This is our collection of newly published articles
Rainy season. Two words that are almost sure to make you rethink your holiday plans. Like Costa Rica in soggy September, when anyone visiting this small Central American country is bound to need a raincoat. So why go to a place knowing you’re likely to get drenched, when you can pick other months that promise glorious sunshine?
The crowds, that’s why. I’d far rather run the risk of rain rather than face a flood of …
Cabarete hardly misses a beat, even in a pouring tropical deluge. Arrive by taxi along the main coastal road from Puerto Plata on a mid-summer day, and the route into this ever-lively resort town swiftly becomes jammed with traffic—cars, taxis, the local guaguas (mini-vans that make frequent stops), and of course the Dominican favorite, the motorbike. As they enter the center of town, all ply their way at maximum speed along the two-lane road overburdened …
I cruised a lot with my parents from an early age. They always said it was the easiest way to travel in a wheelchair. I found out for myself when I began using a wheelchair. Aside from the obvious ability to go to different places and unpack once, a cruise ship can allow you to see things that would be difficult, if not impossible, to do on land.
This was at the front of my …
The journey to Key West is almost as memorable as the destination itself. Driving the Overseas Highway (US Route 1) from mainland Florida feels like gliding across the ocean, with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The 113-mile route from Miami crosses 42 bridges, including the magnificent Seven Mile Bridge, where turquoise waters stretch endlessly on. The drive typically takes about four hours, though many visitors choose to …
Austria’s Ski amadé is a sensory experience; a colourful explosion of blue sky, white snow and emerald green trees; interspersed with aromatic aromas of local cuisine and the silken taste of Austrian wine (their secret weapon!). It sharpens your senses – it’s chaotic, intoxicating, raw, in-your-face and utterly exciting.
Like the perfectly groomed pistes that give you access to viewpoints such as the Kraftorte recovery point, where nature comes into focus and opens perspectives, inviting …
Part of my vision as a Travel Ambassador is to impart the notion that traveling actually has the ability to help improve peoples lives, not only for the short run but perhaps even for the long haul. Taking a vacation is not the cure all for whatever ails you nor will it whisk away that which you are trying to escape from, but it most certainly will deliver new ideas, perspectives and friendships into your …
Perched dramatically on a mountainside in Italy’s Liguria region, the medieval village of Triora, known as the “Salem of Italy,” has embraced a haunting history of dramatic, infamous witch trials. The town’s strategic position at 780 meters above sea level made it a crucial defensive outpost during medieval times. The village’s name derives from “Tria Ora,” meaning three mouths, referring to the three gates that once protected this fortress town. Its robust walls and commanding …
Change is in the air as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has shored up a number of consumer protections. The latest regulations mandate that airlines must offer consumers automatic refunds for both canceled flights and extensive delays, marking a significant stride toward heightened passenger rights.
The DOT now requires that if a U.S. airline cancels a flight or significantly delays it—domestically, by more than three hours, and internationally, by over six hours—an automatic refund …
Travel is about exploration and excitement, not enduring endless security lines. Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry make the process smoother, but how do they differ, and which is best for you? Essentially, TSA PreCheck expedites security checks for domestic travelers within the U.S., allowing you to keep on shoes, belts, and light jackets while leaving laptops and liquids in your bag. Available at over 200 airports, it’s a time-saver for frequent flyers. Global …
Hidden in the forests of Romania’s Bucovina region, just two kilometers from the famous Putna Monastery, lies a rather remarkable home built by an Orthodox Christian Monk – the hermitage cave of Daniel the Hesychast (Daniil Sihastru). This sanctuary, Daniel the Hesychast carved from a massive rock formation with 15th-century tools and his bare hands, and in doing so, became one of Romania’s most venerated spiritual figures.
Daniel the Hesychast (1400-1482) was a Romanian Orthodox …
Florida always rises to the top when putting together a list of travel favorites due to its ecological variety and year-round perfect weather. Now, I tend to stay away from Orlando and Miami when trekking through the Sunshine State these days because I’ve discovered many more spots that offer some richer experiences and unexpected attractions. I still think everyone should see spots like Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville. I also want to encourage people to …
The former home and setting of two novels by Jane Austen, Bath has been a sought-after location for centuries. A spa resort set up by the Romans in 43 AD, it sits just south of the Cotswolds in England. Here, the architecture is charming and delicate all at once. Everywhere the traveler looks are examples of a culture-rich city – while having spas and thermal baths readily available is an undeniable plus.
The Romans used …
Ponant’s Le Champlain is a small ship, with 92 cabins meaning a max of 184 people, plus 114 crew members. I’m “of an age,” I travel solo, and I am basically an introvert. The ship weighs in at less than ten gross tons which barely seems large enough to be called a ship (instead of a boat). I was looking at an eight-day positioning cruise from Boston to Cancun in October, so no ports of …
The Eastern Cape province of South Africa is an up-and-coming area for safaris. While Kruger National Park, in the eastern part of the country, was set aside to protect wildlife in 1898, the development of the Eastern Cape as a safari area has only been taking hold in the last few decades. The area had previously been made into farmland by farmers who drove out the big predators that would have feasted on their livestock …
