Nothing throws a wet blanket on a vacation faster than dropping your phone or camera into the water.

You hear the dreaded “Ker plop” as you lean over a railing to get a better view, or you step out of taxi into a rain puddle, or worst- positioned over a toilet bowl. Whenever or however it occurs, it dampens your spirits immediately.  Your favorite piece of electronics is now a soggy mess. You can’t make phone calls or text your BFF.

Your vacation memories are now in Davey Jones’s Locker. Or are

St. Augustine’s distinction as oldest U.S. city combined with an extensive heritage featuring Ponce de Leon‘s quest for perpetual youth just happens to closely parallel Greece’s reverence of top quality olive oil. Ancient Greeks believed that olive oil, particularly when infused with flowers and herbs, promoted a long healthy life. Even medicine and cosmetics were developed using olive oil as a base. Turns out they were onto something since countless studies now point out the health benefits of

There are many great cities in the world either on or near rivers. During my lifetime of travel, I have had the pleasure to visit the many picturesque cities situated on winding rivers. Here are my favorite cities to visit on a River. The cities and the rivers that define them. Because these rivers lends charm, ambiance and culture, and provide the rhythm and soul to these ten out of this world cities.

Melbourne, Skyline from the Yarra River.

Melbourne may be Australia’s second most populous cit

Consider the following:

>> Small companies operate the majority of business aircraft. Most companies with business aircraft have fewer than 500 employees.

>> Business aircraft users have a major presence in the business world. On average 92% are amongst the most innovative

>> Charter operators and general aviation serve over 5,000 airports in the USA. Commercial carriers serve about 400 which number is declining fast!

>> The business traveler saves up to three weeks per year by avoiding long lines

by Maryann Virack

I love the ocean. Growing up in NJ, my parents had a summer home on Long Beach Island and every summer, weekend, and holiday was spent at “the shore”. With dad in California again for the summer, I am always looking for new destinations. This year we decided on an adventure to the mountains – a far cry from the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.

Lake Arrowhead, at 5100’, is within an hour’s drive; (90 miles east of Los Angeles) but I had always thought of it as a winter destination

Manuel Antonio is cataloged as one of the main tourist destinations in Costa Rica. One of the most usual itineraries chosen by tourists is the Arenal-Monteverde-Manuel Antonio, having this last one as the perfect choice for their beach part of the trip.

This popularity has been gained thanks to the number of elements composing this very favorite destination. First of all, the biodiversity of wildlife is incredible, with the primary and secondary tropical forests and a very large number of animal

There came a point when the routine of my life began to annoy me. Don’t get me wrong. It was a lovely routine that involved the blessings of children, but with that came dishes and shopping carts and lots of time in a car. I understood the need and comfort of it all and even thanked God for it, usually on Sundays at ten o’clock.

I began to regard this ordered life with a sense of claustrophobia, like living in an alley. A beautiful alley, but still it had narrow walls and shadows and, for some re

The news about the apparent end of the 42-year regime of Col. Mummar Qaddafi has me remembering about the last time I visited Libya.  Actually, it was the only time I visited Libya, just before he led the military coup led that deposed the ruling family of King Idris.

My trip to Libya included visiting the incredible Roman ruins at Leptis Magna (pictured here), and visiting with troops at Wheelus U. S. Air Force base and the small U. S. Coast Guard on the shores of Tripoli, and the World War Two

The smallest national park in Costa Rica has something big to brag about: it was just named in the top 10 national parks in the world Forbes Magazine.  Manuel Antonio is a pristine rainforest park and includes five secluded beaches.  During a visit, you will see sloths, a variety of monkeys (watch out! They'll steal your food!), toucans, intricate tropical flowers, the occassional boa lazily resting on a branch and a variety of colorful birds.  The beaches are among the most beautiful in Central

The Hottest Party in Spain.

Fires are burning all over Valencia. I cannot glimpse an intersection that is not ablaze. 

Bombaderos , firemen dressed in black turnout, stand by just waiting with tanker trucks full of water, and portable pumps. I inhale the acrid smoke with gusto, awakening the latent pyromaniac within. My heart races as I turn left and head down Calle De Trafalgar. An elaborate archway of carnival lights, designed like the onion tops of a Russian Orthodox Church, frames the narrow e

by Maryann Virack         

My dad’s summer visits to California have often forced us to join in the “traipse of the tourists” visiting every theme park and attraction, including casinos, within driving distance.  Some have been extraordinary adventures; others much more ordinary. This year I opted for culture and a very different kind of destination. The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach runs for one month in the summer and has been doing so since 1933.

               Laguna Beach was establ

 Bear Hole, The Beauty of Upper Bidwell Park

Chico, California just cannot rid itself of being named the “party capital of America.” Chico State may indeed be a party central  as Playboy says it’s “numero uno”  for college kids” gone wild.”

Chico is located 180 miles northeast  of San Francisco in the central valley, around three hours by car from San Francisco, and one hour from Sacramento, and is indeed a College town that knows how to do a little partying to go along with studying for your de

I've only begun to travel alone in the last few years. Major changes in the autumn of my life have forced me, not unwillingly, to embrace my independence. Once I wrote about family travel destinations and unique ways to save money and have a great time with your children. Now I find myself addressing the 'Baby Boomers". Just so you know I have decided to be a "Bloomer" not a Boomer! I feel as if my life has just begun to blossom. 

Life cannot get any better than spending a week in Oahu, Hawaii's

Hello everybody!!

Today I'm very excited because we are not so far from on of the most emotional and exceptional events of the year that we are going to live tomorrow in the afternoon at five p.m., the GIostra del Saracino (Joust of the Saracens).

By the way, last Sunday morning I was walking across the historic street ot our city center, I have been admired some beautiful medieval costumes which reminded me to the incredible medieval's atmosphere of Arezzo.

During all the week until the race of

I am not Samantha Brown, Andrew Zimmern or Tony Bourdain. I am Jersey.  I am a Baby Bloomer…64 years old, divorced, still teaching and just starting to blossom.

                In the last few years, I have gone sky-diving, zip lining, swimming in Mexican ceynotes, snorkeling coral reefs, kayaking, off-roading, swimming with dolphins and drinking Hurricanes on Bourbon Street. All for the very first time…and all alone!!!!

                I do not eat cow eyeballs or testicles, I do not venture into

The summer has almost finished and many memories were left behind. For some people it was the perfect time to relax at the poolside, enjoy the sun and warm weather, for some others was the chance to experience some new adventures and when I said ¨adventures¨ I really mean it.

Summer vacations are one of the most expected times of the year by teenagers and kids, because of so many reasons; great weather, leisure times and fun activities almost everywhere. The fact is; being off school is an exce

I stumbled across a Facebook page  called, "You Know You're from Oakland If ..."

There were comments about all sorts of local trivia, long closed restaurants, streets that have undergone name changes ...

Reading all of those comments brought back lots of memories and made me a bit homesick because Oakland, California, is my hometown. But I haven't actually lived there for 30 years, and I left the Bay Area 20 years ago to live in Hong Kong.

So I decided to research a post on the Top 10 Spots to T