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We had been wanting to try Sugarfreak since it opened a few months ago, but Jon's gluten allergy, and my intolerance to sugar kept us away. When I first glanced at the menu one day as I walked by it on 30th Ave, all I saw were po-boy and muffaletta sandwiches (hence, the gluten), and that name...well it scared me a little. Still, I was intrigued by what looked like shower curtains covering the front window, and the New Orleans theme. Once my friend and co-contributor to this blog, Teresa Barile,

Located in the prefecture of Serres, not far from Thessaloniki, Lake Kerkini truly captivates visitors, despite the fact that it is an artificial reservoir, as today it's become a very important wetland of Greece, giving shelter to many seldom seen aquatic bird species. We had the chance to make the tour of the lake, one of the country's premier birding sites, one day last summer, when the water shone blue and the birds were refreshing themselves in the water continuously. There and on the oliv

Java hounds sniffing after both a copacetic cuppa and the chance to experience key aspects of history, culture, and ecology relating to coffee in several Latin American countries have the opportunity to have it all in a number of regions which have facilities that receive visitors, from small organic farms all the way up to major industrial operations.

Brazil  Though coffee isn’t native to this country’s, it’s now the world’s largest grower, with production today widespread in areas of São P

Like all travelers, when you plan a vacation to an unfamiliar location, you want to have an idea of what to expect. TripAdvisor is a great resource for getting insider information about a place from guests who have been there.

Here are 5 great travel tips for your vacation to Nosara, Costa Rica from guests who stayed at L’acqua Viva Resort & Spa by Playa Guiones.

1. What’s the best way to get to Nosara, Costa Rica? Fly.

The area of Nosara includes the town of Nosara and the beaches of Playa Guio

Nestled in the heart of 6-million-acre Adirondack Park yet within walking distance to downtown Lake Placid, Whiteface Lodge looks remarkably historic for being built in 2005. Massive timbers still in the shape of tree trunks stand as support pillars buttressed by open wood beam framing. Much of this wood was milled on site with construction inspired by the Adirondack Great Camp architecture so popular across the region and in national parks throughout the United States during the 19th century.

The northeast of Brazil is where some of the best beaches on the Atlantic are located. In general, they are beaches surrounded by palm trees; calm, crystal waters; and fine sand. Just for you, we have put together a selection of what are probably the best in this zone.

Praia do Francês, Alagoas: Close to Maceió, Praia do Francês is unique due to its tranquility and its natural pools which are protected by coral reefs. Close to the pools there is a stretch of beach which is heavily frequented b

When TV newscasters show two or three global leaders meeting in seclusion to talk peace, we are often impressed with the beautiful woodland surroundings the planners choose for such discussions. Well, we found a retreat these meeting handlers have missed, and the world leaders will be disappointed – however, you needn’t be.

It’s in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State

Eleven thousand years ago, glacial activity formed five lakes in the shape of outstretched fingers. American Indians believe t

The many-centuries-long saga of the Sephardim, the Jews of Sepharad (as they called the Iberian Peninsula) reaches back to Roman Hispania (and there are suggestions there might have been trade links dating back even to Old Testament times). But as elsewhere in Europe, despite building a magnificent heritage here, the road for Spanish Jews has not always been smooth - most infamously their persecution and ultimate mass expulsion in 1492 by rulers Ferdinand and Isabella. 

But Judaism has been b

Picturesquely set amid volcanoes, Antigua may be antigua (old), but these days there’s always something new percolating along these cobblestone streets, alive with Guatemalans hawking their wares; local commerce; tourists from all over the world; North American kids in town to learn Spanish at the many language school and of course do some partying; expatriates going about their business; and weekenders from Guatemala City.

Some call this Guate’s most charming city, and that’s largely due to the

Ethiopia has so much to offer visitors: the Historic Route, covering the ancient town of Axum, with its amazing carved obelisks, Christian festivals and relics, including the Ark of the Covenant; Gondar, with its castles and palaces; Lalibela, with its remarkable rock-hewn churches: Negash, one of the earliest holy Muslim centres from the Prophet Mohammed Era with the NegashAmedinMesgid; the walled Muslim city of Harar and LegaOda, near Dire Dawa where you can see cave paintings considered to be

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, what is an experience worth? The experiences of travel are what make one’s journey priceless. The memories of these experiences are what make travel last forever.

Perhaps this is because I have been to 85 countries, but when I travel, it’s no longer stunning sites that fuel my wanderlust, but rather the connections that I make with local people. I cherish the memories I have of making new friends from around the world while immersing myself in local culture t

I have been whale-watching a few times (always a joy) and visited Anacapa Island, but our recent Channel Islands Outfitter trip to Santa Cruz Island was one of the highlights of my travels. Kayaking in February may not have been the ideal month to choose, but we were well-prepared thanks to the helpful information on Channel Islands Outfitter’s website, including to dress warmly for the hour-long boat ride to Santa Cruz and to wear a bathing suit and rash guard under their supplied (and warm) we

In Spain as in much of Europe, church attendance may have waned of late and society modernized in many of its attitudes, but culturally it's still one of Europe’s most Catholic countries — perhaps never more so than during Easter week, a bigger deal here since the Middle Ages than in almost any other place in the world…   If you’re lucky enough to witness Semana Santa (Holy Week), as Spaniards call this time of year, you will find that many people take the entire week off as a holiday, and man

The two coastlines of Costa Rica – Caribbean and Pacific – are about as opposite as you can get in landscape and lifestyle – kind of like New York and California.

Most tourists to Costa Rica head west to the Pacific-coast beaches. It is the adventurer looking for the unique Costa Rica who chooses to explore the Costa Rica Caribbean coast.

Here are 10 things not to expect when you visit the Costa Rica southern Caribbean coast:

The same weather. Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast experiences nearly comp

There are unusual homes and then there are - unusual homes.

When Jim and Linda Onan built the house as a private residence for themselves and their four children, it was never intended to be a tourist attraction. Onan was long interested in pyramids and whatever power they might emit. Over the years he progressed from bu

Santorini is a name of Italian origin, given by the Venetian merchants to Thira, an island loaded with history. With 73 square km and 1,800 registered inhabitants, the island is the ideal size for a weekend or long holiday weekend break. It's is situated in the extreme south of the archipelago of Cyclades, so it is possible to combine your visit with a tour of some of these marvelous islands. Mykonos is the best known, but you can also visit Anafi, Ios, Amorgos, Naxos or Paros. Crete, the popula

A grandiose claim, I know. But please bear with me a moment. Caught up in the excitement of New York City, many overseas visitors never venture up the Hudson River to discover a verdant, gently rolling valley full of historic mansions, woodlands, fine cultural institutions, and small towns that are a mix of sophisticated and classic Americana.

The corridor leading 130 miles (209 kilometerss) up from New York City toward state capital Albany boasts an impressive pedigree: here George Washington

Ever heard of the “Conch Republic?” It’s one of the names the United States’ southernmost city dubs itself, and dates back to 1982 when leaders in Key West decided to protest a U.S. border patrol checkpoint that was all but choking off traffic on the only road in by proclaiming independence, declaring “war” on the USA, pelting Federal agents with stale Cuban bread, then surrendering and demanding $1 billion in foreign aid. “Conchs,” as Key Westers are nicknamed, observe this event lustily for a

by VaDeAviones.com


If you fly with any frequency, a phrase heard over the public address system, “crew, slide arm and cross check” is likely to ring a bell.  That “slide arm” refers to activation for potential use of the inflatable evacuation slide required on all aircraft where the floor is at least 1.8 metres (6 feet) above ground level. These slides are manufactured of various approved forms of resistant plastic, similar in consistency to rubber, reinforced with various layers to minimise th

The next time you get tired of winter, book a flight to La Paz or Los Cabos, in Baja California Sur, Mexico. During the months of January through April, the weather in La Paz is absolutely perfect, and it is a wonderful time to take the opportunity to get up close and personal with gray whales and their calves.

Getting There

La Paz has its own airport, but the bigger Cabo San Lucas airport about 100 miles south has more flights and services.

When we arrived in Cabo, we took a taxi for the almost th