Bobby Chase and Sarah Butler are childhood friends, so they were excited when their parents told them they were going on a family vacation to a working farm. Because the adults don’t know each other, the youngsters understood that they would be heading to different places. They looked forward to sharing stories about their experiences when they returned home.

Much to their surprise, their accounts had little in common. The Chases visited the Dogwood Hills Guest Farm in Harriet, Arkansas, which invites the public to “Stay with us and learn.”

Among tasks that Bobby enjoyed were gathering freshly laid eggs, feeding animals, picking berries and helping in the garden. His parents took classes in cooking, cheese and pasta making, quilting and other crafts. (For more information log onto thefarmex.com.)

Much of Sarah’s time at the Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea, Oregon was spent hiking, taking nature walks, fishing with her father, observing the resident donkey and peacock,  and playing with the cats that live in the barn. (leapinglambfarm.com)

In each case, the young people experienced just a sampling of activities and attractions that were available. That variety is typical of many farms and ranches which welcome guests to enjoy an immersion in a way of life which otherwise they may never experience.

Unwind and meet animals at farm and ranch vacations

For those seeking a relaxing respite from city life, or a change of pace from their daily routine, going to a farm or ranch can provide an opportunity to slow down, take part in some new kinds of tasks, and get up close and personal with a variety of animals. A number of these sanctuaries also offer an unexpected selection of things to see and do, along with always comfortable, in some cases luxurious, accommodations.

There are farms that are home to animals beyond the usual chickens, cows and other familiar beasts. For examples, the Heritage Farm in Flora, Indiana touts itself as a petting zoo. The big attraction is a herd of dozens of alpacas, and among chores involving them are feeding, helping the shearers and assisting with their health care. A 400-foot zip line provides a much faster experience, and accommodations range from a modern guest house to an 1850s log cabin. (heritagefarmevents.com)

Some farm and ranch vacations immerse guests in history

History also lives at the White Stallion Ranch nears Tucson, Arizona. Its original house was built in the 1900s of mud and straw adobe brick, and a section of that early construction is still visible. Accommodations have greatly expanded to include 43 guest rooms and a four-bedroom hacienda. Given the name, it’s not surprising that activities are focused on horseback riding, cattle sorting and penning, and other cowboy-related routines. In addition, the ranch offers a choice of other things to do that includes archery, rock climbing, tennis, a swimming pool and a spa and fitness center. (whitestallion.com)

Guests at the Abbey Road Farm Winery in Carlton, Oregon sleep in an even more unusual setting. It has comfortable suites in three silos, two of which were part of the property’s original grain storage facilities and that are outfitted now with plush beds, heated floors and Jacuzzi tubs. This vineyard produces small-batch wines which guests may sample, along with gourmet multi-course breakfasts prepared by the onsite chef. (abbeyroadfarm.com)

Learning about ecofriendly practices during farm and ranch stays

Those seeking a more basic place to lay their head at night may be interested in knowing about Otter Creek Farm in Johnsonville, New York. The choices there include a new rustic “corn crib” creek side cabin and comfortable, well-stocked tents. Along with walks around the 465-acre spread and hobnobbing with the animals, guests may take a tour to learn about regenerative farming practices, which include such environmentally friendly approaches as topsoil renewal, biodiversity and resilience to climate change. (ottercreek.eatfromfarms.com)

There’s no surprise what the main focus is at the Bison Ranch Lodge in Pingree, North Dakota. This third-generation family farm and ranch operates as a hunting outfitter for customers who come to fill their freezer with bison meat. It also offers fishing, bird watching and enjoying the serenity of the open prairie. The Lodge utilizes reclaimed barn wood and other items acquired from the property and nearby farms and ranches. (bisonranchlodge.com)

You may meet and greet some unusual creatures while vacationing at a farm or ranch

Given its name, you probably can guess who awaits at the Fat Sheep Farm & Cabins in Harland, Vermont. Honored as that state’s best farm by Yankee Magazine, it invites visitors to help feed the animals, collect eggs, milk the sheep and – depending upon the time of year -- learn about cheese making. Anyone looking to come face to face with different denizens of the spread may check out the Nigerian Dwarf Goats, miniature dairy animals whose milk has high butterfat content that’s makes it well suited to turning out butter and cheese. (fatsheepfarmvermont.com)

Websites are available to help people seeking a farm or ranch visit narrow their search.  FarmStayUS.com employs filters that zero in on the kinds of facilities and activities users are seeking. These include accommodations, activities and amenities.

FarmStayPlanet.com offers visits to farms, vineyards, ranches and other related venues around the world. It donates part of its revenue to charities that support small farmers in East Africa and work to reduce animal suffering in the agriculture industry.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn.  He loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won many writing awards.

Betty Gordon and her husband Don were looking forward to a wide range of leisure activities and sightseeing opportunities as they checked into their vacation hotel. When they departed several days later, they had enjoyed everything on their wish list.

They had taken dips in the property’s swimming pool and sunbathed on an oceanfront beach. They took a horse-drawn sightseeing carriage ride along the city’s cobblestone streets through its historic neighborhoods. They visited what’s described as the largest inclusive playground in the world, which was designed to be welcoming to children with a variety of disabilities.

That facility was of particular interest to Betty, who has been confined to a wheelchair for many years. Despite that challenge, she has been able to live, travel and participate in activities which in the past would have been beyond her capability.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16 percent of the global population – currently experience significant disability. This number is increasing due in part to population aging.

In the United States, one in four adults (28.7 percent) has some type of disability.  These include challenges relating to mobility, hearing loss, cognition and other conditions.

In recent years, government-mandated alterations to facilities, improvements provided by companies seeking to attract these customers and other changes have opened the United States, and the world, to exploration by people who in the past could not avail themselves of that opportunity.

The Gordons were benefiting from some of these changes. Their experience only scratched the surface of alternatives to travel that await those who seek them out.  From basics like wheelchair ramps and push-button door openers to some surprising facilities and services, the range of assistance available to people with a handicap who seek to travel is broad and growing.

Help at hotels

The Marriott, Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels are among world-wide chains that share a reputation for offering wheelchair accessible rooms and other disabled-friendly facilities. Many individual properties also fit into that category.

The Otesaga Resort Hotel, a top-flight retreat in Cooperstown, New York has ADA-compliant guess rooms with wheelchair roll-in showers, roll-under sinks, lowly placed  light switches and other features. Ramp slopes to common areas and a pool lift are among the amenities.  (For more information log onto otesaga.com.)

Those seeking to challenge Lady Luck in Las Vegas, Nevada also find a friendly environment. The Main Strip, where most of the hotels, attractions and activities are located, is very accessible, with wide, smooth sidewalks in most stretches. Among welcoming hotels is the world-famous Bellagio, located mid-Strip, which offers three types of accessible rooms, has a swimming pool with a lift and includes its own casino. (visitlasvegas.com)

Accessible-friendly cities

Other cities also reach out to those seeking a disabled-supportive environment. Betty and Don Gordon found much to like about Charleston, South Carolina. For starters, it has been named several times by Conde Nast Traveler as the #1 Small US City. The terrain is flat and its historic area is compressed and welcoming to pedestrians. That makes it ideal for a walking or wheelchair tour. For those who prefer to ride, free wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses loop around the city. (charlestoncvb.com)

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the adjoining 60-mile stretch of ocean coastline, offer a something-for-everyone choice of seashore settings. Its tourism office has adopted a Sensory Friendly Pledge to create a welcoming, inclusive beach experience for everyone. Trained personnel are available at attractions and restaurants to support visitors who may require assistance, and the city’s airport has a program which allows travelers with a disability to alert personnel that they may require assistance. (visitmyrtlebeach.com)

London is continuingly improving accessibility throughout the city with inclusive designs such as step-free access, ramps and smooth surfaces. These and other facilities help residents and visitors who need assistance to access the transport network, top sights and accommodations. (london.gov.uk)

The bus system in Paris is fully accessible, with frequent services to most areas in the city. Many of the major tourist sites in the city have elevators, ramps, and staff available to help people who need it. An added bonus is that most of the museums and cultural activities in the city are available free, or at a heavily discounted rate, for people with disabilities and their caregivers.

Priority access to the Eiffel Tower is offered to visitors with a disability.  They also pay a reduced ticket price, as does a person accompanying them. (paris.fr)

Going by train or ship

In the United States, Amtrak has a menu of options for disabled travelers, beginning with wheelchair lifts and other boarding assistance. Most train stations in major cities, and many others, are accessible. A horizontal bar, which is detectable by someone using a cane, alerts people that they are approaching the ticket counter. Passengers with mobility impairments may be pre-boarded. If meals are offered, they can be brought to a person’s room or seat. (amtrak.com)

Many railway companies in Europe offer assistance for passengers with a disability or reduced mobility who need assistance along the way. Those who need to bring a caregiver along on the journey may be eligible to apply for a complimentary Eurail Pass for that person. (eurail.com)

Passengers aboard cruise ships who require individual help also have options. For example, every vessel in the American Cruise Lines fleet has accessible staterooms with wide doors and bathrooms large enough to accommodate a wheelchair along with grab rails, a shower bench and other conveniences. Most have an elevator that reaches every stateroom deck. Guests may complete an Accessability Questionnaire before they embark. American Cruise Lines’ ships navigate U.S. waterways and coastlines, and offer more than 50 itineraries. (americancruiselines.com)

Most ocean-going cruise ships also are disabled friendly. Because many of them were built relatively recently, they were designed with accessibility features in mind. They offer staterooms which provide easy access to people in a wheelchair, accessible bathrooms and mobility assistance in getting off, and back on, a vessel when it is docked at a port. (cruisecritic.com) 

Plan Ahead

It’s wise to check in advance about available facilities and services how and where you will be traveling, and staying. What assistance does the transportation carrier offer?  What facilities does a hotel provide?

Because only a small number of hotel rooms are designed for guests with a disability, make your reservations well ahead of when you will begin your trip.

Check the hotel’s website or call to discuss its accessibility features. Make sure that what it has available will meet your specific needs.

When you arrive, inspect the room before you unpack. Does it contain everything you’ll need? Is it large enough to maneuver in comfortably?

You might wish to look at the accessiblego.com website. It enables people with disabilities to book their travel arrangements.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn.  He loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won many writing awards.

Cal Singh, who runs the company says, “Weeks of preparation can be lost by one delay.”

He’s rebuilt his entire travel operation around that lesson. Every business trip now includes backup flights, refundable bookings, and extra insurance. Because he learned what airlines don’t want you to know: They’re not in the business of making you whole. They’re in the business of getting you from point A to point B. Everything else is your problem.

It’s not just business travelers, of course. Donna Glass’ experience with United tells the same story. Her recent flight from San Francisco to Orlando was delayed multiple times and then switched to a completely different aircraft. She arrived in Florida early the next morning, having spent more than 12 hours in the airport.

Her airline offered her two $15 food vouchers and 7,500 frequent-flyer miles.

“We lost an entire day in Orlando,” Donna said. “The airline basically blew us off.”

Here’s the real question regulators refuse to ask: Is that fair?

The compensation illusion

When airlines talk about “reasonable compensation,” they’re working from a narrow playbook. The DOT focuses on immediate, basic costs like the price of your airfare. Europe goes further with its consumer protections, offering compensation for delays. But even the strictest rules exclude the real-world damage caused by delays.

Airlines are just following the law. But the law was written in a different era, when travel was simpler and airlines were more generous with their passengers. Now, delays are chronic and airlines are watching every penny. Regulators haven’t caught up.

Jacob Wedderburn-Day, CEO of Stasher, an airport luggage storage network, sees the ripple effects every day. He’s watched thousands of passengers absorb costs that go way beyond a meal voucher.

The hidden costs are very high, and the passengers pay nearly all of them.

“The hidden costs are very high, and the passengers pay nearly all of them,” Wedderburn-Day said. “Airlines are basing fair compensation on their own operating expenses and regulatory requirements, rather than actual economic impact on travelers.”

Maybe that’s the problem. The delay tax exists because airlines calculate compensation based on what it costs themto reschedule flights, not what it costs you to miss the reason you flew in the first place.

TinLeg, a travel insurance company, has the receipts: In 2025, the average payout was $388 per claim. The single biggest culprit was airline delays. TinLeg found nearly 28 percent of all claims were tied to flight delays, up from 26 percent in 2024.

Sometimes, airlines will voluntarily cover some of your expenses, such as toiletries or a change of clothes, to a point.

Even when airlines are generous, there’s a catch

If you can get an airline to compensate you for your expenses, which can happen, there’s a problem that customers create for themselves. Raymond Yorke at Redpoint Resolutions has watched travelers leave money on the table because they didn’t document everything.

“The travelers who get reimbursed quickest are almost always those who kept receipts, took photos, saved emails, and wrote down what happened, in real time,” Yorke says.

A safer bet is to buy travel insurance, but you still have to keep your documentation for some claims. (With bigger travel insurance companies, flight delay claims are automatic and don’t require any documentation.)

“A proper travel protection plan can fill the gap airlines won’t,” says Carlos Cividanes, vice president of business strategy and development at TravelSafe Travel Insurance.

But even travel insurance won’t end the delay tax.

What needs to change?

Justice’s point about the cascading effects of delays is central to understanding why the current system is broken. It treats delays as isolated incidents affecting one person. But when you’re running a company, leading a team, or managing a critical life moment, a delay ripples outward.

Michal Strahilevitz, a professor of marketing at Saint Mary’s College of California who studies business ethics, thinks the whole compensation framework is backwards.

“Airlines do not compensate passengers for pain, suffering, or emotional distress caused by delays,” she says. “But in an ideal world, they would at least try.”

The data backs that up. AirHelp surveyed Americans and found that 41 percent lost money on their last flight disruption. Meanwhile, 91 percent believe airlines should pay compensation for disruptions. And 84 percent of Americans would support an EU-style compensation model, one that actually accounts for losses.

Airlines need to be financially responsible for the total economic cost of delays that they incur.

“Airlines need to be financially responsible for the total economic cost of delays that they incur, and not merely direct costs,” says Wedderburn-Day of Stasher. “There is no incentive yet to change because travelers all bear downstream costs. The model changes only when airlines start to experience the financial bite of chronic unreliability.”

That’s true. Right now, airlines have no reason to operate more reliably because they don’t pay the true cost of delays. The expense is yours to bear. Until that changes, expect more delay taxes.

So here’s my advice: If you’re planning to fly, build redundancy into your bookings. Get insurance. And document everything. Because airlines aren’t going to make you whole. The system isn’t designed to.

At least, not yet.

Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. He’s the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can’t solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

.

Dan and Doris Beatty spent the afternoon at an inviting oceanside beach. While they enjoyed the sun, sand, and surf, they had to deal with no-see-‘em biting bugs, be mindful of the strong offshore current, and, when they returned to their hotel room, wash residual grit from their bodies.

The scene was different for Sam and Judy Crawford. While they also lolled on chaise lounges to soak up the sun’s rays and cooled off in clear water, they ended their relaxing afternoon silt and sting-free. That’s because they were replicating a visit to a beach on the roof of the inner-city hotel where they were staying.

These rooftop pools provide people with added appeal and places to replicate a seaside sojourn without having to travel from their place of accommodation. Many make up for any lack of ocean views with attractions and ambiance.

Rooftop Swimming Pools Are Perfect for “Staycation” experiences

Gas prices are rising, and airport congestion is still unpredictable. Many folks are rethinking long-haul trips in favor of closer-to-home escapes. Some are opting for a “staycation” summer, finding an escape right where they live.

For residents of the Nation’s Capital, and those who visit it, that can include the hidden rooftop pool at the Arlo Washington, DC hotel. Framed by plush loungers and set against a bold, colorful wall mural, it offers sweeping panoramic views of the U.S. Capitol Building and city skyline.

Art also enhances the experience for guests atop the Arlo Wynwood in Miami, Florida. Along with a 360-degree view of the city below, the heated swimming bath is overlooked by a larger-than-life mural created by an acclaimed graffiti artist.

Playing Chess by a Rooftop Swimming Pool in Florida

It’s oversized chess pieces that greet those enjoying the Rooftop and Pool Lounge at Hotel Effie in Sandestin, Florida. That is the only such installation along the self-proclaimed Emerald Coast, which stretches about 100 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. If they’re not relaxing in a private cabana or enjoying breathtaking views that stretch to the horizon, guests may participate in wine tastings, yoga, bingo nights, and other enticing activities.

People travel far to gaze in awe at the New York City skyline, and there are few more dramatic views than that from the rooftop pool deck at the Arlo Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn. A dramatic Water Tower Bar overlooks the pool and poolside cabanas. Guests of the property may book a complimentary pool time slot, and others may reserve a time slot through resortpass.com.

For a classic yet unexpected location, look no further than the rooftop’s Water Tower. These kinds of structures are an iconic sight throughout the city, but at Art Williamsburg, that edifice can serve as your very own private event venue. Perfect for gatherings, photo shoots, weddings, cocktail and other occasions, the Water Tower has a private bar, can be furnished for your event, and is accessible by elevator.

People Take a Chance at a Rooftop Swimming Pool in Las Vegas

Have you ever surfed on a rooftop? You can ride the FlowRider Wave Ride at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Its advanced waveform technology provides a safe yet thrilling environment where people can “hang ten” and test their boarding skills. The innovative design gently absorbs impacts, allowing everyone to master the waves with confidence and enjoy a unique experience right on the Las Vegas Strip.

Dallas Joule Hotel pool

Another thrill awaits those checking out the rooftop pool at the Joule Hotel in Dallas. It’s cantilevered over the streets below, and the clear-walled edge gives the fortunately false impression that swimmers might plunge off the top of the building.

Worrying that you may fall to your death, or trying to surf high above city streets, may not be on your bucket list. However, they’re among the unusual and unexpected activities that swimming pools perched on the roofs of some buildings offer and are available to those who wish to take part.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

Names like Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head conjure beauty and long, sandy shorelines. But how many of us know the history and tourism in Oahu. Have you visited the Bishop Museum and the Iolani Palace? These sights exemplify the stark differences between tourist Hawaii and natural Hawaii.

For my short-lived visit, I stayed in the far southwest corner of the island. However, I filled every day with activities, both natural and historic. When I suggested that I put together a post about the two sides of Hawaii — history and nature — the response was positive. So, here it is.

The history and tourism in Oahu of the Hawaiian Islands

Prior to visiting Hawaii, I recommend that travelers read James Michener's Hawaii. This novel based on history provides an overview of the islands and their development.

Michener looks at the different ethnic groups and how they came to be on the islands. The original group fled from Bora Bora. This formed the royalty of the island. Then the missionaries came. Michener leads the reader through the establishment of Chinese and Japanese families as members of the community and shows how each of them contributed to the development of the islands. Michener uses historical facts to develop the story of his novel.

From missionaries to businessmen

The novel begins in the ninth century and ends in the mid-1950s. The novel shows how the descendants of the original missionaries became the leading families in terms of business, wealth, and politics. The many intermarriages resulted in all of the originals becoming known as the family. Some married Hawaiians. Most were sent to America to be educated. When they left the ministry they went into business on the islands. Over the years, these businesses developed into the most powerful and successful ones on the islands.

Visit the Bishop Museum, founded in 1889 when the Islands were a kingdom. The museum originally was intended to house the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir to Kamehameha I. Bishop Museum boasts the largest collection of Hawaii and Pacific area artifacts in the world. The restored Picture Gallery provides a window into the nineteenth century. Pieces from the Museum’s extraordinary collection of oil paintings and rare books from the museum library will be displayed on a rotating basis.

Learn about the independent kingdom of Hawaii

TheIolani Royal Palace sits as the spiritual center of old Hawaii. This unique state started as an independent kingdom. The Iolani Palace, the home of the monarchy, had electricity, plumbing, and phone service prior to both the White House and Buckingham Palace. Much of the furniture which had been sold when the building was turned into an office. The building has been repurchased and restored. Here the businessmen who took over the government imprisoned the last Hawaiian Queen.

Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial are devoted to the surprise attack that started WWII with Japan. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free to all visitors. Get tickets online prior to coming to the memorial or the National Park Service gives out over 1,300 free walk-up tickets each day on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to arrive early for these walk-up tickets; the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center opens at 7 a.m.

The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941, when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. This loss of life represents over half of the Americans killed during the worst naval disaster in American history.

READ ALSO: 5 Under-the-radar national parks to visit this year

Touristic Hawaii — History and tourism in Oahu

These sites mentioned above, except for the Arizona Memorial, are little known outside of Hawaii. Most visitors come to these islands to enjoy the wonderful weather, beaches, surfing, and tropical vegetation. Waikiki is a name known far and wide for luxury beach vacations and swaying palm trees. For me, this Honolulu beach is far too urban.

Since I had a rental car, I had the freedom to drive across the island. Rental cars are not terribly expensive and they make staying in vacation homes much easier and convenient.

See the Kapi'olani Farmers Market and a drive north from Diamond Head

I drove to the big Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) farmers market and bought greens for dinner and papaya for the next day's breakfast. The stalls were filled with exotic fruits and vegetables. The market operates on Saturday morning from 7:30 until 11 a.m. and on Tuesday evenings from 4-7 p.m.

A spectacular drive up Highway 72 takes visitors from Diamond Head to the Makapuu lighthouse. The setting for this point is wonderful and is reached by hiking about three miles (round trip) up a trail from a carpark. Parking can be tight and the trail is a path populated with families, strollers, pooches, and camera-clad sightseers. From the top of the point, the views northward up the Makapu’u beach stretching toward the North Shore is breathtaking.

Enjoy few tourists and wild nature on the western side of Hawaii

On the other side of the island, the drive up the western shore of Hawaii will quickly convince travelers that Hawaii is not only a haven for the wealthy. Here, small houses are packed into communities and cars seem to fill everyone's yards. The beaches stretch for the most part rugged, but some seem manicured. This side of Hawaii escaped discovery by most guidebooks and tourists. It shows us the hidden rugged part and the uncrowded part of today's history and tourism in Oahu.

At the far northern end of the shoreline, the road stops. It is a dead-end. Prior to the road ending, there is a small cave, Kaneana Cave, where legend says mankind emerged and his existence spread throughout the Waianae Coast. On the road back to civilization Makaha Beach Park has some good surfing and a nearby town with a collection of stores and a surprisingly good Hawaiian restaurant filled with locals, Hannara Restaurant. It serves everything from breakfast to Korean to Hawaiian specialties like Kalua Pig and cabbage, Lau Lau, Poi, and Loco Moco. If looking for local culture, this is the place.

It is tourist time again with Disney, Olina Beach, and a Luau

Finally, we come to the cluster of upscale hotels at Ko Olina. Here, the Four Seasons, Disney's Aulani Resort, and Marriott's Olina Beach Club rise side by side. At the far northern sector of the neighborhood, Paradise Cove Luau beckons. Some come to Hawaii and never leave this corner of Oahu. There is swimming in four lagoons and a manicured landscaped garden surrounding the area. The nearby Paradise Cove Luau is one of Oahu's top entertainment venues, with a full show, rides on outrigger canoes, and a luau show complete with a roasted pig pulled freshly from the pit. A more perfect place to end your trip through the history and tourism in Oahu cannot be found.

To finish off any tour of Oahu make sure to make your way to Kamehameha Bakery for their Malasadas. The local transportation worker who told us about this place lit up when he described malasadas. Ours did, too, when we tasted them. These wonderful pastries and donuts provide a reason themselves to return to this industrial section of Honolulu, not too far from the airport. I'll even bet your taxi driver knows his or her way to get here when visitors head to the airport to depart. Also, if kids are in tow, make sure to try Hawaiian shave ice (not shaved ice).

Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has worked in Washington, DC, for the past 19 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.

A crowd gathered in Philadelphia recently to enjoy a reenactment of George Washington’s commissioning and wreath-laying at the tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. Nearby, people were allowed to board a collection of historic ships to sail along the Delaware River.

Celebrating America’s semiquincentennial birthday

These are among the examples of activities being planned and undertaken to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. They recall the moment when the Founding Fathers, who had gathered in Philadelphia, declared independence of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain.

This historic event joined together disparate people with equally diverse backgrounds. It took place in Virginia, where Jamestown was established in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The Massachusetts Plymouth Colony, which was created in 1620. Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore in 1632.

Solemn and serious activities will recall America’s 250th anniversary

These and other states and cities have planned a year-long list of festivities to recognize and honor this special birthday. Some will be solemn and serious, others less so. All will attract people from near and far who seek to recall and commemorate the nation’s birth and past accomplishments. Wherever you live, whatever your interests, there’s likely to be a choice of exciting and educational events that you may wish to attend.

Philadelphia will be a hub of celebration of the United States special birthday

Those activities in Philadelphia were kicking off a year-long party. At the Museum of the American Revolution, located just steps away from Independence Hall, immersive galleries, interactive exhibits and theater experiences relate compelling stories of the people and complex events that helped to spark the American rebellion.

Celebration of the birth of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the self- proclaimed City of Brotherly Love got underway this fall with a parade of ships along the Delaware River, a Toast to the Navy gala, and a gathering at the tavern, which was the birthplace of the Marine Corps.

States will also get into the action. A web-based hub has been posted that helps residents of and visitors to Delaware locate sites associated with the semiquincentennial remembrance. It includes a three-day Revolutionary War driving itinerary; a calendar of events listing special exhibitions and other related activities. Visitors will get an overview of places with strong ties to the Revolutionary War. Among these are Cooch’s Bridge, the sight of the only significant military action in the state, and the Grand Opera House, the former site of a hospital that treated wounded from both sides during the fighting.

Massachusetts offers an immersion in early American history

A road trip through Massachusetts is like an immersion in history. That state kicked off its fetes by reliving the Battle of Lexington when, on April 19, 1775, the British sent 700 soldiers from Boston to destroy ammunition and other supplies, and the town’s militia confronted them, leaving eight colonists dead. George Washington then wrote, “The first blood was spilled,” and the American Revolutionary War had begun.

After Lexington, the British marched to Concord to ransack more military equipment.

Among the displays at that town’s museum is the iron-and-glass lantern that Paul Revere famously carried during his “midnight ride,” which is recalled in the familiar poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Events in Philadelphia and along the Delaware River that recall and recount the genesis of the U.S. Navy aren’t the only water-related activities planned. American Cruise Lines, the largest river cruise company in the country, will launch an array of extended sailings throughout the year in honor of the nation’s founding. They will include Great United States, Spring Across America, and Civil War Battlefields itineraries.

Whether you prefer to wander by water, mull over museum displays or. check out places where important chapters of U.S. history were written, numerous opportunities will abound throughout the country to celebrate the nation’s special birthday.

For information about these 250th-anniversary events throughout the United States, log onto america250.org.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

In February 1926, a Black historian, journalist, and author named Carter Godwin Woodson launched the celebration of “Negro History Week.” Fifty years later, President Gerald Ford proclaimed Black History Month, asking Americans “to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

In 2026, people throughout the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence. States and cities, museums, and libraries will host special exhibitions. Other places will be the sites of programs to recognize and recall that momentous occasion and the role of Black history, life, and culture in the nation’s and the world’s story.

The specific programs will vary widely, as will the contributions and causes of Africans and people of African descent. These events take on added importance at a time when some efforts are underway to ban books and excise them from the country’s schools, libraries, and public culture. Despite differences among projects, they share a common goal.

Black History Month Surprises

Some offer up enticing surprises. For example, many people are unaware that Brooklyn, New York — which stood firmly with the North’s Union states in the Civil War era — had significant ties to slavery. An exhibit in that borough has exposed that painful chapter of the past.

Boston’s Museum of African American History tells the story of men and women who changed the course of America’s past in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Black Heritage Trail explores the history of the city’s Black community in the 1800s, including the Underground Railroad, the abolition movement, and the early struggles for civil rights.

Atlanta, Georgia, was home to many civil rights leaders. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, which includes several sites related to King’s life and work. He was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in 1968 while leaning over a balcony railing, speaking with Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Washington, DC, is a treasure trove of museums that highlight the role Black citizens played in U.S. history. The centerpiece is the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum’s collection includes more than 40,000 objects, not all of which are on display.

Detroit is another center of African-American lore. It was home to some of the largest hiding places, called “stations,” along the Underground Railroad route followed by people fleeing slavery to freedom in the North. Exhibits in the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History includes the reproduction of a slave ship with life-size sculptures of people in shackles, as well as more uplifting exhibits like a case displaying products of Black inventors.

Celebrating Black History Month in Small Towns

Some small towns also pay homage to pages of African-American history. Memories of the Civil War are evoked around Winchester, Virginia (population about 27,000). The Star Fort was built by Union troops in 1863 at a place where a Confederate artillery emplacement stood. The house that served as Stonewall Jackson’s headquarters contains his prayer table, initialed prayer book, and other personal and family artifacts.

People and Places that played Big Roles in Black History

Any discussion of Black heroes must include Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist who, after escaping slavery, led dozens of other enslaved people to freedom. She used a network of antislavery activists and “safe houses” along the Underground Railroad route. In 1863, Tubman led an expedition of African-American soldiers in South Carolina, which rescued more than 750 former slaves.

Places associated with this remarkable woman are scattered far and wide. Among exhibits at the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, New Jersey, are African masks, metal shackles used on enslaved people, and vintage photos. I was intrigued by Harriet’s quote that “I was conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say – that I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

It’s an area of rugged foothills, limestone valleys, and dense forests. They occupied a canyon that separates the Appalachian Plateau from the ridge of the Appalachian Mountains.

The primary reason why this locale managed to escape the most dire consequences of the economic crash was the presence of the Pennsylvania State University. That institution provided both jobs and financial stability to those who lived and worked nearby, even through the depth of the Depression.

Somewhat later, a husband-wife team of newspaper columnists began referring to State College, the town where Pennsylvania State University is located, as the “Happy Valley.” That name stuck.

I recently visited the community and other nearby towns and returned home with an understanding of why Happy Valley is an apt title and description.

Penn State’s Art, Arboretum, and more Penn State offers a unique atmosphere characterized by youth, vibrancy, and culture.

Founded in 1855, it enrolls about 90,000 students each year and has 20 campuses throughout Pennsylvania, including its main site, University Park, adjacent to downtown State College.

The university and its surrounding grounds themselves offer an inviting choice of attractions. One is the collection at the Palmer Museum of Art. It spans centuries and represents a diversity of cultures, from American and African creations to works on paper.

The Museum is situated within The Arboretum at Penn State, a lovely, curated landscape that seamlessly blends art, architecture, and nature. Among its many features are 10 acres of garden spaces, 14 acres of rolling meadows, colorful seasonal plantings, sculptures, and gentle walking paths over which to explore the site.

Nearby, outdoor art turns the entire downtown heart of State College into an outdoor museum. A downtown Art Walk trail features 40 murals, sculptures, statues, stained glass and other works.

Treats for the Taste Buds in Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley

Treats for the taste buds rather than the eyes are served up at the Penn State Berkey Creamery, the largest university ice cream maker in the United States. The milk which is used comes from university cows and agricultural students contribute to making the delicious dessert. Among rotating flavors are some unusual choices like White Out, Monster Mash and Peachy Paterno, named after the university’s long-time football coach.

Those dairy delights hint at the variety of field-to-fork foods which add to the destination’s appeal. Amish family farms provide beef, cheese and produce that are raised and grown with loving care.

The Heirloom Farmer offers milk, muffins, honey and more, harvested from nearby fields. The history of the Way Fruit Farm dates back to 1872, when 1,000 apple trees were planned, and it continues under ownership of the sixth generation of the original owner’s family.

Museums recount history in the Happy Valley of Pennsylvania

History also lives in museums, which recount various chapters of the area’s story. Iron-making began in Pennsylvania as early as 1720 and evolved into a key industry due to the abundance of high-quality iron ore, limestone, and trees. While advances in technology led to the closure of most iron furnaces in the late 19th century, I was immersed in the heyday of that industry at the Eagle Iron Works and in Curtin Village. The story of how the region’s leading industry came to be is told there through hands-on demonstrations and walking tours. The Curtin Mansion engulfs visitors in the genteel ambiance of an upscale Federal-era manor house.

The Boal Estate has been that family’s home for over 200 years, and displays the original furnishings, artwork, and artifacts from around the globe. I found the adjacent small, but imposing, Columbus Chapel more intriguing. It houses what’s said to be the most extensive collection of Christopher-related items in North America, including an Admiral’s Desk, which is believed to have belonged to the famous explorer.

The Matson Museum of Anthropology displays casts of ancient fossil life. Artifacts that highlight various aspects of farming and rural life are on display at the Pasto Agricultural Museum.

Towns and Tourism in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania

To me, tiny towns that are scattered about the area, each with its own character and appeal, are equally varied and inviting. Boalsburg is a walkable community that clings to its quaint village atmosphere. Philipsburg displays ties to the region’s industrial past. Founded in 1795, Bellefonte (pronounced Bell-font) retains much of its original Victorian architecture. 

Another magnet for tourism is a diverse list of year-round festivals that appeal to a wide range of interests. From street fair to music fest, farm celebrations to a craft market, they add to the long list of attractions that draw more than five million travelers a year to experience and enjoy what State College and its nearby neighbors have to offer.

For more information, log onto happyvalley.com.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

.

On a recent trip, I had a chance to wander through some German castle gardens. The only problem was that I visited as snow was falling. Now, summer is here and the gardens are full of life again.

This article was sent to me from the German National Tourist Office, focused on a part of Germany that I love best. This handful of castles and their gardens is only the beginning of scores of German palaces and castles surrounded by spectacular botanical grounds.

Germany’s castle gardens are spectacular and represent a vast diversity of styles, including French baroque and English landscape. The historical gardens in Germany are clustered geographically and are usually associated with the culture of one of the great German dynasties. The gardens are great for visitors: Almost all of Germany’s best gardens open early and are mostly free of payment.

Only one hour south of Berlin, the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Prince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau in the 18th century, its incredible English landscaping, palaces, and sculptures make this a worldly gem. The larger lake and channels make the Garden Realm an exceptional example of landscape design and planning from the Age of the Enlightenment. www.woerlitz.de

Sanssoucci, in Potsdam, close to Berlin, is since the 18th century the former summer palace and garden of Prussia’s King Frederick the Great. It is renowned for its palaces and Schinkel buildings and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The baroque garden, which had gone out of fashion in the meantime, was redesigned in the style of a landscape park under Frederick the Great’s successors and was expanded by Frederick William IV, with famous structures such as Charlottenhof Castle, the Orangery, and the Roman Baths created by famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. www.spsg.de

Situated on both sides of the German and Polish border, the garden landscape of Bad Muskau Park is a special gem of eastern Germany and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, a nobleman, travel writer, and landscape gardener, designed this garden and park in the beginning of the 19th century, and it is one of the most beautiful in the world. Covering an area of around 830 hectares, Muskauer Park is made up of a number of smaller parks. All have different features, depending on which side of the border they lie on. Pückler based the gardens around his stately castle on the English Regency style common in the early 19th century. www.schloesserland-sachsen.de

The famous Royal Gardens, built in the 17th century in the district of Herrenhausen in Hannover, have various styles. The most important styles and genres of landscape design are authentically represented here: the baroque garden in the French style, the English landscaped garden and the botanical garden. There is also the historic grotto, where the arches have been transformed into a unique artwork by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Every year there is a fantastic fireworks competition. www.hannover.de

The spa town of Bad Kissingen, in northern Bavaria, is amassed with blooms. For centuries the town has been a getaway for famous guests such as Prussia’s Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. In the 20,000-square-mile Kurgarten, the visitor can see flower arrangements that change continuously. The 35-year-old linden trees that border the footpaths add to the symmetry of the park. The Luitpoldpark is an "English style" landscape garden with wonderful lawns. Native and exotic, young saplings and 100-year-old trees give this spacious park plenty of elegance and flair. The Rose Garden does not just have sweet-smelling roses to offer; a magnificent fan-shaped fountain is proudly situated in the center. www.badkissingen.de

Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has worked in Washington, DC, for the past 19 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.

Why Comillas?

At the time it became a fashionable place to vacation and eventually, the Spanish royal family began to spend their summers here. The building was designed as the home for one of Spain's most eligible bachelors. After making his fortune in Cuba-Spain commerce he wanted to build a summer house in his hometown. Tragically, he only spent a few nights in this home before passing away.

The outside of the house is decorated with glossy tiles depicting bright leaves and sunflowers that almost seem to move with the sun, and shiny wall tiles. These contrast with rough stones and bricks, each laid with geometric precision. Plus, surrounding the house were fanciful wrought-iron railings with built-in "hanging" benches and decor that added another form of whimsy.

The main gardens, always important for Gaudi, lie at the western end of the house. Besides Gaudi's desire to highlight the main entrance, the narrow shape of the land influenced his design. Behind the home on the southern side, there is a small grotto and narrow garden.

The public and private sides of the house 

The building itself is a display of colors, tiles, and location, with Mudejar, Gothic, and Oriental styles. Gaudi designed the house with a public side and a private side. A flamboyant façade with four stone columns stands at the western end of the building. It opens into the public areas. A visitor’s room, dining room, and living room are all reached through the grand entrance. The private side of the building includes the master bedroom and a large bathroom. These rooms are on the eastern side of the house and provide privacy for the owner away from the public area.

READ ALSO: 6 ways to find Spanish savings

Colors and light predominate in Gaudi's design. Tall windows let in the morning sun and they were designed with a modular system to allow additional light on the north-facing side of the home. Stained glass windows are featured in every room, allowing soft colors to mingle with sunlight. Every window features glass decor that reflects nature or music. Finally, take a good look at the ceilings. The beams and coffered details are extraordinary and are different for every room.

A building designed for the movement of the sun

This public/private layout was also influenced by the movement of the sun. The bedroom, private sitting room, and bathroom were on the eastern end of the building to take advantage of the morning sun. This is where the owner was expected to spend his early hours. Then, to take advantage of the sunset, the public rooms of the house were set on the western end of the home.

ALSO ON TRAVELERS UNITED: 5 foreign travel mistakes no one thinks they’ll make — but they do

Between these two ends of the home is a magnificent greenhouse along the southern façade and a phenomenal music room that opens to the northern side of the building. The music room or living room is equipped with wonderful acoustics, cantilevered windows that "sing" as they are raised and lowered, and which can be operated with only a finger because of the delicate balance in their construction.

Visit Gaudi's creation from November through February from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., from July to September from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and in July and August they are open a extra hour in the evening.  The last access to the site is 30 minutes before. There are also guided open for visits. Check the website for times of visits in English (normally about 12:30 and 4:30, however, they change with the seasons.) The best way to enjoy El Capricho de Gaudí is with a guide or a recorded guide (in five languages). Price will be €10.00 (For a basic entrance, you’ll pay €7).

On the website, they have more options for the towns in the region.

Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has worked in Washington, DC, for the past 19 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.

Pairing them with a sightseeing outing can turn a hands-on learning experience into a mini-vacation that satisfies your taste buds and tourism curiosity.

That was true for Marie Crawford. When she decided to enhance her culinary skills, she found that no cooking classes were offered in or very near to her Colorado hometown. She signed up to take a course at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.

There, she learned to create recipes using locally grown, sustainable ingredients and “snout to tail” low-waste procedures.

Marie also turned her gastronomic gallivant into a sightseeing excursion. She visited the Colorado National Monument, which often is referred to as a “mini-Grand Canyon;” checked out Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and snapped photo after photo at Rattlesnake Arches, which boasts the second largest concentration of archways in the world.

Similar opportunities to combine a culinary learning experience with stimulating sightseeing abound throughout the United States. After a search to find cooking classes that are of interest, people may hunt for things to see and do nearby.

Find food basic skills, development and preparation principles.

Among the culinary courses at Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana are food basic skills, development, and preparation principles. The region’s relationship with food traces back to the 1830s, when the Elysian Groves Plantation grew corn, sweet potatoes and other crops which were shipped to markets in the south and east.

Meal time in Texas often means brisket, chicken fried steak and pecan pie. At the Spread Oaks Ranch in Markham selections include fresh-from-the gardens and greenhouse veggies, and learning to pair wines with food. When they’re not preparing, or enjoying edibles, guests may select from a long list of activities including fresh and salt water fishing, hunting birds and stalking deer, wild hogs and alligators.

Agriculture has long shaped Idaho’s identity and the state’s food culture reflects a deep connection to locally grown ingredients and seasonal produce. Students at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene may study classical cooking techniques, nutrition and baking fundamentals.

Culinary Essentials, Nutrition, Bakeshop I and II

These classes also are offered at the Danville Area Community College in Illinois. They’re augmented by courses in salads, sandwiches, farm-to-fork and other topics, all taught by master chefs in a state-of-the-art kitchen.

The choices at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, Indiana are equally varied, and are available at nine locations. In addition to overall Culinary Arts classes they include baking and pastry, dietary administration and beverage management.

Hands-on experience is a focus of study at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington. It blends classic cooking techniques with regional flavors. Students gain experience working in local kitchens, including the College Café.

Cook in a college café

Perfecting your pastry prowess, broiling brisket, and trying out regional recipes are just a few of the countless approaches to upgrading one’s culinary talents. Combining that learning experience with a sightseeing sojourn can offer benefits well beyond the plate and palate.

For a comprehensive list of cooking schools throughout the United States, log onto culinaryschools.org/us.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

.

One morning, during my recent visit there, I observed nattily dressed men and women playing the genteel game of croquet. That pastime traces its roots back to England in the 1860s, when it was promoted by the Earl of Essex and became a popular, socially accepted form of leisure.

That afternoon, I watched a spirited polo match, which originated in ancient Persia more than 2,000 years ago and evolved to become known as “The Sport of Kings,” popular in high society.

When evening arrived, I ate dinner during my month-long stay at a number of what can only be described as “dive bars” which are dotted throughout the community. They compete for customers with white-tablecloth fine-dining establishments that offer excellent food at sometimes excessive prices.

This diversity is, to me, one of the Palm Beach area’s numerous inviting and intriguing traits. Walking or driving in the region introduces visitors to a smorgasbord of things to do and see, which range from upscale to underprivileged, from interesting man-made attractions to some of Mother Nature’s magnificent handiworks.

Palm Beach, Florida, has its share of inviting beaches – and more

For starters, Florida means inviting seashores, and this location has its share of them. Those seeking a serene setting and calm waters often head for Sandy Point Beach. Trails meandering inland from the Riviera Municipal Beach cross dunes and coastal hammocks, and this stretch of sand offers excellent shelling. Ocean Reef Park is often pounded by powerful waves, which can challenge all but the most accomplished swimmers.

This oceanfront location attracted Native Americans at least 3,000 years ago. Evidence of their habitation includes pre-Columbian archaeological complexes comprising burial mounds and cemeteries.

Early white settlers built the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse around 1860. Twenty years later, Standard Oil tycoon Henry Fagler constructed three resort hotels which transformed the tropical landscape into a winter resort for the wealthy, then he extended the Forida East Coast Railway to the area.

In 1902, Flagler built a spectacular mansion as a gift for his bride, a Beaux Arts–style modern manor adorned with pink aluminum-leaf wallpaper, which was more expensive at the time than gold. The 4,750-square-foot Grand Hall, Library with its painted cast plaster ceiling and silk- and wood-lined Drawing Room give visitors a feel for the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy at that time. So vast is that castle-like structure that my first thought upon entering was if I had ever lived there, I’d have needed a map to find my way around.

Reliving the Gilded Age in Palm Beach, Florida

Those who are there in mid-day may segue into a “Gilded Age Style” lunch in the Café des Beaux-Arts. It’s housed in the Pavilion, a 19th-century, iron-and-glass railway palace which also displays Flagler’s private railroad car.

Palm Beach continues to live up to its reputation as a retreat for the super-rich. Several years ago, Forbes magazine reported that the city was home to at least 30 billionaires – that’s billion with a B. As I strolled along Worth Avenue, past high-end stores like Valentina, Versace and Ralph Lauren, I agreed with its description as one of the most beautiful shopping venues in the country which combines European sophistication with elegant style and grace.

Hanging out with locals in Palm Beach, Florida

I also enjoyed the balance provided by stores, restaurants, bars and other establishments that cater largely to locals. Along with their touches of resident vibe, they offer opportunities to meet and mingle with folks who live in the area. Often, they can recommend below-the-radar places to see, and things to do, that visitors otherwise might miss.

In an area where Technicolor flowers and multi-hued foliage grow wild, gardens might seem redundant. However, formal plantings add an inviting painter’s palette to the landscape.

Some, like the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, introduce human touches to Mother Nature’s handiwork. Ann was a renowned sculpture whose works are displayed among some 250 species of rare tropical palms, cycads and native plants, as well as in her home.

Wildlife thrived in Palm Beach, Florida

Where there are sea, sand and soil there’s likely to be wildlife, and it abounds at this destination. The John McArthur Beach State Park offers sightings of sea turtles, osprey and pelicans. Hikers in Phil Foster Park frequently encounter gopher, tortoise and herons. Droll-looking mammals referred to as sea cows congregate in large numbers in Manatee Lagoon, while in the visitor center there I enjoyed close-up views of animals of various sizes as they enjoyed a meal of lettuce and vegetables.

Getting close up and personal with those endearing creatures is one opportunity among many to meet and mingle with denizens of the Palm Beach area of Florida. Other experiences range from reliving the Gilded Age of high society to enjoying magnificent natural settings to checking out fun and funky places at which to sup and sip.

For more information, log onto thepalmbeaches.com.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

.

The Baltic Sea islands of Rügen and Usedom are known for their serenity — those quiet postcard-perfect days during the summer when the calm ocean waters reflect a cloudless sky. But this part of northern Germany, a long-cherished vacation spot for Europeans, also has its secrets.

You can discover some of them on a bike tour of Usedom’s legendary promenade. There, you can see the Art Deco villas confiscated from Jewish owners during World War II or the unsightly DDR-Turm, a remnant of the East German times. You can also continue your bike ride into Poland.

But those aren’t the only surprises. This area is quietly redefining what it means to be a sustainable tourist destination. Far from mere buzzwords, sustainability here is integrated into the DNA of business operations, nature preservation, and strategic planning, driven by local pioneers committed to a greener future. That, in turn, has revealed more surprises.

A bike tour through time in Usedom

The Europa Promenade, the longest beach promenade in Europe at 7 ½ miles, stretches from Bansin through Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck all the way to Świnoujśce, Poland. It’s a ride through the past best undertaken by bike.

This is a region famed for its distinctive spa architecture, with many grand villas constructed during a building boom between 1875 and 1900. The resorts of Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck and Bansin became beloved summer retreats for city dwellers.

One of the most common architectural styles is Art Deco, but the architects didn’t limit themselves. Some of the standouts are best described as eclectic because they blend several influences. Some, like the Germania villa, incorporate striking maritime details into their facades, with ships and mountains carved into the sides of the building.

Olschewski says during World War II, many Jewish owners were forced to abandon their summer villas and flee to Israel or the United States. Another scar along the beach is the DDR Turm, a resort built when Germany was divided (DDR stands for Deutsche Demokratische Republik). It’s a classic Plattenbau — a ready-made apartment — that clashes with the otherwise aesthetically pleasing architecture.

“It’s one of the ugliest things we have,” says Olschewski, an art historian. “But it is also worth preserving.”

If you feel ambitious, try cycling all the way to Poland on the other side of the island. That border, too, is a reminder of this region’s history. A tour of the promenade is more than a leisurely ride. It’s also a historical passage, revealing how Usedom has navigated its identity through centuries of geopolitical change.

And the journey is continuing.

Water-centric sustainable tourism

In Rügen, the Wasserferienwelt is pursuing another kind of sustainability. The family business, led by co-owner Till Jaich, has a nearly 70-year legacy steeped in maritime tradition. What began as a venture in outdoor recreation now encompasses nine marinas along the German coastline.

Jaich’s family moved to Rügen in the early 1990s, one of the first Western businesses to invest in the former East Germany.

“It was pretty complicated because we did not know the rules,” Jaich explained, detailing the challenges of establishing marinas where water sports were once forbidden for ordinary citizens.

But Jaich continued developing, eventually opening Germany’s first houseboat accommodations. The property’s dedication to sustainability is obvious, from locally sourced products to its energy-saving initiatives.

The marina’s deep connection to the Baltic Sea is also evident in every detail, right down to the robust construction of the floating homes, which are designed to withstand the region’s winters and winds.

Farther east, on Usedom, the Naturhafen Krummin is also doubling down on sustainability. Its goal is to offer a peaceful, natural experience while also being respectful of the fragile ecosystem in the Baltic islands.

Its commitment extends to the building materials they choose.

“We have a marina completely made out of wood,” explains manager Frank Schmidt. “Every beam you see grew here.” The Naturhafen (natural harbor) also deliberately kept the bay largely untouched — nothing built up, nothing changed — to ensure the experience is as close to nature and as sustainable as possible.

Schmidt says he sees a bright future for sustainability in the Baltic islands. At Krummin, that means focusing on quality instead of quantity. To manage traffic on the single main road of Usedom, especially during peak season, they offer flexible arrival and departure days, and even a pick-up service for guests arriving by train. Its houseboats achieve an impressive occupancy rate of over 300 nights, so there’s not much room for more tourists. There’s also an emphasis on authentic, nature-based activities like canoeing and hiking.

In Rügen, guarding the white cliffs

The iconic Königsstuhl National Park in Rügen is renowned for its dramatic interplay of green forest, blue sea, and white cliffs.

Gesine Häfner, a spokeswoman for the UNESCO World Heritage site, says the park operates under strict regulations that protect this fragile environment. For example, you can’t leave marked paths and can’t get too close to the edge of the cliffs, which are prone to erosion.

The National Park center itself offers an interactive exhibition that takes visitors through 96 million years of history, to a time when the chalk cliffs in the area were underwater. It shows how glaciers shaped the landscape and tells the story of Königsstuhl through engaging multimedia exhibits.

“The core motivation here is to educate people,” Häfner added. “To show them what we have here, and why it’s worth preserving.”

One standout feature is the new Skywalk, a cantilevered platform that allows visitors to experience the breathtaking views of the chalk cliffs without contributing to their erosion, a significant safety concern. Häfner noted that before the Skywalk, visitors would simply walk to the edge.

“But due to erosion, it wasn’t safe to keep it open,” she says.

The best way to reach the visitor’s center is to hike from nearby Sassnitz. It’s a memorable walk through ancient forests along the tops of the white cliffs. Even on a rainy day, Häfner says that visitors can still enjoy the center by simply taking the bus directly to the entrance from Sassnitz.

Usedom’s island-wide green vision for the future

Usedom isn’t just home to sustainable businesses. The entire island has plans for a comprehensive green transformation.

Michael Steuer, the managing director of Usedom Tourism, explains the goal.

“We’re trying to get the whole island certified as a sustainable tourist destination,” he says.

Usedom Tourism itself is already certified as a green business by GreenLabel, a regional accreditation program.

“The aim is to inspire others to join us on this path,” he adds. “It’s important to future generations.”

But what would a greener Usedom look like? One challenge is welcoming 1 million tourists per year to a town of 40,000 inhabitants. Planners hope to reduce the number of cars and encourage people to arrive by train.

Usedom’s tourism authorities already offer visitors a Usedom Card, which includes all public transportation, and encourages guests to leave their cars parked.

“This makes a lot of sense during the busy summer,” says Steuer.

A silver lining for climate change

And then there is the surprise. Beyond traffic management, Usedom is strategically adapting to changing climate patterns. Warmer weather has already stretched the season by a few weeks on both ends, beginning in May and ending in September. But even warmer weather means tourist season may soon start as early as March and last until October. That provides an opportunity to attract more visitors during the off-season and avoid a crush of visitors during the summer.

The collective efforts on Rügen and Usedom, from the innovative water-centric businesses and dedicated park conservation to the island-wide strategic vision for sustainable tourism, are a standout in northern Germany. These islands are actively shaping a sustainable future. And they’re showing that respect for nature, community, and forward-thinking business practices can create a resilient and more authentic travel experience for the next generation of visitors.

Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. He’s the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can’t solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

Spas are ubiquitous – and most offer similar services: massages, facials, reflexology, hot coal treatments. I sought out the unusual. I’ve had several different massages over the years. A couple of facials. But they all had one thing in common. Tactile manipulation of various body parts. That and soft New Age-y music in the background to induce relaxation.

Neither was true at SiSpa at the Palm Beach Marriott on Singer Island. My body remained untouched -- at least by a masseuse -- and the sounds more resemble bells -- Tibetan bowls to be exact -- which more reflect a spiritual journey -- an affirmation of self --  than the usual relaxation escape.

THE TIBETAN BOWL TREATMENT AT THE SISPA AT THE MARROTT RESORT IN PALM BEACH, FL IS A ONE-OF-A KIND SPA EXPERIENCE

Every kind of sound -- different tones and pitches, highs and lows, soft and loud, close and far away. I felt the reverberations throughout my body, a magical, musical symphony coursing through every organ.

And there’s a theory underlining the enchanting experience. Mostly it’s based on aligning the chakras -- apparently, there are seven of them, points along the spine said to represent energy sources in the body. Each is associated with physical, emotional and spiritual functions. ranging from the root chakra between your legs up to the crown chakra atop your head. There’s also heart, throat and solar plexus -- and each chakra controls a different body part - and if the energy in any is blocked, it can have physical and emotional repercussions.

THE TIBETAN BOWL EXPERIENCE AT THE SPA AT THE MARRIOTT HOTEL IN PALM BEACH, FL ALSO OFFERS A LESSON IN HOW THE CHAKRAS IN OUR BODIES DETERMINE SO MUCH OF OUR EMOTIONAL MAKE-UP

Enter the Tibetan Bowls -- a sort of sound therapy to entice your brain to incorporate relaxation and health and peace; to release tension in the body; to bring clarity, improved self-esteem and the healing of negativity. One bowl was placed on each chakra and emitted its own sound when struck. I know one bowl was on my solar plexus, which is related to survival, heart, and communication and another on my head, connected to prayer and intuition. I lost count after that.

Elsa, a Reiki-trained master (a step-above my chakra-addled brain), encouraged me -- in her soft voice in my dimly lit room -- to be calm and listen to the sounds of the bowls, to close my eyes, breathe in and out and connect with the bowls, to focus on their message. Meditation was key.

I did the best I could while trying not to think about all these notes (paper ones, not musical ones) I should be taking. There’s a separate chant for each chakra, which Elsa repeated while circling the table on which I was lying. Apparently, each chakra also has its own color, but fortunately, I didn’t have to concern myself with that.

Different bowls were struck at different times, sometimes in conjunction with each other, other times in concert. The concert -- I mean the treatment -- ended with a grand finale (crescendo?) of all seven bowls playing in unison. It was mesmerizing. 

I may not have understood it all; I may have been a tad preoccupied with trying to remember the experience for this article rather than just experiencing it. But it did feel somewhat mystical and magical -- and I really didn’t want the session to end.

THE TIBETAN BOWL MASTER CIRCULATED MY BODY CHANTING ALMOST AS IF IN A TRANCE – AND I THINK I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AS WELL

But there’s even more to the overall spa experience to be explored at leisure either before your scheduled procedure or after. And yes, you can get all kinds of massages and facials you want. There’s a nail salon, a fitness room, a room with stone beds to lie on with cold cucumbers on your eyes (don’t ask -- or at least don’t ask me....), a steam room, a relaxation room with tea, infused water, fruit, and a Chex Mix assortment -- and of course a jacuzzi. The actual treatment may be the least relaxing option. The Mimosa at the end satiates the only sense that has not yet been gratified!

For more information, visit https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/listing/sispa-at-palm-beach-marriott-singer-island-beach-resort-spa

Fyllis Hockman

Fyllis Hockman is a multi-award-winning travel journalist who has been traveling and writing for over 30 years — and is still as eager for the next trip as she was for the first. Her articles appear in newspapers across the country and websites across the internet. When not traveling, she is almost as happy watching plays or movies, working out, and sitting on a barstool next to her travel-writing husband.

The bad and good of Nazi history and the new National Park.

• Eifel National Park, established in 2004 on former military training grounds, has become a biodiverse haven for wildcats, wolves, and rare frog species, while pioneering accessible tourism for visitors of all abilities.

• Nearby, the UNESCO Global Geopark Vulkaneifel sits atop geologically active land, where ancient volcanic craters, mineral springs, and human ingenuity — from medieval tunnels to global water brands like Gerolsteiner — reveal how communities have long adapted to the Earth’s power.

You can almost feel the weight of history within these thick stone walls.

The air grows heavy as you ascend the narrow, winding staircase of the Vogelsang-Turm, an observation tower with commanding views of Urftsee and Eifel National Park in western Germany.

Late in the day, with the light outside beginning to fade, . The tower is a monumental relic and a sobering reminder of a dark past.

The observation tower and the vast complex below are one of the largest architectural ensembles from the Nazi era. Like many grand designs from those times, it was never completed. Yet, even unfinished, its dominion architecture clearly projected National Socialism’s claim to power.

“This is where they educated the Nazi elite,” explains guide Stefan Schick.

In a world grappling with its own ghosts, places like Vogelsang offer an important, if painful, lesson in sustainability: the enduring necessity of confronting and preserving memory, even when it’s unpleasant. Yet this area’s own transformation is remarkable, from a Nazi castle to Allied occupation, to a new national park that focuses on its geological heritage. Together, they represent North Rhine-Westphalia’s most-visited natural attractions.

A training ground for the master race

From the top of the Vogelsang-Turm, Schick reveals the troubling story behind the tower.

Vogelsang was supposed to mold young recruits into the “ideal” human, he explained. Students here were destined to become Germany’s leaders of tomorrow. The focus was on creating Aryan men who were “faster, stronger, better,” and, as Schick added, “more deadly.”

The tower itself played a symbolic role. Schick pointed to its narrow design, meant to convey that if you climb it and you’re at the top, “you’re invincible.” It’s a psychological weapon, literally building a sense of unassailable power.

The original structure featured a 10-foot wood carving of the “ideal person” — a naked, muscular man with his right arm extended in a salute. But after the end of World War II, it was thought to be cut into pieces and used as firewood.

A permanent exhibit at Vogelsang explores the role of this facility and what it calls the “fatal attraction” of National Socialism.

It delves into daily life at Vogelsang and addresses the aftermath of World War II. In addition to the two accessible permanent exhibitions, there’s an extensive educational program in history and environmental education. The entire building complex is now used to promote peace, a sharp contrast with its original purpose.

But without this dark chapter in German history, there might not be a national park.

Tobias Wiesen, a representative from Eifel National Park administration, leads a tour of Der Wilde Weg (The Wild Way), an immersive path in Eifel National Park. (Photo by Aren Elliott.)

From military zones to a natural havens

Allied forces occupied the area after 1945. The Belgians, who held the area until 2006, cordoned off large swaths of land, designating it as a Militärsperrgebiet — a restricted military zone and a NATO military training area.

Eifel National Park, established in 2004, covers about 42 square miles along the Belgian border and has a well-deserved reputation as the ecological heart of the region. The park is now home to a rich variety of wildlife, including wildcats, red deer, snakes, and even wolves that have recently returned to the region after a long absence.

It’s a living sustainability case study. The transformation from military training grounds to a biodiverse national park has led to some surprising benefits. Sascha Wilden, a park ranger, says the military’s presence fostered unique habitats.

“For example, you have some very rare frog species that thrived here because the area was closed off to the public,” he says.

The park stands out for its emphasis on accessible tourism.

Tobias Wiesen, a representative from Germany’s National Park administration, says they wanted to create an inclusive environment, from tactile guidance systems and Braille signs for blind visitors to audio explanations and easy-language texts for those with mental disabilities.

“Our intention was that everybody could get the same information,” he added.

The town of Ulmen next to a volcanic lake in UNESCO Global Geopark Vulkaneifel. (Photo by Aren Elliott.)

A global geopark at Vulkaneifel

Eifel National Park is not the only place in this region that is focused on sustainable development.

Vulkaneifel, a UNESCO Global Geopark, is part of an international network of parks that focus on the region’s geological heritage. Sabine Kummer, a geologist who works in the park, says few people realize that this part of Germany is geologically active.

“We had an eruption about 10,900 years ago,” she explained. While there’s no immediate threat of a major eruption, constant monitoring tracks uplift, seismological activity, and gas emissions, confirming the presence of molten material and gases beneath the surface.

The landscape here is dotted with unique volcanic features.

Kummer details the two types: the “scoria cones” — the classic, cone-shaped volcanoes you see in children’s books — and “maars” (volcanic craters). Maars form when rising magma interacts with groundwater, creating explosive steam eruptions that carve out deep craters. Of the 280 scoria cones and 103 maars in the region, only 12 maars are filled with water.

One of the most striking examples of this geological sustainability, and human adaptation to it, is the Ulmen Maar Tunnel, originally dug in medieval times to supply water to local mills. It’s a prime example of human ingenuity interacting with geological features. Now, it’s been transformed into an accessible public attraction, allowing visitors to walk through millennia of Earth’s history.

Perhaps the most tangible connection to the region’s active geology is its mineral water springs. These “Dreese” (local word for mineral spring) are directly linked to the deep geological processes. Carbon dioxide rises from underground, making the water naturally bubbly and rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium. This unique resource has led to a thriving mineral water industry, with companies like Gerolsteiner shipping their products worldwide.

Sustaining the past and future

Germany’s Eifel region is, in many ways, a story of sustainability in its deepest and most challenging forms. The preserved, haunting stones of Vogelsang force an unflinching confrontation with a horrific past. It’s a vital act of memory that serves as a perpetual warning.

Yet, surrounding this monument to darkness, a remarkable ecological and geological renaissance is unfolding. The former military exclusion zone, born of conflict, has blossomed into the biodiverse haven of Eifel National Park, where wildlife thrives. Nearby, the Vulkaneifel UNESCO Global Geopark reveals the earth’s enduring power, its volcanic legacy shaping not only dramatic landscapes like maars and scoria cones but also sustaining communities through mineral springs and ingenious human adaptations like the Ulmen Maar Tunnel.

Together, these sites – the preserved memory, the reclaimed wilderness, and the celebrated geology – embody a powerful truth: True sustainability demands both the courage to remember the shadows of history and the vision to nurture the living world for generations to come. The Eifel story suggests that commemorating a painful past and protecting the vibrant present are not opposing forces, but interconnected strands woven into the fabric of the future.

What do you think of this region?

Germany’s Eifel region transforms dark history and military exclusion zones into spaces of ecological renewal and geological wonder — raising questions about how we travel, remember, and connect with the past.

• Should sites like Vogelsang — built to glorify dangerous ideologies — be preserved as they are, or should they be repurposed or demolished?

• Have you ever visited a destination where history, nature, and geology intersected in an unexpected or powerful way?

Do you seek out “dark tourism” destinations that confront difficult history, and if so, what draws you to them

ByChristopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, and a co-founder of Travelers United, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that empower consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. He’s the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes weekly columns for King Features Syndicate and USA Today. Elliott also publishes Elliott Confidential, a newsletter for consumers, and the Elliott Report, a consumer news site. If you have a consumer problem you can’t solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn and X, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

After spending two weeks watching the Olympics and seeing videos of medal winners learning to ski when they were young, it brought back memories of taking my one and only grandchild skiing starting when he was three.

Back in 2009, I wrote a story for Travelers United (then named www.ticked.com) entitled “Skiing with grandkids.” What I wrote then is still true now.

Skiing (and snowboarding to some extent) are going intergenerational. In a world where parents often have neither the time nor money to take their kids skiing, grandparents are clicking into their skis and taking their grandkids to the slopes.

At the time, my grandson Phinneus was just five and I had been taking him skiing since he was three-and-a-half years old. I still could keep up with him then, skiing behind him to make sure that no one ran into him. He was somewhat a cautious skier for a young boy, but I was already looking ahead to the future when he might go faster than me.

Because skiing is a sport that family members can enjoy together no matter what their ages, I’m counting on Phinneus being there to ski with me when I turn 70 (and 80, too, if he’ll go slowly enough).

Well, I might not get my wish for him to ski with me when I turn 80 (which is happening very soon) because he’s just finishing up his last semester of college. However, I did get to ski with my then 18-year-old grandson a mere five years ago as a 75-year-old. “Ski with” might be a bit of an exaggeration, though. I did see him briefly as he took off and rounded the first corner from the top of Cranmore in North Conway, New Hampshire, but then didn’t catch sight of him again until I saw him waiting for me near the chairlift at the bottom.

This part did ring true, however, except for the teaching part.

Grandparents with both time and money, for the most part, can have a wonderful experience of teaching, eating, talking, and playing with their grandkids and vice versa.

It was especially fun to catch up with his life as a college freshman at the University of Wyoming as we rode up the chairlifts since he was a captive audience. And it was like the old days, except I was giving my crying knees a rest when we took a break and had some laughs over lunch.

Plus, it was certainly gratifying to see him enjoying what I so wanted him to enjoy when I took him skiing so many years before. I mostly cross-county ski these days and hadn’t skied in a year then and he had taken a three-year hiatus from the sport so both of us were a little nervous about how we would do. Luckily, skiing is much like riding a bike and we both got our form back right away (except for my aging knees, of course). Phinneus has enjoyed skiing with new college friends out West and he’s doing well in the powder and on the steeps, thanks to his early skiing education.

Boots, skis, and even clothing have improved so much since I first learned to ski with my family back in the early 1970s when we moved from the Pittsburgh, Pa., area up to the Mt. Washington Valley of New Hampshire.

The world has certainly changed since I took my three children to learn to ski back in the 1970s... Decades ago, both my kids and I started with leather boots — they had buckles instead of laces and the skis were taller than us. Oh, the process of getting us all ready to ski was painful to say the least.

Now I’m even going skiing these days with a grandniece and -nephew — we spent a day at King Pine Ski Area in Eaton, N.H., which is a perfect place for youngsters to take their first turns on the slopes.

So, my advice to fellow grandparents back then is still my advice now:

Grandparents out there — if you’ve ever skied, do your children a favor and consider making the effort to pass a love of this active, outdoor, lifetime sport on to their children, your grandchildren. Everyone, especially your grandchildren, will be glad you did. Going skiing with grandchildren is definitely tiring — I went to sleep each night when my grandson did – but it could help you experience being a kid again and provide memories that will certainly last a lifetime.

So now I’m going to see how long I keep on skiing and just maybe my grandson will be East to go with me when I’m 81 or even 82. Yikes!

Karen Cummings

After several decades working in a variety of jobs as a newspaper writer, event publicist, communications specialist, and marketing director, Karen Cummings is now “retired” and working on Travelers United’s social media and newsletters in addition to occasionally contributing a travel-related article to TU’s blog. She lives close to her family in Fryeburg, Maine, and travels as often as she can.

The sun was shining, traffic was light and there was no indication that I was passing through anything other than an ordinary neighborhood.

Suddenly, everything changed. Police cars were everywhere: Slowly patrolling the streets, parked along the sidewalks, and driving into and out of a gated community. A bevy of police officers crowded the pavement and spilled out into the narrow road I was following.

Mar-a-Lago has an intriguing history

Welcome to Mar-a-Lago, a lavish estate with a storied history, now best known as the home of Donald J. Trump.

That ornate estate, built between 1924 and 1927 for successful businesswoman and leading society figure Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Nestled on a barrier island in Palm Beach, Florida, it was acquired in 1985 by Donald Trump, then a businessman and real estate investor, who used it as his residence.

Ten years later, he converted it into the Mar-a-Lago Club, an exclusive members-only institution with guest rooms, a spa, and other hotel-style amenities. When they are there, members of the Trump family stay in private quarters nestled in a closed-off area of the grounds.

During his first presidency, Trump visited Mar-a-Lago frequently and held meetings there with international leaders like Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Mar-a-Lago is nestled between a lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean

The name Mar-a-Lago means “sea to lake” in Spanish. It refers to the estate extending from one side of Palm Beach Island to the other, touching the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Lake Worth Lagoon on the west. The property is said to span 126 rooms and extend over an acre and a half.

In 1969, Mar-a-Lago was designated a national historic site. A report prepared by the Department of the Interior explained that it provides an excellent picture of winter resort life in Palm Beach prior to the Depression.”

Ms. Post, who died in 1973, willed the estate to the United States government to serve as a Winter White House for presidents and visiting foreign dignitaries, but most of them preferred other residences. The property was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1980 because it exemplified the baronial way of life of the wealthy who built mansions in Florida during the Florida land boom of the 1920s.

What it’s like to live near Mar-a-Lago

I asked several residents of the area what it was like to live near such a legendary property which is visited by heads of state, leading political figures and other well-known dignitaries. The response of most of them was surprising. In essence, a big yawn.

“We don’t usually know who’s there,” one youngish man told me. “All it means for locals is traffic jams,” a sixty-something woman explained.

“I voted for Trump but if I’d known how much his being president would mess up traffic here, I would have voted differently,” admitted a well-dressed gentleman.

Palm Beach offers a something-for-everyone variety

For visitors to the Palm Beach area, Mar-a-Lago can offer an intriguing diversion from the sun, sand and surf attractions for which the destination is best known. These include Worth Avenue, a shopper’s dream, which is lined by upscale boutiques and designer stores offering everything haute couture to unique art galleries.

Waterfront settings offer a choice of inviting stretches of sand fronting deep blue water. Golfers face a choice of 100 public, municipal and private courses, including six at the PGA National Resort.

History buffs and culture lovers will appreciate Palm Beach’s legacy of luxury and splendor, with must-see spots like the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, the historic Breakers Palm Beach hotel, and the Society of the Four Arts, which encompasses an art gallery, concert hall, two libraries, and gardens.

Mar-a-Lago adds a unique touch that combines historical tidbits, opulent architecture, and a lovely semi-tropical setting. In addition, if you’re lucky, or unlucky, depending upon your politics, you have an opportunity to see a motorcade leave or arrive, which includes a car transporting the president of the United States.

Victor Block

Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves exploring new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won numerous writing awards.

.

Splendor of Longwood Gardens and nearby Pennsylvania

I journeyed to Longwood Gardens, just over the Maryland border in southern Pennsylvania. I heard about these gardens with the reverence reserved for Versailles in France or the Tivoli Gardens outside Rome. Longwood Gardens live up to their hype.

Created by Pierre S. du Pont, these gardens are a testament to American mega-wealth at the turn of the 20th century. With a love of gardening and expectations of what can be shaped by international travel to some of the world’s greatest gardens and the advent of new fountain technology, DuPont began his transformation of a farm with a collection of historic trees he deemed important enough to be saved that he purchased in 1906.

Today’s Longwood Gardens spread across 1,077 acres that are broken into distinct types of gardens and an amazing four-acre conservatory with fantastic plants and trees under glass.

The Longwood Conservatory

The four-and-a-half-acre conservatory is majestic and rivals any gardens in the world in terms of splendor and variety. These soaring glasshouses are evidence of DuPont’s dramatic wealth, somewhere in the range of French kings and Vatican Popes. Under glass, deserts bloom, waterlilies spread, ferns abound, orchids bloom, roses propagate, perfect fruit grows, palms stand tall, bonsai thrive, and a massive organ and piano provide classic music for the classic gardens.

The outdoor gardens seem to go on forever.

Depending on the season, tulips, irises, foxgloves, roses, wisteria, azaleas, camellia, chrysanthemums, lilacs, magnolia, columbine, asters, zinnias line the pathways and formal gardens. The meadows are manicured and filled with colorful wildflowers.

Beyond trees, meadows and flowers, Longwood Gardens is a celebration of fountains and pools. DuPont’s fascination with hydraulics led him to create intricate networks of fountains and waterspouts that danced amidst the floral splendor of Longwood.

Festival of Fountains

The Festival of Fountains is commemorating the renovation of the fountains in the gardens. Today, the Main Fountain Garden is at the cutting edge of both design and engineering, just as it was when Pierre S. du Pont unveiled the Main Fountain Garden on the grounds of what was then his personal estate in 1931. DuPont himself designed the five-acre Fountain Garden, incorporating both French and Italian elements.

These fountains dance to state-of-the-art water choreography, which includes jets that project water 175 feet in the air — 45 feet higher than ever before; the jets also allow for more precise control of the water movement to create unique undulating, flexing, and spinning effects.

If you go:
Location: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, just off of Route 1.
Hours: Gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Website:

http://longwoodgardens.org/

Brandywine River Museum of Art
Nearby Longwood is the Brandywine River Museum of Art. Home of the Wyeth family of artists, the museum features galleries dedicated to the work of N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. The museum also has changing exhibitions

The main collection includes works by Howard Pyle, his students, and other distinguished American artists such as Jasper Cropsey, William Trost Richards, Maxfield Parrish, Harvey Dunn and Jessie Willcox Smith.

Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Closed Christmas Day)

Admission: $32 adults; $28 seniors (65+) and college students with ID and children ages 5-18; Free for children ages five and under and members of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum. They have a complex set of rules based on the number of people admitted. To be sure, book the tickets for your arrival time.

In addition to the museum, there are tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio and the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio, and the Kuerner Farm. Tickets for those studio and house tours are sold separately.

Overnights: A friend and I ended up spending the night during our visit in the town of West Chester. This small city has a burgeoning restaurant scene and everything from farm-to-table dining to basic old-world diners. Our delightful breakfast was at Roots Cafe, 133 E Gay St, West Chester. A walk along Gay Street revealed an emerging turn-of-the-century town that is reclaiming its historic center.

Featured photo by Daniel Traub, courtesy Longwood Gardens.

The Austrian lakeside village of Hallstatt—population about 800—has many residents who recently staged a blockade of the town's main entrance. Inhabitants of Venice, Italy, hung protest flags from their home windows. People in Barcelona, Spain, sprayed visitors with water guns. Orkney, Scotland, proposed a plan to limit the number of passenger cruise ships that could dock there each day. These are among the many examples of actions communities around the world have taken to combat what some people call the downside of tourism—or, more specifically, over-tourism.

The negative impacts of over-tourism

That term describes the toll imposed on cities, towns, landscapes, and landmarks worldwide by the large number of travelers who arrive to enjoy what the destinations offer. Last year, an estimated 1.5 billion people took to the roads, seas, and skies in search of an escape from their daily routine. In an ironic twist of fate, the influx of large crowds at popular destinations can greatly detract from the very attractions and appeals that visitors seek.

The UN defines over-tourism.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization has defined over-tourism as when locals, visitors, or both feel it has had an unacceptable negative impact on the quality of life. Among its potentially harmful effects are the displacement of renters by landlords who turn properties into more lucrative holiday leases; exorbitant noise levels; traffic jams; and the replacement of local shops selling basic necessities by stores catering to the needs of tourists.

Tourism also has its upsides

These visitors account for the upsides of tourism. First and foremost, it provides an economic boost to local economies. This includes creating jobs, generating income for businesses, and stimulating growth in the hospitality, retail, and transportation sectors.

The demand for hotels, restaurants, and transportation

All of these areas prompt improvements in local infrastructure and services. The travel industry employs millions of people in hotels, restaurants, tour operations, and other businesses.

In addition, people from around the world come together to learn about each other’s cultures, traditions, and way of life. Tourism also contributes to the protection and preservation oftraditions. And the list goes on.

Efforts to balance the benefits of tourism with any negatives

In an effort to preserve heritage sites and landmarks and to balance the positive effects of visitors with the adverse impacts of excessive visitation, government tourist offices and popular places are taking steps to strike a balance in terms of finances.

Actions taken in Venice, Amsterdam, and New Zealand to discourage tourism or spread it out in the city.

Venice decided to begin charging an entrance fee on the busiest days of the year. New Zealand has imposed a substantial special charge to be paid by visitors. Among non-monetary tactics, barriers have been erected at popular photography locations. These include panoramas near Japan’s Mount Fuji and the Austrian Alps, which block some of the best views.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s tourist maps and booklets have gotten in on the action to cut overcrowding. They have added less-visited sites – an often-overlooked suburban castle, and an artspace in a converted gas works building – to its list of recommended attractions.

Santorini’s efforts

The popular Greek island of Santorini, whose environment was being threatened by an onslaught of sightseers, capped the number of people who could arrive each day by cruise ship. It also gave top priority to the most sustainable, environmentally friendly passenger vessels.

Too much of a good thing can bring tourism, and bad PR can lead to a drop in tourists and profits.

These efforts, and others, seek to balance the financial, cultural, and other benefits of cross-border center-based tourism with potential negative impacts.

For the traveler, visiting destinations that have implemented programs designed to accentuate the positive and mitigate negative effects as much as possible can foster a sense of doing good while enjoying themselves.

He was a smooth operator, this one – his silky body caressing mine in most provocative ways. But I knew we wouldn’t be leaving together as his home was a large sandbar he shared with several of his wingmen – very large wingmen actually – emphasis on wing….. Although we’re visiting their habitat in the wild, let’s be clear here. They know where their next squid meal is coming from.

GETTING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH A STING RAY ON GRAND CAYMAN IS A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE

But Midnight and I made close eye contact – and I mean close – his eyes were huge. We were so sympatico, as I held his huge slinky body in my outstretched arms, that I kissed him on the nose, which I later learned guaranteed me seven years of good luck.

A totally unexpected bonus.

Such was my introduction to the seductive appeal of sting rays as part of Red Sail Sports Sting Ray City and Snorkeling excursion near Rum Point on Grand Cayman, where my husband and I were spending two weeks. As we sailed to our next adventure, just being out on the open water in a 65-foot catamaran full-speed ahead is its own exhilarating experience.

In vivid contrast to the expansive grayness of the world of sting rays is the added snorkeling outing, also offered by Red Sail Sports. The cacophony of color of the myriads of itinerant fish exploring their coral reef home is a memory you’ll return to over and over again – an experience words cannot adequately convey.

But the warnings before entering the water – Red Sail provides all the snorkeling equipment, including vests to keep you afloat, if necessary – to avoid any contact with the reef made me feel almost homicidal if I were to even come too close. Coral reefs are very fragile and die from human contact.

But the fish are a different story – not that there’s actually any fear of human contact. But they are glorious as they flit all around you – and I was told, if you get really lucky, you may even see a turtle or a huge grouper. I settled for a whole lot of blue and yellow darlings, among their other colorful brethren. To add to the fun, you can check the fish guide on board to help identify the denizens of the deep with whom you’ve just communed. And even more fun – there’s a bar on board to reward you for all your water-based efforts.

CHAISE LOUNGES THAT MORE RESEMBLE BEDS ON GRAND CAYMAN GIVE A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO LYING ON A BEACH

Later, lying on a wide cushiony chaise lounge that more resembles a bed than a beach chair at Kaibo Beach, staring up at lofty palm trees swaying in the breeze, my foot pumping to the reggae music gently piped in and sipping on a Pina Colada, my mind occasionally focused on the sub-freezing temperatures back home. Yup – I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else – except maybe sharing another intimate moment with Midnight.

For more information, visit https://redsailcayman.com/.

Fyllis Hockman

Fyllis Hockman is a multi-award-winning travel journalist who has been traveling and writing for over 30 years — and is still as eager for the next trip as she was for the first. Her articles appear in newspapers across the country and websites across the internet. When not traveling, she is almost as happy watching plays or movies, working out, and sitting on a barstool next to her travel-writing husband.