Category: Travel

San Sebastián: Shimmering pearl of the Basque country

Jostling with enthusiastic eaters at the bar, I munch on my last spider crab open-face sandwich. A tiny plate of toothpicks is all that’s left of my meal. I keep them because this allows the bartender to tally the bill. After paying, he insists I drink one more glass of txakolí (cha-koh-LEE)–the local sparkling white…


Nature, History and Sunshine Welcome Visitors to St. Lucia

Words printed on T-shirts worn by locals offered a welcoming note shortly after my wife, Fyllis, and I arrived on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia: “Be happy.” “Forget your troubles.” “Don’t worry, just party.” On the other hand, the sticker attached to the bumper of an automobile offered a warning about the challenge awaiting…


St. Lucia Is Rich in Color, Culture, Crafts and Community

So there I was, at the Sulphur Springs Mud Bath in St. Lucia, being smeared with green mud all over my body: two layers first to exfoliate, then sprinkled with black mud, a guide making designs in stripes and handprints as if my arms, face and chest were a canvas. Allegedly the mineral waters into…


The Must-See Corners of Cartagena, Colombia

By Juan Antonio (Oso) Oseguera From TravelPulse Colombia is a country with a wide range of destinations that are likely to surprise you with their unique characteristics and attractions. Colombia has beaches, small towns, historic architecture and much more. Cartagena is one of the most important cities in the country. The center of Cartagena, also…


Taking the Kids: Anticipation Enhances Vacation Fun

Thailand and Vietnam. Maybe Japan and the lure of its ski slopes. Maybe a bike trip in Spain, scuba diving… There are so many options, so many exciting places to consider, my youngest daughter says happily, as she and her fiancé debate honeymoon choices for later this year. Whether it’s a honeymoon or a trip…


What to Do If Your Flight Has Been Canceled

By Kyle Arnold From The Dallas Morning News Early January saw Southwest Airlines cutting two-thirds of its flights following an operational meltdown stemming from an arctic storm. A canceled flight often leaves passengers in a conundrum over whether to request a refund or sit and wait for the airline to put them on the next…


A Good Time to Save on Summer Travel Is Now

By Donald Wood From TravelPulse Travelers may not associate the cold weather with great deals on summer travel, but if you haven’t started booking your vacation, you should begin as soon as possible to save the most money. The key to the success of any trip is a good travel adviser. With more and more…


Getting Roped in by Wyoming

By Marlise Kast-Myers From Tribune News Service We have this habit—my husband and I—of traveling to a destination with one eye on the possibility of it becoming our next home. It’s a twitch to move where the grass is greener, or the water bluer, or the neighbors farther away. When we now reflect on places…


Taking the Kids: And Snaring a Bargain in NYC This Winter

Got your winter jacket, boots and mittens ready? No, we’re not heading to the slopes. We’re suggesting a winter trip to The Big Apple. And if you think New York is too expensive—way too expensive—think again. Until Feb. 12, you can take advantage of the NYC Winter Outing program that affords you significant discounts on…


Southern Indiana’s Fertile Vineyards, Historic Hotels Enhance Its Rural Charm

By Mary Ann Anderson From Tribune News Service Standing at the edge of Patoka Lake in the southern reaches of Indiana, I gaze through a scrim of oaks toward the sparkling blue-gray water, its hue affected in part by a cloud-speckled cerulean sky. The glassy surface of the lake, unruffled by wind or waves, is…