Make time for wild adventures in Alaska
As our travel group hiked on a lupine-lined trail in Alaska, the guide called out, “Here bear, here bear,” every minute or so, advising us to make some noise and not surprise Ursus arctos, the Alaska grizzly. Soon we spotted a dark brown mound shrouded in the bushes about six car lengths away — a bear’s head. Out came the guide’s bear spray. We didn’t need it; our... READ MORE
How to avoid illness traveling outside U.S.
Dear Mayo Clinic: I have a group of friends with whom I love to travel. We plan several trips a year, and we are planning to visit the Caribbean next. We will stay at an all-inclusive resort in a popular destination and do a few sightseeing day trips in the area. Are there things we should do to be safe while traveling? A: Travel is always a fun activity to enjoy with friends. In ... READ MORE
Nearby, off-the-beaten-path B&Bs to try
There are times I need to get away but don’t want to spend weeks planning a trip or having to fly. I just want a change of scenery, good food and some interesting activities. A quick getaway, maybe a day or two, is all I need. So, I decided to look into B&Bs within a couple hours’ drive of our area. The fun thing about B&Bs is that no two are alike. And even within one... READ MORE
Avoid foreign exchange gouges abroad
Since at least Biblical times, money changers have been gouging foreign visitors exchanging their currency for local shekels. Fortunately, if you’re going outside the U.S. this summer, you can avoid most of the gouge. Unless you’re a currency speculator, you’ll almost always lose a little in exchanging your dollars for whatever. That’s because the actual cost of exchanging... READ MORE
Three-generation travel adventure to Italy
Our lovely two-bedroom apartment in a Tuscan villa is all warm yellows and muted shades of rose. Vineyards and olive groves surround the villa, stretching far into the hills. Through the large windows, we can see the pool sparkling and, in another direction, the terrace where our family gathers for breakfast. Our eight grandchildren often run across the driveway and up the steps from... READ MORE
What to expect traveling to Europe now
If you’re planning a trip to Europe this year, you’re not alone: Industry mavens are projecting a big year for transatlantic travel. For the most part, traveling to and within Europe is easy, but you need to know a bit before you leave. Paperwork: Western Europe does not require any advance paperwork for visitors who aren’t looking for a job and plan to stay less than three... READ MORE
Coming to appreciate Europe’s great art
To see great art is a joy. And to see it, while traveling, “in situ” — both physically (where it was meant to be seen) and historically (to understand the context in which it was made) — makes the experience richer yet. I haven’t always loved art history. As a teenager, I struggled doggedly through Kenneth Clark’s epic art series, Civilisation. “Brilliant work,” I... READ MORE
Patagonia’s spectacular hidden wonders
As I guided my kayak through a narrow, twisting marble cave, I marveled at the swirls of turquoise-colored rock. Although it was only my second day in the Aysén region of Patagonia — the remote, breathtakingly beautiful region that has inspired dreamers, adventurers and entrepreneurs for over a century — I understood why they came and why so many of them stayed. I have traveled... READ MORE
A trip to Panama for stem cell treatment
For some of us, it’s a never-ending task to stall the aging process. Now that I’m in my 60s, my back and hip problems were preventing me from activities like Zumba, hiking and pickleball. I had already been through the gamut of orthopedic consults, one hip replacement and endless physical therapy. Then a friend of mine told me he had stem cell injections in his knees and within... READ MORE
St. Lucia’s natural beauty and happy vibe
Shortly after my wife Fyllis and I arrived on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, we spotted locals wearing T-shirts with welcoming notes: “Be happy.” “Don’t worry, just party.” “Forget your troubles.” Not surprisingly, many people go to St. Lucia for its beaches and splendid views of the multi-hued sea, which ranges from light green to turquoise to deep blue. Its 98 miles... READ MORE
