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Soaking up the sun: best of sarasota, florida
When temperatures drop, I would rather chill on the beach than catch a chill. Growing up in Ohio, we endured the long, cold, grey winters. For several years we made the two-day car trip to Fort Myers to soak in the sun. Recently I visited Florida’s west coast for a conference and stayed a week to…
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Istanbul, Turkey tantalizes the senses
Considered a favorite city by many Europeans, Istanbul, Turkey is vibrant, exotic, chaotic and very exciting. I spent eight dynamic days in Istanbul, wandering the lesser known neighborhoods, riding the trams and ferries, zipping back and forth between the Asian and European sides and seeing more than just the mosques’ minarets. Istanbul appealed to all…
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Five tips for traveling where you don’t speak the language
Moving to a small town in Greece from California—in the middle of the tourist off-season, I might add—has taught me a thing or two about surviving in a country where you don’t speak the language. With a little help from your smartphone and a healthy dose of humility, it is easy to enjoy yourself regardless…
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My San Francisco is aglow for the holidays
Our Holiday Favorites Every December, when my daughters were young, they dressed up in their holiday finery – red velvet hair ribbons and patten leather shoes — and we left the suburbs behind and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge for a memorable “overnight” in San Francisco.For two days we traipsed through the most elegant hotels…
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My San Francisco is aglow for the holidays
Our Holiday Favorites Every December, when my daughters were young, they dressed up in their holiday finery – red velvet hair ribbons and patten leather shoes — and we left the suburbs behind and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge for a memorable “overnight” in San Francisco.For two days we traipsed through the most elegant hotels…
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Discover southern comfort in savannah
Find relaxation in quaint Savannah, Georgia with decorative architecture and lush green landscape throughout the downtown. It is an urban forest where Spanish Moss hangs from giant oak trees. There is plenty of eating, dining and shopping throughout the meandering streets and brick paved roads. When visiting Savannah, a great choice of stay is the…
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Safari adventure in south africa
On an exploratory adventure to the Northern Cape, a few months ago, I hunted for lions with a bushman guide and tracked rare white rhinos, on foot, in the Kalahari. The landscape is a dramatic mosaic of rugged mountains, deeply incised valleys and rolling terrain of Bushman grass and blisteringly hot red sand dunes. I…
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How to prepare for your european trip
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE My best trips to Europe began long before departure day. Thanks to advance planning I had more choices and less stress. Here’s how I streamline my research and reservations. How to start Research online at guidebook websites such as Lonely Planet, Frommer’s and Foder’s. I especially like…
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A local’s guide to traveling in saigon
The past six years of my life have been spent in Southeast Asia—more specifically in Thailand, Cambodia and now Vietnam. Living and working in Saigon gives me a unique perspective on one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I enjoy this city so much. It has amazing architecture, interesting history and a…
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A local’s guide to traveling in saigon
The past six years of my life have been spent in Southeast Asia—more specifically in Thailand, Cambodia and now Vietnam. Living and working in Saigon gives me a unique perspective on one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I enjoy this city so much. It has amazing architecture, interesting history and a…
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Santa fe is synonymous with art, jewelry, food and sunshine
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 If you have a weak spot for sunshine, blue skies, silver jewelry, southwestern art and fabulous food, you’ll adore Santa Fe, New Mexico. The strands of history intertwining here —from Native American to Mexican to Catholic missionary to famous modern-day artists, namely Georgia O’Keefe — have…
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Tip of the week : avoid dental disasters
Remember Tom Hanks in the gripping survival drama Cast Away? Using a rock, he knocked out his sore tooth to end the excruciating pain. A cracked tooth, that I was unaware of, could have sent me to a rural hospital in Myanmar. Most people neglect to pack a dental repair kit. If you lose a…