“Fish. Party. Repeat.” Those words, printed on a sign hanging on the wall of a restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas, refer to two of the most popular pastimes there. SPI (as the locals call it) and Port Isabel, perched at the other end of a causeway that connects the two, boast a long and …
Rambling Writers
De Palm Island, Aruba: A Reservoir of Riches Above and Below Water
A SNUBA adventure in Aruba offers the chance to explore a vibrant underwater world.
Beaches, Cultures, Surprising Setting: Aruba Has It All
If you like to loll on magnificent beaches, visit Aruba. When seeking immersion in a fascinating multi-racial culture, think Aruba. Want to combine a long list of activities with an other-worldly moonscape setting? Yes, Aruba. This tiny Caribbean island more than makes up in appeal what it lacks in size. Many people go there for …
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Magic and Mayhem on the Malecon
So I heard that you could spend from dawn to dusk on the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and never get bored and I thought, “Okay, I’m up for that challenge.” Well, maybe not the dawn part ― I’m not a morning person ― so I had no problem leaving those early hours to the …
Puerto Vallarta: Not for Everyone but Some Folks’ Favorite
Puerto Vallarta, the destination that my wife Fyllis and I were visiting isn’t for everyone. Some beaches (but not all) consist of more pebbles than sand, and the ocean in places lacks the clarity and multi-hued colors of the Caribbean Sea. Despite these drawbacks, in recent years the Mexican seaside resort of Puerto Vallarta (pronounced …
Memorable Meals: Edible Milestones from Around the World
Enjoying our first dinner during a group tour of Sicily, I turned to our guide and told him that the meal was excellent. This being Sicily, the reply was not all that surprising. “You can steal my money but don’t touch my food,” Alessio remarked. He followed that remark by claiming, “If lunch or dinner doesn’t have at …
Surprise Trip: Go Island-Hopping in New York City
Mention New York City and “islands” isn’t likely to come up. Many people don’t know that the Big Apple encompasses over 40 islands, many worth a visit.
What’s in a State Nickname?
Have you ever wondered how states got their nicknames? In the mid-1800s, so much precious metal covered the ground in Nevada that prospectors could shovel it up. A century later, an avian disaster struck birdlife along the Louisiana coastline. Today visitors may relive those chapters of the past in Nevada, Louisiana and elsewhere while learning …
Eating the Food of the Locals all Across the Country
Sampling new foods as you go around the country can be a pleasurable and educational part of travel. Or it can offer a challenge. That’s the case when diners confront home-grown favorite foods which ― for better or worse ― are popular in specific states or regions. Earning bonafides by eating like the locals is …
Provence: Hill Towns, a Plethora of Wine and Cheese Equal Paradise
Provence, France: Captivating hill towns and Medieval history; farmer’s markets and festivals; wonderful wines and glorious cheeses ― and the magic of UNTOURS.
Some Towns with the Same Name are Very Different
Places in the United States share their name, but little else, with destinations here and around the world. Some probably are close to where you live.
Sicily, Italy: Where What’s Not on the Itinerary is as Important as What Is
Overseas Adventure Travel’s emphasis on Learning & Discovery adds a whole new dimension to their itineraries as this trip to Sicily, Italy confirms