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Royal India: rajasthan, the “land of kings”
From the moment I step off the plane, India starts working its magic on me. The air swirls with smoky sandalwood and spices, and the streets are teeming with people, cars, and cows. One of my favorite places to visit is Rajasthan, the “Land of Kings.” The Land of Kings Rajasthan is one of India’s most…
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Chicago. friendly, cosmopolitan, best little city in america
I think of Chicago as “New York Light” or “The Other Coast”. A dynamic city on the shores of Lake Michigan that boasts art museums, ethnic neighborhoods, architecture, night life and superb shopping that could go head to head with any international city. The BEAN is the best place for a photo opp. The mirror-like,…
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Cruise the croatian islands or the Greek islands
Crystal clear seas and more than 1,000 islands lure sailors to cruise the Croatian Islands or the Greek Islands every summer. My husband and I chartered a 42-foot Jenneau sloop for a sailing holiday among these idyllic islands. Our two teenage daughters accompanied us – spending most of their…
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Best walks in San Francisco. secrets from the locals.
The best walks in San Francisco are free. As local residents, here are our secrets. Golden Gate Bridge Walk The Golden Gate Bridge is the icon of San Francisco and is considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Luckily, visitors have the opportunity to walk across the 1.7 miles span…
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Mellow mendocino – a favorite San Francisco getaway
There are many reasons San Franciscans drive north along the rugged, dramatic coast to Mendocino. With so may San Francisco-based IfOnly experiences, its hard to believe anyone would ever want to stray. Some of us seek distance from our stressed lives; others room for romance, or quiet for renewal. I go with my dog and…
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In Bali new friends lead to a magical memory
In Bali, I was reminded that there are all kinds of people who transform a ho-hum trip into a magical memory. One morning as the roosters announced a new day, my husband, two daughters and I met Mahdey, our hiking guide, in the hotel lobby in Ubud, Bali. He grinned widely, and enticed 9-year-old Annalyse and…
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Family travel on a disney cruise
My Mickey ears were cast aside in my teens when I graduated to American Band Stand and Woodstock. Later in life, as a parent, I bought new ears on our numerous family visits to the Disney parks, but I thought our Disney days were over when our daughters reached their teen years. Not so! A…
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Royal India: rajasthan’s hidden treasures
Love it or hate it, India ignites the imagination and unsettles the soul. After 8 fabulous trips to India, you can guess how I feel about it. One of the most luxurious experiences of my life, shared with my daughter, was staying at historical palaces in Rajasthan. My first experience, when I was traveling alone around the world,…
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10 easy ways to avoid gaining weight on a cruise
Some sources estimate that cruisers gain 1-2 pounds per day. There are always a few dedicated gym-goers on every cruise, but most of us go on cruises to relax, not to chain ourselves to an elliptical between ice cream binges. To hedge your bets for an enjoyable, gym-free cruise without the post-cruise belly roll, ditch…
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Changing women’s lives in Turkey with exercise.
I’m going to tell you right away what the best part of traveling and my job is: meeting amazing people when I travel. I looked up a friend-of-a friend in Istanbul recently and was really glad I did. Part 2 of the Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Feats Series.Part 1. Nepal. Bedriye began the women-owned and operated B-Fit…
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Changing women’s lives in Turkey with exercise.
I’m going to tell you right away what the best part of traveling and my job is: meeting amazing people when I travel. I looked up a friend-of-a friend in Istanbul recently and was really glad I did. Part 2 of the Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Feats Series.Part 1. Nepal. Bedriye began the women-owned and operated B-Fit…
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Travel insurance. travel anxiety. yes or no?
Is travel insurance is really worth the cost? What a tough question because every trip and every traveler has different needs and different levels of comfort. Know Before You Go: Before traveling out of your home state or internationally, take time to check with your existing insurance company (health, home, etc.) to understand exactly what…
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Cruise scandinavia to discover norway, sweden, denmark
There’s a lot to see in Scandinavia. From deep fjords, jagged snow-covered peaks, thundering waterfalls, to smorgasbords of succulent salmon and pickled herring, to hip cities like Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, Scandinavia has it all. If you want to cover great distances, and do more in a short time, cruising is the perfect option. On…
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Family travel and language school in Mexico
Family Travel A true story about family travel, by Marybeth Bond about living in Mexico with her young daughters. A mother worries about safety living in Mexico with her young daughters. I was misguided in my anxiety. “Are you scared, Mommy?” whispered my seven-year-old daughter in the back seat of the battered Mexican taxi. The…