Articles from this Category
May 21, 2018
I passed through the elaborate gate at the main entrance – a beautiful construction unto itself – and gasped as I looked through the rounded frame. There it was… the elaborate, dazzling white marble castle-like structure that inspires so many dreams. The Taj Mahal. Commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the purpose […]
April 2, 2018
Traveling in India can be daunting for even the savviest travelers. Infrastructure is lacking, there are hordes of people to contend with, putrid-smelling trash everywhere, sanitary issues with food and water, and the traffic is pure bedlam beyond anything I’ve ever seen, anywhere in the world. You’re probably thinking, “why would I want to go […]
February 1, 2018
South Korea, most known for sharing a heavily militarized border with its testy neighbor North Korea, is a land of diverse beauty and culture. From a cosmopolitan capital, to flowering green countryside, to ancient Buddhist shrines and 5000-year history, to tropical island paradise, festivals and unique cuisine, South Korea offers travelers a wide range of […]
January 5, 2018
One of my first adventures of 2018 will be Dubai. Half a world away, there are so many reasons why this fascinating city is magnetically drawing me in. Once considered just a stopover connecting the continents, Dubai is now a destination unto itself. The contrasts are extreme. In the same day, you can have fun […]
July 13, 2017
“Don’t go to street markets!” warned our Chinese guide from Viking River Cruises. “Dangerous. You get sick.” I get it. Nobody wants tourists to have a bad experience. Viking in particular caters to an older, affluent crowd who prefer fine dining and luxury experiences. Enter me, a well-traveled adventure junkie who isn’t good at following […]
July 10, 2017
China can be a logistical challenge for foreigners. The country’s recent tourism boom has put this country on many bucket lists, but maneuvering by plane or train is still difficult due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Touring by boat, however, is a different story. Viking River Cruises provides a luxurious, stress-free journey throughout […]
June 1, 2017
Highlights of China Claiming 5,000 years of history and culture, the discoveries of tea, silk, papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder, Confucianism, through dynastic rule, and on to Communism, Chinese culture has made an impact on the world. The last few decades have seen not just an increase in tourism abroad, but with its own […]
May 20, 2017
Danny Tang, 48 years old, has been the Chef de Cuisine for Viking River Cruises’ Imperial Jewels of China tour for 10 years. It’s a plum job. China’s flourishing inbound tourism has led it to becoming the world’s second largest travel and tourism economy. The Asian country has sustained its international fascination, particularly in America, […]
May 12, 2017
Radio Interview with Kevin and Sue McCarthy Travel Planners Radio Show Internationally syndicated on the GAB Radio Network Broadcast on 1590 WCGO 3/25/17 China: The Ultimate Bucket List Trip Click on or below image to play Overview China – the ultimate bucket list trip See as much as possible 2 weeks, 9 cities/destinations […]
April 19, 2017
“You’d better hurry!” said the concierge. We’d just returned to our hotel after a day of sightseeing 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 out of […]