While driving a back road in Nicaragua last winter, threading through the usual chaos of livestock, ox carts, bicycles and other variable-speed vehicles, I did a double take when I saw a young man riding a big, tawny cow that was saddled up like a horse. He was herding a bunch of cattle that was asserting its right to the roadway as surely as a monster truck. We were on island of Ometepe, in Lake Nicaragua, and it felt like the land that time forgot. That sensation that could apply to all of Nicaragua. After decades of revolution and counter-revolution in the 1990s, the country has returned to the somnolence we expect of a Central American backwater – but it has also been enjoying a peace dividend, and one of the payouts is the interest it is attracting as a memorable place to visit. Nicaragua has much to offer: empty beaches, exotic wildlife, tropical forests, recreational activities, hotels and restaurants up to the standards of, say, Mexico or Costa Rica. And it’s considerably cheaper than Costa Rica. In fact, Nicaragua is a lot like its next-door neighbour was 30 years ago before it was overrun by norteamericanos. So now is the time to go, before the charter-flight hordes descend.Read More
Friday, December 02, 2011
Nicaragua
Monday, August 29, 2011
Bonn, Germany
A long-awaited visit to Bonn and its Beethoven-Haus museum yields treasures for a fan of the composer.Ever since my mom gave me the complete works of Ludwig van Beethoven — the best birthday present I ever got — I'd wanted to make a pilgrimage to Bonn, the composer's birthplace, to soak up the atmosphere and look for clues to his genius.
Turkey
Turkey is changing fast. And it's modernizing fast. For a vacation recent, I hit the road in Turkey, with romantic memories (a few years old) of horse-drawn carriages and villages with economies powered by hay, dung,...
Paris
Delicious destinations for tea and its accompaniments can be found in some of the chicest corners of Paris.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Paris
There are so many ways to eat well in Paris but still save money: eat picnics, spend your restaurant euros at lunch instead of dinner, have your latté at the counter instead of at a table.
11 best ways to see Hawaii
There really is just one cardinal rule to enjoying a Hawaiian vacation: relax -- you are in Hawaii.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Burning Man's energy lights up the Nevada desert
White, gray, and laced with cracks, the Black Rock Desert playa stretches for miles in every direction. Flat as the ancient sea it once was, hot, stark, and often windy, this barren moonscape is filled with exuberance and alive...
Galapagos Islands
The sea lion nursed her pup under a prickly pear cactus while an iguana clumsily marched away. A tiny penguin waddled on a rock while red and orange crabs clung to the craggy surface below.
48 hours in Bogota, Colombia
Colombia's capital city lures tourists with its mild year-round weather, booming nightlife and its museums about gold, emeralds and the artist Fernando Botero.
Tunisia
Long known for its sea, sand and sun, Tunisia has a new claim to fame, as the birthplace of the Arab Spring.
Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
In a city famous for being a spiritual destination, a new arts center has the potential to turn it into a 21st-century beacon of culture as well.
Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Santiago de Compostela is proudly crowing about a new and decidedly modern draw: a spectacular structure called the City of Culture of Galicia.
Sardinia
A summer playground for Hollywood a-listers, European elites as well as us ordinary mortals, the Italian island of Sardinia is the place to go for sea, sun and celebrities.
Traveling with disabled kids
Traveling with children is difficult, but when children have disabilities, it can be overwhelming for parents to plan even a weekend getaway. Parents who've been there say the rewards are worth it.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Cruise History Lesson: Women of the Gold Rush
Learn about the female travelers who dared to travel to Alaska during the Gold Rush, plus find out which shore excursions include panning for gold, visiting ghost towns, touring saloons, and more.
Safari experts on 'trip of a lifetime'
Observing lions and elephants at the zoo is fun, but watching them roam their natural habitat in Africa will shoot tingles up your spine.
Three Travel Logs for your Summer Staycation
Couldn't afford that scuba trip in Indonesia? Didn't have time to hike the Grand Canyon? Me Neither. Fortunately for those of us who couldn't quite make it out of town this summer, there's an alternative route for exploration and all you need is a couch, a cold drink, and these three books.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
24 romantic honeymoon destinations
Every couple will imagine something different when planning their perfect honeymoon, but these destinations make focusing on each other easy. Read More
Top Princess Experiences at Walt Disney World
At Disney, your little princesses can eat, sleep, and dress up just as princesses should. They can also hobnob with Cinderella, Belle, and other Disney royals. Read More
10 popular travel scams around the world
You may have heard of, or fallen victim to, the old "catch my baby while we pick your pockets" scheme. The new class of tourist rip-off makes that look like chump change. Read More
Amsterdam
The Dutch summer weather might be a bit unpredictable, but even if the weather isn't agreeable, Amsterdam's urban beaches provide some worthwhile destinations. Reader More
Monday, August 15, 2011
Florida Keys
Whether by sea or by air, there are plenty of natural diversions in coming months in the Florida Keys. Read More
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