Turkey holds on to its ancient traditions
Lunch on the top floor of Hilton’s Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus hotel turned out to be a smart way to survey the city. From its windows I looked out on the Golden Horn, the major urban waterway and natural harbor of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. These shimmering waters mark one of the continental boundaries between Asia and Europe. I traveled to Istanbul last year for the Society of... READ MORE
Tale of two cities: Paris, then and now
Sixty years ago, a year after graduating from college, a friend and I decided to enter a graduate program at the Sorbonne of the University of Paris. We lived in the city for a year, making friends and memories. It was an unforgettable experience, one that shaped my view of living abroad and foreign cultures. Last May, I returned to Paris for a short stay while I could still get... READ MORE
A river tour of Vietnam and Cambodia
In rural Vietnam and Cambodia, lush vegetation opens up to abundant farmland tended by generations of farmers who still work the land with oxen and plow along the Mekong River. On a river cruise ship called the AmaDara, a friend and I, along with 120 other passengers, took in the views of the beautiful countryside from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Our riverboat journey was bookended ... READ MORE
Revolutionary road trip to Massachusetts
As our nation begins the celebration of its birth 250 years ago (our “semi-quincentennial”), a road trip to Massachusetts can bring to life historic events and the American revolutionary spirit. The state started celebrating on April 18, 2025, with a re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington by the Lexington Minute Men. At 5:15 a.m., folks in period costume replicated the day in 1775... READ MORE
Off Japan’s beaten track via small ship
I wandered through the grounds of Japan’s Daisho-in Temple until I found the perfect spot: a small pond covered in lily pads and surrounded by trees, flowering bushes and mossy rocks. A tiny, perfectly crafted pavilion sat at the pond’s edge. With a contented sigh, I lowered myself onto a bench for a moment of quiet contemplation. I was on Miyajima Island, on a hill overlooking... READ MORE
Beat the heat in Michigan’s small towns
As an East Coast person, I have to admit I had given little thought to visiting the Midwest. When my daughter went to the University of Michigan, though, my husband Paul and I took a road trip to Michigan — an eye-opening experience. It’s hard to believe, but Michigan is in the same time zone as Maryland. Since it’s located on the western edge of the Eastern time zone, the state... READ MORE
Newport’s Gilded Age mansions still dazzle
Newport, Rhode Island, has long been a summer playground for the rich and famous. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the city evolved as Gilded Age tycoons built their “summer cottages” there in the 1870s. Yachters began hosting the America’s Cup races offshore beginning in 1930. That high-society vibe continues today with sailing regattas, luxury hotels and high-end shops. I visit... READ MORE
A classic New York City trip with a twist
I love New York. Who doesn’t? The theater, the museums, the music, the food, the subways…well, maybe not the subways. This past spring, my wife and I had the opportunity to sample it all during a one-week visit to, in the words of writer Bruce Jay Friedman, the “city of class.” Of course, we did the usual — a play, a museum, Central Park — but we also explored the far... READ MORE
Maui’s beauty comes with a mellow vibe
The laid-back vibe on Maui might be the perfect antidote to the frantic hustle of our everyday world: sunshine, beaches, lush tropical plants and exotic flowers. My husband, Chris, and I spent some time on Maui last winter, our first visit since the Lahaina fire. While downtown Lahaina is open only to local residents, there are reassuring signs of a slow recovery. Most places in West... READ MORE
The Auto Train is part of your vacation
Last winter my wife, Fyllis, and I, along with our 2015 Honda, headed for warmer weather. Rather than navigating the car, though, we watched a movie and then enjoyed an excellent dinner with a fine wine. We were able to savor this pleasant journey to Florida because we were passengers on the Amtrak Auto Train. While we relaxed in our comfortable sleeper compartment, our car was riding... READ MORE
