A resource for independent travelers
More than 100 years old and located in the cigar capital of the world, the Columbia restaurant’s historic Ybor City location is the original restaurant from which the other Florida locations were born. The restaurant has also been awarded the national prize for best Cubano sandwich for a number of years.
My first thought upon walking into Union Station?
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 [...]
A trip to Boston, for me, necessarily includes a trip to the North End. It’s a flashback both to my childhood and my college years in Cleveland, Ohio. Listening to the residents interacting, walking through the close streets, smelling the amazing aromas that abound in the North End all bring me back to very happy [...]
I had never heard of this restaurant ’til a recent visit to Phoenix. I had been hearing from a friend about an amazing salmon dish included on their menu. He couldn’t use enough positive words to describe it. So, when I was in Phoenix, we included dinner at Charleston’s, and being a big fan of [...]
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Phoenix. When it comes to food, first thoughts lean toward Tex-Mex or Mexican. Decisions are not easy. However, having a local help with the picking makes all the difference. My first meal in Phoenix was at Manuel’s on Cave Creek. Manuel’s is a mid-priced restaurant, has 7 locations [...]
Living on the island of Oahu afforded me the time to discover the hidden treasures of the island. I enjoyed three years of exploring the island and made time to discover some favorite places.
What I love is when a recommended restaurant lives up to the recommendation. I’ve been hearing about P.F. Chang’s China Bistro for a while now…in t.v. shows, from friends, from family. The nearest location to home is well over two hours away. So, on a recent trip to Phoenix, I was happy to finally have [...]
As a rule, I don’t tout chain restaurants. There’s too much room for inconsistency from store to store. I believe I’ve found an exception. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Texas Roadhouse in two different states. The quality was consistent. It was fun…unlimited peanuts in the shell and an invite to drop those [...]
Recently, my sister and I went to Florida to celebrate her birthday. We have a 92-year-old uncle who lives there, and any trip to Florida includes a visit to Uncle Frank. Similarly, any visit with Uncle Frank includes a meal out. This time was no different. I did not know there was a robust Amish [...]
This view was photographed from a castle wall near Bolzano, Italy. There are many castles in the area, as well as wineries, farm stays, ecological experiences and cultural performances. The area is also a popular destination for ski holidays in the winter.
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This Andean woman takes a break from selling her wares to socialize with tourists in Peru's Sacred Valley.
The ancient Nabatean city of Petra, Jordan provides a peek into ancient civilization and also into the local Bedouin culture, which values the social experience of drinking tea highly.
This stand of palm trees against a blue sky is located in Florida's Longboat Key, one of the islands of Sarasota. It's a popular getaway with tourists and Florida residents alike, when one wants a taste of forgotten Florida.
Exploring the world-famous archeological site of Machu Picchu takes some time. In order to make the most of your visit, it's best to arrive at Aguas Calientes an afternoon ahead of schedule and head up the mountain first thing the next morning.
This command module is part of the Saturn V rocket display at the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must-see exhibit if you only have one day at the KSC. The entire venue is right down the road from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, another fun family attraction on Florida's space coast.
This abandoned mosque in Israel lies along the shores of Lake Tiberius, otherwise known as the sea of Galilea. The view of the ancient stones and overgrown plants struck me as sort of an Indiana Jones image with a bit of Middle Eastern flair.
This resort cottage photograph was taken at the thermal hot springs resort of Papallacta, located in the mountains of Ecuador. The mist rising off of the thermal pools brings a bit of a mystical quality to the image.
