Maine — Foliage without hype or crowds
Vermont gets all the press — but it also gets gazillions of leaf peepers. If you want to enjoy the colors with fewer crowds, and perhaps get the bonus of those brilliant colors reflected in shimmering ocean waters, scoot up to Maine. But first, check the foliage report, then plan accordingly.
The best of the Blue Ridge in historic Hendersonville, NC
Slightly off the beaten path, nestled in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the historic town of Hendersonville and the surrounding area offers a wide range of activities that will suit virtually any vacationer. David Burns take a look at his hometown.
9/11 memorials dedicated in Boston and at the Pentagon
Seven years after 9/11/2001 major memorials are finally being dedicated to the passengers and crew over this past year. Two new memorials were unveiled at Logan Airport, Boston, and at the Pentagon, just outside of Washington, DC. More are planned. Never forget.
5 new rules of European rail travel
Eurail passes these days aren’t what we baby boomers remember from back in the ’60s and ’70s and even the ’80s. I fondly remember when travelers could get on and off trains at will and the biggest decision was whether to buy a 1st-class or 2nd-class pass. Not any more. The world of rail travel in Europe has become much more complicated. Spontaneity has been squashed.
When your camera’s memory card fails, can it be saved?
Digital camera memory cards become corrupted and unusable. Worse yet, a traveler’s best photographs become trapped on those corrupt cards, such as a family photo in front of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, or a photo of the July 4th fireworks at the Statue of Liberty. Can you fix the card, or recover those priceless photos? Well…maybe.
Germany’s castle resorts
After living in Germany for a half-dozen years I will never forget the dramatic castles rising on mountain tops, presiding over riverbends and tucked between majestic mountains. Many of these castles have been restored and turned into luxury hotels that can fill any medieval or royal fantasy.
Do you Bang on a Can, Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza?
Summer music festivals — there’s nothing like getting your groove on in a field of teeny boppers and aging hippies. Travel and music are Marge Purnell’s passion. As a musician for the past 25 years, she keeps trying to keep her finger on the pulse of all things music.
Tank-of-gas-away hotels
With the price of gasoline at an all-time high and airfares on the rise, now is the perfect time for travelers to stay closer to home and rediscover their own backyards. Indeed, many vacationers are opting for a “staycation” this year, but rather than staying put, many will find that there are great vacations only a tank-of-gas away.
5 quietest and 5 noisiest national parks
The Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR) just released their list of the five quietest national parks in the lower 48 states as well as their five noisiest national parks. Where should you go this summer and fall if you want to escape the rising tide of man-made sound? Here are their findings in their words.
Germany’s Castle Gardens
On a recent trip, I had a chance to wander through some of Germany’s castles and their gardens. The only problem was that I visited as snow was falling. Now spring has sprung and the gardens are coming to life again.