Is there a travel adviser in your future?
For any upcoming trips, many of you will turn to a travel adviser to help with the arrangements — some for the first time. When internet travel agencies and search systems first blossomed, some observers predicted the “end” for conventional travel agents. And many such agencies did, in fact, disappear. But others survived, in part by morphing into travel advisers. Specifically,... READ MORE
D.C. sites that recall suffragists’ battles
On March 3, 1913, Inez Milholland, astride a white horse and dressed in a white Cossack suit and white boots, led an unusual parade down Washington, D.C.’s Pennsylvania Avenue. With “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” banners fluttering in the wind behind her, Milholland led between 6,000 and 8,000 women, along with 10 bands, 26 floats, and six golden chariots in the Woman Suffrage... READ MORE
Try Finger Lakes for hikes, food and laughs
One afternoon during a recent trip to the Finger Lakes region of Western New York State, I was clocking 80 miles per hour (zooming around an automobile racetrack). On another day, I slowed down on the road to pass a horse-pulled Amish buggy. In between were hikes through other-worldly scenery, visits to intriguing museums, and opportunities to become acquainted with the opulent lifestyle ... READ MORE
Texas Hill Country offers a unique blend
In south-central Texas’ Hill Country, junipers and live oak trees punctuate the lush landscape. Streams run clear, and ranches sprawl across the horizon. In the spring, a multi-hued mosaic of wildflowers brightens fields and highways. “One could travel hundreds of miles on a bed of flowers,” Texas ranger James Gillett wrote in the late 1800s. Famous for its German heritage and... READ MORE
Rebuilding Notre Dame medieval-style
With precision and boundless energy, a team of carpenters used medieval techniques to raise up — by hand — a three-ton oak truss last month in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, a replica of the wooden structures that were consumed in the landmark’s devastating April 2019 fire that also toppled its spire. The demonstration to mark European Heritage Days gave hundreds of people a... READ MORE
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
Our region is filled with outdoor wonders
During the coronavirus pandemic’s quarantine and era of social distancing, many of us are finding comfort in nature. Spending time outdoors can lower stress, boost the immune system and enhance our well-being. As Henry David Thoreau wrote, “We can never have enough of nature.” The D.C. region has many parks, gardens and other places to enjoy the area’s natural biodiversity... READ MORE
Put these adventures on your bucket list
When we get back on the road after COVID-19 subsides, we’ll be “lookin’ for adventure,” as the rock band Steppenwolf put it. In anticipation of this hopefully not-too-distant day, I’ve put together a list of my favorite adventure trips for active older adults. So, if you need something to look forward to in the months or years ahead, here are a few destinations to... 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
Drawn to Monterey’s heritage, sea life
[Editor’s Note: Given the worldwide reach of the coronavirus and the fact that COVID-19 cases in California and elsewhere are still rising, this is not the time to travel there (or possibly anywhere) for enjoyment. Statewide, many parks and beaches are temporarily closed or have very limited access. Please enjoy this article as armchair entertainment and for planning your future travel ... READ MORE
