TRAVEL NEWS

Whales: The hottest blood of all

They say the sea is cold, but the sea contains the hottest blood of all, and the wildest, the most urgent.Whales Weep Not, D. H. LawrenceWe carry with us a special feeling for whales. From childhood on, we are fascinated by their size and intelligence and seek out opportunities to see them whenever we travel…

Island Flavors: The Diverse Cuisines of the Caribbean

One of the best ways to get to know a culture is to spend some meal time with the locals. Food is an integral part of culture and identity. It’s no surprise that writers like Anthony Bourdain and Phillip Rosenthal have explored how regional cuisines reveal the history, influences, and values of the destinations they…

Slow Travel: How to Immerse Yourself in Local Culture

Every destination has its distinctive charm, hidden aspects, and traditions most travelers miss in the rush to check off the popular sites listed in travel guides. However, to travel is not merely to see but to experience, understand, and connect. Here are a few ways to experience your destination in greater depth.

Halloween Around the World

Halloween as we know it, with the trick-or-treating and funny costumes, is mostly a Western practice. Though it has in recent years spread to South America, the Far East, and Eastern Europe, some of these places have their own traditions that resemble our own Halloween. Here is the way Halloween is celebrated in other countries.

Travel IQ – How can I safely eat street food?

Dear Travel IQ: I love to watch shows like Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, and I enjoy eating new foods when I travel.  I’ve always been afraid to try street food, however.  It’s tempting, but I’m worried about sanitation and catching some type of bug that will ruin my trip.  How can I safely join…

In the Footprints of King Arthur: Tracing a Legend Through Somerset and Cornwall

Scholars, archeologists, writers, and even theologians have debated, dug, and mused over the Once and Future King for centuries, but the mystery that shrouds the boundary between man and myth in our modern times remains thicker than ever. Luckily, if you know where to look, there are places today that still bear Arthur’s name, places…

Port Antonio – the real Jamaica

If you travel past Kingston and head northeast to Port Antonio, you see the real Jamaica. Once a hangout for the rich and famous, Port Antonio was ravaged by a series of hurricanes from 1988 through 2005. One after another, these storms pounded the Portland Parish, wrecking much of the tourism trade. But for those…

Above and Beyond with Alaska Helicopter Tours – Anchorage

The September Alaskan air was cool but not cold. Nevertheless, I didn’t begrudge the coat I brought with me. I was too excited by what lay ahead to feel anything but anticipation in any event. It was my first trip to Alaska, and the second for my wife Judi. Today, we were going to have…

Italy’s Atlantis: The Story of Portus Julius

In 1990 I living in Italy as part of the US contingent of NATO. Strangely, I began to hear consistent rumors of an underwater city near Naples, Italy. Local Italians told me conspiratorially that it was their own Atlantis, but few knew much else about this fabled town. The legends grew over time amongst the…

What Smartphones CAN’T Do When You Take Them on Vacation

Smartphones, notably the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, are photographic miracles. They can see in the dark and rise to nearly all photographic challenges. If you’re within 10-15 feet of your subject, the newest smartphones are almost infallible in their ability to provide a bright, sharp photo—even if you make no adjustments and press the…