TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR
For many trekkers, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine is a bucket list accomplishment. It's one of three long distance walks in the famed Triple Crown; the other two being the Pacific Crest and the Continental Divide Trails. Outside of the U.S., there's a number of walks with similar bragging rights. Among them is the Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile route, spanning eight geographical areas, from Chepsstow, Monmouthshire in the south to Queensferry, Flintshire in the north.
BY DEBBIE STONE | July 2, 2018 at 6:00 a.m.
Cruise from the Emerald Isle to the Land of Fire and Ice in ultimate style
I am easily enamored with all things Irish and my affinity with the country and its people is apparent as soon as I step on the soil of this magical, mystical isle. I adopt O'Stone as my new last name, attempt to speak with a lilting brogue, drink Guinness for …
Wheelchairs and Mountains Can Mix
New book explores wheelchair-friendly access in Washington’s National Parks
It's all about authenticity in the 'original' Las Vegas
It's Vegas, baby! But, if you're looking for cheesy Elvis impersonators, glitzy shows or swanky casinos lining the streets, you're not in the right place. This is Las Vegas, New Mexico, or what the locals like to call the "original" Las Vegas.
Stop and smell the tulips when you take a 'slow boat' through Holland
My typical vacation often involves being on the go from morning until night, as I engage in a frenzy of activities aimed at seeing all the notable sights of a particular destination. I feel compelled to do everything since I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to make …
For a small town, this island is big on appeal
When a destination continues to receive recognition and glowing accolades in major publications, it piques my curiosity. Such was the case with St. Simons Island, one of Georgia's Golden Isles. Located on the southern part of Georgia's scenic coastline, St. Simons has been attracting vacationers in the know for generations.
Discover southern jewel Oxford, Mississippi
Visitors entering Oxford, Mississippi's historic Square will come face-to-face with its famed Courthouse. The stately white building stands in the heart of town, creating a scene that looks like it came right out of one of John Grisham's legal thrillers.
Fall under the spell of the nation's oldest city
I greedily drank from the Fountain of Youth and patiently waited, but alas, the wrinkles and crow's feet remained etched on my face. The magical spring that was said to restore the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters didn't have the powers of transformation I had …
History comes alive at Chaco Canyon
You can almost hear the voices of the ancestral people as you stand amid the ruins at Chaco National Historical Park in Northern New Mexico. They seem to echo within the walls of this monumental architectural site that was once home to a vibrant center of Puebloan culture some 1,000 …
Let the good times roll in Lafayette, Louisiana!
"Laissez les bon temps rouler!" is an expression you'll hear often throughout the parishes in southern Louisiana. More than a sentiment, it's a true representation of the joie de vivre spirit that is Cajun culture.
Retiring ABROAD? What You Need to Know about Getting Benefits Outside the U.S.
Did you ever want to retire to another county. Will your Social Security payments follow you?
The hills are alive with culinary treasures
The act of toasting in Austria is a custom with its own set of rules. As a visitor to this land of sophistication and unassuming elegance, it's important to know the correct protocol before you say, "Proust!"
A 'spirited' overnight at La Posada
An overactive imagination can really play a number on you, especially when it concerns ghosts. I confess I'm not one who believes in the paranormal world, as I'm a skeptic at heart. I rely on science to explain the unexplained, choosing to go the rational route when in doubt.
Mountains, monasteries and more in the mystical 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'
A revered lama and leading astrologist, Master Wengdi of the Paga Monastery in Bhutan, told me that I'm a fire monkey, born under a metal sign that imbues me with confidence and energy. Driven to success, I often gravitate towards leadership roles where I can exercise control and call upon …
