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I arrived in Tokyo, Japan in 1976 as a fresh-faced United States Navy Journalist. And literally, the first site you see from Japan's capital city is the iconic, Mount Fuji. Fuji-san is the tallest mountain on the island of Honshu and it stands prominently just 60 miles southwest of metropolitan Tokyo.

Just a pleasure visiting the wayback, remembering my daughter’s first far-flung travel. And a chance to reprise it for Christmas and New Years wishes from the original Santa Claus. Many lay claim to the origins of the Santa legend, but St. Nicholas, of the ancient city of Myra in Turkey, is the real deal. Trace them back, most other countries’ …

‘Tis the season for holiday songs, and below are among the first and finest. From Italy A local Italian choir filled the Naples Support Site Chapel with the sounds of a Christmas Cantata. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Richard Kiroy via Wikiimedia Commons Christmas carols originated in Italy, where history tells us that the earliest Christmas …

The River Auge in Quillan. On a gorgeous morning near the River Aude, British expats are taking French classes in a vegan tea shop that doubles as an art gallery in Quillan, France. As I drink a pot of tea, an organic rooibos blend of some sort, other expats saunter in for their language lessons. French locals arrive with food …

My husband and I are travel writers. Which means when we get to a destination, we explore every aspect, constantly seeking out stories. Until we got to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. That didn’t happen. And it was almost like – dare I say the word? – a vacation. But let’s back up a bit. We are a lot …

According to Wikipedia, “the Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenìssima, was a sovereign state and a maritime republic with its capital in Venice.” If you speak a wee bit of Italian, you’ll know that La Serenissima means the most serene, and if you know a wee bit about Venice, as …

Story and photos by Greg Aragon It’s always exciting to discover a new hotel destination, especially when it is full of pleasant surprises, and is an easy drive from Los Angeles. Such is the case with the Hyatt Regency Irvine, a newly-remodeled luxury hotel, with great location, modern rooms, a gourmet restaurant, an incredible pool area, and much, much more.  …

By Ed Boitano; Photographs by Deb Roskamp While driving deep into the desert of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, we sat three hours in a van, which was part of a convoy, apparently to assist other vans in case of mechanical failures or possible attacks from terrorists or unknown assailants. There were many checkpoints along the way, guarded by soldiers and policemen. …

Fireworks explode across the night sky. City streets and brick houses appear below shooting sparks and colors. Not a soul sleeps. We watch in awe and excitement as the clock strikes midnight; it’s Christmas morning. Upon realizing the fiesta below won’t be stopping anytime soon, we head inside and shoot off a confetti cannon, a jolting surprise for those who …