Bird lovers will love Papua New Guinea
As the early morning clouds lifted, I aimed my binoculars at a branch about 30 yards away. Through the binoculars I spotted the iridescent aqua head and black tailfeathers of a bird-of-paradise — the Stephanie’s astrapia, according to Joseph, my birding guide. I’m not a birder, but for a few moments at least, I understood why serious birders wake up early to hike miles... READ MORE
Caribbean island has unique dual culture
The tiny Caribbean island of French St. Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten offers tourists a chance for a traditional sun-and-sand getaway, but its unique dual culture keeps vacationers coming back year after year. The 36-square-mile island is the smallest land mass in the world that’s shared by two nationalities. Approximately 60% of the land is part of the French Republic, while the rest... READ MORE
Enjoy the simple life in modern Sweden
[Editor’s Note: Given the worldwide reach of the coronavirus and the fact that COVID-19 cases in Sweden and elsewhere are still rising, this is not the time to travel there, or anywhere, for enjoyment. Please enjoy this article as armchair entertainment and for planning your future travel in healthier times.] Sweden has been much in the news of late. First, it was teenage... READ MORE
Souvenirs evoke fine vacation memories
My body is home these days, but my mind is roaming the globe. I’m stalking endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, interacting with animals and people in the Amazon, and clinging to a tiny saddle on a camel strolling through the Sahara Desert. These are among countless memories that remain alive in souvenirs brought back from the more than 70 countries, including ours, that I have... READ MORE
Laos, Southeast Asia’s spiritual heart
As our boat glided silently up the wide Mekong River, I dozed off in the breeze. Occasionally I opened my eyes to look at the lush scenery gliding by, the children playing in the water, and the fisherman in their slim boats tossing their nets into the river. My mind drifted as I let the sights, sounds and fragrances of the river wash the chatter from my mind. I was on a slow boat just a... READ MORE
How to avoid crowds in Italy’s Riviera
Editor’s Note: As of the time of publication, the COVID-19 virus has reached Italy and is spreading through the community. As with most areas of the world, there are widespread restrictions on person-to-person contact, and many businesses are either closed or are limiting operations. This is not the time to travel there, or anywhere, for enjoyment. Please enjoy this travel section as... READ MORE
Having peak experiences in Indonesia
The whale shark swam directly at me. As I feared becoming whale shark canapé, it veered slightly and slid past me, just a couple of feet away. If I had been so inclined (or stupid), I could have touched the 25-foot-long shark as it glided by. I’ve had some pretty amazing animal encounters in my life — lions in Namibia, mountain gorillas in Uganda, whales in Alaska and Antarctica,... READ MORE
Barcelona’s architecture, history, sports
Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona’s renowned architect, once observed, “There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature.” Straight lines are few in Gaudí’s hometown of Barcelona, a Mediterranean city of 5 million in northeast Spain, sprawled between the mountains and the sea. A winding, narrow street connects with yet another winding street, which spills onto a bustling plaza... READ MORE
Defending yourself against travel scams
Europe is a surprisingly creative place when it comes to travel scams. Many of the most successful gambits require a naively trusting tourist, but seasoned travelers can be taken in, too. We should all be wary of the numerous subtle scams — a cabbie pads your fare, a hotel business center computer records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a “special” increased... READ MORE
WWII history via biking in the Netherlands
Bucolic. Picturesque. Charming. Clichés, perhaps, but in my 50 years of world travel, I’ve visited few places where those words are more appropriate. The Netherlands is one. Last summer, I pedaled for several days through the beautiful countryside in southeastern Netherlands, near the border with Germany. It’s hard to believe that such a peaceful place was the site of some of the... READ MORE
