Travel Examiner

The Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolás, Granada, Spain

Granada, Spain Is Now a Short Journey Away

June 9, 2022 Destinations, Train Travel, Train Travel

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. (Feature Image: The Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolás) It used to be hard to get to Granada.

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Corsica Rond Point and the Stick Shift Saga

June 4, 2022 Destinations, Mediterranean, Stephanie

Story by Stephanie Levin. Let me put my domestic and international driving record into perspective: it’s perfect. My foray into driving began with the

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Ironstone Vineyards, Calaveras County, Gold Country, Sierra Nevada Mountain foothills, California

Calaveras County for Mining, Hiking, Biking, Wining, Dining, Fishing, Camping and Jumping with Mark Twain’s Frogs.

May 10, 2022May 21, 2022 California, California, Destinations, Winery News, WineTasting 2

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. Gold country in the Sierra mountain foothills is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from San Francisco. For my wife

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Napa Valley Wine Train, Napa County, California

All Aboard to Napa On One Train and Two Wineries

April 30, 2022May 4, 2022 Destinations

Story and Photos by Deborah Grossman. Onboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, the staff welcomed us with a refreshing “Napa Valley breakfast,” a mimosa

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View of the Golden Gate Bridge from Angel Island State Park, Marin County, San Francisco Bay, California

Angel Island escapes into nature, spectacular views and California history

April 26, 2022April 26, 2022 Destinations 2

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. Longing for a little recreational travel experience and a brief break in the pandemic humdrum, an Angel Island

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Roger Guenveur Smith plays “Otto Frank” at Magic Theatre, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California

Roger Guenveur Smith’s ‘Otto Frank’ is a meditation on the dark history of hatred

March 22, 2022 Art and Architecture, California, Destinations 2

A review by Carol Canter with photos by Jay Yamada. The recent hour spent with “Otto Frank,” as performed by Roger Guenveur Smith in

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Yosemite 2022, Yosemite National Park, California

Do you want to visit Yosemite this Summer but don’t have a Reservation?

March 21, 2022 Destinations

Here are some options. “It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.” —

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Carneros by the water at Bouchaine winery (Photo: Deborah Grossman)

Get Acquainted with Carneros Wine Country: Chill Out and Enjoy the View

March 20, 2022March 22, 2022 Destinations

Story and Photos by Deborah Grossman. “The Carneros wine region is like Switzerland,” said Jon Priest, General Manager and Winemaker at Etude winery. “Carneros

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A Grand Night for Singing, 42nd St. Moon, Gateway Theater, San Francisco, CA.

A Grand Night for Singing at 42nd St. Moon

March 18, 2022March 18, 2022 California, Carol, Concert Events, Destinations, Reviews 3

A review by Carol Canter with photos by Ben Krantz. It is truly A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING at The Gateway Theatre in

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Nature x Humanity: Oxman Architects at SFMOMA

February 23, 2022February 24, 2022 Art and Architecture, Carol, Destinations, Eco-Tourism, San Francisco 1

New Thinking on the Future of Architecture and Design Story by Carol Canter. While many of the nearly 40 artworks and installations in SFMOMA’s

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Howelson Hill, Ski town USA©, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Ski Town USA© nurtures Olympic medal winners in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

January 20, 2022 Colorado, Destinations

Story by Stephanie Levin with ski-jump photos by Rory Clow. Travel is always filled with surprises, especially over beer and conversation on a soft

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A Little Night Music, 42nd St. Moon’s production, San Francisco, CA

A Little Night Music at 42nd St. Moon

November 18, 2021 Carol, Destinations, Reviews

Review by Carol Canter. The 42nd St. Moon’s production of “A Little Night Music,” my first live theater experience since the pandemic turned all

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John Steinbeck’s Valley of the World Revisited: A Photo Essay

November 15, 2021 California, California, Destinations 1

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. A ranch in “the wilder hills” from Old Stage Road “I would like to write the story

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Travel Amtrak’s Scenic Coast Starlight from Seattle to Southern California.

November 9, 2021 California, Destinations

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. “The journey is too fast, it passes too quickly; what a yearning I have now for long journeys!”

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Leonard Cohen exhibit, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, CA

“Experience Leonard Cohen” opens at The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco

October 12, 2021October 27, 2021 California, California, Destinations, San Francisco, Stephanie 4

Story by Stephanie Levin. Leonard Cohen–author, songwriter, lyricist, and poet (1934-2016) inspired, captivated, and illuminated generations of artists and audiences around the globe; his

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Rainbow Shabbat Stained Glass, Judy Chicago exhibit, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, California

A Retrospective of Feminist Artist Judy Chicago Opens in San Francisco

September 15, 2021September 20, 2021 California, California, Destinations, San Francisco, Stephanie

Story and Photos by Stephanie Levin. Remember The Dinner Party, Judy Chicago’s eponymous multimedia instillation, her 36 x 575 x 576-inch masterpiece the public

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Steamboat Springs, Colorado

August 17, 2021 Destinations

Hiking, biking, soaking in Steamboat Springs pristine mountain air. Story and Photos by Stephanie Levin. Like many people in 2021, I chose domestic over

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Rainforest Symphony in the Amazon jungle, Peru

Rainforest Symphony in the Peruvian Amazon

August 11, 2021 Destinations

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. An all-women’s hike through the Amazon rainforest with two barefoot professors. “Para bailar la bamba, Para bailar la

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View from the terrace at the back of the Capitoline Hill, Hidden Rome, Italy

Hidden Rome: A New Way to Explore the City

August 3, 2021August 5, 2021 Destinations

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. In June 2021, Italy opened its borders to tourists from a range of countries, including the U.S., and

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The Top of the Mark, InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco, CA

A venerable San Francisco comfort zone closed but didn’t succumb

July 15, 2021July 28, 2021 Destinations 2

The Top of the Mark, an iconic landmark, is reopened. Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. First opened in 1939 and open for 80

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A Safe Get Away to Hawaii’s Big Island

June 12, 2021June 12, 2021 Big Island Hawaii, Destinations, Hawaii

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. Lyrics recorded by The Animals in 1965 have been running through my mind lately.“We gotta get outta o’

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Yosemite in Winter

February 25, 2021 California, Destinations 2

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. I whirled around the skating rink in Yosemite National Park, under a full moon illuminating Half Dome. As

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Point Sur Lightstation, Monterey County, California

Point Sur Lightstation: A Haunted Ghost Town on Prime Big Sur Real Estate

February 18, 2021 Big Sur, California, California, Destinations 1

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. Towering three-hundred feet above the crashing surf of the Pacific Ocean, one of California’s most faithfully restored

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Juniper Canyon trail to High Peaks, The Pinnacles National Park, California

Rock Star Birding in Big Sur

November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 Big Sur, California, Destinations 2

Story and photos by David A. Laws. “Birdwatchers look at birds. Birders look for them” – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birdwatching, feeding

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Pikes Peak viewed from Cloud Camp, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Up and Away to Colorado Springs: Exploring the Wild West at The Broadmoor

October 7, 2020October 8, 2020 Colorado, Destinations

Story and Photos by Deborah Grossman. At 9,200’ with a view of Pikes Peak, the inspiration for “America the Beautiful,” I got chills on

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Burley Market Cross, New Forest National Park, Burley, Hampshire, UK

Dragons, Ghosts and Witches: Every Night is Halloween in Burley

October 2, 2020 Destinations

Story and Photos by David A. Laws For most of us, dragons, ghosts, and witches raise goosebumps but once a year. For the citizens

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Anaeho'omalu Bay, Kohala, Big Island, Hawaii

Hawaii’s Kohala Coast-Legend and Lore

September 17, 2020September 29, 2020 Big Island Hawaii, Destinations, Hawaii, Stephanie

Story by Stephanie Levin. Update 9/29/20: Hawaiian Airlines has implemented a Keeping You Safe program and is now offering 36 hour and same-day drive-up

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Beach in Wai’anapanapa state park, Maui, Hawaii

Two Roads to Paradise on Maui

August 30, 2020September 29, 2020 Destinations 1

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. Update 9/29/20: Hawaiian Airlines has implemented a Keeping You Safe program and is now offering 36 hour and

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Pyramid Mountain, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Summer tripping through the Canadian Rockies

August 21, 2020 Canada, Carol, Destinations, Wildflowers 1

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. Jasper: canoes, canyons and Charming Inns With daylight in the Canadian Rockies extending until almost 11 pm at

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Steinbeck, Discove Cottage, Somerset, UK

Steinbeck in Somerset: “The Time at Discove”

August 4, 2020August 4, 2020 Destinations 2

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. “Bruton is the only spot in the world I have refused to see again since John died.”

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Monferrato region route, UNESCO heritage site, Monferrato area, Piedmont, Italy

Monferrato— A unique wine landscape of Piedmont, Italy

July 27, 2020 Destinations, Food and Wine, Italy, Winery News, WineTasting 1

Story and Photos by Deborah Grossman. When friends ask me to choose my favorite region of Italy, I never hesitate. It is always Piedmont.

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Celebrate Monterey’s 250th Birthday with a Virtual Tour

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020 California, Destinations, Monterey 2

Story by David A. Laws. Monterey, California, planned a big celebration today, June 3, 2020, of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the

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The Nile Passage to Antiquity

May 4, 2020 Destinations, Egypt 1

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. The banks of the Nile looked golden in the late afternoon sun. A lone figure wearing a white

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Machine Gun Flats, Fort Ord National Monument, Monterey, California

Fort Ord National Monument: From Military Mayhem to Coastal Gem

April 27, 2020 California, California, Destinations, Fort Ord, Monterey, National Monuments, Wildflowers 2

Story and photos by David A. Laws. Beach Range, Engineer Canyon, Machine Gun Flats: These are not typical landscape features you’d expect to find

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In Germany the Carl Duisberg Japanese Garden

April 5, 2020June 4, 2020 Destinations, Europe, John 1

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. UPDATE 6/4/20: Although nonessential travel to Germany is prohibited at present, the land of poets and thinkers intends

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Sausalito Kayak Tour, Sausalito, California, full moon magic

Full moon and comet create kayak magic

March 29, 2020May 13, 2020 California, Carol, Destinations 2

Story by Carol Canter. Photos by Lee Daley. I was standing in a circle of 16 kayakers on Schoonmaker Beach in Sausalito at 6:30pm

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Golden Gate Park, Moon Garden, San Francisco, California

Splendor in the Grass: Golden Gate Park Celebrates 150 years and you are invited to the party

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020 Destinations, San Francisco 2

Story and Photos by Stephanie Levin. San Francisco’s gorgeous gal, Golden Gate Park celebrates her 150th birthday in April. Like many in the Bay

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Chicago: A Dining and Cultural Gem

March 7, 2020March 8, 2020 Chicago, Destinations, Food and Wine, Hotel Reviews 1

Story and Photos by Deborah Grossman. My first visit to Chicago years ago was spent in crowded meeting rooms representing my company at an

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Sevanavank monastery on the shores of Lake Sevan, Armenia

Discovering the Treasures of Armenia

March 6, 2020March 11, 2020 Destinations, Europe, Mediterranean

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. Like any other monastery in Armenia, Sevanavank occupies a spot that is dramatic and definitely Instagram-able. The 9th-century

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Winston Churchill, RLS, & the Literary Chines of Bournemouth

Winston Churchill, RLS, and the Literary Chines of Bournemouth

February 17, 2020March 11, 2020 Destinations 2

Story by David A. Laws. Images from vintage postcards. “To plunge or not to plunge, that was the question!” – Winston Churchill. Dashing onto

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Golden Gate Bridge from Travis Marina, Fort Baker, Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California

Marin Headlands: Just Across the Golden Gate Bridge

February 3, 2020March 11, 2020 California, California, Destinations, John, Marin County, San Francisco 2

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. Living in, or visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, we are blessed with the boundless beauties of nature.

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Note 1: Portion of 1982 Silicon Valley map by Maryanne Regal Hoburg. Courtesy: The David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford University Library

Exploring Silicon Valley’s High-Tech Heritage Trail

January 30, 2020March 11, 2020 Destinations

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. In an earlier article, “Silicon Valley High Tech Tourism: Selfies and Swag,” I reported a lighthearted survey

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Loire Valley: The True Heart of France

December 29, 2019June 4, 2020 Destinations, Europe, France, Loire Valley

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. UPDATE 6/4/20: Travelers who enter the country, with the exception of EU citizens or arrivals from the UK,

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Venice For The Weekend

December 26, 2019August 17, 2021 Destinations, Europe, Italy, John, Venice 1

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. UPDATE 6/4/20: Travelers from the EU, along with the UK and the microstates and principalities of Andorra, Monaco,

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Point Sur Naval Facility Tour, Big Sur, Monterey County, California

Point Sur Naval Facility Tour Reveals Cold War Secrets

November 27, 2019March 11, 2020 California, Destinations 3

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. John le Carré dismissed Cold War spy heroes as “A squalid procession of vain fools” in his

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The Temple of Athena, The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Athens For The Weekend

November 16, 2019August 17, 2021 Destinations, Greece, Mediterranean 1

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. UPDATE 10/2/20: Greece announced and displayed spectacular new lighting for the Acropolis posting online images that are both

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Mother Rose pushing her two daughters in "Gypsy" the play now at Alcazar Theater, San Francisco, California

Gypsy, A Musical Fable

November 15, 2019March 11, 2020 California, California, Carol, Concert Events, Destinations, Lee, Reviews, San Francisco

Reviews by Carol Canter and Lee Daley (Review by Carol Canter) “Curtains up, light the lights, you got nothing to hit but the heights!”

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Zebras at a communal pool deep in the Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa: Hunt for The Big Five

November 8, 2019March 11, 2020 Africa, Destinations, South Africa 2

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. Just one day left in the country – as usual. Going to the Kruger National Park, the ultimate

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A blizzard of Sanderlings on Moro Bay, California

A Blizzard of Sanderlings: Watching Wildlife on Morro Bay

October 24, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations, Morro Bay

Story and photos by David A. Laws – except as noted. (Feature image courtesy Danna Dykstra-Coy.) Our kayak slid effortlessly over the glassy-smooth water

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New York State of Mind, aka I’ll Take Manhattan

October 10, 2019January 10, 2020 Destinations, New York 7

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. Summer has turned to fall, and a long New York sojourn has ended, but I’m still in a

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Lebanon: Temples and Trees

September 10, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations, Lebanon, Lebanon 2

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. According to Elie’s plan, which I did not want to destroy, just expand, our first stop would be

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high tech tourism, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, California

Silicon Valley High Tech Tourism: Selfies and Swag

September 1, 2019March 11, 2020 California, California, Destinations, San Francisco 3

Story by David A. Laws. Personal digital devices and online social platforms are enabling a new kind of Silicon Valley tourism. Previously only of

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Metekhi Bridge and the Old Town of T'bilis, Republic of Georgia

T’bilisi, Georgia: a city of stone and glass

August 2, 2019June 4, 2020 Destinations, T'bilisi

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. UPDATE 6/4/20: Eager to revive its tourism sector, the country’s government says it plans to reopen to international

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Cityscape San Francisco Hilton Lounge and Bar with incredible bay and city views.Hilton San Francisco Union Square.

Hilton San Francisco Union Square Staycation

July 31, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations, San Francisco 3

Story by Carol Canter. Photos by Carol Canter and Jack Heyman. Sipping a sunset cocktail at Cityscape, from its sleek perch on the 46th

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Margerie Glacier, Glacier National Park, Alaska

Inside Alaska’s Inside Passage

July 26, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations 1

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. More than two million visitors a year traverse the great marine highway of Alaska’s Inside Passage in

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Hurtigruten "Midnatsol" in Geiranger fjord, Norway

Cruising Norway’s fjords aboard Hurtigruten’s ship Midnatsol

July 21, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations, Norway 3

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. With a 50th wedding anniversary to celebrate with family and friends and a life list of dream trips

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View of Sonoma Coast AVA, Russian River, from Thomas George vineyard in Guerenville

Russian River Rendezvous

July 20, 2019March 11, 2020 California, California, Destinations, Food and Wine, John, Russian River, Winery News, WineTasting 2

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. “Hurry up and drop your bags. We’ve been waiting for you”, urged Jersey Tom from the door of

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Cuba, Noted Travel Journalist Chris Baker, Havana, Cuba, Carriage Ride

Cuba: Updated Travel Advice from renowned Cuba author

June 29, 2019October 26, 2019 Cuba, Destinations, Lee, News 1

Story and Photos by Lee Daley Update Oct. 26, 2019 – NBC News Article “The Trump administration Tuesday introduced new travel restrictions on U.S.

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Colonial Guanajuato, Mexico

June 11, 2019June 4, 2020 Destinations, Mexico 2

Story and Photos by Stephanie Levin. UPDATE 6/4/20: Mexico is aiming to welcome visitors back within weeks. While the nation remains in lockdown, with

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A Pilgrimage to Wales: Or how I learned about the American invasions of Britain

June 6, 2019June 4, 2020 Destinations, Wales

Story by David A. Laws. UPDATE 6/4/20: While other destinations are relaxing travel restrictions and bringing in measures to lure travelers back, the UK

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Arequipa, Peru: between the desert and the volcano

May 16, 2019January 10, 2020 Destinations, Peru

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. As I was sitting on the second floor of an open-air café, I looked out of a stony

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Awaiting sunrise from Soda Point, Carrizo Gold - Sunrise to Super Bloom, Carrizo Plain National Monument, California's Serengeti, California

Carrizo Plain Gold – Sunrise to Super Bloom

April 29, 2019March 11, 2020 California, Destinations

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. I pulled my jacket close against the chill stirring of an early breeze. A heavy silence enveloped

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Masterpiece Mystery Tour, Midsomer County, Great Britain, England, UK

The Magical Masterpiece Mystery Tour

March 25, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations, UK 2

Story by David A. Laws. D.S. Jones: “This village is weird, sir” D.C.I. Barnaby: “Jones, they’re all weird.” From: Midsomer Murders: The Made-to-Measure Murders

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Mexico City in Roma film times and today,The family house that was used as the shooting location for the movie Roma, Roma Colonia, Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City during Roma film times and today

March 15, 2019March 11, 2020 Destinations, Mexico, News 3

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. The walk toward the now-famous house was supposed to be just my early morning stretch. I left the

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Three Gorges Cruise on the Yangtze River, Chongqing, China

Yangtze River Cruise in the Three Gorges.

March 8, 2019November 29, 2021 Barge Tours, China, Cruises, Destinations, John 2

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. A Yangtze River cruise was never high on my list of travel options, but it should have been.

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Cruising the Galapagos Islands with Ecoventura

March 7, 2019March 11, 2020 Cruises, Destinations, Galapagos Islands 7

Story and Photos by Carol Canter. When my daughter was a young child, we learned the courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies at the

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Selfieville, Golden State Theater, Monterey, California

Selfieville was the New Family Friendly Fantasy Experience in Monterey

February 20, 2019August 24, 2021 California, California 2

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. If you feel nostalgic for those psychedelic light show/rock concerts of the 1960s, Selfieville a new attraction

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Colchagua Valley in Chile: not only for wine-sipping

February 13, 2019March 11, 2020 Chile, Destinations, Winery News, WineTasting 6

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. When I stepped onto the wooden viewing platform on Cerro Chaman, I could see the deep, wide valley

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MontereyMovieTours, Monterey, California

Monterey Peninsula: A Movie Star for the Ages

January 28, 2019March 11, 2020 California, Destinations, Monterey 2

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. Location. Location. Location. The real estate promoter’s mantra applies equally to the magicians of the silver screen.

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Visit Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa -From the Pool to the Table

January 27, 2019March 11, 2020 California, Destinations 2

Story and Photos by Stephanie Levin. Like a beacon of good will that is anchored in the history of a bygone era, the Flamingo

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The Shanghai Bund as viewed from the Vue Bar at the top of the Hyatt Hotel, Shanghai, China

Revisiting The Bund in Shanghai with Harry and Selma.

January 15, 2019March 11, 2020 China, Destinations, John, Shanghai 5

Story and Photos by John Sundsmo. Shanghai was where my Great Uncle Harry died and my Great Aunt Selma was imprisoned during World War-II.

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Monterey Harbor from Lower Presidio Historic Park, California

Monterey’s Mosaic Mural Memorializes Missions, Marauding Mariners & More

January 9, 2019March 11, 2020 California, Destinations, Monterey 4

Story and Photos by David A. Laws. With more Mexican-era adobe buildings preserved and restored in downtown Monterey than anywhere else in the state,

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Escape to Chimney Rock at Point Reyes National Seashore,San Francisco Bay Area, Marin County, Northern California, California (Photo: John Williamson)

Point Reyes San Francisco Escape

December 27, 2018March 11, 2020 California, Destinations, Marin County, San Francisco 3

Story by Lee Daley Photos by John Williamson & Lee Daley. We are blessed in the San Francisco Bay Area with the stunningly beautiful

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In the Footsteps of a Genius Outlaw in Malta

December 9, 2018March 11, 2020 Destinations, Malta 2

Story and Photos by Libor Pospisil. Many places in the world claim to sit at some kind of crossroads. Malta, a small island in

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AmaPrima in Traben-Trarbach, Middle Moselle river, Bernkastel-Wittlich district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Rhine and Moselle Fairytale Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard AmaPrima

December 9, 2018March 11, 2020 Cruises, Destinations 6

Story by Carol Canter Photos by Carol Canter and Jack Heyman. My first Zumba class took place on the Sundeck of the Ama Prima,

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Paul Gauguin’s Spiritual Journey Now at the de Young Museum in San Francisco

December 4, 2018December 4, 2018 California, News, Reviews, San Francisco, Stephanie 3

Text and photos by Stephanie Levin. French painter and Post-Impressionist, Paul Gauguin, cultivated and inhabited two images, one a sensitive artist, the other a

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