READ MORE
How to avoid crowds in Italy’s Riviera
Editor’s Note: As of the time of publication, the COVID-19 virus has reached Italy and is spreading through the community. As with most areas of the world, there are widespread restrictions on person-to-person contact, and many businesses are either closed or are limiting operations. This is not the time to travel there, or anywhere, for enjoyment. online pharmacy priligy online with... READ MORE
Having peak experiences in Indonesia
The whale shark swam directly at me. As I feared becoming whale shark canapé, it veered slightly and slid past me, just a couple of feet away. If I had been so inclined (or stupid), I could have touched the 25-foot-long shark as it glided by. I’ve had some pretty amazing animal encounters in my life — lions in Namibia, mountain gorillas in Uganda, whales in Alaska and Antarctica,... READ MORE
Barcelona’s architecture, history, sports
Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona’s renowned architect, once observed, “There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature.” Straight lines are few in Gaudí’s hometown of Barcelona, a Mediterranean city of 5 million in northeast Spain, sprawled between the mountains and the sea. A winding, narrow street connects with yet another winding street, which spills onto a bustling plaza... READ MORE
Spring break: Dates to mark and avoid
Spring break, generally before and after Easter Sunday, is observed by a large majority of U.S. schools and colleges. Families with young children head for theme parks and other such attractions, while teens and college-age kids head off in bunches to a beach destination or cruise. If you have one or more student-age kids in your family, you’re probably already aware of the dates for... READ MORE
Ways to neutralize your carbon footprint
On the list of activities that boost our “carbon footprint” — that is, the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from our actions, from using air-conditioning to eating meat — air travel is near the top. Short of refusing to fly — as Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teen activist, did when she traveled from England to New York in a carbon-neutral sailboat — you can pay a third party... READ MORE
Defending yourself against travel scams
Europe is a surprisingly creative place when it comes to travel scams. Many of the most successful gambits require a naively trusting tourist, but seasoned travelers can be taken in, too. We should all be wary of the numerous subtle scams — a cabbie pads your fare, a hotel business center computer records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a “special” increased... READ MORE