June 2014
Exploring Greenwich Village with Dylan Thomas
By Monique Burns New York’s Greenwich Village has always attracted its share of characters. Offbeat, artistic and often highly intelligent, they still gather there to write and compose in brick townhouses and tenement apartments, gambol along leafy cobblestone streets, and frequent historic restaurants and watering holes. The Welsh poet Dylan

Alexander Lobrano’s Letter from Paris: Clown Bar
Adjacent to the Cirque d’Hiver (Winter Circus), a handsome 1852 arena between the Place de la Republique and the Bastille, the Clown Bar has always been one of the most charming places in Paris for a quick bite and a glass of wine. Now under new management–a dream team that

Steve Jermanok’s Active Travels: Grand Manan, New Brunswick
Located off the coast of Lubec, Maine, but considered part of New Brunswick, Grand Manan not only feels lost geographically, but lost in time. Take the 90-minute ferry ride over from Blacks Harbour and you arrive on an island with one main road, several inns and restaurants, one liquor store, and relatively
Travels with Larry Olmsted: Marriott Bets Big
When Marriott International acquired controlling interest of Ritz-Carlton Hotels 16 years ago, few consumers noticed. Ritz-Carlton remains one of the world’s most venerable luxury brands, especially in the hotel sector, and even today few travelers associate it with its parent company. Marriott hopes to change that. The luxury hospitality sector

60 Years of Rock and Roll in Memphis
Story by Marian Betancourt Elvis may have left the building, but his legacy is alive and well in Memphis. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Rock and Roll and it is being celebrated throughout this city where it all began, with new exhibits at Graceland, Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum,

Jacksonville is for the Birds
By Joan Rattner Heilman Birdwatching is right up there as one of America’s favorite leisure activities and birdwatchers now number in the millions, but I doubt that many of them know that the city of Jacksonville, a metropolis of high-rises and sprawling suburbs in the northeast corner of Florida 40
Swiss Trains & the Italian Lake District with National Geographic Expeditions
Swiss trains? The best in the world. National Geographic Expeditions? A guaranteed way to enjoy group travel with an expert who takes you inside a destination. So I’m thrilled that National Geographic Expeditions has asked me to take two groups of travelers on National Geographic Expeditions trips to Switzerland next summer.

Disney Dreams Do Come True: A Family Vacation and a Fairytale Wedding
By Liliane Opsomer Known for their classic early-20th-century vessels, Disney raised expectations when launching the Disney Dream in 2011. I had been a happy customer when sailing on the Disney Magic five years ago and wondered if it was possible to have an even better experience. I knew I was

Steve Jermanok’s Active Travels: Kayaking in the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are basically small spits of land connected by bridges on the Overseas Highway. Surrounding you is the water of ocean and bay, but it’s hard to get too far off the beaten track on land. No Name Key off of Big Pine Key is arguably the most