We’ve arrived at the precise moment when the winter starts to feel a little long, when we’ve had a bit too much of all the snow and cold—and when sunshine and sand dominate our thoughts. But with many beach destinations still closed (or at least, uncertain) right now, international island-hopping may be out of the…
Ellicottville, N.Y.: A Ski Town to Enjoy in Every Season
I wake up early, fumbling around in the half-light of dawn to turn off my alarm. Stepping over my daughters, who are sleeping on the floor, I pull on my thermals and ski socks, and tiptoe downstairs to start the coffee. My dad is already outside, scraping off the car and loading up our skis…
America’s Five Best Ski Towns (for Those Who Don’t Love Skiing)
It’s the ultimate winter vacation. Surrounded by white, big flakes of snow fluttering through the crisp air, you descend down the mountain, a charming village spread out below, at the end of the slope. And as you slalom to the bottom, you hear no sounds around you but the swoosh and squeak of the powder…
Virtual Visits to Places Near and Far
If you’ve pushed dreams of visiting the Big Sur region of California, relaxing on a beach in Australia, or mingling with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World to the back burner, turn up the heat. You may not be able, or wish right now, to travel to those and other bucket-list destinations. However, that doesn’t…
Underwater and Overwater Animal Encounters in Curacao
Their bodies were sleek and graceful, the skin soft to the touch, their demeanor welcoming even if a bit skeptical. Still, they were more used to this than I was. I spread my arms out as instructed and flapped them in the water. Romeo and Pasku, two of my dolphin snorkeling companions, then swam under…
Winter Fun in the Western Carolinas
Many families head to the mountains of western North Carolina for summertime fun, but it turns out there’s plenty to do when the temperatures reach their icy lows, too. Winter activities in the area may require lots of extra layers—the average low temperature of the state’s western mountainous region drops to 20F in January, the…
The Dominican Republic’s Eco-Focused North Shore
Considering its proximity to the U.S., it was surprising that the Dominican Republic somehow got passed over in my Caribbean travels. I had heard tell of Punta Cana, the easternmost point and a popular cruise destination, but beyond that, I knew very little. On a weeklong trip to the lesser-traveled north shore, however, I found…
Okinawa: Sunny Island of the Immortals
Our Diamond Princess cruise had been almost perfect. We had departed two weeks earlier from Yokohama, visited Kagoshima in southern Japan, stopped in Hong Kong for the Chinese Lunar New Year and celebrated again in Taipei. The festivities had been limited because a mysterious novel coronavirus had been discovered in China just two weeks before…
Outdoor Family Fun in Santa Barbara
Now more than ever getting unplugged and spending time outdoors with family is so important for mental and physical health. Our family was in need of some travel therapy, and our recent trip to Santa Barbara delivered that not only by reconnecting us with nature, but also by fulfilling our goal to learn a few…
Sometimes Group Travel Is the Best Way to Go
My wife, Fyllis, and I had long dreamed of visiting Costa Rica. We knew about its reputation for magnificent landscapes, abundant animal and birdlife, and preservation of the magnificent environment. We could have spent hours searching the Internet for flights and hotels, reserving a rental car and taking care of the many other required details….
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