Four presidents who retreated to Virginia
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was a gregarious, swashbuckling outdoorsman who hunted elephants in Africa and bears in Colorado. He came from wealth and owned a 23-room mansion, Sagamore Hill, on Long Island’s Oyster Bay. But when Teddy and wife, Edith, wanted to relax, they traveled four hours south of Washington to a plain little wood-frame cabin in Virginia’s woodlands called... READ MORE
Ride the rails through Canadian Rockies
In planning my “journey through the clouds” excursion last summer aboard Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer train, little did I realize the adventures ahead. After all, whizzing along on a train usually puts me to sleep. Not this train. By the end of my six-day excursion, I had walked on a glacier, helicoptered over the Rocky Mountains, and been dazzled by tumbling waterfalls, rushing... READ MORE
Exploring the world as a roving retiree
Eager to hit the road, Roxanne and David Draves decided to retire early. Ten years ago, Roxanne gave up her real estate appraisal work, and David left his job doing lift maintenance for a ski area. They rented out their house in Carbondale, Colo., which they later sold, and bought a motor home. Since then, they’ve been crisscrossing the U.S., working on 43 Habitat for Humanity... READ MORE
Consider hiring help to make travel easier
For many older adults, retirement frees up time to travel, perhaps exploring places and sights long included on a bucket list. Or retirees plan visits with adult children who have relocated across the country. But for some seniors, travel is not that simple. Those with medical problems, physical limitations, or dementia or other cognitive illnesses face some challenges if they want or... READ MORE
Travel mistakes and how to avoid them
My friends at Travelers United recently posted a list of the top travel mistakes and how to avoid them. Although some of them are so obvious as to be in the “well, duh” category, even savvy travelers occasionally make them. I particularly highlight the first four on this list: 1. Cheaping out online pharmacy buy albenza online with best prices today in the USA All too often,... READ MORE
Where to find reliable hotel reviews online
When you’re splurging on a vacation, other travelers’ opinions can help you decide where to go. Their online reviews can point you toward hotels with great ambiance and ultra-comfortable beds, and away from those marred by poor upkeep and noisy surroundings. Online reviews are more up-to-date than print guidebooks, and reflect a more realistic experience than Instagram-famous travel... READ MORE
Cruises abound for almost any interest
Civil War buffs Tom and Elaine Preston wander through reconstructed forts where a major battle of that conflict was fought. Betsy and Andy Cross follow a guide slogging through a dense rainforest. Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman enjoy an exciting Go-Kart track and exhilarating water slide. As inviting as these disparate experiences are, they have something in common. All take place during... READ MORE
Memorable meals from around the world
Enjoying our first dinner during a group tour of Sicily, we turned to the guide and told him that the meal was excellent. His reply was as delightful as it was surprising. “People can steal my money, but not my food,” Alessio remarked. He followed that remark by claiming, “If lunch or dinner doesn’t have at least five courses, it’s just a snack.” Those words told us a lot... READ MORE
Enjoy winter’s beauty from aboard a train
You can easily enjoy great winter snowscapes without fighting the drifts and the ice: Just take a train. Enjoy the sights from a comfortable, wide seat, through a panorama window, maybe while sipping something cold or warm. Except in unusual circumstances, railroads keep their tracks open through snowfall heavy enough to shut down the highways. And many travel on routes with better... READ MORE
In low-cost Cambodia, there’s much to see
Once the site of one of Asia’s most significant early civilizations, Cambodia today presents a rural society far less populated and economically developed than its neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam. And that is the crux of the country’s charm and appeal. Visitors throng to the country’s premier tourist draw, Angkor Wat, but you will find much to see and do on the road to this ancient ... READ MORE
