South Beach is a section of Miami, Florida, that is known for its art galleries, boutiques and great beaches. It’s also an easy area to find the perfect place to stay. Whether you are looking for a large resort or a small boutique property, you will find hotels lining the streets of Collins Avenue and Ocean Avenue.

Hotel Riu South Beach
The Spanish Riu Hotel chain brought a little bit of Europe to South Beach. …

Read More

Rome can not be seen in a day, a week or a year. No, a city with this much history takes centuries to get to know. It is literally a city of layers, one generation, one millennium building on top of the next. It is the “Eternal City”, and we are mortals. Since time is not on our side, consider moving Rome higher on your list of places to visit, and start planning now. With …

Read More

Green or sustainable tourism has been described as managing tourism’s impact on the environment, communities and the economy to make sure that the effects are positive rather than negative for the benefit of future generations. English Tourism Council, 2003

The costs of traditional tourism are rising, and we are not just talking about the price of airfare and hotel rooms. Tourist development frequently comes at the cost of the cultural and environmental integrity of the …

Read More

Traveling through the back roads of Northern Ireland or dining in one of Belfast’s contemporary restaurants, you would never know that the country was once plagued by violence. The Northern Ireland of today is quite a different place to the images that filled the world’s TV screens in the 70s and 80s, when “The Troubles” were at their worst. In fact, these days, Northern Ireland is positively serene, and the fact that it is still …

Read More

It is easy to romanticize the past, making it out to be even more enjoyable than it was in reality…and I’ve been known to indulge in a harmless bit of embellishment myself now and then…so it is with conscious effort to keep hyperbole to a minimum that I continue.

During my years living in San Francisco, I was a member of what can only be described as a loosely organized street gang. I ran with …

Read More

When many hear of a Smoky Mountain Vacation they may picture rustic cabins, hunting or animal watching, perhaps a lazy walking trail or two, and a whole lot of peace. While peace is plentiful in many areas of the Great Smokys, there is also a plethora of highly active entertainments that will leave you with a thirst for adventure long after you make your way back home.

Affordable Smoky Mountain Family or Solo Fun

If …

Read More

Giving back while getting away, or voluntourism,  is becoming increasingly popular. During the last nine years I’ve spent abroad, I’ve had many chances to volunteer in schools, cities, and with regional wildlife, and have always had a richer experience because of it. There’s no shortage of organizations that need support, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. If you’re after a hands-on experience in an exceptional destination, keep these voluntourism options in mind.…

Read More

 Dear Travel IQ: When is travel insurance absolutely necessary? I hate the additional expense tacked onto every trip and never, ever, have I had to use the policies I buy. I am thinking about not buying it next time and trusting to the gods of travel to get me there and back without a problem. My boyfriend says I am wrong and the one trip we don’t insure will be the one we will …

Read More

As an avid traveler and a specialized travel agent, I have played the role of both consumer and supplier.  Throughout my professional career, I have spoken to many people who just don’t know how to effectively utilize the services of a travel agent. Some prefer the internet as a booking and informational resource while others are unsure or uncomfortable seeking out a qualified professional.  What are the successful tools for working with a travel agent?  …

Read More

“Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun”
– Carly Simon “You’re So Vain”

Carly Simon sang about it, but you can really do it, and you don’t need your own jet. Astronomical tours focus on the observations of the heavens from terrestrial destinations possessing permanent or temporary geographic advantages for watching particular celestial events or phenomenon.

Most of the civilized world suffers from “light …

Read More

Twelve Dervish musicians sit hunched over their easels, the hem from their long black capes resting on the floor. In unison they begin to pluck the strings of their wooden instruments and tap the skin of their kettledrums. This marks the beginning of the ancient Sama ceremony. The first monk stands up, shedding his black cloak in a spiritual rebirth before crossing his arms against his chest, representing the number one, an interpretation of God’s …

Read More

Stone turrets and towers keep an eye on everything in every direction. Vine covered slopes so steep it’s hard to believe people walk between the rows. Narrow villages line the banks of the winding river. You can almost see the damsels with their flowing gowns curtseying to knights in shining armor. Fairy tales…here we come.

Follow the winding Rhine River…either on your own or enjoying a river cruise. There is not a castle, an island, …

Read More

 

I have something to confess. I’ve been having a luscious affair with New York City since the day I first set foot on its bubblegum-pocked streets. I try to leave, I try to explore other cities and cultures, but somehow I find myself back on Gotham soil at least once a year. I even lived here once. The adage goes that if you can survive one year in the city, you can adorn yourself …

Read More

You can’t be blamed if beer (“pivo”) is the first thing that comes to mind when considering the topic of drinking in Prague. On your visit to the Czech Republic, you will quickly discover that beer is usually cheaper than water, ranging from about CZK 21 to CZK 32 for .5 liter. If you pay more, you may be a tourist.

The Czech Republic, where pilsner beer was born in the town of Plzen, proudly …

Read More