Managing a multi-day stopover in Madaba on your way to Petra means amazing mosaics, dinner at the atmospheric Haret Jdoudna and quite possibly crossing a number of daytrips off your personal bucket list.
Mosaics, Fireside Meals and Daytrips of a Lifetime in Madaba, Jordan
August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Siem Reap: Cambodian Silk, Angkor Wat and Great Thai Food?
August 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Chances are, if you’re heading to Siem Reap, Cambodia, you’re going to see Angkor Wat. The subject of numerous documentaries and travel articles, this ancient and massive set of Khmer ruins is on the bucket list for many travelers.
5 Great Ways to See Sirmione
August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Towards the southern end of Lago di Garda lies the picture-perfect town of Sirmione, Italy. Accessible through castle walls and a foot bridge, this strollable town celebrated by the Roman poet Catullus is worth a daytrip for the discriminating tourist.
How to Plan a Perfect Day in Pisa
August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Historically a maritime rival with the likes of Venice and Genova, Pisa, Italy gets its current fame from a failed, but phenomenally beautiful architectural project. The leaning tower of Pisa is certainly the attraction that draws most foreigners to this Italian city, but there is definitely more here to explore.
Popular Things to Do When Visiting Venice, Italy
August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Venice carnival may be what puts this city in the international news every year, but it’s a highly sought-after tourist destination at any time.
Otavalo: Ecuador Indigenous Style
July 10, 2011 By 2 Comments
Otavalo is more than just a fun daytrip from Quito, Ecuador. It’s the premier place in the country to purchase indigenous handicrafts, get out of the city’s hustle and bustle and a seriously scenic drive.
6 Fun Things to Do in Quito, Ecuador
July 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Quito, Ecuador is arguably one of the most impressive cultural capitals in South America. With a complete historical renovation of the downtown cultural area, exquisite antique churches, exotic ecological and cultural daytrips to places like Otavalo, Mindo, Termas de Papallacta, the Orienté, and the oldest observatory in South America, there’s lots to enjoy.
Visiting Luray Caverns, Va: A Fun Family Getaway for Geology Fans, Cave Lovers
June 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Luray Caverns, Va represents the very finest of what the Virginia caverns scene has to offer.
Rapidan Camp, AKA Camp Hoover Provides Inside Peek to Depression-Era Presidency
June 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Before there ever was a Camp David, Rapidan Camp, otherwise known as Camp Hoover was the executive retreat of President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou.
CrossKeys Vineyards: Rural Virginia or Tuscany?
June 20, 2011 By 2 Comments
Just outside the town of Harrisonburg, Virginia is an exquisitely-situated winery known as CrossKeys Vineyards. Aside from the quintessentially- American farmhouses dotting the surrounding countryside, the establishment’s design and rolling vineyards would have you feeling as though you had turned a corner and been transported to Tuscany.
The Virginia Quilt Museum: Preserving an Art Form in Harrisonburg, Va
June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
On a recent day trip to Harrisonburg, Virginia, I had the opportunity to visit the Virginia Quilt Museum. Established in 1995, this nonprofit venue is staffed by volunteers and funded through a fiscal medley of admissions, memberships, fees, grants, fund-raising events and donations.
4 Great Reasons to Visit the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL
April 25, 2011 By 3 Comments
Tampa Bay zoo fans have lots to be proud of. Repeatedly voted the number one zoo in the country by Parents magazine, the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL provides numerous hands-on experiences and cage-free interaction opportunities for visitors.
Five Awesome Exhibits at the Field Museum
April 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Field Museum of Natural History is home to countless artifacts, interesting programs and educational exhibits. From anthropology to zoology, the Field Museum Chicago has something for everyone, plus, it’s a great place to bring the entire family! Here are just five of the amazing exhibitions you can explore during your visit: Evolving Planet [...]
Lessons Learned on a Snowy Day in Boston
February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My sister Regina and I always spend a day together for our birthdays. Since mine is in July, the options are better for play. Hers is in January, and the best options — those involving sun and warmth — also involve substantial planning and cost. So, this year, she decided she wanted just to go [...]
Review: Orlando Science Center
January 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If you live in the greater Orlando area and are suffering from theme park overload, you might consider taking the kids to the Orlando Science Center as an alternative family outing.
Christmas in Portland, Maine
November 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
There are several traditional Christmas events in Portland. I’ve been to all of them several times, but generally not all in the same year. They are all well done and worth the time to pursue.
Photo from the Road: African Mask Number Two
September 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This carved zebra mask caught my eye one day on a family outing. It happened to be at the entrance to the safari exhibit at the Lowry Park Zoo, but that’s not what made me pause.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
August 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is the most amazing and odd little museum I’ve ever visited…and I’ve been to a few. First, its setting. It’s near the famous Boston Fens and within walking distance of the Museum of Fine Art. It has an inner courtyard that is always in bloom and lovely. The museum’s [...]
Photo from the Road: African Mask Number One
August 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Sometimes, you find unusual travel photo opportunities at the most unexpected times. For example, this African mask I came across on a family visit to the Lowry Park Zoo.
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
August 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Located in University Circle in Cleveland, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum houses a collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It contains historically significant automobiles (over 200 vehicles from Model T to contemporary Jaguar), bicycles, aircraft, spacecraft, motorcycles and even a boat, Tinkerbelle. It’s fascinating. If history is your thing, and even if it isn’t, a [...]
Photo from the Road: Andean Market Women
August 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This image called to me for the taking on a day trip we took with a friend in Ecuador. The back view of virtually identical hair braids streaming down vibrantly colored shawls is a cultural snapshot of the Andes themselves.
Photo from the Road: Amazon River Rescue Bird Number One
August 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This bird was one of many animals we saw at a local Amazon jungle animal rescue and rehabilitation program near Misahualli, Ecuador.
Photo from the Road: Antique Truck in Ecuador
July 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This truck was a study in nostalgia itself. Seen on a trip to the equator in Ecuador, I couldn’t resist stopping to take the picture.
Boston Museum of Science
July 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Of all the science museums I’ve visited, I’m most familiar with the Boston Museum of Science. Relatively speaking, it’s right next door to me. When I visit, I plan to be there for the day, and I’m never bored. This is not an inexpensive day, but it is riveting. My favorite things include the Butterfly [...]
Scribner’s Mill Back to the Past Celebration
July 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Scribner’s Mill Preservation group. They pull out all the stops and it is a great historical event. The Back to the Past celebration is always the first weekend in August. The efforts of dozens of volunteers and exhibitors help make this a great experience for the [...]
Photo from the Road: Browsing Llamas
July 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Taken in the Andes at the end of a day excursion in Peru’s Sacred Valley, these llamas gave us quite a chuckle.
11 Things to Do in Beautiful Bolzano, Italy
June 29, 2010 By 3 Comments
Of all the places my husband and I visited when we lived in Europe, one that has always remained foremost in my memory is Bolzano, Italy. Having always intended to write an article about the area, I recently dug out my file folder of brochures and notes and sat down to complete the task.
Arizona Science Center
June 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I personally love, love, love museums of science. The hands-on approach, designed primarily to entice children, is a big draw for me as well! I always learn something. I’m always in awe of something. I’m always stumped by something. There is no way a visitor can be bored.
Photo from the Road: Woman of Sillustani
June 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This woman sat alongside of one of the ancient towers at the archeological site of Sillustani, near Lake Titicaca in Peru.
Photo from the Road: Three Stone Elephants
June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This image is proof positive that you just can’t tell where your next photo opportunity will come from.
Photo from the Road: Friendly Jordanian Donkey
June 7, 2010 By 4 Comments
Shot in Petra, this image of a friendly and curious donkey has always stuck with me as one of my favorites.
Photo from the Road: Dragon on a Pole
May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Taken in Thailand, this dragon is one I’ve seen in numerous other travel photos. Still, I couldn’t resist. He deserves to be photographed, don’t you think?
Photo from the Road: Vintage Lima
May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
It was a cloudy day in Lima, Peru as we strolled the downtown area with a mission to tour the main cathedral. As we stood on the side street, I was struck by how the run down appearance of the buildings and general area made me feel transported back in time.
Photo from the Road: Cambodian Postcard Salesman
May 17, 2010 By 6 Comments
This young boy was selling postcards at one of the temples in the Angkor Wat complex near Siem Reap.
