TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR

Here is your one-stop shop for deciding which cruise lines to avoid at all costs and which you could board for your next vacation.


February 14, 2020 at 3:01 p.m.


Discover a mystical lunar landscape at Craters of the Moon

I'm in an otherworldly place that looks like somewhere the lunar lander would have been roaming around on a research mission. Pitch-black lava fragments are scattered amid a sea of cinders, mini volcanoes rise up from the barren terrain and dark, forbidding craters combine to create an eerie and starkly …

Prepare to be mesmerized by Monument Valley

John Wayne was right on the mark when he described Monument Valley as, "God's Treasure." The iconic actor was taken with the stark beauty of this majestic place when he first laid eyes on it while filming the movie, "Stagecoach," back in the late 1930s.

Trust me, you're going to love Albuquerque!

From my perch in the sky, the view is sublime. The iconic Sandia Mountains appear as sentinels of the high desert and the rugged lava escarpments provide a Mars-like topography. Below, the Rio Grande snakes through the expansive landscape, while matchbox size houses and buildings look like Lego constructions.

Amp up the adventure in Hells Canyon!

“Let’s paddle,” says our guide Barry in a calm, relaxed tone. We obey, albeit a bit distractedly, as we’re busy chatting with one another. Then we hear that telltale roar – the one that signals some mighty big rapids are ahead. Soon, we see them in all their frenzied glory. …

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One island, many adventures

Soaring high above Oʻahu, from my comfy perch in a Blue Hawaiian helicopter, I marveled at the diversity of the island. From craggy cliffs and mountains to dramatic coastlines, verdant valleys and lush rainforests, this special slice of paradise has it all.

A trip to Chelan

Eastern Washington is full of a variety of small, captivating and friendly towns to explore and learn about. No matter the time of year, the length of your stay or your budget, there is plenty to see and do in Chelan and Manson.

Embark on a wellness journey at Hilton Head Health

They come for a variety of reasons. Many hope to get in better physical shape; others want to learn how to eat more nutritiously. Then there are those who wish to destress and recharge their batteries. They are women and men, mothers and fathers, who over the years have put …

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River Cruise showcases Chicago's gems

Ah, Chicago! Famous for its colorful history, vibrant culture, sports teams, food, and yes, climate, this Midwest hub is a magnet for visitors. Chicago is also an architectural mecca and one of the best ways to appreciate this exciting landscape is via a Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard …

Colorado Springs offers endless adventure

I’m a sucker for a room with a view. It doesn’t matter if it’s water, mountains or a cityscape. I’m not picky. But, some views deserve extra special recognition, like the one at The Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs.

Get inspired with a visit to O'Keeffe country

Georgia O'Keeffe is synonymous with New Mexico. The famed artist spent the last forty years of her life in the Land of Enchantment. She painted its dramatic landscapes and iconic formations in her own unique style.

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28th Annual America’s Classic Jazz Festival

Please join us June 27 through 30 for America’s Classic Jazz Festival and our four venue (three dancing, one listening) event taking place at Saint Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion in Olympia

Winthrop Washington

Located in the North Cascades Scenic Byway in Washington’s magnificent Methow Valley, Winthrop is an old west town with wooden boardwalks and western charm

America’s Car Museum: Cadillac – “The Standard of the World”

Cadillac – The Standard of the World is an exhibit featured at America’s Car Museum (ACM) in Tacoma beginning on May 11

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The Jetsons would feel at home in this garden!

You might think you've stepped onto another planet at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay. The park, a well-known attraction in the city, takes the traditional conservatory concept up more than just a notch or two.