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Sports, Rivers and Bridges Bring Downtown Pittsburgh to Life
By Marci DeWolf
Bridges are a great city's great connectors, and Pittsburgh is experiencing a River Renaissance, affirming an identity drawn from its famous bridges and rivers. These iconic structures connect the land mass to the downtown and riverfront.
The city's three Sister Bridges are a strategic way of connecting people. They ...Read more
Long Flight? Healthy Snacks You Can Carry On
By Nicola Bridges
In-flight peanuts and pretzels are often the only food available on flights today, and airport food picked up for the plane ride can be heavy and loaded with calories. Instead, pack nutritious healthy snacks in your carry-on that will quell your cravings without weighing you down. Pack extras and you'll have light bites...Read more
Natives and Nature Make up Much of Broward County's Appeal
By Victor Block
Some visitors are speeding through winding waterways in an airboat, keeping their eyes peeled for alligators, colorful birds and other resident creatures. Others are soaking up the sun and diving into the surf at lovely white-sand beaches that front the Atlantic Ocean.
Welcome to Broward County, Florida, which is tucked ...Read more
Margaritaville Resort: A Memorial to Jimmy Buffett
By Fyllis Hockman
Most people know of -- and many people live by -- the aphorism "It's 5 o'clock somewhere," but during my recent trip to Hollywood, Florida, it took on an even more special meaning. When Jimmy Buffett passed in September 2023, he left behind a beloved legacy of famous songs. Such is true of many well-known musicians, but...Read more
Unusual and Overlooked Parks Make for Fun Destinations
By Victor Block
Visitors to a national park in Arizona see and enjoy some of the attractions that draw millions of people each year to similar reserves throughout the country. They include dense forests, varied vegetation and diverse wildlife. At the other end of the spectrum is the Petrified Forest National Park, which is named for ...Read more
Ready to Travel? Pack Your Zen
By Nicola Bridges
Yoga, meditation, mindfulness and care about maintaining a sense of serenity are all part of my life, especially when I travel -- whether flying, road-tripping, or just being mindful of maintaining peace of mind, both literally and metaphorically. This all makes it possible for me to be in the moment to thoroughly ...Read more
Celestial Phenomena and a Total Solar Eclipse Still Thrill Earthlings
By Victor Block
People in ancient China believed that an eclipse occurred because a dragon ate the sun. For the Tewa Pueblo Native Americans, who resided in present-day New Mexico when early Spanish conquistadors arrived there, an eclipse meant that the sun temporarily left the sky to visit its home in the underworld.
While scientists ...Read more
Make a Leisurely Visit to South Carolina's Low Country
By Bonnie and Bill Neely
When a friend suggested that we would love the Montage at Palmetto Bluff in between Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, we decided to explore it in the off-season. We were avoiding the summer months since they are known for the Low Country's extremely hot weather and swarms of flying pests such as...Read more
A Family Trip to Japan
By Sharon Whitley Larsen
As I strolled down Chuo-Dori -- the main street in Tokyo's Ginza district -- on a rainy Sunday afternoon, it was magical to see pedestrians holding colorful umbrellas reflected in the damp pavement. This ritzy area with high-end designer shops is closed to traffic each weekend afternoon. And what a great outing ...Read more
From Food to Fashion: My First (Delectable!) Trip to Japan
By Kalea Whitley
What a great surprise I had on my 12th birthday last year. My Aunt Sharon said she was treating my parents and me to a 12-day trip to Japan.
The minute I landed at Narita International Airport, I knew I would enjoy my stay in Tokyo. After a 12-hour flight of nonstop music in my headphones and not a wink of sleep, you ...Read more
Nostalgic Diners: Come for the Eggs, Stay for the Experience
By Victor Block
In 1872, in Providence, Rhode Island, Walter Scott began selling takeout food from a horse-drawn wagon at dusk. He attracted late-shift workers, theatergoers and others who were out and about after dark. Based upon his success, a factory soon began building "lunch wagons." These were followed, in turn, by converted ...Read more
A Star in Shreveport: ASEANA Asian Gardens
By Bonnie and Bill Neely
While we were visiting Shreveport, Louisiana, we discovered lovely, peaceful gardens in an area that most people once avoided. Now, however, a piece of downtown has been transformed into a revered spot where urbanites can get away from the hustle and bustle of life. This place where people come to enjoy a quiet ...Read more
Nashville Rhythms: A Melodic Journey Through Music City
By Doug Hansen
Nashville, also known as Music City, is a vibrant destination that captures the heart and soul of the American South, from its rich musical heritage to its burgeoning food scene. Recently my wife, Sharen, and I spent four days here seeing for ourselves why this is one of the top tourist destinations as well as one of the ...Read more
Miami Is Fine for a Family Getaway
By Candyce H. Stapen
What's the key to a Miami Beach area family vacation? Pair shore time with off-the-beach fun. Try a zip line adventure, explore museums, learn about the city's iconic architecture and allow plenty of time to romp through parks and along the sands. It's easy to engage toddlers, teens and multigenerational families. A ...Read more
Pay a Visit to Majestic Endangered Wolves
By Nicola Bridges
Moving silently, its head hung low with curious eyes peering from a soft face of gray and white fur, a wolf appears from under the low-hanging wild oak trees and moves stealthily toward us, wary of our movements and voices. Another appears ambling behind, this one's coat completely blond, both now sniffing the air.
...Read more
Truffle Hunt Yields Flavors and Fun
By Victor Block
Nadine was excited. She scampered along a haphazard route, pausing now and then to sniff at the ground. Occasionally she began to dig in the dirt, her breath quickening and eyes widening. But she was not permitted to complete the excavation she had begun. That task was finished by Vanessa, who distracted Nadine with a ...Read more
Here's What's New in Cruise Ship Amenities
By Victor Block
Every member of the Meyers family was busy enjoying their three-generational vacation getaway. Tom and Martha were playing pickleball, a popular pastime among people in their age group. Their son, Ben, and his wife, Melissa, were steering electric race cars along a winding two-level track, slowing to negotiate sharp ...Read more
Tombstone Tourism Isn't as Somber as It Sounds
By Victor Block
Several groups of people stroll leisurely over rolling fields situated on a hilly peninsula that overlooks the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean. Some pause beneath the shade offered by the wind-shaped trees to enjoy the scenic setting and the view, which includes San Diego in the distance. While this would be a perfect ...Read more
Best Valentine's Day Gifts for Every Traveler on Your List
By Margot Black
Finding the right Valentine's Day gift can often come with a lot of pressure to satisfy specific personalities and be romantic and thoughtful at the same time. If you're on the hunt for a Valentine's Day gift for the traveler in your life, here are a few fun ideas to help you out. Whether you're aiming for the super ...Read more
Hanging With Hawks at SoCal's Raptor Hotspot
By Nicola Bridges
After peering through a pair of high-powered binoculars for only a few minutes from a grassy embankment, slowly scanning the sky over the lower-lying flat green land sprawling below, I see a majestic bird sweep into view and soar upward, its impressive wingspan silhouetted against the backdrop mesa of the near and ...Read more