TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR

When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City, head to the High Line. This urban oasis is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It’s a pedestrian-only walkway full of art, beautiful landscaping and dynamic architecture. And it has become a global inspiration for municipalities around the world to transform unused industrial areas into vibrant spaces for everyone to enjoy.

DEBBIE STONE

December 4, 2023 at 6:00 a.m.


Discover a dynamic food scene in Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg is well known for its Civil War history and tourists come from all over to visit battlefield sites, museums, historical homes and more. What many don’t realize about this charming Pennsylvania town, however, is that it’s also a hot spot for foodies. It’s a no brainer when you notice …

How sweet it is! Hershey, PA

If you have a sweet tooth or are a chocoholic, make a beeline to Hershey, PA., the “Sweetest Place on Earth.” First stop - Hershey’s Chocolate World, where you can enjoy a free, simulated factory tour ride and discover how all the sweet stuff is made.

Natural splendor and outdoor adventure await at West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park

I’m actually not fond of heights, but oddly I’m attracted to height-related experiences. They’re freaky as all get-out for me, yet the prospect of views and thrills pulls me in like a magnet. And when I do conquer my fears, whether hiking on an exposed trail with steep drop-offs, hot …

Encounter the past as you explore Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Beyond knowing the basics about John Brown and Harpers Ferry, I had little knowledge of this West Virginia town and its historic significance. Road tripping through the state on my way to visit New River Gorge National Park, I saw that I could take an easy detour to explore the …

Experience the magic of Grand Teton National Park

When I think of mountains, the Tetons immediately come to mind. The jagged peaks of the Teton Range rise abruptly from the Jackson Hole Valley in northwest Wyoming, creating awe-inducing views. And Grand Teton, the namesake peak, towers high above at 13,775 feet tall like a formidable sentinel in the …

American Civil War history comes alive in Gettysburg, PA

History is everywhere in Gettysburg. You can’t avoid it, but that’s the point. The cannons, monuments, statues, cemeteries…they’re all here as lasting reminders of courage and sorrow. And most importantly, they show us where we’ve come from and just how far we’ve yet to go.

Ascend Pikes Peak on the highest cog railway in the world

Hiking up Pikes Peak, the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rockies, is an epic accomplishment, as it involves a long, hard, 13.5-mile climb uphill with a gain of about 7,400+ feet in elevation. It’s not for everyone, but thankfully, there are other ways to summit the …

Soak in a subterranean spa at Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Set amid black rock lava fields in the southwest corner of Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, a top attraction for visitors to the Land of Fire and Ice. The area where the lagoon is located is at the convergence of the North American and Eurasian plates, which is a geothermal …

Experiencing a French baking class is the best souvenir from Paris!

I have a love affair with France’s croissants and famed pastries, and every time I visit Paris I eat my way around the city’s countless boulangeries. I have never, though, had an interest in learning to make these buttery delights because baking is not my thing. My husband, on the …

Reconnect with and be inspired by nature at Vermejo

I finally hooked a big one! A six-foot, five-inch, 220 pounder! No, it wasn’t a fish, unfortunately, but rather my fly fishing guide, Aiden. Embarrassing to say the least, as my fly landed right in his chin. Thankfully, after some very dexterous “surgery,” he was able to remove it. And …

Immerse yourself in the works of the ‘father of modern sculptor’ at the Musée Rodin in Paris

I have been to Paris a few times, but somehow I never got around to visiting the Musée Rodin until my most recent visit. One of the most elegant and photogenic institutions in the city, the Rodin Museum is located in the handsome Hôtel Biron, surrounded by a lush garden …

Experience the WOW factor of Greenland on a voyage with Albatros Expeditions

You’ve probably heard the opposite is true when it comes to Iceland and Greenland. Iceland is green and Greenland is ice. But perhaps you didn’t know how these names came to be. Story has it that settlers in Iceland wanted to trick their fellow Norsemen into keeping away from their …

Passport Delays, What’s the Deal?

How long will it take to get a passport in your hands?

Explore a rich tapestry of nature and culture on the island of Hawaii

Hilo, Hawai‘i has the distinction of being the wettest city in the U.S. with an average of 276 days of rain per year. I can personally attest to this fact, having recently been to the city and experiencing intermittent heavy squalls and downpours during my visit. The silver lining in …