If you’re traveling to New Zealand’s South Island, chances are you’ll be passing through Christchurch, its biggest town. Well-known for its English heritage and beautiful gardens, the city of around 350,000 locals was a favorite tourist destination until February 22, 2011, at 12.51 pm local time when a 6.3 magnitude … Read more
As I walk the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden, I admire a towering white tree. Bursts of fire-engine red emanate from its center, the tree’s slender white branches curling like Medusa as they reach for the sky. But this rare, glorious tree, situated on 250 acres of garden … Read more
Here are the Top 10 Things To Do In London London’s St. James neighborhood is uniquely situated amidst greenery, with St. James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park nearby, as well as Buckingham Palace, the hustle, bustle of Piccadilly, the elegance of Mayfair and West End theaters a short stroll … Read more
Posh resorts and idyllic beaches are the primary draw for people visiting the Island of Hawaii, but possibly not on the radar is its breadth of outdoor adventure possibilities that set this island apart. Active volcanos, black sand beaches, lava reefs and lush rainforests deliver remarkable diversity. Nearly twice as … Read more
What did I know about Quebec in winter? Not much. I knew it would be cold and there’d be snow. Combined, that made running the obstacle course at La Forêt de Maître Corbeau that much harder. I sweated through three layers of clothing, I strained, I swore. But I finished! … Read more
Beaches, upscale food and wine joints and modern lodging only begin to describe Santa Barbara, California. Formerly a haven for surfers and touted for its perfect blend of Spanish Mission Style architecture, today there’s a mini-fascination with this “American Riviera” situated in Malibu’s backyard. The charming community along California’s Central … Read more
“Why would you want to go there? There’s nothing to see!” This was the usual reaction after I announced my plans to travel to Hannover in northern Germany. Truth be told, it wasn’t on my bucket list of must-see cities either, but a good friend kept inviting me and I … Read more
Driving Ireland’s snaking country roads is both a challenge and a thrill. You just never know what you’ll uncover. We had already traversed hundreds of miles and crossed several counties; the awe inspiring 7 estates we toured only fueled the fire to discover more of Ireland’s storied past. We were … Read more
Rock of Cashel I was feeling a wee bit peckish after the early morning arrival of the six hour flight to Dublin from New York so we decided to stop for breakfast on the way to Cashel Rock. At a quaint spot called Over the Bakery near this ancient site, … Read more
“Dancing with the Stars” on the Indonesian island of Lombok? Not quite, but the weekly evening dance and cultural performances at Puri Mas Beach Resort often include a delightful adaptation, with young local dancers. They’re taught through a “giving back” social dance program by the boutique hotel’s Dutch owner, a … Read more
There is no such thing as Italian food. The country is made up of twenty regions with distinct characteristics. Every town, every village makes the same dish in vastly different ways, just like they speak different dialects and wear different traditional costumes. Tuscany is arguably most famous for Chianti and … Read more
“Hey mister throw me something” is what you’ll hear along the routes of any one of the nine Mardi Gras parades in Lark Charles, Louisiana. That “something” will be ropes of brightly colored beads that people, dressed in the regalia of their Krewe, toss from their floats. New Orleans is … Read more
Months before stepping foot in Anchorage I was told that the winter had been unseasonably warm; there hadn’t been much snow. This was something of a revelation as I was anticipating freezing temperatures too low to imagine and what I’d need to buy before I left to keep warm (snow … Read more
When the Atlanta Falcons take on the New England Patriots for Super Bowl LI, the host city of Houston will be center stage. As America’s fourth largest city, Houston is a thriving metropolis with an array of world class museums, a fabulous zoo, restaurants of every variety, and, of course, … Read more
Ice, Ice Baby A muffled “crunch” sounds under the car’s wheels as we careen to the shoulder of the Alaska Highway into the snow. Having missed the turnoff for a dog mushing outing, we’re now making a U-turn and going back. Or, at least that’s the plan. It’s barely noon … Read more