Leisure & Travel

A family cruise when ‘the kids’ are adults

By: Alice Shapin
A family cruise when ‘the kids’ are adults

Alice and Paul Shapin (right) took a European cruise with their son, daughter and her boyfriend, honing the finer points of traveling with adult children during the trip. They are pictured at the Acropolis in Athens. Photo courtesy of Alice Shapin

A natural beauty beyond words in Alaska

By: Victor Block
A natural beauty beyond words in Alaska

The most immediate, and dramatic, impression Alaska is likely to make on you comes from its sheer size. Alaska has more than twice the area of Texas, and is rimmed by more coastline than all of the other states combined. No wonder the Aleutian people named it “the Great Land.”

A smorgasbord of to-dos in Pennsylvania

By: Victor Block
A smorgasbord of to-dos in Pennsylvania

My recent visit to the Hershey-Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania revealed a destination of pleasant surprises. If you think of Hershey primarily as a mecca of chocolate, that’s only part of the story. The nearby Amish community offers a fascinating opportunity to experience a different culture. 

A trip back to rural wonders of yesteryear

By: Victor Block
A trip back to rural wonders of yesteryear

The “T” intersection of two narrow roads that is the closest thing to the center of Syria, Va. (population 370) is the site of the Syria Mercantile Company. It was there that my recent journey into the countryside, as well as the past, began.

Alabama's Civil War and civil rights sites

By: Glenda C. Booth
Alabama's Civil War and civil rights sites

Montgomery, Alabama, claims to be the birthplace of both the Civil War and the civil rights movement — events 100 years apart, but not unrelated. Morgan Berney, with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitor Bureau, told me: "You should come here to learn the history of the important things that happened here." So I set out to do just that.

Be adventuresome in Dominican Republic

By: Victor Block
Be adventuresome in Dominican Republic

“You expect me to climb up that?” I inquired of Carlos, who was guiding my wife Fyllis and me on our morning outing in the Dominican Republic. “And then to slide back down?” I added with growing trepidation in my voice.

Become an airport VIP at a sensible price

By: Ed Perkins
Become an airport VIP at a sensible price

For most of us, big airports are among the world’s most hostile environments. Crowds, noise, long lines, inadequate seating, and garbled announcements are the norm. Fortunately, even occasional travelers can avail themselves of the road warriors’ refuges: VIP airline lounges. Mostly, you’ll have to pay, but an oasis of calm can be worth a few bucks.

Behind-the-scenes stories from history

By: Zinie Chen Sampson
Behind-the-scenes stories from history

Thomas Jefferson’s clothes and linens didn’t get pressed on their own, and the meals for his lavish parties didn’t cook themselves.

Behind-the-scenes stories from history

By: Zinie Chen Sampson
Behind-the-scenes stories from history

Thomas Jefferson’s clothes and linens didn’t get pressed on their own, and the meals for his lavish parties didn’t cook themselves. Jefferson’s Monticello estate, in Charlottesville, Va., is expanding efforts to depict the lives and activities of the people who worked behind the scenes, allowing visitors to see that Jefferson had a lot of support for his achievements.

Branson, Mo. has something for everyone

By: Tina Calligas
Branson, Mo. has something for everyone

At first glance, Branson, Mo., looks like any other small town in the scenic Ozark Mountains. The downtown area features a main street that is lined with quaint shops like Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10 and the House of 1000 Clocks.