Category: Uncategorized

  • Springtime in Paris

    PARIS, France – We arrived at Charles de Gaulle International Airport at 8:40 a.m., but between looking in vain for our lost luggage, filing a claim, learning to negotiate the metro system and buying a local SIM card for the phone, it was nearly 11 by the time that we emerged from the subterranean maze…

  • Danger vs. beauty in the Middle East

    Alfred and Joyce Goodman don’t consider themselves adventure travelers; you’re more likely to find them aboard a luxury cruise than a wilderness safari. Nevertheless, they came away from a recent cruise through the Middle East with stories that hearkened more from the pages of Sinbad’s fabled voyages than Travel and Leisure. Israeli security guards kept…

  • Top 13 Travel Myths for 2013

    As they planned their trip to Italy, Joel and Meredith Vela kept hearing from friends who’d been there: “Don’t worry about learning Italian – everyone there speaks English!” Nevertheless, Joel got an audio course to learn the basics. The best parts of the trip were off the beaten track, in little villages where almost nobody…

  • Thirteen getaways for 2013

    Now that we’ve all survived the end of the world, it’s time to celebrate – and what better way than with a fantastic journey into the unknown? Here are 13 destinations to consider. 1. Riviera Maya – It’s not too late to celebrate the end of the Mayan calendar at the AAA Five Diamond Grand…

  • My father’s hands

    Joseph “Gary” Brunk, March 6, 1939-Dec. 23, 2012. (Tasha Brunk Huesca hand & photo) My father was a man who held a family together with strong yet gentle hands. I held one of those hands as I said goodbye and reflected on all it had done for us – the same huge hand that had…

  • Canada meets Wirikuta: Canadian author visits Birthplace of the Sun

    Canadian author and activist Maude Barlow atop the Cerro Quemado with Wixarika leader Santos de la Cruz. (Tracy L. Barnett photos) REAL DE CATORCE, Mexico – From the moment Maude Barlow passed under the crumbling stone arch and saw the first nopalera laden with red cactus fruits, she knew she was entering another dimension. Accompanied…

  • Turkish Cuisine, Antalya Style

    By Nikolai Rudenko Editor’s note: This post is provided by our sponsors. If there’s one reason why a trip to Turkey should be embarked upon at some point in your life, ignoring the obvious sun, sea and sand, it’s the cuisine. Turkish food provides some of the tastiest morsels you’ll ever devour and the only…

  • Sail Away in 2013…

    By Nikolai Rudenko Editor’s note: This post is provided by our sponsors. Fancy a cruise holiday this year? You needn’t worry about time running out, because there are plenty of fantastic cruises on offer, and a number of tempting deals too. For instance, take a look at Thomas Cook 2013 Cruises. As you’ll see, there…

  • Memorable Trips to Mexico

    By Nikolai Rudenko Editor’s note: This post is provided by our sponsors. If you’re a fan of sizzling fajitas and fiery fiestas, don’t miss your chance to visit Mexico. This captivating corner of the world is alive with Spanish flair and a culture rich in indigenous traditions, not to mention some of the most beautiful…

  • Holistic Holiday at Sea, Part 4

    Lino Stancich instructs passengers on the art of self-massage for healing on the top deck of the MSC Poesia. THIRTY THOUSAND FEET OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO – It’s hard to believe it was just a week ago that I made this journey in reverse, catching my pre-dawn flight in Guadalajara, deplaning in Miami to…