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
Five extraordinary towns on Italy’s coast
Imagine a Medieval town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, like a fantasy setting for “Game of Thrones” (except brighter and with less blood). Now imagine five of these towns and you have Cinque Terre, Italy — literally, “five lands” in English. In October, I visited Cinque Terre, along with my wife and a friend, after spending nine days in the urban turmoil of Rome, five... READ MORE
Austin’s cool vibe draws winter tourists
Austin has an artsy, funky vibe — a personality that spawned the local slogan “Keep Austin Weird.” In the 1960s, this Texas city was a hippie mecca, and in the 1970s, home to country greats like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World” for its jazz, country, bluegrass, hip-hop and blues scenes, music seems to emanate from every... READ MORE
A cultural adventure: Ireland hillwalking
To the American eye, hillwalking and hiking have a lot in common. Both involve lacing up a pair of boots and heading somewhere on foot. But in Ireland, hillwalking is more than an aerobic activity; it’s a cultural tradition. Hillwalking may involve few trails and no particular destination. The focus is on wandering — and wonder. That said, there are plenty of hillwalks where the... READ MORE
Some interesting travel developments
Over the weeks, I receive or see releases, promotions and news items that don’t warrant individual treatment in a column but might still be of use or interest to you. FTC hearing on junk fees Last month, the Federal Trade Commission posted a docket open for consumer comments on a possible ruling against “junk fees.” And even in the first days, it’s clear that the fees... READ MORE
Travel 2024
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