Plenty still to love in the city by the bay
Tourists ride one of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars, shown high on a hill overlooking the bay and Alcatraz island, which is now a National Park.Photo © Lee Pius“I left my heart in San Francisco,” Tony Bennett crooned over the airwaves and on record players in the 1950s.For a city that has survived the Gold Rush’s ups and downs, the Beat generation, hippies... READ MORE
Help care for elephants in Cambodia
The trip to the hills of eastern Cambodia had all the makings of a luxurious getaway — delicious fresh fruit fed by hand, a dip in a refreshingly cold watering hole, and a relaxing massage.But I wasn’t receiving these amenities. Elderly elephants were. And I was one of several tourists paying for the privilege of doting on them.At the Mondulkiri Project, it’s not the... READ MORE
The Caribbean’s spicy island of Grenada
There’s no denying that Grenada, like other Caribbean islands, has the requisite white sand beaches lapped by crystal clear waters. Or that the modest pastel-painted houses in which most people live provide a storybook setting. But the Isle of Spice, as it’s known, also boasts a unique quality that sets it apart from other islands in the region. This realization springs from the... READ MORE
Is fear an acceptable reason to cancel?
Spooked by headlines about Zika, terrorism and mass shootings? Maybe the news is so bad you’re ready to cancel your vacation and stay home. But can you recoup what you paid for flights, lodging, car rentals and tours?The answer is, it depends. Your best bet for getting a refund under such circumstances is to buy an expensive type of insurance called “cancel for any reason” ... READ MORE
Enjoy lap of luxury at nearby resorts
Visitors to the Homestead can step back to earlier times by enjoying a carriage ride or partake of the present with a video arcade, among dozens of other activities for those of all ages. The resort, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary, occupies 2,300 acres of the Virginia countryside, abutting George Washington National Forest.Photo courtesy of the HomesteadWe have the good fortune... READ MORE
Acadia National Park’s eye-popping nature
Thunder Hole is a popular attraction in Acadia National Park. At high tide, waves roll into the granite channel, forcing out compressed air from the back with a thunderous roar. Water surges up to 40 feet high. Visitors can take steps down to an observation point next to the chasm. Kurdistan/Shutterstock In Maine’s Acadia National Park, you can go from soaring granite... READ MORE
Travelers benefit from exchanging homes
Some years ago, Londoners Brian and Catriona Luckhurst were looking for an inexpensive way to vacation in Brittany, France. With young children, the cost of traveling and lodging was too high. Their solution? Swap homes with someone who wanted to vacation in London.“We swapped our four-bedroom, semi-detached house in Twickenham in west London for a six-bedroom detached house in a... READ MORE
Reserve now for next year’s solar eclipse
Where’s the best place to watch next year’s total eclipse? If you’re thinking the grand open spaces of Wyoming, you have plenty of company.Hotel rooms across the Cowboy State are going, going, gone, well over a year before the arrival of the first total solar eclipse to be seen from the mainland U.S. in almost four decades.A national astronomy convention has reserved... READ MORE
Chattanooga — beyond the choo choo
The Tennessee Aquarium attracts more than 700,000 visitors each year. It houses not just thousands of fish, but penguins, owls, frogs and butterflies as well.Photo courtesy of the Chattanooga CVBDuring the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln asserted, “If we can take and hold Chattanooga and East Tennessee, I think the Rebellion must dwindle and die.” He saw the region as... READ MORE
Don’t fall for these summer travel scams
The summer vacation season is finally here. Have you booked your trip yet?There’s actually someone who’s more excited about your trip than you are, and that’s the scammers hoping to rake in millions from unsuspecting travelers. This time of year, travel scams surge — targeting people of all ages, but especially older travelers.Here are a few tips to protect you, your ... READ MORE
Travel 2024
#Travel Tips #Airplane Travel #Eastern Shore #Maryland #Overseas #Spain #Cruises #Hudson River Valley #Travel #International
