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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Romantic nighttime walks in Venice are wonderful and easy to enjoy. I expected to find the city overrun with tourists. It seems every day there is a horror story about overcrowding in this magical city. Cruise ships unloading hoards of tourists and packed crowds shuffling past the Bridge of Sighs.

Though over-tourism may be a problem in certain areas of the city and during specific months, Venice can be peaceful and evocative. Lamplights still shimmer in the canals in romantic Venice. Gondolas glide silently. Canalside restaurants have a unique atmosphere. Few tourists are racing from site to site just off the beaten path. And, especially in the mornings, evenings, and nights, Venice wraps itself in a romantic shawl of beauty and silence.

Soothing orchestras play at St. Mark’s Square. One can hear footsteps along quiet canals, Lampights dance across ancient palazzo facades. They twinkle on placid canals. And, temperatures drop, even in the height of a hot summer.

Those searching for a quiet side of Venice needs to be realistic.

St. Mark’s Square, except at night, is a madhouse. And the waterbus stops that serve the square, the railway station, and the bus stations are packed.

This magical city is made up of six neighborhoods. The central area, San Marco, has the most sights but is the most crowded. However, the other neighborhoods, or Sestriere, have their romantic corners. Plus, some of the most dreamy areas a bit of a walk from the normal tourist haunts.

Early risers will have the city to themselves.

I always take time to enjoy a ride on the Number 1 Vaporetto down the Grand Canal. I float through the Giudecca Canal between 7 and 8:30 am. The city is quiet, just awakening. Tourists either have not arrived for their day from the parking lot or the cruise ships. And, locals are hurrying to work. This personal sunrise tour provides a look at Venice, not too different than it was a century ago.

Dorsoduro is the best place for an evening walk.

Stroll along quiet lighted canals past majestic churches. This is the neighborhood where Peggy Guggenheim decided to build her palace and museum. It is where the University of Venice has the bulk of its buildings. Here, the second-largest campo in Venice is packed with Venetians sipping on their Spritz while kids kick soccer balls across the stone expanse.

A walk of only a few meters from the major campo brings one to quiet canals, parallel-parked boats, stone bridges, and silence. One can even hear footsteps echoing through the centuries-old building.

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It doesn’t take long for them to realize that their vision isn’t impaired. The shoreline has a definite lavender tinge that comes from deposits of manganese garnet rocks which are set in the surrounding cliffs.

Sun and surf seekers who long for their ideal beach setting, which often includes gleaming white soft sand, have numerous choices of where to set up their seaside chair or spread out their towel. Those who prefer something a bit different also may select from a list of alternatives, each with its own unique appeals.

Purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach is one of them. In addition to the unusual tint of the sand, it’s adorned by a large natural rock arch which adds to the surreal landscape, especially when the sun shining through the opening creates a dramatic light show.

Sand in a variety of colors also awaits visitors to other coastline locations. An eroding iron-rich volcanic hill gives color to the aptly named Red Sand Beach on Hawaii’s Maui Island. This secluded cove lies partially hidden within a collapsed cinder cone. A challenging walk is required to reach this hidden sanctuary, which is surrounded by towering crimson-colored cliffs.

Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington

This breach gets its moniker from garnet minerals that have been found in the area. They have been used since the Bronze Age (roughly 3300 to 700 BC) to make gemstones and abrasive materials. The name garnet came from the 14^th century Middle English word meaning “dark red.”

The color of American money greets callers to Papakolea Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its green shade comes from the crystal mineral olivine, a common component of lava which forms when molten rock cools. When the olive-colored particles shimmer in the sunlight the sunlight they lend an almost gemstone quality to the setting.

Black sand on the Big Island of Hawaii

Hot lava that flowed into the sea and cooled rapidly also created the black sand of Punaluu Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. For some, the dark ribbon resembles an other-worldly locale.

Adding to its lure is that the shimmering sand is favored by large Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles which warm themselves there. Referred to as the rarest sea turtle inhabiting the Pacific Ocean, the Hawksbills are a federally listed endangered species. Biologists have estimated that only about 60-to-70 of them make the Big Island their home. The Green Sea Turtle was nearly depleted in the 1960’s and also is included on the endangered and threatened species list.

Check out this beach where sharks once swam

Evidence of previous life awaits discovery at other stretches of sand. Millions of years ago, Florida was under water and sharks swam in the sea off the present-day Venice area. Today, their fossilized teeth wash ashore along Caspersen Beach, especially after storms. Collectors may find specimens ranging

Glass Bead Beach and Red Sand Beach, California

Then there are beaches which, while very different from the idealized picture-postcard scene, have their own unique claims to fun-in-the-sun fame. What years ago was a dumping ground for trash near Fort Bragg, California today is a one-of-a-kind shoreline of smooth multi-colored pebbles. Over time, ocean waves have tumbled and polished bottles and glassware into smooth multi-hued nuggets that create a glittering mosaic effect. While collecting the glass is prohibited, just walking over it along Glass Beach provides a very different kind of experience.

Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island, Wisconsin in Lake Michigan

It’s limestone pebbles, smoothed and shaped by thousands of years of geological processes, that cover Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island, Wisconsin in Lake Michigan. It’s said to be one of only five beaches in the world which have that surface. The offshore water is so clear that those relaxing on land can see the bottom of the lake and watch fish swim by. Not surprisingly, the flat, smooth stones that comprise the beach make rock skipping a popular pastime.

If skipping stones across a lake, America has plenty of beaches

If tossing small stones into a lake doesn’t appeal to you perhaps the opportunity to collect ancient shark teeth would. If a coastline comprised of multi-colored pebbles isn’t of interest, maybe stretches if red, green or purple sand is. Whatever your personal preference in beaches, there may well be one which is a perfect fit.

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.

Having received a misguided shout-out from the president during Black History Month – “Frederick Douglass has done an amazing job…” – it seems a good time to revisit the cultural icon’s legitimate place in history. And a visit to his home in Washington, DC – surely a place the current president might want to consider visiting himself – would be a good place to start.

Built high atop a hill in Anacostia in southeast D.C., just 10 minutes from the Tidal Basin and overlooking the Washington Monument and the Capitol, Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass, matches the man in stature, eloquence and grandeur.

Douglass, who many consider “the most eminent and respected African American of the 19^th century,” was a runaway slave in 1838 at the age of 20. By the time he was 60, when he moved with his wife, Anna, into the 1850s brick house that he called Cedar Hill, the former slave had distinguished himself as a renowned orator, fiery abolitionist, influential journalist and publisher, Ambassador to Haiti and outspoken advocate of voting rights for women. In his spare time, he served as advisor to five presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes and Benjamin Harrison.

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE PURCHASE OF CEDAR HILL BY FREDERICK DOUGLASS MIRRORS THE CONTROVERSIES OF THE TIME

The purchase of Cedar Hill by Douglass carries a sense of irony, yet at the same time, serves as a parable for his life’s work. Douglass once again triumphed over the obstacle of race – and did so by perpetual agitation, a concept he’d adopted as a mantra.

When John Van Hook, the original owner, was forced to sell the property due to bankruptcy, he established a covenant that stipulated that it not be sold to anyone of color, including immigrants, the Irish and Catholics. He didn’t expect that the financial institution which handled the sale would have Frederick Douglass as its president.

Still, the restrictions remained in effect for three years, while Douglass used his influence in Congress and elsewhere to maneuver around the covenant’s intention in order to buy the home for himself.

The 1877 purchase continued to be controversial because Douglass himself was fostering dissension in the community. Within 18 months after his beloved Anna died, Douglass married his secretary, Helen. That was bad enough. Throw in that she was 20 years younger…and white, and it’s clear why living at Cedar Hill, and the 15 acres on which it sat at the time, was not without its challenges. Nonetheless, Douglass happily resided there for the last 17 years of his life, and it was Helen who fought vigorously to preserve Cedar Hill as his memorial.

MOST OF THE FURNISHINGS AND ARTIFACTS OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS’S CEDAR HILL HOME IN WASHINGTON, DC ARE ORIGINAL

Because of her early efforts, 70% of the remaining furnishings and artifacts are original, very unusual in most renovated historic settings. Somehow you look that much closer at the picture of Abraham Lincoln in the study, knowing it was a personal gift from The Great Emancipator himself. And at the portrait of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a present she gave Douglass in honor of the many years they spent together fighting for the women’s right to vote

.Despite its grand size – Douglass added 7 rooms to the original 14 – I felt comfortable immediately upon entering, as if I could move right in and be at home. I could visualize Douglass sitting at the small table in the family room where an unfinished game of checkers remains, the chair slightly askew as if had just walked away for a moment. Adding to the sense of his presence, the wood-carved board and pieces reputedly had been made by Douglass himself.

Frederick Douglass’s desk looks like he is expected back at any minute Photo by Victor Block

Nearby, the library, Douglass’ favorite room, appears eminently readable. Stocked with over 900 books, it’s clear how big a part books played in his life. Since his early years as a slave, when he secretly taught himself to read and write, he recognized that literacy “was the pathway from slavery to freedom.”

SEVERAL OF THE ITEMS AT CEDAR HILL, FREDERICK DOUGLASS’S WASHINGTON, DC HOME, SHOW THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOUGLASS AND PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

Among the many canes that Douglass collected are two especially of great personal significance. One, displayed in the library, was hand-crafted by a former slave/friend, with different events of Douglass’ life engraved into the wood. The other, an ivory-handled walking stick given him by Mary Todd Lincoln after her husband’s death – a reflection of the President’s high regard for Douglass -- can be found in the Visitors Center, an important stop prior to the tour of the house. History buff that I am, the idea that both Lincoln and Douglass might have leaned upon that cane as each traveled his own rocky path into history brought me a chill.

Upstairs, in the master bedroom (so called because, unlike today, only the “master” slept there), try to picture the over six-foot Douglass in a bed only slightly larger than 5 feet. This required sleeping somewhat upright, akin to what a reading-in-bed position is now. Next to the bed stands the de rigueur chamber pot. Despite its function, I was very impressed with its elegant, intricate design ringed with gold trim.

A bed pillow, embroidered by Helen, reads, “Two is Company, Three’s a Crowd.” The tour guide claimed its meaning remains a mystery. Still, I entertained some fun fantasies. Subtle reference to a mistress, perhaps? Or to memories of her husband’s first wife, Anna, whom Helen may have felt still shared their bed? Or just commentary on dinner party preferences?

Asked by Lincoln to recruit Black soldiers for the 54^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, Douglass did – including two of his sons. It was that regiment, and its last battle in which 80% of the soldiers died, that formed the basis for the award-winning film, “Glory.” The only reason Douglass didn’t lose both sons was because his younger boy was sick that day and unable to join the battle.

Indeed, the long and full life of Frederick Douglass is itself a glorious story – and his home on Cedar Hill reflects that in all its glory. Are you listening, Mr. President?

For information, visit www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htm.

During the decade-long Depression that began in 1929, traffic along the thoroughfare helped to support restaurants, motels and other mom-and-pop businesses that catered to passing motorists. By 1938, it became the first highway in the country to be completely paved.

Adding to the fame of this historic roadway was its starring role in the popular 1960s television series named for it. The show followed two young men who were traveling in a classic Chevrolet Corvette.

Complementing that publicity was a chapter in John Steinbeck’s 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Grapes of Wrath. It has a chapter about Dust Bowl migrants traveling on the highway, which he nicknamed “The Mother Road.”

Following Route 66 is like a trip back in time

People following the path of Route 66 today find themselves immersed in tangible memories of its past. More than 250 buildings, bridges and other sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each state along the way has its claims to fame.

The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza in Tulsa, Oklahoma is located at the end of the 11^th Street bridge over which the route passed. A massive sculpture there, which is named “East Meets West,” depicts members of a family traveling in a Model T Ford meeting a horse-drawn carriage heading in the opposite direction.

In New Mexico, about 265 miles of historic Route 66 are drivable. The highway enters the state across a vast prairie, then meanders through rocky outcrops and past adobe villages with churches that predate the road by about a century.

Driving along the original Route 66

One of the few drivable stretches of the original road runs through Amarillo, Texas. About an hour drive further on, the aptly Midpoint Café, which is two years younger than the highway, greets visitors with its slogan: “When you’re here, you’re halfway there.”

Another Amarillo landmark along Route 66 is a group of 10 Cadillac cars buried front-first in the ground. The cars, tilted at an angle, are covered with multicolored graffiti that has been applied over the years.

In Springfield, Illinois, portions of the road near Carpenter Park and Lake Springfield, and a 1.25 mile stretch of brick nearby, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Motorists may check out the Cozy Dog Drive In, Route 66 Drive In Theater, Mahan’s Filling Station and the Sonrise Donuts Sign at Route 66 Motorheads & Ace Sign Company Museum.

This store predated Route 66 by a year

The Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store in Kansas opened in 1925 along what, a year later, would become – you guessed it -- Route 66. Along with groceries and produce, it offers a display of Route 66 memorabilia.

Communities across Oklahoma are marking the milestone birthday by installing Centennial Monuments along the historic highway. These 16-foot-tall structures feature a glowing, double-sided Route 66 shield, the two-letter abbreviation for the state and the centennial years: 1926–2026. A display box on the pole identifies the specific location -- whether a city, town or attraction -- and includes a QR code linking to local stories, history, and visitor information.

Museums with mementoes of Route 66

Other mementoes of The Mother Road await discovery at museums around the country. Collections focused on the route are housed in Clinton, Sapulpa and Elk City, Oklahoma. The Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, Illinois is the repository of thousands of relics pieces from the glory days of the byway.

The National Museum of American History in Washington, DC has an impressive collection of artifacts and photographs related to the highway. They include a restored car and truck similar to those that were on the thoroughfare in the 1930s, neon signs which were displayed at roadside businesses, and a portion of pavement rescued from Bridgeport, Oklahoma.

A road pavement sample and scenic sculptures, neon signs along with sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places serve as reminders of The Mother Road. Its one century birthday will be a perfect time to celebrate what in its time was an engineering marvel, and continues to hold an important place in the annals of the development and growth 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 to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won many writing awards.

An easy way to find it all is to head to a ski resort this fall. No, not to ski (though some may have early snow, but not many). Heading to a ski resort in the fall allows you to not only take in the best fall foliage in the mountains, but also enjoy the wide variety of activities and entertainment they offer.

And, let’s start with the best way to immerse yourself in the autumn colors – to ride to the tops of mountains and take in the amazing vistas.

A big recommendation is to head to Bretton Woods in New Hampshire’s Crawford Notch.

Visitors can take a 12-minute ride on the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola and get sweeping views of Mount Washington, New England’s tallest peak, which might also have some early season snow-cover, and the Presidential Range. At the summit, guests can enjoy the on-mountain dining at Rosebrook Lodge or explore hiking trailheads that begin right outside.

Also in the view is the classic and historic Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa where you can visit the room where the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference was held in 1944 that led to the establishment of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

While at Bretton Woods take a tour of the historic stables or play a round of golf on a course designed by Donald Ross.

The resort offers another option for those who might want to wind their way through the foliage at a slower pace—take a guided ride from the resort’s historic stables or go golfing on its award-winning 18-hole and 9-hole championship golf course, which was built in 1915 and designed by Donald Ross.

Wildcat Mountain

Meanwhile, on the other side of Mt. Washington in Pinkham Notch, you can ride to the summit of Wildcat Mountain, a mere 2,100 feet over trails and treetops to the 4,062-foot summit, and take in the view of Tuckerman Ravine on Mt. Washington, just across the notch from Wildcat.

Mount Cranmore and North Conway

A little further south, almost right in North Conway village, Cranmore offers its Mountain Adventure Park. During the fall, tickets are available in two-hour time blocks and include unlimited rides for one person on Cranmore’s Mountain Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Line, and Giant Swing. Plus, it includes a scenic chairlift ride that can be used at any point during the day and offers a different view of Mt. Washington along with an overview of North Conway.

Or try Vermont or Maine, too!

Yes, other New England states sport amazing fall foliage and scenery, too. And, Bromley Mountain in southern Vermont also has a Mountain Adventure Park. It offers an Alpine Slide that winds down the natural curves of the mountain, a giant swing, bumper cars, miniature golf, a climbing wall, and much more. Or visitors can opt for the serenity of the scenic chairlift as it glides to the summit, offering breathtaking views that stretch as far as the eye can see. At the top, gain even more perspective by climbing the stairs to the top of Bromley’s new observation tower. And, surprise—on a clear day, you can see as far as Mount Washington!

Then there’s Saddleback in Rangeley, Maine. As locals say, fall in Rangeley is something special, and Saddleback is right at the heart of it. Of course you can ride to the summit and take in a sea of fiery reds and golds with a panoramic view of Rangeley Lake. Ride back down or rip a few laps on Saddleback’s downhill mountain bike trails.

The mountain has two big events coming up. The first is new and is perfect for classic car fans—Saddleback’s Cruise Into Fall on September 21. From timeless classics to modern showstoppers, the cruise-in is open to all makes and models of cars, trucks, and motorcycles with no registration fee required. Just roll in, park, and enjoy the crisp mountain air and spectacular scenery.

And, of course, what’s October without an Oktoberfest, a Munich-meets-Maine celebration at Saddleback is on Saturday, October 4^th. Expect bratwurst, craft beer and cider samplings, live music from TJ Swan and Toby McAllister of The Sierra Sounds, plus stein hoisting and axe throwing to name just a few of the day’s activities to enjoy before the snow flies.

Ski areas across the country

Yes, ski resorts are almost the best places to enjoy fall foliage, whether it’s New England’s colorful display, Colorado’s golden aspens, or others across the country. They offer a wide variety of lodging and restaurant choices nearby to fit anyone’s pocketbook, and even if you’re not up for taking a zipline or participating in an event, there’s always just hiking the trails to take in the spectacular vistas that all ski areas offer.

I’m an experienced skier, but I seriously misjudged my first run of the season at Arosa, a resort in the picturesque Graubünden region. I slipped on a patch of ice buried under a dusting of fresh snow, faceplanted, and couldn’t get up.

The next 48 hours were a blur. I remember a helicopter, and a doctor jumping out and asking me if I could still feel my legs. Lots of painkillers. And a horrifying diagnosis: A broken pelvis and three broken ribs.

At the end of my stay in the hospital, a young man from the accounting department appeared at my bedside and asked for my insurance information. I also remember calling GeoBlue, my travel medical insurance provider, to let them know where I was and that the hospital would be contacting them soon.

I was on crutches for a few weeks, and I hobbled around for the next five months. Paracetamol was my best friend. I focused on getting better and assumed that between the guy from accounting and my call to GeoBlue, everything was settled.

It was not.

More than two years later, the hospital sent me a bill for $14,543. GeoBlue refused to pay the claim because it said that I waited too long.

How can an agent help you with your travel insurance purchase

“Travel insurance isn’t a small decision for a big trip,” says James Nuttall, vice president of operations at Insubuy. “It makes sense to consult with an expert.”

Whether you’re working with an insurance agent for travel medical insurance or a travel advisor for trip insurance, an expert can guide you in several key ways:

• An agent can find the right policy for you. When you’re working with an agent, you get personalized recommendations, experts say. “If you’re using a travel advisor, they’re in the unique position of understanding what you’ll need for your trip,” explains Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA. “The right travel insurance policy should match up with the important needs of those traveling and should include the coverage and benefits best suited for their itinerary.”

• An agent can help you understand your coverage. Travel insurance can sometimes be confusing. An agent can translate. “Travel advisors stay updated on the latest coverage options and partner with innovative providers,” says Jennifer Grawey, head of business development, at Faye Travel Insurance. “They can offer support and peace of mind to travelers.” And by “peace of mind” she means knowing you’re covered.

• An agent can advocate for you. Perhaps the most important — and often overlooked — benefit of working with an agent is that they can help you when things go wrong. “You’re adding another advocate for yourself, without adding any additional cost,” says Jill Fox, a travel advisor. “It’s a no-brainer.” This is particularly helpful when you have a complicated claim — or one that seems hopeless.

Of course, you can buy travel insurance directly, and you might end up with a great policy. But purchasing one through an expert — either a travel agent or an insurance agent — adds an important benefit.

“While it’s possible to buy travel insurance on your own, a travel advisor can help you find the best product for your specific itinerary and feel confident that your travel investment is protected,” says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association. “When it comes time to file a claim, they can also help tremendously with documentation.”

It’s important to distinguish between insurance agents and travel agents, notes Louise Norris, a health policy analyst for healthinsurance.org. “Insurance agents are licensed by the insurance department of any state in which they sell coverage,” she says. “Travel agents are subject to different registration requirements that vary by state.” She says some travel agents offer travel insurance as part of the packages they provide, but they may not be as well-versed in the nuances of the insurance coverage provisions as a licensed insurance agent would be.

But the bottom line, according to experts, is that having any agent can really help.

“Buying travel insurance through an agent ensures travelers don’t miss critical details, like understanding medical exclusions or knowing which parts of their trip costs should be covered,” says Nicole Perreault, chief operating officer of AXA Partners US.

How does an agent advocate for you?

I asked Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, a travel advisor with Live Well, Travel Often, to run through the list of things she does for her clients if they have to file a claim.

“We walk them through the entire claims process, beginning to end,” she explains. “So, when the claim is initially filed, we gather all of the paperwork, and help them navigate through exactly what is required by the claim analysts.”

But it doesn’t end there. While most travel insurance claims are paid quickly, some drag on. That’s where the Live Well, Travel Often team comes in.

“We follow up with the analysts throughout the process, until the claim is resolved,” she says.

Note: Some travel advisors don’t offer this service, so it’s worth asking before you hire a travel advisor. If they say “yes,” it may be worth giving them your business.

Rachel Wagner used an agent to buy her travel insurance policy for a recent transatlantic cruise. Her husband contracted COVID and pneumonia and spent three days in the ship’s medical center and another two weeks in the hospital.

Her adviser held her hand through the entire experience, explaining the claims process and guiding her through the steps.

“Ours was a complicated claim and I’m so thankful that we didn’t have to wade through this daunting process alone,” says Wagner, a consultant from Bixby, Okla.

Lucky her. But could an agent rescue me from a $14,543 bill?

Here’s how my agent saved me

I wasn’t surprised by GeoBlue’s denial of my claim. Most major insurance companies give you 12 months from the date of service to file your paperwork. But these were special circumstances. It turns out the hospital had obtained a guarantee of payment from GeoBlue, but instead of following through, it decided to bill me two years later.

Worse, the hospital had sent me a bill that claimed this was their second notice and had already applied some late fees. But it was the first notice I had received. After getting a rejection from GeoBlue, I called the company to inquire about an appeal. A representative walked me through the steps in a phone call but didn’t give me much hope. Too much time had elapsed.

Still, I filed an appeal, in which I carefully explained what happened. I hoped GeoBlue would grant an exception to its 12-month limit on filing claims. I honestly believed that the hospital was working directly with my insurance company. Looking back, that was a mistake. I should have called the insurance company after my discharge to ensure that they were actively working on my claim. Nothing is automatic.

Related reads

• How to find the best travel insurance for your next trip

• Their North Atlantic cruise ended in the hospital. Why won’t travel medical insurance pay their $6,914 claim

• Why won’t insurance cover my lost frequent-flier miles?

• The lies your financial advisor tells you (and how to spot them)

• When should you call your travel insurance company?

A few weeks later, I got a random email from my insurance agent, Joe Cronin at International Citizens Insurance, asking how I was doing. Joe hadn’t sold me the GeoBlue policy, but he helped me find my current travel medical policy. I mentioned that I was having trouble with a medical claim.

An unexpected resolution

Two weeks later, a senior claims adjuster at GeoBlue called me. They had heard from Cronin, found my appeal, listened to the phone calls and reviewed the paperwork — and decided to pay the claim in full.

It’s unclear if GeoBlue would have eventually considered my appeal, but I know that Cronin’s advocacy on my behalf gave the insurance company a little nudge.

“An agent is there to advocate for you in emergencies and to navigate some of the more complicated processes involved in a claim,” Cronin explained. “This is a big part of our value.”

I’m forever grateful for that. And I’m also grateful that GeoBlue decided to honor my claim.

So my lesson, two years in the making, is this: Choose your insurance agent as carefully as you would your policy. Good agents won’t just help you select the right policy for you. They’ll also ensure your claim gets the attention it deserves.

More than 25 million Americans visit Washington, DC each year. Most come to enjoy the magnificent monuments, take a guided tour of the White House, and see other buildings where history has been made, both past and present.

Fewer venture beyond the main tourist spots to discover often-overlooked sites and neighborhoods filled with hidden gems that guidebooks might ignore or pass over too quickly. Yet these lesser-known places help bring the city’s history to life and highlight its important role in the story of the United States.

As a Native Washingtonian, I take pride in showing visitors buildings, gardens, and other sites that many miss but which enrich their experience of my hometown. These lesser-known yet fascinating places can add to both the enjoyment and education of sightseers.

Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library holds the world’s largest collection of books, manuscripts, art, and other objects related to William Shakespeare, known as the greatest poet of all time. Interactive activities include creating a Shakespearean scene and typesetting for printing.

Post Office Museum

Exhibits at the Post Office Museum feature an early mail delivery truck, a replica of an 1851 stagecoach, and more than 20,000 stamps.

Walking Museum of Transportation. Interpretive

Learn about the history of transportation while strolling along the tree-shaded sidewalks surrounding the Walking Museum of Transportation. Interpretive panels, life-sized transportation exhibits, and other features serve as an outdoor museum that traces developments from early tires to airplane propellers.

Historic houses scattered around Washington often function as mini-museums. Abraham Lincoln spent over a quarter of his presidency at a cottage that served as a refuge from the White House pressures. It was there that he drafted the first version of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Tudor Place, Gorgetown (31st Street, NW)

Built in 1805, this mansion contains more than 18,000 decorative objects, including the largest collection of George Washington artifacts outside Mount Vernon. Key moments in American history that occurred there include visits by Marquis de Lafayette, the French general and politician, and Robert E. Lee. The garden at Tudor Place, dating back to 1805, features both formal European-style plantings and an English landscape design.

The Old Stone House, Georgetown

Believed to have been built in 1766, this the oldest structure on its original foundation in the city. Its granite and fieldstone walls, sourced from a nearby quarry, are up to three feet thick. Plantings resembling an early 18th-century English garden add color to the setting.

U.S. National Arboretum

These flowers hint at the vast array of more elaborate floral displays throughout the Washington area. The U.S. National Arboretum spans 451 acres of rolling forested terrain. Its gardens include North American native plants, as well as collections from China, Japan, and Korea. Notable groupings include a bonsai museum, historic roses, and an herb garden. The National Grove of State Trees features trees representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

National Capitol Columns

One of Washington’s most distinctive landmarks is the National Capitol Columns, which, after a challenging history, are now on display at the National Arboretum. These Corinthian sandstone pillars were originally meant to support the U.S. Capitol’s iron dome but couldn’t fulfill their purpose when a larger-than-expected cupola was built. Today, 22 of these elegant columns remain on display in an open meadow.

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

This is a National Park Service site near the banks of the Anacostia River. It is home to a variety of plants native to the region before urban development took over. These include 150 species of plants, rare water lilies, and lotuses.

The Franciscan Monastery

This monastery is surrounded by lush gardens divided into two areas. One features formal flower arrangements with a wonderful rose garden near the church, while the other has a more natural style with replicas of Holy Land shrines. Flowering dogwood, cherry, and tulip trees add vibrant color to the scene.

Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Museum

Another notable garden is the four-acre Enid A. Haupt Garden, which is often overlooked. Visitors strolling along brick paths, enjoying hanging baskets, and listening to splashing fountains are often surprised to learn it is built on the rooftops of three Smithsonian museums. The garden includes a Parterre, Moongate Garden, and Fountain Garden, all designed to reflect the cultures and architecture of the buildings beneath.

A rooftop garden, an often-overlooked transportation museum, and historic homes that tell interesting chapters of the nation’s past are among the many places visitors to Washington, DC, tend to miss. That’s unfortunate because they help bring stories to life and deepen our understanding.

For more information, visit washington.org.