It’s no wonder the movie Sideways chose Santa Ynez Valley as the setting for its whirlwind wine-tasting tour. In the middle of winter, this area greets the road warrior with a promise of spring and …
February 2, 2010
Travel Stories
Winter Wine Tasting in Santa Ynez Valley, California
Constanza and El Castillo, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a rich tapestry of colors, geography, cultural influences, even climate – all enhanced by a rich history. Upon its discovery in 1492, it was described as a “paradisiacal island of high …
June Lake, CA
“We’re going to June Lake!” We tell that to friends often – we travel to the Eastern Sierras up Hwy. 395 at least four times a year. “Where’s that?” most say. By simply describing it …
January 28, 2010
Wintertime in Zion and Bryce Canyon
Hopping out of the van, we were greeted by the cold like a slap in the face. Our fingers working slowly as we struggled to strap snowshoes to our boots. The day started out with …
January 27, 2010
Fun and Games in Coba, Mexico
The site of pre-Colombian ruins on the Yucatan peninsula, Coba, reachable on a day trip from Cancun, was at one point inhabited by over 50,000. Coba’s Nohoch Mul is the highest pyramid in the Yucatan …
January 27, 2010
Regal Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“If you have a problem that annoys you, then you have two problems. Knock one of them out.” This local man’s statement lived with me during the week I spent in Brazil’s second-largest city (and …
January 26, 2010
Modena, Italy: Balsamic Vinegar Heaven
A foodie just learning balsamic’s tasty lineage, I visited one of the many countryside balsamic vinegar producers while in Modena, Italy, home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the nearby village of Sorbara, as …
January 26, 2010
Dog Sledding in Alaska
If the lure of adventure is calling you northward, you won’t find a more unique experience than dog sledding in our 49th state. Dog sledding (or mushing) affords you thrills, challenges and opportunities to view …
Santa Barbara: The American Riviera
Santa Barbara has always been one of my favorite day trips in Southern California. The Spanish architecture and beautiful setting between the mountains and ocean creates an atmosphere that never fails to regenerate my spirit. …
January 21, 2010
Idyllwild, California
There’s nothing to do in Idyllwild! Exactly – it’s not Big Bear or Mammoth. Like my family and I, that’s why visitors to the “mile high” town return year after year. There’s not one traffic …
Escape to Puerto Rico
When I think of Puerto Rico, I remember pulsing Latin and reggae music, sunsets that look poured from an artist’s palette, inviting stretches of beaches and colorful towns bustling with shops, art and tantalizing eateries. …
January 19, 2010