I bet that even the most solitary monk, living in a remote cave in some foreign country, knows that Healdsburg is a mecca for wine lovers. Ideally located just a short drive from more than 100 award-winning wineries in the renowned appellations of Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley, Healdsburg makes the…
by Scharlene Fulmer Our shore excursion tour group visited the city of Antigua, Guatemala which sits at an elevation of 4500 feet, surrounded by rising volcanoes. We came face to face with one active volcano spewing a twisted pillar of steam skyward as our bus traveled up the mountain from our cruise ship, the Holland…
by Scharlene Fulmer I met Mary Louise Ridinger, a renown archaeologist, aboard our fabulous 18 day Panama Canal Holland America cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco. I was fortunate to lunch with her twice during which time she shared her incredibly interesting personal story with me. She discovered her interest in archaeology when she…
by Caitlin Kelly When you study abroad, often the most important lessons take place outside of the classroom. You spend your first starry-eyed days roaming the city with a big map and wandering eyes, taking in the novelty of European antiquity. You walk as a tourist walks—oblivious to the race, the restricted space and the…
by Lisen Stromberg True Confessions 1: I spent two weeks in Florence and did not visit the Uffizi, passed by the Duomo once or twice, and did all I could to avoid the Ponte Vecchio. I was not there to travel like the masses, and masses there were. I was going to spend my days…
by Allison Neves Say the word Cancun and many a seasoned traveler conjures up images of Spring Breakers gone wild. Yes, admittedly, I thought the very same thing. But, during a recent trip to the area, I saw a completely different side to this MTVer’s Mecca. I encountered 5-star hotels, isolated resorts and a tropical…
by Lucy Keir Though not as well-known other Scottish cities, Stirling — located where the Highlands and Lowlands meet — is a city of historical depth and stunning landscapes. The ancient capital of Scotland, Stirling was home to the seat of Kings and Parliament and is the site where many of the battles of Scotland’s…