Advice for taking a destination holiday
Yes, I know, Thanksgiving and Christmas are when the whole family gathers at grandma’s house, or some similar Norman Rockwell scenario. But not everybody plays by that script. Moving your holiday festivities, whatever they might be, to some vacation destination is becoming increasingly popular. And if you’re thinking about a destination holiday this year, and you haven’t already ... READ MORE
For nature lovers and ‘Dirty Dancing’ fans
It didn’t take long after arriving at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia, to realize that, despite the resort’s name, it has no lake. What it does offer guests is a long, colorful list of activities that can fill many a day. Then there’s that not-so-secret reason many people go there: Most of the popular 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, which supposedly took place at a vacation... READ MORE
How climate change is changing travel
Travelers encountered many weather surprises this summer, from wildfires in Europe to knee-deep mud at Burning Man. Indeed, it was the hottest summer on record around the globe, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. “The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in a prepared statement... READ MORE
Street food, friendly people in Osaka, Japan
“Why go to Osaka?” a fellow travel writer asked at an annual adventure travel conference. “It’s like San Bernardino.” To anyone from California or who knows its cities, that was not a ringing endorsement. Another travel writer spoke up and disagreed: “It’s the only place in Japan with soul.” My wife, Katherine, and I were attending the conference in Sapporo, Japan,... READ MORE
Friendlier skies for those with dementia
Andrea Nissen is trying to prepare her 65-year-old husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, for a solo flight to visit family in Oklahoma. She worries about travelers and airport officials misinterpreting his forgetfulness or habit of getting in people’s personal space, and feels guilty about not being able to accompany him. “People say, ‘He has dementia. You can’t let him go by... READ MORE
A laid-back visit to elegant Victoria, BC
It’s easy to see why the Pacific Northwest city of Victoria is Canadians’ favorite retirement spot. A temperate climate, chill lifestyle, natural beauty and a favorable exchange rate make it a highly desirable destination for American travelers, too. Last June, my wife Katherine and I had the good fortune to discover the charms of this elegant, laid-back city in a too-brief... READ MORE
Reasons to love the Dominican Republic
My husband and I were drawn to the Dominican Republic last winter for the weather, white-sand beaches and golf courses. We left loving the food, the people and their commitment to the environment. I have to admit I had to check a map to locate the Dominican Republic, also known as the DR. I learned it’s between Puerto Rico and Cuba, shares the island of Hispaniola with its neighbor... READ MORE
Sea-to-table in a small Colombian town
Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá, situated on a plateau in the Andes Mountains, merits a visit for its fabulous museums — the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum most notable among them. Its distinct neighborhoods and upscale market lie within a cooler climate than Cartagena, which travelers consider more of a party city. Sitting on the Caribbean coast with a tropical climate,... READ MORE
Time traveling in Colonial Williamsburg
My husband Paul and I have loved Williamsburg, Virginia, ever since we brought our two kids here more than 25 years ago. After all, it has something for those of every age, whether you’re traveling with children, as a couple or solo. And you can choose to stay in a five-star, four-star or budget hotel. Best of all, there are so many activities in the area: an indoor-outdoor museum... READ MORE
Enjoying an ‘untour’ to historic Scotland
In 1093, the monarch of Scotland directed a group of men to race up a steep hill. The winner would become his royal messenger. From that kingly contest evolved what today is known as the Highland Games. During a recent visit to Scotland, my wife Fyllis and I watched in awe and admiration as burly men wearing colorful tartan kilts competed in throwing logs called cabers, tossing heavy... READ MORE
