Travel Tips & Adventures

Traveling in the Black Forest, we had a great BMW – automatic – that we had rented from a private rental company.

Driving along, watching the scenery, suddenly, the car just s t o p p e d. Despite our best efforts, it refused to go and we had no idea what was wrong. We had gas, so that wasn’t it.

Since we weren’t near a town, we stood at the roadside, hoping someone would give us a lift. I lifted my thumb in the universal hitchhiker’s sign – and waited. Read the rest of this entry »

Exploring nature can be a colossal adventure – especially when it’s underground!

Colossal Cave entrance

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When you think about travel, sometimes the meals can be the most memorable part of the trip. New Orleans is certainly a memorable place in its own right, but rarely do you get a repeat performance that lives up to expectations in the way I found about Brennan’s.   Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve ever seen any of the red carpet events in Hollywood, you don’t have to wish you could be there. You can travel there, too, just not necessarily during a major event.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

The strip of Hollywood Boulevard where actors are immortalized with stars on the sidewalk, plus embedded in cement, is right there for anyone to see. Read the rest of this entry »

Scotland: Fall 2009

Well, it’s time to firm up the itinerary. This is undoubtedly the most subjective part of the entire trip planning process.
I want to see Bagpipe Bands – you want to see the symphony…
I want to see where Ben Franklin lived in London – you want to see where Bono has breakfast!
(Actually, you’ll be waiting a long time because Bono lives in Ireland!) Read the rest of this entry »

There always seems to be a reason to worry about traveling. If we listened to everything we heard, it would mean that we never leave our homes. That’s claustrophobic!

So, for the intrepid traveler, here are some considerations: Read the rest of this entry »

Many of us hover near sea level and never get on top of things to get a broader perspective. When the temperatures climb and the snow melts in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Arizona Snow Bowl opens up its ski lift, the “Scenic Skyride” for non-skiers. The ride to the top of the tallest mountain in Arizona is an adventure in itself. Read the rest of this entry »

Mo Sheldon has a vision – and it’s high above the earth. Although he declares himself afraid of heights, Mo is one of two certified flight instructors in Arizona who teaches powered paragliding. He has always wanted to fly like a bird and, since 1998, he’s had his wish. Like the ancient-fabled Greek, Icarus, who flew too near to the sun and whose wings melted, since early man, many people have wished to fly. Mo makes people’s wishes come true with his company, Airparamo.

Powered Paragliding - Exhilarating!

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When I was given a choice of anywhere to travel within eight hours of my central Arizona home, I immediately, without hesitation, chose Bryce Canyon National Park as my destination.  Why?

See the photo – and you’ll start to understand.

Inspiring spires at Bryce Canyon

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Scotland: Fall 2009

Last week,  I came across a Web site that focuses on multi-stop itineraries for independent travelers. European Destinations www.europeandestinations.com lets you create your own trip or customize their suggested itineraries. As you add in hotels, car rentals, train passes, etc., the price of your trip upgrades so you know immediately what your costs are.

I tweaked my itinerary and then compared it to the hotel Web sites of those properties I selected as well as with www.hotels.com to see if the prices were in line, or even better.

What I found was the following ($1.46 = £1): Read the rest of this entry »