A stroll through LA’s historic downtown
Despite Los Angeles’ reputation to the contrary, the city does have a walkable downtown. In fact, it’s a surprising mix of old and new, classic and modern, with a smorgasbord of places to eat and drink. This past June, I spent a day with my wife and several friends strolling through the city’s history and present, exploring its ethnic, architectural and gustatory diversity. Our... READ MORE
How to travel reasonably, if not cheaply
I get tired of articles I read about how to “save money” on travel. “Saving” money means putting it into an IRA or a CD or a kids’ college fund. This year, you’re going to spend money on travel — lots of money, given the near-universal inflation. What you want to do is spend it most efficiently — to get the most bang for the buck. And that doesn’t mean squeezing a... READ MORE
A classy cruise down the ol’ Mississippi
When my wife Fyllis and I first saw the ship that would be our home for a week, we were impressed. Our room — a spacious outside stateroom with private balcony — rivaled those in many upscale hotels. The food and table settings in the ship’s dining room were both five-star, with a welcome all-inclusive policy (so that second dessert and adult beverage are “free”). But we... READ MORE
Maine transports travelers back in time
On a summer stay in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, I decided to go to a concert at the local opera house. When I picked up my tickets at the box office, the agent opened a plastic box, grabbed a batch of tickets bound with a rubber band and handed me my paper tickets. No Internet, no password, no clicking, no online headaches. The whole experience took two minutes. Such is Maine. Longing for ... READ MORE
To search appropriate hotels, use filters
When you search for a hotel online, most of you these days have a few deal-breaker requirements. For me, it’s an elevator — I’m an old geezer and don’t do stairs very well. But it can range from a kitchen to being pet-friendly. You can save time and hassle if you can limit your search to hotels that meet your needs, without cluttering up your response list with places that... READ MORE
Powwows sustain indigenous cultures
Six men nestled close together in a circle, drumming in a steady, rhythmic beat as others sang along in Native American languages. Drumming like this is central to every powwow, or Native American gathering, providing a mesmerizing live soundtrack. “The drum is our heartbeat,” said Powhatan Red Cloud-Owen, a member of Virginia’s Chickahominy Tribe, who attended a powwow last... READ MORE
Make time for wild adventures in Alaska
As our travel group hiked on a lupine-lined trail in Alaska, the guide called out, “Here bear, here bear,” every minute or so, advising us to make some noise and not surprise Ursus arctos, the Alaska grizzly. Soon we spotted a dark brown mound shrouded in the bushes about six car lengths away — a bear’s head. Out came the guide’s bear spray. We didn’t need it; our... READ MORE
How to avoid illness traveling outside U.S.
Dear Mayo Clinic: I have a group of friends with whom I love to travel. We plan several trips a year, and we are planning to visit the Caribbean next. We will stay at an all-inclusive resort in a popular destination and do a few sightseeing day trips in the area. Are there things we should do to be safe while traveling? A: Travel is always a fun activity to enjoy with friends. In ... READ MORE
Nearby, off-the-beaten-path B&Bs to try
There are times I need to get away but don’t want to spend weeks planning a trip or having to fly. I just want a change of scenery, good food and some interesting activities. A quick getaway, maybe a day or two, is all I need. So, I decided to look into B&Bs within a couple hours’ drive of our area. The fun thing about B&Bs is that no two are alike. And even within one... READ MORE
Avoid foreign exchange gouges abroad
Since at least Biblical times, money changers have been gouging foreign visitors exchanging their currency for local shekels. Fortunately, if you’re going outside the U.S. this summer, you can avoid most of the gouge. Unless you’re a currency speculator, you’ll almost always lose a little in exchanging your dollars for whatever. That’s because the actual cost of exchanging... READ MORE
