Dear Travel IQ: I love taking my camera on vacation. My hubby, however, thinks they are more of a bother and something of a nuisance. I want to share the memories when I return home. I’ve read, however, that many people have strong opinions about not taking their cameras along. I don’t have an elaborate set of gear…just a point and shoot. What do you think?

Signed: Camera shy


Dear Camera shy:
Would …

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Practicality and innovation are the key words associated with design in Brussels. The city’s style engineers sculpted its individuality with absolute respect for quality – then they dry brushed it with a good dose of humour. Whatever Belgian designers turn their artistic hands to, be it an ornament or a piece of furniture, an under garment or a ball gown, it sells almost as quickly as it is made to discerning customers in the best …

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Why Less is More on the Balearic Islands

At just eighteen kilometers total from tip to tip, Formentera looks like a boomerang being tossed off the south-eastern coast of Spain. It is nothing more than a croissant crumb on the world map, and though most people have heard of rockin’ Ibiza or artsy Mallorca, Formentera usually draws a ‘Where’s that?’ when mentioned. The answer to that telling question is nowhere. There’s not much going down …

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Summer officially started just a few weeks ago; but before you know it, the days of sunshine, sand and surf will be nothing more than a memory. For those who are vacationing this summer, the plans have been made and perhaps the bags have been packed. With the economy in a slow recovery, many families have reluctantly decided to hold off on a summer vacation. But there is still hope for a last minute summer …

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Today’s bird watching enthusiasts are not limited to their backyards or local parks to pursue their passion. Never have so many wonderful destinations been accessible for seeing rare and exotic species. Whether you are a novice birder looking for an introduction to the great sport of birding, or whether you are an expert bird watcher looking for new destinations or a particular species, there are tremendous opportunities in all corners of the world just for …

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A plain old soak in the tub is now officially passé. Here are just five of the many weird and wonderful places around the world which put more zing in your bath time.

Hamam scrub-down: Istanbul, Turkey

You haven’t been to Turkey until you’ve experienced the hamam (or Turkish bath) and where better to partake in a traditional scrub and soak than in the sultan’s ex-playground of Istanbul. An experience not for the modest, a …

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Seattle is a spectacular place to visit: green, gorgeous and exciting. Sitting on the eastern shores of Puget Sound, Washington State’s largest city offers scenic views of the sound and snow-capped Olympic Mountains. Looking at scenery is only one of the many things visitors to Seattle can do. Seeing everything the Emerald City has to offer is a daunting task, not to mention expensive. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Seattle has many …

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Rich in 18th century history, Colonial Williamsburg has much more to offer its visitors than just vast stores of historical knowledge. The lush landscape takes on a nearly tropical feel during the summer months and can make a visit to this lovely, educational vacation destination feel like more of a life experience than a quick vacation getaway. Family members of all ages will be able to find activities and entertainments to suit their desires …

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Whether you are a novice antique lover or an expert appraiser, shopping abroad for antiques can be truly a rewarding experience. You can join dealers that scour the cities and the hamlets of the globe looking to find unique and authentic antiques. Finding just the right collectible is a gratifying experience, so much so that many have turned their antiquing leisure efforts into full time businesses.

Perhaps you are looking for just the right piece …

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Sitting quaintly out in the middle of the Irish Sea, somewhere between Britain and Ireland, is the Isle of Man. A British crown dependency with its own parliament, known as the “Tynwald,” the island is not technically part of the United Kingdom, but its foreign affairs and defense are overseen by Great Britain.

Though everyone speaks English, the native language of the Isle of Man is Manx and you are likely to see it listed …

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Of all the romantic places in the world, how does a wedding couple decide where to honeymoon? Most couples will say they want privacy, beauty, relaxation and well, more privacy. That said, those hazy romantic images could be conjured in the Caribbean, Thailand, Madagascar, Morocco, Tahiti, Europe and all points in between.

Numerous factors can help you make the decision such as: money, distance, time allotted for your holiday, visas, passports, hotel availability, flight schedules …

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Just 95 miles north of L.A., but a world away from the home of hype, understated but cosmopolitan Santa Barbara is home to its own eclectic community of surfers, socialites, Hollywood escapees and transplants from around the globe. Somehow, it all coexists well in this city strung along a gorgeous strip of coastline, bordered by pristine beaches and the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains.  This variety is reflected in the diverse activity that Santa Barbarans enjoy.  …

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While visions of Australia often contain pictures of the Great Barrier Reef or the Sydney Opera House, South Australia is often overlooked. This area may be the best find of all, offering an abundance of activities in and out of the water.

Rich History
It was 1836 when the first British settlement was established in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, and Adelaide would be founded a few months later, but evidence of mining and rock art in …

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What’s not to love about Athens? Travelers who remember Athens from visits in the 1980’s and 90’s will say the city is a bit pricy and  crowded. They will remember five million inhabitants spilling through its streets, filling the shops and by-ways with an audible hum,  the traffic fierce. But Athens holds a certain attraction felt nowhere else, and if you have not been there in the past few years, you are in for a …

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