To my cluttered brain, there’s something orderly and satisfying about end-of-the-year travel lists, whether they recap the past 12 months or look forward to the next. So it’s not surprising that Travelzoo’s latest “WOW Deal Destinations for 2013″ caught my eye, especially since I’ve already visited four of five of the choices and wouldn’t hesitate to … Continue Reading →
From Abu Dhabi and Petra, Jordan in the Mideast to resorts in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii and other desirable vacation spots in the United States, dozens of travel getaways are up for grabs this month in an annual online travel auction sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers. As a longtime member of SATW, … Continue Reading →
The good news is that I’ve been to half of Lonely Planet’s newly-released list of Top 10 Cities for 2013. The bad news is I haven’t been to the other five — and I need to get moving.
Now’s a terrific time to visit Toronto, which is all decked out for the holidays with sparkling shop windows, artsy 7-foot snowmen standing sentinel around the city and a slew of holiday activities and events. Even better, in a promotion that runs until Dec. 20, visitors who book a one-night hotel package for $99 to … Continue Reading →
There’s still time to catch the final days of the Society of American Travel Writers’ annual online travel auction, with travel packages valued at $65,000 up for grabs. Through Sunday (Nov. 20), you can bid on more than five dozen packages, from Arizona and Bermuda to Costa Rica and Dubai. Or, try for a dream … Continue Reading →
From Arizona and Bermuda to Costa Rica and Dubai, more than five dozen travel packages — valued at $65,000 — are up for bid in the Society of American Travel Writers’ annual travel auction. Someone named “Anonymous” currently leads the bidding on many items, but there’s still plenty of time: the SATW auction runs through … Continue Reading →
With the recent spate of glorious sunshine, it’s hard to envision what’s coming, weather-wise, in our not-too-distant future. But anyone who has spent any time at all in Michigan knows that winter is lurking just beyond all this beautiful fall foliage, ready to unleash gray skies, gloomy days and a season’s worth of white stuff … Continue Reading →
It’s been called the “grand daddy” of Midwest Home Tours. And if you’ve never visited Marshall, this year’s 48th Annual Historic Home Tour Sept. 10 and 11 would be a great introduction to the city’s gracious homes, tree-lined streets homes and southern Michigan hospitality. Marshall is located off I-94 near Battle Creek. The event, from … Continue Reading →
You can hardly find a better location for a Windy City hotel than the Hyatt Regency Chicago on East Wacker Drive. Fresh from a $90-million renovation, the 36-story hotel is just off Michigan Avenue and overlooks the Chicago River. And BIG Bar, off the lobby, is hopping. I stayed there for several nights at a … Continue Reading →
It’s always a treat to traipse through Dow Gardens in Midland. And now, just in time for summer travel to northern Michigan, this 110-acre botanical oasis is even more delightful. Art in the Garden, a display of 30 glass installations by Lansing artist Craig Mitchell Smith, runs through the end of July. Designed for specific … Continue Reading →