Subscribe

Much of Bridge of Spies was filmed in Berlin. If you're a fan of the movie or a history buff, read my article for a tour of Cold War sites in Berlin.

Visit a rainforest paradise filled with thousands of butterflies from all over the world. Meet over 70 different species  face-to-face as you walk through the conservatory

Learn about the mining and agricultural industries that spurred growth during the 1800s and the archeology that goes back thousands of years.

You've heard the Christmas story hundreds of times. Now you can experience it by seeing the stars as the Magi and shepherds saw them.

Many scenes in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation were shot in Breckenridge, CO. Visit some of them with everyone's favorite dysfunctional family.

At 9,600' above sea level, the Breckenridge Distillery is the world's highest distillery. It was founded in 2008 has grown into an award-winning producer of crafted, blended bourbons.

Cave Creek is a quirky, eclectic town north of Phoenix where you'll see horseback riders along Main Street and bikers on the way to their favorite watering hole. Plan your visit now.

Around 86,000 horses live on nearly 28 million acres of public lands in 10 Western states. Meet some that live in the Salt River Valley and Tonto National Forest in Arizona.

Iceland’s nickname is the “Land of Fire and Ice" because you can see volcanos, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and geysers in an area roughly the size of Kentucky.

Cowboys are usually associated with the American West, but many people would be surprised to learn that there were cowboys in Hungary long before America was discovered.

Arizona is a mecca for lovers of Southwestern art. If you're looking for desert landscapes, Navajo rugs, handmade pottery, or Kachina dolls, you’ll find it all in Arizona. 

Arizona is no longer the Wild Wild West, but the forever-symbol of America’s cowboys remains because approximately 400 wild horses remain as tribute to a bygone era.

On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers made history at Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Long trips that used to take weeks or even months now take a few hours because they believed the impossible was possible and refused to give up. 

In 1941 the Nazis established a ghetto in Terezín and renamed it Theresienstadt. According to Nazi propaganda, Theresienstadt was a "model Jewish settlement," but it was really a way station and transit camp for Auschwitz and other extermination camps.

With five awe-inspiring peaks, 2,908 acres of skiable terrain, and an imposing 3,398 feet of vertical drop, Breckenridge is a skier’s dream. But it’s also a mecca for travelers who don’t know the difference between a black run and a bunny hill—and don’t care. 

If you travel anywhere in the West or Northwest, you'll probably have an opportunity to see a rodeo. I see around two or three per season and often see people who don't know what to expect, understand the events or the scoring. If you plan to go to a rodeo, here are some things to know to help you make the most of the experience.

If you’re considering driving to the Grand Canyon, you probably aren’t looking forward to dealing with traffic. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams AZ to Grand Canyon Village, and avoid traffic jams and eliminate the headaches of hunting for parking spots. When you arrive, all activities the South Rim offers will be at your fingertips.

The Brazos County Farmers Market serves hundreds of shoppers in Bryan/College Station and the surrounding area. It connects local farmers, growers and bakers with consumers and educates the public on the benefits of eating food grown and produced locally. Many vendors generate the majority of their sales through farmers markets.

When Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo founded Messina Hof Winery in 1977, their goal was to produce premium Texas wines. They couldn’t have imagined that Messina Hof would become one of the largest producers of 100% Texas wines, become the most award-winning winery in the Lone Star State and be recognized as a pioneer in the growth of the Texas wine industry.

Do you know what Ike Turner, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash have in common? They all launched their careers at Sun Studio in Memphis, The recording studio was owned by the legendary Sam Phillips. Standing where so many musical greats got their start was mind-blowing, but I was particularly interested to hear stories of how they made it big and, in some cases, almost didn’t make it.

Most people think World War II was fought on battlefields across Europe and on islands in the Pacific. They'd be surprised to know that one of the most violent naval battles was fought off the shores of the Outer Banks. During the Battle of the Atlantic, German U-boats sank over 400 ships off the North Carolina coast. But Outer Banks residents who were alive during World War II remember it very well.

The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library is one of 15 presidential libraries nationwide that commemorate former Presidents’ public service and lifetime accomplishments and provide a snapshot of their personal and family lives. Learn more about story our 41st President before and after his White House years.

Black Seeds Urban Farms started by providing organic, nutritious produce for Memphians with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s grown into a local food movement that is part of a national trend to help people improve their quality of life by providing them with the means and resources to help themselves.

When Mark and Jennie Jackson traveled, they enjoyed staying in bed and breakfasts so much they decided to open their own, the Cozy Rose Inn in Grandview, WA. All suites include premium amenities, gorgeous views of the Lower Yakima Valley and a scrumptious breakfast delivered to your room or private deck.

The Yakima Valley is the perfect place for a farm-to-table weekend. Enjoy all the Yakima Valley offers by visiting its farmers’ markets, picking your own fresh vegetables and fruit, dining in farm-to-table restaurants and sampling craft beer, wine and cider made with locally sourced hops, grapes and apples.

The Beach Street Inn was built in 1890 by the Skillen family when St. Martins was a thriving shipbuilding town. There are 14 rooms in the Mansion and two other buildings—the original Carriage House and Gables, which the previous owners added in 1990. The suites in the Mansion are named after shipbuilding families and the ones in the Carriage House and Gables are named after ships built in St. Martins. 

If you’re looking for a place to taste different wines and craft beers, head to the Yakima Valley in South Central Washington. There are over 120 wineries, 20 craft breweries, and numerous distilleries within an hour’s drive. This isn’t surprising when you consider that 75% of the U.S. and 20% of the world’s hops and 50% of Washington State’s wine grapes are grown in this area.

When you plan a trip to Tennessee, you probably hope you’ll have the opportunity to sample whiskey and moonshine. You definitely will when you visit Clarksville, a small city north of Nashville. In Clarksville TN, wineries, breweries, and distilleries, you’ll meet “old timers” who grew up in and love the area, along with transplants who now call it home.

Tieton, WA was a prosperous town, but that changed when companies in the fruit industry automated crop growing and storage processes and “big box” stores moved into nearby Yakima. Anyone who saw Tieton a decade ago wouldn’t recognize it today. The town has come back to life, and It all started because an entrepreneur with a vision got a flat tire during a bike ride.

Many visitors to Tennessee flock to Nashville, Memphis, and the Smoky Mountains and most have never heard of Clarksville. So, they don’t include it in their plans. Surprisingly, it has enough interesting activities to keep them busy for days, especially if they’re interested in history. Learn where to find museums, caves, Civil War battlegrounds and pioneer villages to explore history.

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated while standing on the balcony outside room 306 at the Lorraine Motel.  The Motel is now the National Civil Rights Museum which chronicles the fight for civil rights including the lunch counter sit-ins, Rosa Parks and the sanitation workers strike.

If you’re in Fredericton, New Brunswick during a weekend in late July and think you hear bagpipes, it isn’t your imagination. It’s the sound of laddies and lassies competing in strength, dance and music events at the New Brunswick Highland Games Festival. 

Many people who have visited New Brunswick rave about the spectacular coastal scenery. The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world, and one of the best ways to experience them is by sea kayaking on the Bay of Fundy.

New Brunswick offers much more than beaches dotted with lighthouses, fresh-caught lobster, and sunset clam bakes. At Stonehammer UNESCO Geopark, visitors experience a billion years of Earth’s history and understand challenges communities face, such as mineral resource usage, climate change and water shortages.

Enjoy great Mexican food in beautiful surroundings at El Encanto in Cave Creek, AZ. The romantic hacienda exudes Old-World charm and is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

The rugged spirit of the Old West is reflected in Cave Creek's restaurant scene. A mix of retro diners, Sicilian pizza bistros, Mexican cantinas and cowboy saloons make for one of the most interesting and eclectic dining experiences you’ll find anywhere. 

You don't need to go to Italy to find award-winning olive oils. You can find them 40 minutes southeast of Phoenix at the Queen Creek Olive Mill Estate. 

The Horny Toad is the oldest original restaurant in Cave Creek, Arizona. It was established in 1976 as a cowboy roadhouse and has built a loyal following among locals and visitors.

Wickenburg is known as the “most Western town in Arizona.”  Whether you’re in town for a rodeo, Gold Rush Days or sightseeing, you’ll find plenty of restaurants where you can experience the Wild West. 

Wyoming embodies the spirit of the Wild West and attracts visitors who love adventure and history. They have no trouble finding it in Cody, a small city  in about 30 miles from Yellowstone that was founded and named after Buffalo Bill Cody.

The Life Saving Station Restaurant is on the former site of Caffey's Inlet Life Saving Station No. 5, which was established in 1874 as one of 29 stations to save shipwreck victims, cargo and ships along the perilous North Carolina coast. 

AQUA claims to be the most beautiful waterfront restaurant in Duck, North Carolina. You'll undoubtedly agree once you sample fresh regional cuisine while enjoying stunning views of the waterfront and boardwalk.

Many people who visit Texas think the restaurants only serve barbeque, steaks, and Mexican food. However, that’ll change once they sample the menu and premier wine list at Christopher’s World Grille in Bryan, Texas. 

When you think of Memphis, you  think of visiting Graceland, listening to blues on Beale Street, and enjoying world-class barbeque.

You can do all that and more, but you should eat a good breakfast first. Here are some places where you can get one.

When you visit The Mailroom in Clarksville, TN, you’ll think of the expression, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The structure looks like an old post office or federal building from the outside. Inside is a well-designed building that’s been converted into a lovely restaurant. 

When people visit Clarksville.

they can experience history, enjoy outdoor activities, and sample some top-flight craft beers and local wines. They’re also surprised at the number and diversity of outstanding restaurants they are in the historic downtown area and around town.