Tipping Made Easy

Tipping Made Easy

Much as I appreciate the non-tipping cultures of countries like Australia and luxury travel providers like Uniworld River Cruises, more often than not I’m faced with the perplexing decisions of gratuities when traveling. Who to tip and how much to tip is a personal choice, but it’s helpful to know protocol. So I was happy […]

Blissing Out Near Santa Fe

Blissing Out Near Santa Fe

  Visiting Santa Fe in July, I spent a few days exploring this enchanting city and its immediate surroundings. After hoofing it to the many great art museums, galleries, and vibrant Farmer’s Market (a not-to-be missed Saturday morning excursion, when the locals come out to shop), I craved a bit of R&R. My research led […]

Surprising Miami: Three Must Do’s

Surprising Miami: Three Must Do’s

I’ve been visiting Miami for decades, enjoying its evolution into a world-class city with a lively Latin vibe and fabulous cultural attractions. By all means have fun partying in South Beach if that’s your thing—but there are also many more options for a great multi-gen getaway to Miami whether or not you put your toes […]

A Taste of New Zealand

A Taste of New Zealand

Before I visited New Zealand, I fretted about the travel time. It takes more than 17 hours to get from L.A. to Queenstown, where I participated in a whirlwind tour courtesy of Tourism New Zealand. Now I can’t wait to go back. Queenstown, located on New Zealand’s South Island, boasts achingly beautiful turquoise lakes and […]

Mom and Me in Aruba

Mom and Me in Aruba

Press trips are premised on wanting writers to experience fresh vacation ideas and new paradigms of travel, so I was thrilled to participate in the “Mom and Me” press trip to the Aruba Marriott on Mother’s Day weekend. During a few brilliantly sunny days, our group of Gen X and Gen Y travel writers and […]