xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>  I had been waiting for this day to come and now here it is my 50th Birthday. Stepping into the color-worn, long-tail boat (Ruea Hang Yao (เรือหางยาว)), I knew this was a trip of a lifetime and today was my lucky day. My milestone birthday had arrived and I needed something BIG to …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>Shhh!  I need to let you in on a little secret!  Even though I travel around the world at the drop of a hat, I know about a place that is so spectacular that even I thought about canceling my travel plans when I received the invitation to try out the newly transformed Jade …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>I am a city girl, even though I grew up in a small town, I have been living the city life now longer and officially have adapted to large city living; although I do appreciate the beauty and simple life of the country. So imagine my surprise on a recent trip to Ireland when …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>  This year I attended a conference held in Dublin, Ireland.  I had been to Ireland before, but never to the capital city and it was such a great experience. This is one of the places in the world where, I believe, the people of the country make such a difference. The Irish are …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>I had a wonderful opportunity to visit a winery while on my visit to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It still amazes me that a woman, Ruenza Santandrea, is the “Presidente” of Gruppo Cevico vini Romagnoli, the company that owns this winery in the area of Castel Bolognese called Tenuta Masselina. And soon I …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>  Genoa, I return to you, like a long lost friend, you have become a welcoming sight.  So few Americans make their way into the trap of your charm, your beauty, and of course, your pesto.  Yet soon, I believe your region of Liguria will make it into the hearts of tourists worldwide, but …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>Here is another one of those secret gems I have learned about on my travels: Niagara on the Lake is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets! If you are planning a visit to Niagara Falls, it is well worth journeying the extra 20 minutes beyond the stunning waterfalls to visit this charming town of Niagara on …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>The Clarion Collection in Bergen, Norway As soon as I walked in the door and saw the eclectic purple furniture with the flowing Calla Lillies, I knew I was going to like this place. Between the purple leather sofa, the tall, purple, and silver chairs, and the chandelier, it was a hip joint. The …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>By Cacinda Maloney The shock thundered through him like cold blood running across the floor, he couldn’t believe it, as he heard the terrible news.  She is gone.  The grief overtook him, so much so, that he climbed up in the tower and jumped from the company well.  He was Mr. Worts, a successful …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–> Berlin, Germany Karma Travel: I believe in karma.  Not in an Indian religious sense, although they have a good concept:  any “action” or “deed” causes the cycle of cause and effect to occur.  It seems that whatever I give to the universe, it usually gives it back to me in one way or another! This …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–> Gelato in Rome Looking for the Best Gelato in Rome! We headed down Via dei Coronari knowing it was around here somewhere.  We had been here before and knew we had to find it again. We were somewhere near Piazza Navona when we ended up finding it tucked in an alleyway beside a  stone stairway with …

xml encoding=”UTF-8″–>The German dance floor of Clarchens Ballhaus has seen it all, from the tango in 1913 to the Cuban Rumba (banned by the Nazis) to the Macarena and, more recently, was actually used as a set for a Quentin Tarantino film! But in all honestly, it was one of the best experiences I ever …