Reserve now for next year’s solar eclipse
Where’s the best place to watch next year’s total eclipse? If you’re thinking the grand open spaces of Wyoming, you have plenty of company.Hotel rooms across the Cowboy State are going, going, gone, well over a year before the arrival of the first total solar eclipse to be seen from the mainland U.S. in almost four decades.A national astronomy convention has reserved... READ MORE
Chattanooga — beyond the choo choo
The Tennessee Aquarium attracts more than 700,000 visitors each year. It houses not just thousands of fish, but penguins, owls, frogs and butterflies as well.Photo courtesy of the Chattanooga CVBDuring the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln asserted, “If we can take and hold Chattanooga and East Tennessee, I think the Rebellion must dwindle and die.” He saw the region as... READ MORE
Don’t fall for these summer travel scams
The summer vacation season is finally here. Have you booked your trip yet?There’s actually someone who’s more excited about your trip than you are, and that’s the scammers hoping to rake in millions from unsuspecting travelers. This time of year, travel scams surge — targeting people of all ages, but especially older travelers.Here are a few tips to protect you, your ... READ MORE
National parks and sites in our backyard
The waterfalls at Great Falls National Park, in Great Falls, Va., are part of the Potomac River. The park also includes part of the C&O Canal, which stretches from Georgetown to western Maryland.Photo © NPSThe Baltimore/Washington corridor is dotted with historic sites and parks managed by the National Park Service — from Ft. McHenry, where Francis Scott Key penned our... READ MORE
Which city passes are worth the money?
You’ve probably seen the promotions for passes that promise free admission to a handful of a major city’s top attractions — often bypassing ticket lines — for a fixed price that is a lot less than you’d pay for individual admission to all of them.I know of two major programs that sell passes for lots of different cities. And some individual cities organize... READ MORE
Prague and beyond in the Czech Republic
Prague’s 14th century Charles Bridge spans the Vltava River and is accessible only to pedestrians. Prague is famed for its nearly 1,000 towers and steeples, and ranks sixth on TripAdvisor’s best destinations in the world.© TTstudio/ShutterstockMany people who travel to the Czech Republic confine their stay to its capital, Prague, and with good reason. Known as “the... READ MORE
Cowboys, art and steak in Oklahoma City
What might be Oklahoma City’s best-known attraction is also a reminder of one of its darkest days: the Oklahoma National Memorial & Museum. The site honors the 168 people who died, and hundreds more who were injured, when the Alfred P. Murrah Building was bombed in 1995.Once you’ve paid your respects, take a deep breath and spend some time exploring all the other things this ... READ MORE
Nova Scotia’s maritime mélange of cultures
There are plenty of reasons to visit Nova Scotia (Latin for “new Scotland”) — one of the three Maritime Provinces of eastern Canada.Many people head for Cape Breton island in the northeastern corner of the province. They may take the famous Cabot Trail roadway, which winds along the island’s rugged Atlantic coastline — reason enough to head to that portion of... READ MORE
Cruises: big new ships, submarine trips
The Viking cruise line, best known for river cruises, began offering ocean cruises on the Viking Star last year. The ship is shown at its christening in Bergen, Norway.Photo courtesy of VikingUnderwater sightseeing in a glass submarine, shopping with a chef for dinner ingredients, and volunteering with locals: These are some of the new options this season for cruise passengers.This year,... READ MORE
‘Best value’ countries and cities in Europe
Among European countries, you get the most value for your money in the Czech Republic. And the worst value is Denmark. At least that’s what a recent study from Hotel Info (www.hotel.info) suggests. The top value city is Prague, and the worst is Rio.Normally, I’m not big on studies that steer you to “low-cost” or “high-value” destinations. After all, if... READ MORE
