There is an old Russian folktale that says that in days gone by, young married couples were locked inside a granary shed for privacy during their wedding night. True or not, it’s a story that …
October 18, 2012
Travel: Must-See
Moscow's Love Lockdown
Adventure (via Scooter) in Ubud, Bali
When my cousin Natalie and I left the Monkey Forest Inn villas in Ubud to stay in a different villa for her birthday, I had no idea the adventure I was in for – as …
October 18, 2012
Alaska's Spectacular Drive along the Turnagain Arm
It takes little time after heading south from Anchorage to be exposed to some of the most stunning scenery Alaska has to offer. The Seward Highway, connecting Anchorage with the Kenai Peninsula, has been justly …
October 11, 2012
Biosphere 2: Man-Made Wonder
Between 1987 and 1994, the $200-million Biosphere 2 structure with its two “lungs” and Energy Center was constructed on 40 rolling meadow acres west of the Santa Catalina Mountains and a half-hour north of Tuscon, …
Yellowstone Must-sees
Yellowstone National Park is a geological spectacle of the senses. The colors are vivid, the smells unforgettable, and the power of the geysers and waterfalls will fill you with awe. The major attractions are all …
September 20, 2012
Istanbul is Cheap(er)
A cosmopolitan blend of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a more exotic, less-pricey alternative to Paris or London, especially during the off-season winter months of January, February and March. The city is compact and walkable, …
September 10, 2012
Mittel Europe in Middle America: Cleveland, OH
You can immerse yourself in the culture of Central Europe without ever leaving the States by heading to Cleveland. Between the food, music and neighborhoods, there are lots of exotic pockets in the city that …
September 6, 2012
Cairo, Post-Revolution
Cairo, Egypt, is a riveting blend of ancient and modern. I was apprehensive traveling here, though, because of reports of lingering unrest in Cairo after the country’s recent revolution. Yet I found the Egyptian people …
Singapore: A "Fine" City
The city-state of Singapore is known for being a "fine city," a title imbued with two very different meanings: one is that it's a fine city to live in, while the second refers to its …
Lucca, Italy: Puccini and the Heart of Tuscany
I was invited by the Tuscan city of Lucca, Italy, to learn more about its beloved son, Giacomo Puccini. The fifth generation of famous musicians in his family, Puccini lived from 1858–1924 and was the …
August 27, 2012
Tijuana Revisited, Part 2
(continued from an August 7 travel story) “Come on, take a photo,” urges a man standing on a corner of Avenida Revolución, locally known as “La Revo.” This is the main street running through T.J.’s …
August 23, 2012