Festival of Lights makes season bright
A winter wonderland of freshly fallen snow, horse-drawn carriages, live reindeer, an outdoor ice skating rink, cheerful holiday decorations, 17th-century-style carolers and other live entertainment — illuminated by the brilliant effect of more than 3.5 million twinkling lights — await Coachella Valley residents only about an hour away in historic downtown Riverside.The 20th... READ MORE
Costa Rica preserves its natural wonders
Two spider monkeys show off their human-like expressions in Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. They are among the thousands of species of wildlife that live in the country, which prizes its preservation efforts. © Hugoht | Dreamstime.com I knew before traveling to Costa Rica that it has a well-deserved reputation for preserving its magnificent environment. I was... READ MORE
Airline-like fees on cruises add to costs
Following the lead of airlines, some big cruise lines are moving toward the airlines' pricing philosophy: Keep the base price low, and make up the difference with fees. How this will play out is anybody's guess, but if you're considering a cruise, you need to look past the initially featured rates.My friends at Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com) recently reported that Royal ... READ MORE
Eastern & Oriental Express defines glitzy
Beads of sweat trickle down my forehead on a muggy night in Bangkok when I realize I'm late for the Eastern & Oriental Express train. I've missed the shuttle from my hotel, and my baggage bounces over the unevenly paved streets as I run to the station in a panic.As I fly down the platform, my dress billows behind me. I feel like a character in an old movie as I sprint for the ... READ MORE
Laid-back living in eclectic Key West, Fla.
A sightseeing train chugs past Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where Ernest Hemmingway was a regular patron when he lived in Key West from 1931 to 1942.Photo by Victor BlockEven after several days luxuriating in the sun that bathes Key West in its glow, the essence of the Florida destination eluded me. I had immersed myself in the tiny island’s history, wandered narrow streets lined by... READ MORE
High-tech gambling at Maryland’s casinos
Patrons try their luck at some of Maryland Live!’s 3,200 slot machines. By October, the casino, located at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Md., will grow to the size of three football fields with 4,750 machines, making it one of the largest casinos in the country.Photo courtesy of Maryland Live!The flashing lights of the cavernous compounds lure you in, then the promise of instant... READ MORE
Read nature’s cues for a better garden
Phenology is the science of appearances, or knowing which plants can tell you when to start weeding, planting, fighting insects or tackling any other gardening priority.Once the forsythia begins to bloom, for instance, it’s time to renew your war against crabgrass. When to fertilize the lawn? Think apple blossoms falling. Time to set out tomatoes? Yes, if dogwood trees are in... READ MORE
For most travelers, blood clot risk is low
Good news for budget-minded travelers: There’s no proof that flying economy-class increases your chances of dangerous blood clots, according to new guidelines from medical specialists.Travelers’ blood clots have been nicknamed “economy class syndrome,” but the new advice suggests this is a misnomer.The real risk is not getting up and moving during long flights... READ MORE
Virginia’s hills are alive with country music
Way down in the southwest corner of Virginia, I returned for the night to the white-frame, century-old Nickelsville Hotel at 11 p.m. to find three musicians strumming and singing around the kitchen table. Trapped, I fell into bed three hours later with mountain tunes ringing in my head. When I stumbled out bleary-eyed the next morning, I was treated to a soothing bluegrass... READ MORE
Ways to ease your gardening workload
If you’re gardening more but enjoying it less, maybe it’s time to adopt some labor-saving ideas. Those can range from downsizing to mulching, from using native plants to switching to raised beds.“There’s no such thing as ‘no maintenance’ gardening. All gardens require some effort,” said Christopher Starbuck, an associate professor with the... READ MORE
