When the Puget Sound seaport of Port Townsend was founded in 1851, some considered it a “City of Dreams.” Settled on the heels of the Gold Rush, there were hopes that it would thrive as the largest port on the west coast, a gateway to the Northwest. Others called it … Read more
Fiercely proud of its starring role as the birthplace of the U.S., Philadelphia, long lauded for its historical significance, is practically a cultural goldmine. Forget that Rocky famously put it on the map years ago running through its gritty Italian market and up the Art Museum steps. Today, the Mummers … Read more
I was reluctant to visit Thailand thanks to its reputation as a haven for sexpats – old geezers with their drooping, chicken skin arms around the shoulders of girls and boys forty years younger. But when I realized how much I loved the spices of Southeast Asia, and legitimate massages, I … Read more
While residing in one of America’s five most populous cities certainly has its rewards (museums, shopping, entertainment, and awesome food), space to spread out is not one of them. For the cost of a three bedroom home on Long Island, NY, you’d barely net a decent studio apartment in downtown … Read more
Mention “Galilee,” and, for many, miraculous tales of Jesus Christ and his disciples come to mind. But this legendary destination, about two hours’ drive north of Tel Aviv, is also where Jewish “Men of Deeds” performed miracles in ancient Roman times, and where rabbis developed the Kabbalah, a branch of … Read more
It’s ironic that one of America’s oldest cities is one of its most up-and-coming. Over the last few years, our nation’s capital has become younger, more culturally relevant, and more fun than ever before. Thanks to its compact size, abundance of recent college grads and a surplus of after-work bars, … Read more
When I announced my plans to visit Door County, I was asked two questions. Where, then, why? To answer the first – Door County is situated at the northern tip of Wisconsin’s mid-state peninsula jutting northward and is bordered by the waters of Green Bay to the west and Lake … Read more
Standing on the terrace of the Stift Goettweig monastery complex, you see the entire Wachau Valley unfolding beneath you. The Danube River wends its way through the valley where lush forests and vibrant fields lead to the river’s edge with the prized wine producing hills beyond. Just an hour’s … Read more
Getting from Point A to Point B on a road trip through Norway may end up taking much more time than you expected. Why? Because you’ll want to pull the car over so many times to take pictures and gawk at the spectacular natural beauty lurking around every bend and … Read more
Northern Finland is one of only a few places to catch the famous Northern Lights, which earns our vote as perhaps the best natural light show on Earth. If you can’t trek above the Arctic Circle to experience this mystical phenomenon, don’t fret. Just park yourself in Helsinki for a … Read more
I think I have a good reason to be proud … I’m an honorary Calgarian. That’s what I became after reciting the oath and receiving my “White Hat.” The hat is not only an enduring symbol of the Wild West and the cowboy but also of the Calgary Stampede which … Read more
Centuries of history, celebrated French cuisine, a towering cathedral on the river … Paris? No, I’m talking about Lyon, a city steeped in history and the home of Paul Bocuse, a culinary legend who changed French cooking forever. Compact and eminently walkable – you’ll need to burn off the calories … Read more
Japan remains for me “the trip of a lifetime” and even though I am there frequently, its magic makes each visit memorable and instructive. I learn something new every time. On a personal level, my time there has led me to think more about the group than myself; to be … Read more
If you’re one of those folks who tunes in regularly to the Food Channel and gets excited at the thought of attending one of the many Food & Wine Festivals held regularly across the USA and Canada, take my advice and head for Calgary, Western Canada’s latest destination food city … Read more
Whether or not Niagara-on-the-Lake is the prettiest town in North America is up for debate, but if you ask Marian Markarian, trip advisor at Niagara Wine Tours International, you’ll get a resounding “Absolutely.” With its stately homes, pristine lawns and manicured gardens, a Main Street to rival any quaint New … Read more