Cruise the Seine from Paris to Normandy
“Paris is always a good idea,” Audrey Hepburn declared in the movie Sabrina. Her words come to mind every time I consider a trip to France. My husband, Chris (a dedicated history buff), and I (an insatiable foodie), combined our two favorite pastimes this spring and set off on a Viking river cruise to “Paris & The Heart of Normandy.” From Omaha Beach to artisanal... READ MORE
Explore the Hudson River Valley’s roads
Growing up in New York City, I loved my family’s drives along the Hudson River. But as an adult, even though I’m a sucker for jaw-dropping views, I was always in a rush to get somewhere and never stopped along the way. Last spring, my husband Paul and I decided to finally explore the Hudson River Valley. We were blown away by what we learned, the treasures we saw, and, oh yes,... READ MORE
We should’ve stayed longer in Tasmania
Aside from its beautiful beaches, Australia isn’t known for breathtaking scenery. Except, that is, for Tasmania — the island only 150 miles off the continent’s southern coast. What makes Tasmania so special is the variety of geological features crammed into an area comparable in size to West Virginia. That means it’s a relatively short drive to see empty beaches, craggy... READ MORE
Those pesky travel contracts are gotchas
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. When everything goes according to plan, the travel industry routinely delivers value for your money, and you don’t notice much else. But when anything goes south, the travel industry is, in fact, often out to get you. The basic business model of most travel is stacked against consumers. And one of the... READ MORE
Seven things nutritionists eat at airports
Airport terminals are like a giant impulse aisle, full of temptations you may usually resist. That can lead to regrets later in the day: Opting for unhealthy snacks can result in gastrointestinal upset or feeling hangry. Fortunately, there are plenty of good-for-you eats available at airports these days. We spoke to nutrition experts to find out which foods they eat before a flight. ... READ MORE
The sounds of music remain in Salzburg
Salzburg is forever smiling to the tunes of Mozart and The Sound of Music. Thanks to its charming old town, splendid Baroque churches, and one of Europe’s largest medieval fortresses, Salzburg feels designed to keep its visitors happy. With around eight million sightseers prowling its cobbled lanes each year, the city can feel pretty touristy. You don’t go to Salzburg to avoid the... READ MORE
Cruising to charming Southern locales
During a recent journey through several southeastern states, I knocked on an unmarked wood door, uttered a secret password, and was admitted into a throwback Prohibition-era speakeasy in the heart of Savannah, Georgia. My wife Fyllis and I also took a horse-drawn carriage ride through Beaufort, South Carolina — a small, picturesque town (pronounced BYOO-fert) that has served as the... READ MORE
How much travel insurance do you need?
You’ve probably seen a lot of stories explaining why you need travel insurance. They concentrate on speculating about all the bad stuff that might happen before or during your trip. Although the bad stuff is important, focusing on it is misdirected: You need travel insurance for only one reason: money. Insurance is all about money. It can’t stop a war or quiet a volcano; all it can... READ MORE
For a lakeside escape, head to Columbia
At dawn, as the sun’s rays glinted across Lake Kittamaqundi, 30 Canada geese floated silently across the water, casting their long-necked shadows on the silvery surface. This is the view from a balcony room at the Merriweather Hotel in Columbia, Maryland. Although the hotel is within sight of the Mall in Columbia and earshot of Route 29’s steady drum of traffic, it feels like a world ... READ MORE
Disney World is worth a visit at any age
Walt Disney once said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” Visiting Disney World in 1974 remains my happiest childhood memory. Before our family trip, I spent months poring over pamphlets and guidebooks in that world without the internet. Decades later, I found myself obsessively studying websites and apps to plan my husband’s 60th birthday adventure, his first... READ MORE
