May 3, 2017
Phuket is Thailand’s tropical paradise. Dubbed “the Pearl of the Andaman,” it’s the largest and most well-known of the islands in the Andaman Sea on Thailand’s southern peninsula. It has a population of around a quarter of a million people. The island has a rich culture and history and was one of the major trading […]
April 19, 2017
“You’d better hurry!” said the concierge. We’d just returned to our hotel after at the end of our weekend in Shanghai. We wanted to see the Bund at night but had just been informed that the lights go out at 10:00 pm. Prompt. With a mere 15 minutes before lights-out, we took a right turn […]
March 26, 2017
Beijing is China’s colossal capital, with a rich and fascinating history dating back 3,000 years. It’s a location with architectural marvels from the ancient dynastic palaces to stunningly unique modern skyscrapers. It’s arguably China’s cultural center, offering a glimpse into the old hutong warrens of the past to the hustling mega-metropolis of the inner city, […]
March 20, 2017
“Aaarrrggghhhh,” I screamed when I felt something crawling on my head. “What is it?” “It’s a giant grasshopper,” said Alison. “Wait a minute, hold still. I want to get a picture.” “Get it off! Now!” I bellowed “No, leave it. It’s good luck,” she insisted. China is full of surprises, from superstitions to fascinating food […]
March 15, 2017
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from – or how you feel… There’s always peace in a strong cup of coffee.” ― Gabriel Bá, Coffee in the United States has become somewhat of pop culture. Get in line, order the most complicated, tongue-twisting combination of caffeine on the menu, and drink it from the paper cup […]
February 12, 2017
Ask a random sampling of people about their bucket list destinations, and virtually all of them will mention the Great Wall of China, probably near or at the top. “He Who Has Never Been to the Great Wall Is Not a True Man” I’m no exception. My two-week trip to China was prompted by my […]
February 10, 2017
A barrier island stretching along the northeast coast of Florida, there are so many things to do at Amelia Island for a relaxing romantic weekend or fun road trip during the chilly shoulder season. Car Rentals from $8.98 A Day: 7 Major Car Vendors, 15,000 Locations, Save Up to 40%. The island, named for Princess […]
February 8, 2017
Full transparency: I’m not a foodie. I’m an adventure traveler. So when our JayWay tour guide said we were going to take a cooking class while traversing Macedonia, I was not thrilled. I anticipated boredom. I was wrong, very wrong. Lake Ohrid We started out from our hotel on glorious Lake Ohrid where we’d spent […]
January 5, 2017
Albanian wine is no stranger to Europe. Archeological evidence near the capital of Tirana indicates traces of tannic acid, which produces the bitter taste in wine, dates back to a 6,000-year viniculture, making Albania arguably the oldest winemaker in Europe. Albania, a small country bordering Greece on the Adriatic Sea, has four separate wine regions, […]
January 3, 2017
It’s no secret that the Greek Islands rank high on the list of “must-do” destinations. But which one to choose? Each island has its own magnetic charm, but I submit that the Corfu beaches and activities make it difficult for anyone to resist the Greek island’s pull. Corfu Island is the second-largest island in the […]