Yorkminster, England: History Writ in Stone York is a famous Middle Ages city in England, with a history easily explored on foot. That's fortunate because parking surely is a problem, as is becoming the norm in any developed city in the world. But many park and ride locations surround the city.

Ireland: Magical, Mystical, Delightful, Enchanting It is safe to say that one cannot visit Ireland too many times. This was my second trip and I was just as deeply taken by the beauty of the landscape, as well as the wonderful, joyous, fun-loving spirit of the Irish people.

A Taste of the Garden Island of Kaua’i The pilot on the Jack Harter Helicopter tour glided the chopper through the lush green valley of Waimea Canyon. Coined “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” you could smell the gentle fragrance of the Kaua’i laua’e ferns, alluded to in many Hawaiian chants and traditions.

A Scintillating Steam Safari in Saxony It could have been the opening for a James Bond movie, or even one of those wonderful black and white mystery movies of the 30s or 40s. The station was deserted. The mountain air was crisp and biting, and there was a slight hint of rain, as dark clouds scudded across the grey and leaden sky.

The Big Boat: Mystery on the Oasis of the Seas The world is a big place. And it's easy to get lost. Particularly when you want to. All I had to go on was that she had a spark for the ocean, rock climbing, zip line trekking, Central Park and all-you-can-eat donut bars. It took me all but five minutes to figure she had to be on the RCCL's new Oasis of the Seas...

Memories of a Rock and Roller: Mick Taylor It's not everyday you run into a man who was both a Bluesbreaker with John Mayall and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist with the Rolling Stones. But I did just that, turning around to face Mick Taylor a few years ago, backstage at the Long Beach Blues Festival.

Inside Cozumel: A Different World Cozumel, just off the Yucatan's Mayan Riviera, is Mexico's top tourism island. Throngs of visitors arrive by cruise ship and ferry in all seasons, boosting the island's economy, enjoying its cuisine, crowding its beaches, diving, snorkeling, and seldom venturing even a mile inland.

The Eichhorn Schwyzerorgelfabrik and Musikhaus By Gary Singh Someone once said a man’s home is his castle, a safe refuge for all. Everyone knows the phrase. But in Christian Greuter’s case, his accordion-fabrication facility is his castle. Especially now that a ridiculous accordion app exists for the iPad, I crave the real thing, just like a drug.

Iceland Looks Better in Spring It's a bit of an understatement to say that I was excited when Icelandair recently began service out of my home city of Seattle directly to the magical jewel of the North which we know as Iceland. Iceland has a je ne sais quoi that some almost intangible reasons makes it my favorite travel destination in Europe...

A Love Story in Marble: The Taj Mahal By Julio Natividad "Tell the world about your love for me." Legend has it that these were the dying words of Mumtaz Mahal to her husband, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The latter had been fighting a campaign in the Deccan Plateau in 1631 when his favorite wife suddenly succumbed after giving birth to their fourteenth child.

Laundry Man One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?" "It depends,' I replied. 'What does it say on your shirt?"

An Affordable & Relaxing Nature Getaway for Families! I can’t think of a single time in my life when being outside in nature didn’t make me feel instantly better. There is something about being outside around water and trees that make me feel like all my problems are gone and that the world has limitless potential.

Augsburg Casanova called Augsburg the “freest, most illustrious town in the world.” That may be just over the top (or perhaps apocryphal), but who wants to argue with Casanova’s tips about the pursuit of pleasure? Besides, Augsburg is one of the most delightful places in Germany.

The Kingdom of Dirt Just last month, much to my satisfaction, I was approved to go to Afghanistan by the Army Public Affairs Office (PAO) for a media embed via Regional Command East at Camp Hughie near Jalalabad. My buddy from bull-riding school, Dave Disi, had sort of casually invited me to come to Afghanistan sometime during the summer...

In My Wildest Dreams By Elyssa Davalos Vastly dramatic landscapes pour out of the painted sky. To behold this unique voyage makes you feel like an explorer from another era. There is no better way to see Alaska than under the knowledgeable and guiding hands of The Boat Company.

An American Student in London: Down the Rabbit Hole and Across the Pond (Part 2) Story and photographs by Stephanie Keats One of the perks of going to an overpriced institution of higher learning like USC and going abroad is that they organize free trips for you to go on so you can “experience” more of the UK... So Friday I traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon for my all inclusive weekend of fun.

An American Student in Thailand: I Followed My Heart to the Land of Smiles (Part 2) By Lindsey Koro Before coming to Thailand, I was feeling guilty about my amazing life (hehe). I thought that coming here would be my chance to be challenged and work hard to give back to the world without having everything handed to me.

My Newly-found Oasis on the Sea Oasis: something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast (from Miriam Webster). I have found my oasis in the sea of cruise vessels. The most beautiful, harmonious ship that I have ever sailed on, Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas” debuted last month out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

A Moment With America Ferrera America Ferrera has finally left Ugly Betty behind her and one could consider her work in The Dry Land as her most adult, dramatic acting job to date. Her characterization as Sarah, the devoted, but conflicted wife of her husband James, (Ryan O'Nan) who has just returned from Iraq, establishes her as an actress capable of doing more than "girlie" roles.

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