Riviera Maya is Big on Little Ones

Kids. Whether you have them, have one on the way, or are simply young at heart, you’ll go loco for Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. Squeals of delight pervade the family-friendly property, a sprawling all-inclusive resort with a private beach hugging the Caribbean Sea. This wasn’t......more

I Cracked Up the Cat

At Gaylord Palms’ “Shrek the Halls” 2011 Christmas Event Puss ‘n Boots and me…. we’re buds! My hubby treated me to a weekend of revelry at Gaylord Palms resort in Kissimmee, FL for my birthday in December. The resort, normally a feast for the senses any......more

Welcome to Charleston

Elegant and edgy, Charleston is sure to capture your attention… and your heart. Less than 300 miles from Ocala, it’s a short trek to a magical getaway. Think gardenia-scented antebellum charm, toss in windswept shoreline, culinary delights and lively......more

Penguin on a Plane

Flying Penguin? Every now and then you stumble upon something silly in cyberspace that just makes you smile. That was the case with this post on Southwest Airlines’ blog which is populated by posts from employees, customers and just plain fans of the......more

The Naked City

Who knew?......more

Spend a Year in Australia *** By James Cave

A year may sound like a long time, but when you're exploring Australia’s vast and beautiful landscapes, it will seem like weeks! Before you book your flight to Australia, check out this overview of  the best things to see and do in the land down under. Top......more

Frommers’ Top 10 Vacation Destinations for 2011

Each year, Frommers' editors, authors and experts from around the world sit down to talk about the best cities, islands, beaches and other vacation destinations for the coming year. They aim for a list that steers clear of too-hot spots or places that are so under......more

Bradenton has Something to Brag About

Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Longboat Key, Florida, as the No. 2 island in all of North America, for its blend of wild, natural beauty and manicured elegance. Visit Florida reports.......more

Riviera Maya and All That Jazz

Every evening was electric. My husband and I were front and center, bare toes buried in the cool sands of Mexico’s shores. There’s an unstoppable energy in the air, not unlike that found walking the streets of Manhattan. Only take that throttle and kick it up......more

Into the Blue: Merging Sea and Sky in Cyprus *** By Barbara Barton Sloane

A Zen parable says: “When a fish swims, it swims on and on and there is no end to the water. When a bird flies, it flies on and on and there is no end to the sky.” Here on this ancient island, one enters into......more

D’Artagnan’s Demons *** By Kevin Moloney

I travel for a variety of reasons. But when I have a true quest, my trip becomes a mission, and the whole damn thing takes on a totally different dimension. That long flight becomes the crusade, the hotel takes on the feel of......more

Around the World Heritage Sites *** By James Michael Flanagan

...from Angkor Wat to Zanzibar "We shall not cease from exploration and in the end of all the exploring, will be to arrive where we started and to know the place for the first time.” ~ T.S. Eliot On a tour through China a few years ago, my......more

VIDEO: Auckland, New Zealand *** By Mark Shea

In Auckland, Mark took a 'favorite five' tour with Dr Maya, checking out the Mt. Eden lookout, the Parnell French Market, Mt. Eden shopping village, Piha Beach and finally fish and chips at Mission Bay. ......more

Cruise Alaska, The Land of the Midnight Sun

Caribou, Moose and Bears, oh my! Alaska is a naturalist’s wonderland. It’s a place where glaciers thunder, whales breach and eagles soar. There’s no better way to discover the breathtaking beauty of Alaska than on a cruise vacation. You’ll have captivating on-board......more

Cabo San Lucas: The Jewel of the Baja Peninsula

Hideaway for the rich and famous, favorite of honeymooners, family-friendly for kids and Party Central for singles, Cabo San Lucas is a red-hot vacation spot. Perched at the southern tip of the beautiful Baja Peninsula, this vibrant resort town draws international visitors ......more

China – Land of Exotic Beauty

The great land of China has an unrivaled allure. Forever linked to its ancient civilization by venerable treasures such as the Great Wall and Yangtze River, it also boasts the modern, towering skylines and bright city lights of Beijing and Shanghai.......more

In the Lap of Luxury at Sonoma Wine Country Inns *** By Emma and Yuri Krasov

The Pacific was not pacified. Between the strong wind and the deafening sound of rushing waves there was no place for a peaceful stroll on a beach or a picnic under a rock. I had to scramble the initial plan and resort......more

Anna Maria Island

History and Travel on Anna Maria Island, Florida, narrated by Lisa Codianne Fowler. "Video of Anna Maria Island.com" is a Rich Media site exploring the old and the new on Anna Maria Island. The video is produced by Charles Robert Neuf and is part of the......more

Eagle Island, Georgia – The Naked Truth

There are no less than seven mirrors gracing the walls of my tiny home. Not due to vanity, but rather, insecurity – and – to create the illusion of space. Eagle Island Lodge has but one mirror. The expansive structure certainly holds its own stripped of......more

Free and Cheap Things to Do in Sarasota Under 5 Dollars *** By Elana Galerman

A down economy may mean a decline in spending, but it doesn’t have to equal a decline in fun. Sarasota has many ways for visitors to explore and make long-lasting memories, even without a lot of padding in their pockets. Let’s count the ways to have fun......more

Cruising the Amazon; A Journey of a Lifetime *** By Ralph Collier

Sell the farm, mortgage the kids, postpone the Botox treatments. Do whatever you have to do to get to the Amazon River in Peru - and five'll get you ten, the adventure of your dreams awaits in that part of the world.......more

Enchanting Sedona

Your Truth may not lie in crystals, astrology or past life regression, purveyors of which you’ll find in abundance in the quirky, New Age capital of Sedona, Arizona. But you are guaranteed to experience an overwhelming, maybe even mystical sense of exhilaration in the presence of......more

Sailing Sarasota

Sarasota is a sailor’s delight. Dolphins leap along side starboard and port, and manatees lumber in our tepid waters; exotic birds nest on mangrove islands and scamper along sandy beaches. Our picturesque gulf, bays and inlets are perfect for dropping anchor, and reveal the secrets of......more

Caribbean Rendezvous

The only sounds are the gentle lapping of waves against our boat, the soft hum of the engine, and the ubiquitous serenade of our seagull companions. The sea breeze sweeps the hair from my face with a cooling mist. Engulfed in the ineffable beauty of the......more

In Search of the Silver King

The old salt saying goes, “the bluer the water, the bigger the fish.”  It’s not just a catchy line, and nowhere is it more evident than Southwest Florida. With waters ranging in color from radiant turquoise to royal blue, the mighty tarpon has been migrating here......more

Birds of a Feather

What a hoot, so to speak, to be asked to write about where best to view Florida’s beautiful birds. Following The Great Florida Birding Trail led me to some unforgettable encounters and an eye-opening education. Previously, the only bird watching I had done was in my......more

Don’t Just See the Circus, BE the Circus!

ANYONE can fly through the air with the greatest of ease at the Tito Gaona Flying Trapeze Academy - I’m uncoordinated, non-athletic, and let’s just say my muscles and cardiovascular system have been on vacation for about a year. Oh, and I just turned 50. But Tito......more

You Go Girl!

Move over, Hells Angels, biking ain’t what it used to be. Professional, fashion-conscious and headstrong, female motorcycle enthusiasts have emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Women’s clubs are sprouting exponentially with memberships mostly comprised of career women who refuse to take a back seat. According......more

Friend-Ship: Sailing the Islands of Abaco

“It’s not a glitzy vacation,” I warned my friend Tracey, a former party diva. “There are no nightclubs, no casinos, no scheduled activities.” Now a devoted wife and multitasking mother of two – three, if you count their therapy dog – Tracey was about to turn......more

London and Paris: A Whirlwind Tour

We arrive in time for traditional afternoon English tea, unaware that The Dorchester was recently named London’s top tea venue by the Tea Council of Great Britain. I also admit I didn’t know this hotel was among the top ten in the world when I booked......more

British Virgin Islands

Join us on a not-so-ordinary sailing trip throughout the British Virgin Islands. Of course, the islands are gorgeous. But so are the owner-operated boats that comprise the membership of the Charter Yacht Society of the BVI. This non-profit organization represents the cream of the crop -......more

Riviera Maya, Mexico

While local Mariachi bands are a year-round treat in Riviera Maya, the area becomes a sizzling spotlight for jazz luminaries at the annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival each November. We were among the priviledged journalists permitted to get up close and personal with the likes of......more

Eastern Caribbean Cruise

From denizens of the deep to divas of the media, the IFWTWA Conference at Sea on Holland America's ms Eurodam was a multi-sensory delight. Enlightening workshops and wine tastings at sea punctuated ports of call that included Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon......more

Eagle Island, Georgia

If your idea of Paradise is an uninhabited island with fishing, crabbing, boating and bonfires, you’ll be in hog heaven at private Eagle Island. Just 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and 10 minutes from the Intercoastal Waterway, the island is accessible only by boat, ensuring......more

Talking Travel

Talking Travel with Roy Lowey is a production of Travel Talk Radio Network at WTMY 1280 AM. It is broadcast live Sundays at 5 p.m., and AVAILABLE 24/7, WORLDWIDE, at www.ttrn.com. Lisa is a frequent guest and occasional co-host on the show.  Click on a segment to......more

Cruising the Baltic Sea with Crystal

Everyone looks glamorous. It’s like being in a movie, and we are all stars. The Captain’s Welcome Reception is some combination of senior prom night and the scene from the film “American President” when Annette Benning joins Michael Douglas at the White House State Dinner. Fanfare,......more

St. Maarten: The Good Life

Sometimes, less is less. And I wanted more. Romance, fine dining, nightlife, shopping, a change of pace and culture. My husband, not so much. He craved quiet time, a sunny beach… and a really great massage, but then, so did I. We both needed to at......more

Ireland… Forty Shades of Green

Green has been fashionable for centuries. It is the color of nature; it soothes, refreshes and heals. A strong energy that attracts positive power, green represents honesty and truth. How fitting that Southern Ireland is blanketed in green, and according to a song by Johnny Cash,......more

Getting Personal in the British Virgin Islands

“There’s a spirit among yacht crews – a can-do attitude. If I were stranded in the Sahara desert and could choose 12 people to help get me out, I would pick 12 ‘yachties.’ I don’t know how they would do it, but they would.” ~ Tim......more

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Who’s the Boss?

“You've always got to remember, rock and roll's never been about giving up. For me, for a lot of kids, it was a totally positive force... not optimistic all the time, but positive. It was never, never about surrender.” ~ Bruce Springsteen DANCING IN THE DARK Live music......more
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