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Adventure in the Grand Canyon

The light of morning arrives early in the canyon, and with it the sweet sounds of birds enjoying a new day. If you can muster the energy, more adventure awaits down the canyon. Less than a mile away is Mooney Falls, and three miles further is Beaver Falls. Fifteen minutes down the path a sign states authoritatively “DESCEND AT OWN RISK.” It doesn’t really seem to give anyone much pause. Most people who have made it this far like a bit of adventure in their lives. As you climb down the face of the cliff, there are steel chains and rods firmly placed in the rock, providing holds as you work your way down. A rickety wooden ladder precariously hangs from the wall to help the brave maneuver the last 20 feet toward the bottom. One little jump and both feet are planted firmly on the ground.

A Manageable Mega-Resort: The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Depending on where your room is located, you will only be about a 15-minute walk from even the most distant amenities. If you don’t feel like scuffing your new Jimmy Choos, there are free golf cart trollies that come by frequently and the hotel is laid out so that you are never that far from popular stops like restaurants, pools, or shopping. The resort was thoughtfully designed so that the users of the adults-only clothing-optional pool (aptly named Eden) are a safe distance from the toddler’s pool where SpongeBob might just make an appearance. Many resorts make it impossible to enter without crossing the money-grabbing gauntlet of the casino. At the Hard Rock, the casino has been tucked away into a front corner of the hotel. If you lose your money there, you have no one else to blame.

The Giant Mantas of Ecuador

There are hundreds of quaint fishing villages along Ecuador’s Pacific coastline. Each one has its own particular charm or sight that makes visiting it a memorable vacation experience. Many of them advertise their locality for its great whale- or dolphin-watching opportunities. But the small town of Puerto Lopez has another claim to attract tourism. The area of the Pacific Ocean around Puerto Lopez plays host to the migration of the great manta rays that venture there in the thousands to mate. 

Discovering Cognac and Comics in Angoulême, France

Angoulême is enclosed in ancient city walls that crown the hill on which the city rests. The ramparts, dating before the Middle Ages, divide the Old Town from the suburbs, which cascade down the hill and out into the luscious river valley below. The Charente River was once used to transport salt, wine, paper, and lumber, among other products, making the city a key commercial center historically. Today it is known as the international comic strip and cartoon capital, and hosts the International Comic Strip Museum in a former warehouse on the banks of the river.

An Unexpected Gem in a Land with Countless Treasures

The Ivan Mestrovic Gallery had not even made it to my “must-see” list on a recent visit to Croatia. But I am thrilled to have stumbled upon it. In the city of Split the dreamy, clear Adriatic Sea meets a palm tree-lined harbor. Across the city, patches of lush green trees stand out against the white buildings with red tiled roofs. Rugged mountains loom in the background as if to watch over and protect the peacefulness below.

From the Ashes: Hiroshima Revisited

Across the river, a visitor rings a large bell in memory of all those who suffered that day and throughout the war. Take a moment to strike the bell yourself in an otherwise quiet reflection, then travel further into the Peace Memorial Park to the Children’s Peace Memorial, where thousands of colorful paper cranes made by elementary students around the world are strung together as symbols for peace and remembrance.

Cruising the Rhine River: The Magic is More Than Just Castles!

If you are looking for good-value cruising in one of the most magical places in Europe, you’ll not find a more rewarding experience than an eight-day excursion on the Rhine River. It is a comfortable way to see the spectacular European countryside without having to “go it alone.” And, with multiple stops along the way, optional excursions are available to see the thatch-roofed villages of the Black Forest, sample local cuisine, or meander the cobbled streets on your own.

Cheddar Gorge — A Hidden Treasure

On a visit to England’s West Country, it’s easy to miss the village of Cheddar, tucked away at the foot of the Mendip Hills, 18 miles southwest of Bristol. But this picturesque gem, hidden deep in rural Somerset, is a trove of touristic treasure and well worth the effort of swinging off the main highway. Behind the village, cleaving into the Mendips, is the world-famous Cheddar Gorge — three miles of sheer limestone cliffs that soar 450 feet on either side of the snaking road. The Gorge was formed by meltwater floods over hundreds of thousands of years.

Don’t Forget Your Passport When Visiting Countries Outside the U.S. — EXCEPT When You Go Here

On this hidden gem of an island, 26 miles long and six miles wide, two Danish forts still point cannons toward the sea to thwart enemy attack, the spicy aroma of West Indian dishes tantalizes the taste buds, and fresh mangos and coconuts can be bought from local farmers’ trucks parked along narrow, mahogany-shaded roads. They’ll be happy to open your coconut with the swift slice of a sharp machete and offer a straw to draw out the sweet water, while the constant trade wind breeze provides relief from 85 degree heat. Unpack your clothes into the antique armoire of a European-style hotel, trade travel shoes for flip-flops, and allow the serenity of clear Caribbean water to wash your stress away. Then dress for dinner in one of many world class restaurants offering freshly-caught seafood and local Crucian dishes such as succulent kallaloo