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
New York City’s bohemian Hotel Chelsea
When Colin Miller and Ray Mock set out to document the remaining inhabitants of Hotel Chelsea, the bohemian haven where Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Patti Smith, William S. Burroughs and others once lived and worked, they imagined it as a sort of requiem. After all, much of the 12-story Gilded Age building, once New York City’s tallest, has been gutted and is being converted into... READ MORE
WWII history via biking in the Netherlands
Bucolic. Picturesque. Charming. Clichés, perhaps, but in my 50 years of world travel, I’ve visited few places where those words are more appropriate. The Netherlands is one. Last summer, I pedaled for several days through the beautiful countryside in southeastern Netherlands, near the border with Germany. It’s hard to believe that such a peaceful place was the site of some of the... READ MORE
What to expect in this year’s travel sphere
In terms of what’s ahead for travelers in 2020, I see very little change. But 2019 was not a bad year for travelers, so we’ll be lucky if 2020 isn’t any worse. Here are my fearless predictions: 1. The 737 saga ends. online pharmacy lexapro online with best prices today in the USA All indications are that the beleaguered 737MAX will be back in the air by sometime this summer.... READ MORE
If you need a Real ID, visit your DMV soon
If you’ve been to the airport recently, you may have noticed signs asking, “Does your ID have a star?” If it doesn’t, you may want to schedule a visit to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Beginning in October 2020, many travelers will need what’s known as a Real ID-compliant license to fly domestically. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress passed... READ MORE
Preserving local black history
The little half-acre cemetery with 75 graves, in the shadow of a five-story office building with shiny turquoise windows, is barely visible to drivers whizzing by on Fairfax County’s six-lane Beulah Street. Cement tombstones with hand-lettered inscriptions have been worn down by time. On one, the name “Moses Harris” is barely legible. Another, bearing a cross, notes the passing of... READ MORE
Insuring your trip and your health, too
Packing your bags for a trip? Don’t forget travel insurance. It can protect you if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or interrupt a trip — or if you get sick while on the road. Retiree John Murtagh said health coverage was a key reason he purchased travel insurance last year. He knew Medicare wouldn’t provide coverage outside the U.S. So, before embarking on a two-week... READ MORE
For baseball fans and foodies: Ft. Myers
Short phrases help jog the mind’s recall for trips. On my first trip to Fort Myers, Florida with my husband and two elementary-age children, in the 1980s, the key phrase was “banyan tree.” For our most recent trip there, after my husband and I had been retired for a decade, the key phrase was “baseball plus food” — beyond Cracker Jacks and hot dogs, that is. While we all... READ MORE
Festivals to enjoy in Virginia during 2020
Sugary maple syrup, juicy red tomatoes, dainty pink apple blossoms, high-octane bluegrass — it’s all classic Virginia. From oysters to sand to fiddling, Virginia’s festivals showcase the singular assets of the state’s diversity and riches. Mark your 2020 calendar to attend these events: Maple Festival, Highland County, Mar. 14-22 Highland County, 3,000 feet above sea level, ... READ MORE
