SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, Mexico – May, 2021 – Visitors to San Miguel de Allende are quick to sing the praises of its charming, cobblestoned streets and brightly colored Spanish-colonial architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage site rich with Mexican culture and history, San Miguel de Allende also offers much more beyond that, as well, providing unique experiences, for example, in the great outdoors. Below are some nature- and activity-based options … [Read more...]
The Pull of Haystack Rock: Why I Keep Coming Back
I'm from a sleepy town in the Triad region of North Carolina. All my life, my parents took us kids to the closest beach on the east coast there was: good, old-fashioned Myrtle. Even back in the mid-1990s, it was a treasure trove of commercialism, with high-rise condos juxtaposed against centuries-old motels still somewhat holding on, amid the tearing down of the old Pavillion and the installation of a brand-new boardwalk. My toes never touched … [Read more...]
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Phoenix this Summer
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Phoenix this Summer – Yes, Summer! PHOENIX, Arizona - it's natural to think of any place but the desert to go for a summer getaway. But Visit Phoenix says there are many reasons it makes perfect sense to visit this summer—10 in fact! Outrageous Deals at Luxury Resorts Unlike the usual suspect list of places you might consider this summer, you can practically steal a stay at some of Greater Phoenix's best hotels. … [Read more...]
Best Summer Event Resorts in Colorado
Colorado’s mountain resorts aren’t just ultimate winter destinations. Colorado mountain resorts are also ultimate summer destinations. Blame the comfortable climate (mild temperatures, no humidity, and no pesky insects), adventurous activities and of course great events. A Colorado summer is loaded with things to do like camping, rafting, ziplining, thrilling attractions, off-roading, hiking, biking and on and on. But what really makes a Colorado … [Read more...]
Teotihuacan – Where The Gods Were Created
Chances are, you have seen images of Chichen Itza or Palenque, the stunning archeological remains of grand Mayan cities in Mexico. Perhaps you’ve even visited these sites at some point. Considerably less well-known, though, is Teotihuacan, or “the place where the gods were created.” In my mind, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Teotihuacan is western hemisphere’s ultimate pyramid city, vastly more impressive than even its more famous brethren on … [Read more...]
Going Deutsch: The Pennsylvania Dutch Country is really German
John M. Edwards arrives like gangbusters in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a fundamentalist locavore dreamscape straight out of the Harrison Ford flick “Witness.” When my British friend Vicky Langdale arrived at my apartment above Tullio’s Hair Salon in Westfield, New Jersey, I began brainstorming for something different to do, and I decided on a car trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Both of us had seen the Harrison Ford movie … [Read more...]
Luxor, Egypt – April 2013
A visit to Egypt is not complete without visiting the historical city of Luxor and the nearby temples and ruins. This is an overnight sleeper train ride or about a 1 hour flight from Cairo. The history here is mind boggling - choose from two main temples, the one within Luxor and Karnak (right next to the city and is the largest religious building of its kind in the world). In addition the Valley of the Kings is only about 25 minutes away from … [Read more...]
A Hungarian Hotel in Germany
Our heads were fuzzy and our legs like jelly when we left the long, overnight flight from Kansas City to Munich, Germany. After clearing passport control and getting our luggage, my husband and I headed to the rental car area of the airport. Despite our fatigue, we managed the paperwork and check-out with only a minimum of frustration. An hour later, we settled into a Mercedes C Class sedan and made our way out of the city, Ken at the wheel and … [Read more...]
Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Sahara & the Nile
Started the day bright and early with a hot air balloon ride above the never ending sands of the Sahara and the bright greeness of the water rich Nile River valley. Temps were already in the upper 20's at 530am. It was going to be yet another hot day. Arriving to the "balloon field" we spotted about 25 balloons in various stages of setup and groups of people milling about. With 32 people in our basket we were supported by the largest commercial … [Read more...]
Adventures in Luxor
There are hundreds of tombs cut into the hillsides west of Luxor but the best restored tombs are in the Valley of the Kings. Chamber after chamber are decorated with colorful hieroglypics and drawings. Some are situated at the back of canyons and go down several levels. After visiting and then ascending one such tomb the 40C temps outside felt like an arctic breeze in comparison to the stuffy, humid, sweltering temps found in the chambers! … [Read more...]