Tag: vacation

Calm and chic, the harmonious duotone of beige and red architecture in Dubrovnik creates that serene “red tile style.” Cypress trees and terraced neighborhoods cut through the landscape, converging and visually plunging into the harbor. Old Town is one of the world’s best and most perfectly preserved medieval cities. Muted and pristine, not fussy or ornate, Dubrovnik has a quiet...

Private islands and inland adventures will delight in this beautiful, multi-ethnic nation. The melting pot of various cultures there includes Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo, Creole and Mennonite. Once called the “British Honduras,” Belize is the only Central American country with English as its main language. It features the world’s only jaguar reserve, plus the second largest barrier reef and ancient...

Sintra, Portugal is a haven of both palatial and provincial charm. Mornings are for touring any of the five palaces, and afternoons for strolling through the town square. Evenings are for sumptuous dinners and clean wines.  There’s not an adjective available to describe the impressiveness of these palaces. The exterior details are equaled in splendor by the interior details, furniture...

A non-stop flight to Phoenix from Tulsa starts your Scottsdale, Ariz. vacation perfectly.  Shuttling to the off-site rental car offices takes some time, as these aren’t available at the airport. Yet, 20 minutes or so later, you’ll arrive in the stunning suburb of Scottsdale. Pristine stucco architecture of adobe-style houses, bordered by fanning desert palms and towering cacti, are encircled...

Dubbed as America’s “Sunshine State,” Florida has additional appeal with its unique cluster of keys. Keys, from the Spanish word caya, means “small island,” and there are over 800 of them. Driving on Overseas Highway is an excursion in itself, as one gazes upon the everglades, estuaries and mangroves.  Key West is one of the best-loved islands, and its vibe is...

Remnants of the Roman and Muslim civilizations that occupied Seville can still be seen. But it was the Andalusian gypsies in that part of southern Spain centuries ago who made their mark on the world by giving us the hot-blooded flamenco. The fiery dance, dress, guitar and rhythms of this distinctive dance have traditionally played major roles in Sevillian culture,...

When you find yourself eating juicy starfruit plucked from a tree after a midday rain has lulled you into a misty trance, you’ve embraced the pace of Costa Rica. Go during shoulder season – late September is often ideal – which is the temperate period between distinct dry and wet times of year. Following is a suggested itinerary for a...

Nine hundred miles west of Portugal lie the Azores, an archipelago paradise that the world is finally discovering. This Hawaii of the Atlantic is a quiltwork of surprises – lush landscapes, warm breezes, green meadows sprinkled with cows, and an imperturbable, convivial attitude. For parties, try Vegas. For cathedrals, visit Florence. For rubies, go to Madagascar. But if you want to...

There’s something enchanting about the idea of being on your own secluded island. In the 1950s musical South Pacific, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein expressed it this way: Bali Ha’i will whisper On the wind of the sea: “Here am I, your special island! Come to me, come to me!” Little Harvest Caye in the Caribbean, just off the coast of Belize, goes far...