Celebrating California's Central Coast: Cambria and Paso Robles
by Mary McGrath
Itchy to get out of town, it was time to plan another excursion. I'd heard some great things about Paso Robles, and thought we'd partner with a stop in Cambria to round out the adventure. It was a great strategy. Paso Robles is a mere 40 minutes from Cambria, requiring an easy drive over pristine rolling terrain...

Carnival's Siren Song
Story & Photos by Skip Kaltenheuser
Since ancient times, new beginnings – that’s carnival. It’s our craving to shuck memories of the slings and arrows that paralyze us. New Year’s resolutions disappear in the first head wind, but carnival has been serious about new beginnings since the Greeks partied to praise Dionysus and the Romans thanked Bacchus for wine and flora, fertility heavy on their minds.

Destination Del Mar: Opulent Luxury, or Beachy Vibe
by Mary McGrath
Another getaway was in order, and this weekend, Del Mar was our chosen spot. I hadn't been to this area in a number of years. My fond recollections only centered on my rich wild aunt who liked to test her skills at the track. But Del Mar's got many charms besides gambling, and that's why we were here. It's a mere two hours south from Studio City, and well worth a visit.

Berlusconi Rides Again: Mockery and Music Behind The Masks of Basel
Story & Photos by Skip Kaltenheuser
Ash Wednesday has come and gone, quieting the mad carnival world that embraced its generous clean slate. Not in Basel. It's 3am the Monday after. By decree, the Swiss city is as black as if an air raid siren sounded. Outlines of people bundled up against the chill tumble along the tram lines leading to the city center, like snow melt in the Alps, trickles gradually forming torrents that raise the Rhine.

The Frigid Temperatures of Alaska’s Mighty Interior
Story & Photos by Sandy Lorrigan
With only a 7-day time out from record-breaking frigid temperatures in Alaska's less-known interior, remote Delta Junction mysteriously missed receiving the 10 inches of snow that was predicted. The temps began plummeting last week as I write to a rather balmy -37 F, with a -47 F below wind chill. I remember a saying I once heard in Wisconsin: "It's as cold as a nun's buns.”

River Cruise – France, the Rhone River
by Caroline and Steve Lake
River cruises in Europe are becoming more and more popular. They offer a very different experience than ocean cruises. The intimate, smaller river cruise ships can dock in small ports right in the town you are visiting. No long bus trips are required, just step off the ship and you are there.

Oxnard: LA's Affordable Beachside Community
by Mary McGrath
For many years, Oxnard was one of those requisite pit stops between LA and Santa Barbara. For many years, it wasn't a place I even considered visiting, as my car was naturally headed to Ventura, Santa Barbara or Montecito. Oxnard is now it's own destination. After some prowling, I've discovered that Oxnard has its own story to tell.

Explore The Beer Tents of Oktoberfest In Munich
by Jack Vaughan
Autumn is fast approaching, so put away your summer peach sangria and break out the frosted pints and steins, it's time for Oktoberfest and the best place to experience this festival is in the German city that gave us the Weissbier or white beer, Munich.

My Vienna; My Native Cuisine
by Susanne Servin
Going home is always a wonderful thing. Even though I have lived for many years in New York and am now a US citizen – Vienna will always be home. So when I recently traveled to Vienna I immediately noticed all the things about the city that I've always loved. When I got off the plane, even the famous Viennese air embraced me, evoking fond memories from the past.

Sublime Sedona
by Caroline and Steve Lake
In the heart of Red-Rock country, Sedona lies in a canyon where rushing Oak Creek and the red-rock monoliths meet. It is spellbinding. No wonder U.S.A. Weekend voted Sedona the #1 Most Beautiful Place in America. Just a two hour drive from Phoenix and on the way to the Grand Canyon, Sedona is easily accessible.

Ride Into Taiwan
by Sarah Wyatt
Sipping on a flavorful beverage that I was told was merely “plum juice.” I relaxed at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, watching a cultural performance given by a group of indigenous people of Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan. As an American Indian, I’m embarrassed that I forget that I’m one of many aboriginals in the world.

Flagstaff, Arizona: An All Season Destination
by Caroline and Steve Lake
Nestled below the San Fransico Peaks on the Colorado Plateau, Flagstaff, Arizona is an all season destination. Well known as a ski resort in winter, Flagstaff is a very special place in the summer. Only a two hour drive from Phoenix on Interstate 17 this University town seems a million miles away. Cool breezes off the mountains are redolent with the scent of pine, an easy escape from Phoenix triple digit heat.

Berlin's Hoppegarten: A Day at the Races
by Frank Mazer
Powerful horses, with jockeys astride in their brilliant silk colors, are loping towards me. I stand in the middle of the turf track staring through the camera viewfinder while my "All Access Press Pass" clings to my wrist. The brilliant green splendor of the scene captivates me. Lush green forest all around the glimmering green race course and the magnificent movement of the horses are all nicely framed in my camera lens.

What's New in Las Vegas
by Caroline and Steve Lake
The newest hotel in Las Vegas is the Cosmopolitan, with wonderful surprises on each floor. Go to the second floor to get a startling perspective on the chandelier that drapes down to the first floor in gorgeous loops of fine crystal. Restaurants are scattered on different floors and the pool is on the top level.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill Comes to Los Angeles
by Mary McGrath
I'm always excited to hear about new arrivals to any dining scene, and when I got wind of one of San Diego's finest coming to El Segundo, I was anxious to give it ago. I wasn't familiar with Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill, already with 17 locations throughout California and Nevada, but I'm a big fan now.

Cotswolds - Bourton-on-the-Water
by Patti Nickell
On an early spring afternoon, with the temperature in the 70s and the sun shining, I wander along the footpath next to the Windrush River that flows right through the heart of this village in England’s Cotswolds region. The Windrush is not really a river, but a bubbling brook that one could easily wade across.

Going Ghost Hunting at the Riverside Mission Inn
by Mary McGrath
I’ve never been totally comfortable staying in old hotels. Maybe it was because I played with the Ouija board too much as a child, or perhaps I read too many Stephen King novels, but old places fascinate me and give me the willies. Plus, I have a very active imagination, which doesn’t help.

Everything's Coming Up Roses in Pasadena
by Caroline and Steve Lake
Quite simply, Pasadena, California is a treasure. There are more wonderful, surprising things to do then you can count.With a population of 133,000 the vast array of cultural activities available in Pasadena is amazing. Pasadena is a place to return to again and again to discover innovative museums, restaurants and theater.

Taking the Kids - 10 Tips for Dads Traveling Solo With Kids
by Eileen Ogintz
These days, many dads live far from their kids and are getting ready for their annual Summer Vacation Visit. Many count on vacations together to make up for all the time apart. Other dads plan just-me-and-the-kids getaways camping, hitting ball parks or fishing.

Feasting on Bugs and Grubs
by Mary McGrath
Adventure writer that I am, I’ve always been curious to try the unusual. This pertains to dining as well. I’ve sampled cuisine from around the world, and most of it would be classified as edible. But cuisine that’s deemed inedible is another story. It was time to try some insects and grubs.

Dirty Harry in Maracaibo
by Frank Mazer
The gun he was pointing at me was big barreled. I had just entered my apartment complex in Maracaibo, Venezuela, through the back entrance. Through two iron gates requiring two different keys. Past the 10 foot high wall intentionally littered with broken bottles on top of it to stop those inclined to climb.

Travels with “Jane-Jane” - Sporting in Portsmouth
by Frank Mazer
I'm on the edge. It’s a January night in the U.K. It’s a dark mass I see ahead of me. A few lights twinkle in the distance. I’m at the edge of the sea staring through the windshield over the bonnet (hood) of my little red car. A small stone wall and a sudden dose of human sense is all that provoked me to hit the brakes...

Tough Sledding in Stavanger
by Frank Mazer
She’s shouting into the night. She’s running downhill. Snow is falling gently. The only lights are those glowing in the wooden homes along the snow covered street which tips down and away steeply in front of her in the dark of the early evening. A Norwegian winter evening. In suburban Stavanger, on the South coast near the North Sea.

Humbled in the French Alps: Moguls that Mean Business
by Frank Mazer
My friend, Jean-Paul, is a snowboarding addict. He is an expert who spends 100 days a year on the slopes of the Alps. I am a pretty good skier who has spent about 20 days a year on the slopes for each of the past 30 years. My friend, however, sometimes becomes overly zealous and childlike in his approach to the slopes.

Lexington Beyond the Horses
by Patti Nickell
Lexington, Kentucky may be the "horse capital of the world," but its appeal as a travel destination goes far beyond that. The crown jewel of the Bluegrass offers (in addition to horses) history and heritage, bourbon distilleries, wineries, indigenous music, quirky museums, and an antique store that would put those in New York or New Orleans to shame.

From Seward to Talkeetna: The Best Alaska Has to Offer (All Roads Are Not Created Equal)
by Dee Buchanon
A 2.5-hour drive along one of the most breathtaking routes in Alaska doesn’t even begin to reveal it all. Designated a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, the Seward Highway stretches 127 miles from Anchorage to Seward, bordered by the picturesque Turnagain Arm.

A Northwest Coast Thanksgiving: Looping the Olympic Peninsula
by Sarah Wyatt
It's almost Thanksgiving – time to admit that not everyone wants to spend three hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic to Grandmother's house for yet another meal of cold turkey and canned cranberry sauce. Veteran road trippers see a different opportunity: four days off to explore some spectacular byway that offers great views and outstanding cuisine.

The Faces of Ireland
by Elyssa Davalos
Elyssa Davalos continues with her photographic exploration of the great faces of the world. The following photographs were taken in Dublin, Donegal, Sligo and Armagh Counties from June 5 to June 12, 2010. The photographs are intended to speak for themselves.

The Taj Mahal
by Julio Natividad
"Tell the world about your love for me." Legend has it that these were the dying words of Mumtaz Mahal to her husband, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The latter had been fighting a campaign in the Deccan Plateau in 1631 when his favorite wife suddenly succumbed after giving birth to their fourteenth child.

An American Student in London (Part 2)
by Stephanie Keats
One of the perks of going to an overpriced institution of higher learning like USC and going abroad is that they organize free trips for you to go on so you can "experience"more of the UK... So Friday I traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon for my all inclusive weekend of fun.

An American Student in Thailand (Part 2)
by Lindsey Koro
Before coming to Thailand, I was feeling guilty about my amazing life (hehe). I thought that coming here would be my chance to be challenged and work hard to give back to the world without having everything handed to me. Working as an English teacher has certainly been a challenge, but this past weekend had me wondering yet again what I've done to be such an incredibly lucky person.

In My Wildest Dreams
by Elyssa Davalos
Vastly dramatic landscapes pour out of the painted sky. To behold this unique voyage makes you feel like an explorer from another era. There is no better way to see Alaska than under the knowledgeable and guiding hands of The Boat Company.

Caramoan, Philippines
by Julio Natividad
A warm breeze softly blew into our faces as our motorized outrigger boat slowly made its way through the shallow, crystal-clear waters. Within minutes the next destination on our second day of island-hopping came into view: a sand bar that stretched several hundred meters from where our boat came to a rest.

Recipe For a Perfect Vacation: Excellence Riviera Cancun!
by Wendy Koro
It's my third day at the Hotel Excellence Riviera Cancun and the Do Not Disturb card is in the slot again. I'm feeling lazy and content…mesmerized by the view. A thatch roof tops my balcony vista, framing the brilliant sky, pristine pools, ever-moving azure sea and powdered sugar beaches below. Sunlight glints off the water and tropical breezes feel like a warm caress, which along with the gentle dance of gauzy curtains slowly pull me into a feline stretch.

An American Student in Thailand (Part 1)
by Lindsey Koro
I've said the word what seems like billions of times, but in 3 days these images in my head of this foreign place will come alive. I'll be living and working in a Muslim community called Ao Luk in the Krabi province of Southern Thailand. I'm joining a volunteer organization--Global Vision International (GVI)--of which I've heard wonderful things, to teach English for ten weeks to little kiddos!

An American Student in London (Part 1)
by Stephanie Keats
What happens when you take a 20 year old sorority girl without any sense of direction and put her in a foreign country? Well we're about to find out. My name is Stephanie and I'm a LA Girl, born and raised, who's about to embark on a 5+month adventure to study abroad in London.

The Parade Has Started
by Tom Joyce
The Parade has started. Grand Marshal Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger waving to my grandstand. But a tour director is informing me that the grandstand is collapsing. The truth of the matter was that someone had left a water spigot running and the corner was settling into the soft earth under the support strut. Happy New Year. What was I to do?

Shouldering Tradition
by Gabriella Gafni
It was on a sweltering day in July, 2000 on the occasion of "The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" in Brooklyn, New York (the childhood home of my mother and her family) when I noted the command, "Uaglió, a spal!" (pronounced "Wal-Yo, ah sbahl"--- "young men, on your shoulders!"). These words, signaling the lift of the Giglio, echoed the inflections of my Napolitano ancestors. The imperative mingled with aromas of brasciole (a kind of sausage), opened clams on the half shell, zeppoles, and a host of other Italian delicacies.

Nature's Playground: The South Island of New Zealand
by Wendy Koro
We’ve all watched little kids at the park. Racing from the swings to the slide to the monkey bars, shouting, laughing, squealing with delight. They’ve been there, what...a hundred times before? But it doesn’t matter, they’re in play mode and they are seriously all in to have fun.

Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai
by Nino Mohan
I should be angry at the politicians in India for having failed to provide safety and security that the citizens and tourists expect. I should be angry at the terrorists for subjecting so many families to horror by killings innocents, terrorizing and injuring their loved ones. But this is not the time for finding faults. It is time to celebrate good deeds of the brave souls who saved lives and to stand up against terrorism to let the terrorists know that their cowardly acts are wrong and do not scare us.

What to Do if You Are in an Accident
by Russ Brown and Chuck Koro
Most of us think we know the protocol to follow if we are involved in a traffic accident but when you are actually involved in an accident your adrenaline starts pumping, you may be injured, and your ability to think can be clouded. It is important to understand what needs to be accomplished, not just at the accident scene, but in the following hours and days, including preserving your version of the accident.