A tour of country music’s highlights
Country music is a uniquely American art form, with its roots in the fiddle from European immigrants and the African banjo, all the way through its explosion as a commercial art form that has reflected the social, economic and cultural changes within our country. Ken Burns took on the gargantuan task of telling the story of country music in his eight-part PBS documentary series Country... READ MORE
Do Airbnb, Uber & Lyft save you money?
The sharing economy offers two major opportunities for travelers to depart from the conventional: Airbnb rather than hotels for accommodations, and Uber or Lyft in place of taxis for local transportation. A few recent studies have looked at comparative costs in various major cities around the world, and the overall answer to the “which is best” question remains as you might expect:... READ MORE
Vancouver’s surprising sites and diversity
The city of Vancouver in Canada’s British Columbia, once a crown colony, is named for British Royal Navy Captain George Vancouver, who in the late 18th century explored much of North America’s northwestern Pacific Coast. But you can bet you won’t drink tea following rigid British protocols when you visit Vancouver. You are more likely to slurp, sniff and savor aromatic Chinese tea... READ MORE
All aboard for fall foliage trips by train
Leaf peeping is traditionally a windshield tourism activity, but lots of folks believe that a train ride is even better. Fortunately, you have lots of options. Options aboard Amtrak Amtrak’s top fall foliage trip is the New York-Montreal Adirondack, especially the segment between Albany and Montreal through the valley that separates the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. Amtrak... READ MORE
What happens aboard a cruise ship?
One evening during our cruise on the Danube River, my wife and I listened to a fascinating discussion about the cultures and customs in four Eastern European countries. Another presentation dealt with the present-day refugee situations in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. During our cruise, time spent aboard the ship turned out to be more — much more — than just a... READ MORE
A journey in classic cars down Route 66
In the 1940s, everyone was humming about how to “get your kicks on Route 66,” thanks to Nat King Cole and his hit. In the 1960s, the road fed the fevered imagination of an entire generation due to the two cool, good-looking guys in their hot Corvette who starred in the TV show “Route 66” during those years. Back in the day, yours truly — a decidedly uncool, homely teenager... READ MORE
Visiting European capitals via the Danube
“Now we’re heading toward Durnstein, one of the loveliest towns in Austria,” the voice over the ship’s loudspeaker intoned. “So many artists have gathered at one spot to portray the magnificent surrounding landscape that it became known as the Painters’ Corner.” As our vessel continued its journey on the Danube River, my wife and I joined other passengers in oohing and... READ MORE
How to bypass ATM fees while traveling
If you find yourself short on cash while on vacation, it might seem easiest to hit up the nearest ATM. But if that handy machine is not in your bank’s network, you could get a double whammy of fees: The ATM owner will probably charge a few dollars for the convenience, and your own bank may tack on an extra $2.50 or so. You can avoid paying ATM surcharges, however, with some prep work.... READ MORE
Beacon celebrates 20th year of 50+Expos
For the past 20 years, the Beacon newspaper has been providing free community education events every fall for readers and their families. Known as the 50+Expos, they are held in both suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia for the convenience of residents throughout the metro area. Between the two events, more than 100 informative exhibitors will provide giveaways and helpful... READ MORE
Affordable options beckon for fall travel
It’s time to start working on your fall travel plans. And if your schedule permits, fall remains a top time for vacation travel for at least two reasons. First, throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, the summer heat is largely over, but winter chill hasn’t yet set in. Second, families with kids are back home with kids in school. The net result is that, historically, the... READ MORE
