tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91897393420093014422012-01-27T10:44:54.339-05:00Information and advice for anyone who wants to travel with less strenuous walking and fewer stairs.Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.comBlogger1421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-58453463278764518332012-01-27T10:44:00.000-05:002012-01-27T10:44:54.348-05:00

Whatever your edible passion - farm to fork; organic; grass-fed lamb, beef, venison from pen to plate; fresh, conscientiously harvested seafood; heritage fruits and vegetables; artisan-crafted cheeses and sauces; unique flavorings; olive oil so good you want to eat it with a spoon - it's found on the tables and in the markets of Hawkes Bay, the fruit and vegetable basket of New Zealand. Not to

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-56785347584049018162012-01-13T16:51:00.000-05:002012-01-13T16:51:07.394-05:00

Hawkes Bay is the central east coast of New Zealand's North Island about 262 miles south of Auckland, 192 miles north of Wellington. In between sampling the area's fine wines on the Wine Trail, visiting the one-of-a-kind Wine Centre (see previous  postings at this site) and dining on its wonderful fresh foods (previous post), there are many ways to fill your time with fun. Tip: Kiwis, adrenaline

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-84514909816923217462012-01-09T17:22:00.000-05:002012-01-09T17:22:58.099-05:00

The Globe Penthouse Apartments Napier is an off-the-tourist-path, Art Deco gem on New Zealand's North Island and perfectly located for touring the Wine Trail and indulging in fine dining. With a population of 54,000, it's easy to get around downtown as well as touring north, south or west (east gets you wet; Napier is on the Pacific ocean. The earthquake that devastated the city in 1931 turned

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-17048949485340035462011-12-30T18:18:00.000-05:002011-12-30T18:18:59.717-05:00

Royal spoonbills nesting. New Zealand is populated with birds you will see nowhere else. Until Westerners arrived, bats were the only mammals, a specie of eagle the only predator. Other birds came in all sizes from ostrich-high Moas to wren-small Titipounamu. Many like the Moas and Kiwi, didn't fly. They didn't need to. Freezing in place was their defense against eagles, the only flying

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-35258432509430923682011-12-22T14:23:00.001-05:002011-12-22T15:35:12.350-05:00

Auckland, NZ, from the harbor. Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, is beautifully situated on a large bay that's always full of boats and ships. If flying in from the states you will arrive there seriously jet-lagged. My recommendation: Head to the harbor and get on one. Nothing will pick you up and put you back in the world better than massive doses of sun and fresh air plus a bit of

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-17910720084318567582011-12-15T14:03:00.002-05:002011-12-15T14:44:36.891-05:00

North and South islands of New Zealand personify Middle Earth. From my first look at the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand's North Island, J.R.R. Tolkein's Middle Earth came to mind, as much because of the images evoked by the books as the films of his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Obviously, New Zealand native Peter Jackson agreed. Hobbits and sheep have similar tastes in landscapes. It

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-6948833948110506332011-12-07T14:00:00.000-05:002011-12-07T14:00:49.213-05:00

Reynolds Plantation, GA. Spreading across 10,000 acres along the shores of Lake Oconee, just south of Interstate 5 between Atlanta and Athens, is a golfers,' foodies' and vacationers' paradise, Reynolds Plantation. One of the 117 holes of golf at Reynolds Plantation. Golf For the golfers, begin with 117 holes of golf on six courses designed by Jack Nicklaus (Great Waters), Tom Fazio (27-hole

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-83711461201441163922011-11-28T10:44:00.000-05:002011-11-28T10:44:58.692-05:00

History  This area was a hot bed of  activity during the War of 1812 which celebrates its 200th anniversary next year. Re-enactors bring the 1700s to life at historic Old St. Mary's. Before that, there was Historic Old St. Mary's, the fourth permanent English settlement in the New World and Maryland's first capital, thanks to Lord Baltimore. Today it's a 17th century living history museum

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-86668767258060613942011-11-21T17:39:00.000-05:002011-11-21T17:39:31.488-05:00

Food is a big part of the Chesapeake Bay story, from crab pots and oyster farms to fine French cuisine and Amish shoe fly pies. Foodies will revel in the well-entrenched slow cooking, locally accessed, sustainable products and organic farming movements. Rod 'N' Reel's excellent Crab Cake Sandwich. You won't go wrong with Ruddy Duck's crab cake. You can survey Maryland crab cakes to find the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-32462756530329091132011-11-13T13:44:00.001-05:002011-11-21T17:37:00.327-05:00

Northbeach on the Western shores of Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay is more than crab cakes, especially its Western shore. Long thought of as a bedroom community for Washington, D.C., the Western shore is packed with interesting places to go and things to do. Boats, boats, everywhere you look. What to do around the water If you like the water and boating you'll love it here. Fingers of land

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-12108119784751056812011-11-08T17:27:00.000-05:002011-11-08T17:27:38.569-05:00

The Colorado River winds its way through the Grand Canyon What to do at the Grand Canyon? There are tours, easy or challenging mule rides and great shopping for Native American crafts and jewelry at reasonable prices. This is Travel on the Level so I assume you aren't interested in hikes. If you are, the Park Service can recommend several within your skill level. First, though, you need to

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-9556005723523577302011-10-27T12:32:00.000-04:002011-10-27T12:32:10.931-04:00

You'll spend a lot of time looking down but that's not all there is to do at the Grand Canyon. There's more to do at the Grand Canyon than walking over to the rim, looking down and gasping at its enormity. You can fill two days easily with mule rides, tours, shopping and learning the legends and history of this truly grand site so plan to stay overnight at least. Here's my guide. First where

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-73564575278840764992011-10-17T17:31:00.002-04:002011-10-17T17:38:10.625-04:00

Before there were mules winding their way down Bright Angel Trail, before there was a Bright Angel Trail, before there was even an Arizona, there was the Grand Canyon Railway and there still is. Like everything else you'll find at America's grandest ditch, the railway was developed to attract and to bring tourists into the Grand Canyon. The town of Williams grew by supporting the railway and

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-56919166878153797892011-10-04T18:37:00.000-04:002011-10-04T18:37:50.086-04:00

 West Thumb Geyser Basin You'll never feel closer to nature - from visual evidence of the constant movement of the earth steaming and shifting below your feet to a hawk "resting" on the thermals over Pelican Creek trail head - than at Yellowstone National Park. Ken Burns showed us the park and told its history but nothing short of being in it prepares you for the vastness, the richness and the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-19332438428643506822011-09-22T12:39:00.001-04:002011-09-22T12:40:33.709-04:00

The West lives on in many modern forms - rodeo, rafting the Shoshone River, searching for and observing wild herds of mustangs, listening to Tin Pan Alley Western songs and contemporary cowboy poetry, dude and guest ranches where visitors can ride the range and ridges with experienced wranglers, seeing the rich fields made possible by America's first reclamation project after which the great

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-7688128721220228952011-09-15T07:49:00.000-04:002011-09-15T07:49:49.463-04:00

Everywhere you turn in Cody are reminders of the Old West, reproduced or real. Make believe gun fighters dueling it out nightly, and two pervasive Buffalo Bill look-alikes, an old one and a younger one, plus a much thinner version of his wife, Louisa. Of the real remnants, my favorites were  Old Trail Town and Museum of the Old West, Old West Miniature Village & Museum and the Dug Up Gun Museum.

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-25345614032595819672011-09-09T13:06:00.001-04:002011-09-09T13:15:31.284-04:00

 Cody is set amid land perfect for deer and antelope and visitors to play. Shooting showdowns in the streets are staged for tourists as are the stage shows and most of the shops, but the Wild West lives on in Cody, Wyoming, a perfect starting point for meeting wildlife, entry into Yellowstone National Park and dazzling scenic drives. Tip: What you want to see and do in Cody is, for the most

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-74102635795563631462011-09-02T17:28:00.000-04:002011-09-02T17:28:51.246-04:00

When Pittsburghers yearn for nature they head for Laurel Highlands. Any who want to mix outdoor pursuits with indoor pampering and world-class gourmet meals,  check in at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Located on 2,000 mountain acres 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, the resort offers just about any outdoor activity you could want. The Botero sculpture that greets you is an indication of what's to

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-50263195209535491742011-08-24T17:45:00.000-04:002011-08-24T17:45:58.023-04:00

       Kentuck Knob  Wright referred to these free-form cutouts as stained glass for the common man.  Seven miles from Fallingwater is another Frank Lloyd Wright gem, Kentuck Knob, commissioned by the I. N. Hagans, owners of the then largest dairy East of the Mississippi, and now owned by the ultimate collector, arts and architecture patron Lord Peter Palumbo.   FLW's Cherokee red signature

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-90067280622096403392011-08-12T15:33:00.005-04:002011-08-15T11:49:40.664-04:00

 Fallingwater The dream not only came true but lived up to expectations when I finally saw architect Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater house in person. Doing so was at the top of my bucket list and a quick trip to Pennsylvania's beautiful Laurel Highlands, a few hours drive from Pittsburgh, made it possible. The home's photograph is even more well known than the famous stubborn adherence

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-29022139156500198712011-08-08T12:07:00.000-04:002011-08-08T12:07:03.704-04:00

                     Pittsburgh Every city has its unique quirks that set it apart but for its size, Pittsburgh may set the gold standard of quirkiness. Where else would you find natives as diverse as Andy Warhol, Fred Rogers (born in the same year!), environmentalist Rachel Carson and pop spaceman Buck Rogers? Don't forget jazz great Billy Strayhorn, dancer Gene Kelly and America's first "pop"

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-33429012571215269082011-08-01T16:09:00.001-04:002011-08-01T16:13:50.012-04:00

Have a seat on a rare "eyeball bench" while enjoying the fountain, all by Louise Bourgeois..                                       Cell Phone Disco by Informationlab.     Parking garage shelters Cabaret Theater. Thanks to the arts in Pittsburgh you can relax around a fountain by sitting in a $50,000 eyeball benches, control a piece of outdoor wall art with your mobile

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-85990364244595283142011-07-25T17:04:00.000-04:002011-07-25T17:04:31.612-04:00

 Outside the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden Pittsburgh has been described as many things but not what it is now - a really fun, photogenic place to spend a few days. I was surprised how much fun and so was everyone else who attended a recent conference there. We couldn't stop snapping pictures either. Here's a very short list to consider. Tour it.  I tried three ways - paddle

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-74586103847641482862011-07-18T17:07:00.002-04:002011-07-18T17:10:49.528-04:00

 Pittsburgh, a city of rivers and bridges. Travel to Pittsburgh, PA and you'll find a clean, stylish city full of rivers, art, sports, ethnic food, neighborhood bars, beautiful vistas and fun things to do. Most of it is reasonably priced, easily accessed and relatively flat. That's the good news. The bad news is, or so I'm told, that Pittsburgh is the cloudiest of U.S. cities. Couldn't prove it

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-84634343636636811532011-07-11T11:17:00.000-04:002011-07-11T11:17:22.775-04:00

The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Shores is definitely a cut above what most tourists experience in the Daytona Beach, FL, area. I'm tempted to say it's the best - it's Daytona's only AAA Four-Diamond luxury beachfront hotel - but I haven't personally stayed at them all. I do know that it's a great place for Levelers - barely a step in sight - and the food is outstanding, a real surprise. Tip:

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-33024414621623100812011-07-04T09:43:00.001-04:002011-07-04T09:45:13.052-04:00

 Dresden at dawn. Yes, I'm patting myself on the back but what else is called for when a post from this blog is judged best of all? Travel on the Level's blog postings on Germany took first prize in this year's writing and photography contest sponsored by the Atlantic Caribbean chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers. In case you missed them, the series of posts covered my trip

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-44386404749049213572011-06-21T16:45:00.001-04:002011-06-21T18:29:25.565-04:00

Having seen an extremely tasteful South Africa, I wanted to experience something less carefully groomed so two of us booked a car and driver for a trip to Soweto (although it did seem a bit hypocritical doing so from the lush luxury of the Saxon). Tip: You definitely want a car and driver for this. It's an easy half-day trip from Johannesburg with steps limited to a curb or two. Our driver,

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-20755779645717983902011-06-09T11:27:00.001-04:002011-06-10T14:14:37.344-04:00

If you define elegance as the finest of everything and all in good taste or whatever you want whenever you want it and often before you realize it,  Johannesburg's Saxon more than qualifies. If elegance to you is being cossetted in your own world, surrounded by friends or family in total privacy despite 24-hour butlers, the Saxon is it. Once the private enclave of South African insurance magnate

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-78711563109167780482011-06-02T11:53:00.001-04:002011-06-02T11:53:23.866-04:00

Fiji is all about islands so when offered the opportunity to cruise several aboard Captain Cook Cruises' Reef Endeavour, I quickly signed on. Tip: Smaller cruise ships can be a problem for Levelers because they rarely have elevators. Reef Endeavour had a small one but I never saw anyone using it because the stairs aren't bad. Ship and Passengers Fellow passengers (Endeavour accommodates 168) 

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-1908986695086612472011-05-24T14:23:00.000-04:002011-05-24T14:23:20.154-04:00

Our last full day on Taveuni was spent at Paradise, snorkeling, relaxing, indulging in a massage in the open air Serenity Spa where sea breezes cool what a deft masseuse comforts, learning about Fiji culture and experiencing a traditional lovo dinner. Seeing bright blue coral and equally blue star fish was a revelation. So was seeing how coconuts are cracked, used and prepared. Coconut trees

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-85133372167144827022011-05-17T10:11:00.001-04:002011-05-17T13:53:06.251-04:00

Day two at Taveuni Paradise, Fiji, proved several things: One, You don't need an alarm clock. Between 5 and 5:30 a.m., light sleepers may not note the switch from night time to daytime generators, but the the roosters do. Despite the hour or so of darkness remaining, they start crowing the sun up. This you no doubt will note.  Two, there's a whole lot of difference between "Oh, it's easy," and

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-89659553204161540832011-05-10T12:23:00.005-04:002011-05-16T15:00:15.851-04:00

Taveuni, in the northeast of the Fiji Island group, is called the Garden Island with good reason. As one resident put it, "Anyone who goes hungry on Taveuni is one lazy Fijian." Coconuts, mango, papaya, banana, cassava, guava and edible hibiscus, bele, a delicious form of spinach, can be plucked from the roadside. All grow wild naturally. Volcanic springs provide pure drinking water and the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-57939964324638076292011-05-03T18:13:00.001-04:002011-05-04T11:13:22.396-04:00

The Coral Coast is resort central for Viti Levu, Fiji's largest and most Westernly-developed island. If you hadn't been to one of the smaller, more pristine islands as I had, CC would seem like a lot of heaven - palm trees arched over blue water-lapped beaches, exotically landscaped resorts with all-inclusive or a la carte arrangements that are filled with jolly Aussies and Kiwis, a city with

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-23761936751358482732011-04-27T17:44:00.000-04:002011-04-27T17:44:47.270-04:00

The island paradise of Fiji is a challenge to reach, especially for American continents'  East Coasters, but what you find is worth the 10-plus-hour flight from Los Angeles. Tip: If you fly Air Pacific, the national airline, both flights will be late at night so you'll want to sleep. Consider an upgrade to the upper economy section. You will have a small flight of stairs to negotiate, but it's

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-20886794421463919552011-04-05T11:34:00.000-04:002011-04-05T11:34:35.560-04:00

For those of you who don't get a kick out of following paw prints and scat through the African bush, Steenberg Hotel and Winery, just outside of Cape Town in the Constantia Valley, is a perfect alternative. It is consistently at the top of South Africa's Top 10 luxury resorts. Its trim, perfectly manicured grounds, tidy white buildings with thatched roofs and centuries old buildings will make

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-17921229265721970202011-03-23T13:27:00.002-04:002011-03-23T17:35:35.437-04:00

A safari is on a lot of bucket lists - it was certainly on mine! - but by the time we have the money to take one, many of us fear we won't be physically up to the challenge. Sabi Sabi, where I went, may mean "fear fear" in Zulu, but don't: YOU CAN DO IT. You just have to choose your safari camp more carefully. Safaris come in all styles - horse or elephant back, by plane or boat, with camps as

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-86019624932778512092011-03-07T16:25:00.000-05:002011-03-07T16:25:29.566-05:00

The longer I was on Nieuw Amsterdam the more I liked her. Without the cavernous atrium of many new mega ships, there is plenty of room for interesting spaces such as the piano bar and Crow's Nest lounge, library and internet cafe. You will find good art and antiques incorporated into the decor which is never glitzy. Tip: Levelers, decide what your favorite activities will be and select your

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-45355258871147376902011-03-01T10:07:00.000-05:002011-03-01T10:07:46.467-05:00

Well, gang, I had planned to blog each day of my journey aboard Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam, but the promised free wi-fi was not delivered and at the cost per minute aboard, this is the one and only post. The ship is beautiful. Tastefully appointed and comfortable, even the elevator doors are works of art. Speaking of which, the works for sale in the "art" gallery are as much schlock as

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-27498720481134679512011-02-15T17:36:00.000-05:002011-02-15T17:36:32.472-05:00

Mass, mediocre, cheapo all-inclusive resorts in Mexico are being replaced by elegant, gourmet, all you could want and more all-inclusive resorts. And yes, the Riviera Maya is still safe. I was invited by Real Resorts to see for myself last December. The Royal Playa del Carmen and the Royal Cancun far exceeded my expectations. Granted, those expectations were pretty low given the bad rep earlier

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-79087252096378762022011-02-08T09:48:00.000-05:002011-02-08T09:48:10.916-05:00

The only reason I went to Berlin was to see certain works of art in its museums, but that isn't the only reason I want to go back. The museums - I had six of the city's 180 on my must-see list for the five days I would be there. The three I saw - Neues and Pergamon on Museum Island - and the Mauermuseum at Checkpoint Charlie - were everything I had anticipated and more. The friezes from the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-7872600833878122612011-02-01T11:54:00.001-05:002011-02-01T15:20:02.473-05:00

Music, art and the peaceful revolution are the points that stick in my mind after a much too short stop in Leipzig, Germany. Unfortunately, I don't have the photos to match - camera problems plagued all attempts to record this stop. We arrived early evening and made a beeline to Auerbachs Keller where our group of way too many travel writers and associates had dinner. I say way too many because

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-57750204827240086182011-01-14T15:27:00.000-05:002011-01-14T15:27:26.063-05:00

Dresden, the city that is recreating itself in its former image after being destroyed during World War II, also takes credit for being the inventive home of the brassiere, filter cigarette and tea bags. My introduction to the city was a special concert in the beloved Frauenkirche, a pastel and gold swirling froth of Baroque energy where much of the city's restoration was centered. It was the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-75260019969960767602011-01-06T15:52:00.002-05:002011-01-07T15:52:22.281-05:00

"Saxony" sounds strong, rich, luxurious and is fun to say. The Free State of Saxony in southeastern Germany is great to visit, too. Since the reunification of Germany - which started here - it has become the most popular destination. With its strategic Elbe Valley, castles for fortification were a necessity. Trade with the rest of the world was a given and riches soon followed. Heinrich I was

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-4124231379884572922010-12-28T12:41:00.000-05:002010-12-28T12:41:08.100-05:00

Koenigswinter may be the most visited German town you've never heard of. Rhine cruisers - day trippers (it's 50 minutes from Bonn by boat) or lengthy excursionists - stop here at the foot of the Drachenfels (Dragon) Mountain. Legends of dragons and knights were the draw for Lord Byron and other romantics. The Counts of Drachenfels sported a winged, fire breathing dragon in their coats of arms and

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-67061712768877101452010-12-06T13:14:00.001-05:002010-12-06T13:15:31.717-05:00

Whew. Just returned from a whirlwind trip to Playa del Carmen and Cancun, Mexico and at the moment, the frustrations of flying are stronger than the memories of beautiful surroundings and fun friends. Given my Jacksonville, FL, home base, Miami International Airport is a frequent gateway. The good news is the American Airlines terminal is finally in operation. The bad news is that whomever

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-9070705690234437362010-11-30T11:21:00.000-05:002010-11-30T11:21:59.754-05:00

Bonn, Germany, has a lot going for it as Beethoven's home, as a busy stop on the Rhine and as a vibrant city. Too bad my visit was such a fleeting one all we could do was lunch, walk to the house Beethoven was born in and hurry through the town center to catch a ferry across and down the Rhine to Koenigswinter. From its beginnings as a Roman camp in the second century, Bonn became the residence

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-7262836675379900512010-11-19T13:17:00.001-05:002010-11-19T20:27:44.188-05:00

The Romans knew it as Colonia, the Germans know it as Koln, Americans know it as Cologne. By these and any other names, it is a beautiful city on the Rhine, full of good art, a beautiful cathedral, good beer and great fun. One of Germany's oldest cities, by the Middle Ages it was the most densely populated and most prosperous in the German-speaking region. I didn't see nearly enough of it, but

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-78151837988007434282010-11-16T11:28:00.000-05:002010-11-16T11:28:11.524-05:00

March may have its Ides, but for travel lovers, this November has it's 20th because at 10 p.m. that day the bidding ends in the Society of American Travel Writers' annual Travel Auction. To tantalize you a bit, consider this: Current top bid on a $4,422 four-night luxury Bali getaway is $400. Current top bid on two nights each at the Fairmont Banff Springs with breakfast and spa access and at

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-39096843863896653992010-11-11T15:30:00.000-05:002010-11-11T15:30:09.551-05:00

Near Neuss, a pleasant drive southwest from Duesseldorf, art is housed in art atop a former NATO missile base. The Langen Foundation, the private endeavor of art collectors Marianne and Victor Langen, is one of those places you have to know where it is to get there. Understandably so, considering it housed Pershing and Cruise missiles until 1994. During my visit in October, its nearest neighbor

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-23084227222585934572010-11-02T15:53:00.000-04:002010-11-02T15:53:18.274-04:00

Duesseldorf has managed to preserve the charm of its old town, Alstadt,  while redeveloping its Dussel River harbor with a combination of re-purposed and architecturally striking new buildings, making it the envy of other cities worldwide. Beer, mustard, interesting art and architecture fronted by a river to the Rhine with high-end shopping and a quaint, pedestrian-only old town center where you

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-60085257631176097862010-10-29T11:58:00.001-04:002010-11-03T15:01:48.707-04:00

I recently spent two weeks traveling across the waist of Germany and despite arriving on the final day of Oktoberfest didn't hear a single oom-pah band. Saw no dirndls or lederhosen either. Oh there was beer galore but where my trip began in the Rhine valley - Dusseldorf, Cologne, Bonn - karneval, what we think of as Mardi Gras, is much more important. Unlike Louisiana's version, where male

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-17418983856475605432010-10-26T10:49:00.000-04:002010-10-26T10:49:16.071-04:00

Everybody likes a deal and have I got one for you. Each year, the Society of American Travel Writers holds an online auction of fabulous getaways and every year there are amazing bargains snapped up. See for yourself at www.satwauction.com, where you will find, among other tempting possibilities, - an ultra luxurious stay in Bali, - a Fairmont Hotel package for the best of the Canadian Rockies

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-59932439247869018162010-10-18T10:56:00.000-04:002010-10-18T10:56:22.844-04:00

Every year at the end of the Alaska cruise season, Princess Cruises adds up all the "great," "good," "so-so" and "never again" comments from their passengers and bestows awards on top local tour operators out of the more than 200 they've dealt with. So? So, if you're doing Alaska on your own, this is a great guide to the best guides. Here are this year's winners Icy Strait Point: Shore

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-29288510611608837482010-09-29T10:12:00.000-04:002010-09-29T10:12:27.599-04:00

Every road trip needs a destination or three or four and my most recent one led to the 2010 South Carolina Campground Cookoff at the Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area. It was a first for me and having never been a camper had no idea what to expect. I'm not as stringent as a high school classmate who declares she won't go anywhere she can't tip, but I like my bathrooms en suite. I wondered what

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-50607658087751816132010-09-27T11:22:00.000-04:002010-09-27T11:22:48.231-04:00

FLASH I've frequently sung the praises of wonderfully flat, beautiful, historic and fun Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Florida, but the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau has come up with yet another reason to visit. The "Pack Your Bags for Amelia Island" program offers air travelers up to an $80 room credit for checked baggage fees when you stay three or more nights. See why

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-7921629394241745762010-09-22T10:52:00.001-04:002010-09-22T14:09:25.965-04:00

Driving the back roads of America can be as exotic as those of any country in the world. I recently hit the road from Jacksonville, FL, to Blue Ridge, GA, and the Old 96 District of South Carolina. Speed was the priority going up but even on I-75 I found humor, as in the sign: SELL YOUR HUSBAND                           on new cabinets from...  Then there was the working man's  lunch stop I hit

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-44843295944195318322010-09-14T14:41:00.000-04:002010-09-14T14:41:06.523-04:00

When travel bloggers aren't traveling and blogging they travel to learn more about blogging. ASTA, the organization for travel agents, has come to realize the influence bloggers have on the traveling public. So much so that they opened their annual convention in Orlando with a session for travel bloggers hosted by Tripitini which is kind of a Facebook for travelers and travel writers. Three

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-1507813217099877972010-09-08T11:42:00.001-04:002010-09-08T18:17:18.336-04:00

A visit to one or more of the Hill Tribes is on the itinerary for most visitors to Thailand who venture into the Chiang Mai area. While each has its own  distinct culture and costume, the women of most tribes do beautiful handwork - weaving, embroidery and other embellishments. The Hmong, many refugees from Laos, were the first I visited. Theirs was a slash and burn culture, clearing fields with

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-83532951830502589032010-09-01T15:17:00.001-04:002010-09-01T21:32:14.829-04:00

Having dipped our toes in the Eastern Andaman Sea it was time to go west to party central Patong and to sample the luxe life as only a Banyan Tree resort can deliver it. As we were all travel writers, we couldn't just hop in the van and go, we needed a new experience.  Luckily, that meant sailing aboard the Sea Breeze for a Siam Junk Cruise. What a treat. This beautiful, 112-foot long, 23 feet

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-120103720085477892010-08-26T18:30:00.000-04:002010-08-26T18:30:39.631-04:00

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see why Phuket, Thailand's largest island, was, is and will be a popular destination. Lapping its edges, the Andaman Sea is spectacularly beautiful, its brochure-blue waters interrupted by romantic islands, exotic looking watercraft and striking thrusts of karst that form almost hidden coves. The interior is mountainous and precipitous slopes can be

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-75338556491628580762010-08-17T18:22:00.001-04:002010-08-17T18:24:55.054-04:00

You don't have to be horse crazy to fall in love with Lexington, KY, and the charming towns surrounding it. The scenery is idyllic. Gently rolling hills and day-glo green pastures are divided by white or brown horse fencing and spotted with impressive homes, many antebellum, and barns with spires.  The up and down curving country roads lined with stacked stone fences will have sports car drivers

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-45199424774580738762010-08-12T15:13:00.003-04:002011-02-16T15:48:00.974-05:00

Lexington and thoroughbreds go together like bourbon and branch (that's the purest of water in Southern speak). From the horse farms that line every road and the idyllic Keeneland Race Course to the tasteful horse- and dog-themed merchandise that fills L. V. Harkness & Co (not to mention the most extensive and glorious collection of china tableware I've ever seen), you are never far from the real

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-25025571635858231842010-08-09T12:36:00.000-04:002010-08-09T12:36:27.480-04:00

If you love horses, you have to visit Lexington. If you love good food and drink among beautiful scenery and congenial people, you need to visit Lexington, too. I did, as a guest of Visit Lexington to preview the Alltell FEI world Equestrian Games in September-October, but any undue influencing already had been done. One of my early memories was sprawling on the floor listening to a radio

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-20985646632213360032010-08-02T10:04:00.002-04:002010-08-02T15:42:17.423-04:00

Back from hip replacement with a tip for handling stairs, thanks to physical therapists from Brooks Rehabilitation Center. Stairs were a sophisticated answer to building on steep slopes and you can understand how the "nearer to the gods" philosophy of siting the most important structures on the highest points took hold. So I guess it was natural for later architects to manufacture their own

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-41185816991944217682010-06-03T11:46:00.000-04:002010-06-03T11:46:27.302-04:00

Love them? Frankly I never thought of them but a new travel friend, Lucy Tobias, has written a great blog on how much fun they are to walk on. Lucy, author of 50 Great Walks in Florida, is an authority on the authentic areas of the state that tourists too rarely encounter. Tip: And of course it's Florida which is 95 percent flat, Levelers. Her website is a source of many good tips, but see for

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-60884036074693904412010-06-01T17:31:00.000-04:002010-06-01T17:31:51.521-04:00

Levelers, I'm sure you can feel my pain because I'm getting a new hip soon. I'll be off the blogosphere for awhile but I have lots of neat things to share about Thailand and Lexington, KY, as soon as I can sit at the computer long enough to write them (anyone who's had joint replacement knows it takes 3-4 weeks before your brain begins to function properly). So please keep traveling and share

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-32373236893088147732010-05-31T19:28:00.000-04:002010-05-31T19:28:45.337-04:00

St. Simons Island, GA,  packs a lot of fun in its 12 by 3 miles of mostly dry land. Every time I go I find new things to do in the area and more reasons to return. The huge, moss-dripping oaks and canopied roads make me smile.  The expanse of marsh makes me sigh and yes, they belong to the "Marshes of Glynn" made famous by poet Sidney Lanier. The first sight of the ocean and its steady breezes

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-51680303011177634192010-05-27T11:09:00.002-04:002010-05-27T11:46:54.240-04:00

When a St. Simons Island, GA, hotel celebrates its 75th anniversary, you know it's been doing something right. In the case of the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, it's been doing a lot of things right. First there was location - on the ocean with dance floors inside and out. Then there was policy. The other hotel, The Cloister on Sea Island, was marketed to the well-to-do and the K and P

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-63139795388944452172010-04-20T15:29:00.003-04:002010-09-02T18:34:29.944-04:00

 Chiang Mai, Thailand, is known for its elephants, tigers, resorts, parasols, temples, hill tribes and mountains. So what's in it for Levelers? All of the above and more. Old city gates Start with Chiang Mai which means "new city" despite its being 700 years old. Once capital of the Lanna ("a million rice fields") Kingdom and center of Buddhism in Northern Thailand it is now the country's second

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-29630879125857829272010-04-16T11:05:00.002-04:002010-04-19T13:06:30.185-04:00

Here are the latest travel deals for two good Leveler destinations, Amelia Island, Florida, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Family packages, couples' escapes, even a scrapbooking getaway are up for grabs. Be impulsive or at least commit. Stay at the all inclusive Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort on St. Thomas now through May 10 and they'll discount your room by up to 60 percent! That means resort or bay

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-2475788426591034352010-04-09T13:05:00.004-04:002010-04-09T13:34:51.745-04:00

A holiday in Bangkok with its attractions, foods, massages and vibrant street life and nightlife is a dazzling experience for Westerners. Levelers will love it because it is flat and the more contemporary temples don't come with four flights of steep, narrow stairs. Tip: There are stairs to the temples but I never counted more than eight.                               

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-58419845465322863302010-04-05T15:16:00.000-04:002010-04-05T15:16:31.029-04:00

Travel to Dubai is easy when you fly Emirates to points in Asia. Pick a Dubai hotel, select a tour and break your long journey with a fascinating look into the United Arab Emirates. Levelers will travel safer by making a stop. Tip: If you have special needs or could use help getting around, there's a special desk for you between rows A and B in the Departure Hall. There are also electric carts

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-73842830389393158802010-04-05T09:48:00.000-04:002010-04-05T09:48:27.191-04:00

Dawn over the Persian Gulf - and the last moments before the heat descends.Sorry about the gap in blogging, Levelers, but I have been in Dubai and Thailand looking for hot stuff in these two very hot places. Steamy is more like it. As one travel writing colleague remarked, "I want the air conditioning in my room so cold I can open the refrigerator and feel the heat!" No surprise that many

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-62662104284256217012010-03-20T10:59:00.000-04:002010-03-20T10:59:02.606-04:00

Most of us think of Switzerland as a country for hiking, mountain climbing and skiing, but few if any associate it with commuting by boat. Yet that is exactly what I did, traveling from Neuchatel to Murten/Morat along the Canal de la Broye. In the process I arrived in the Fribourg region, the pre-Alps. The Navigation Company runs regular service in the Three Lakes area and is a perfect vehicle

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-31804139673114134712010-03-12T08:57:00.000-05:002010-03-12T08:57:38.527-05:00

Mauler Cellars, Motiers Examine the fine arts of sparkling wines and watch making on an easy side trip from Neuchatel to Motiers and Fleurier. You will be driving through mountainous landscapes, but the roads are broad, good and well marked. Mauler Cellars in Motiers is a good introduction to the little-known Swiss expertise in wine culture. You won't see much Swiss wine in the states

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-38755699645056934622010-03-05T12:03:00.000-05:002010-03-05T12:03:41.650-05:00

We're still in Pays de Neuchatel and I suggest a great, full day side trip up to La Chaux-de-Fonds. Trains leave Neuchatel hourly for the 30-minute-long trip, but it's better by car. There's a great view around every turn and some truly grand overlooks where you'll want to stop and grab the camera. Tip: A car will help keep your walking and climbing to a minimum.  The town, where Switzerland's

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-10217190158984024852010-02-27T11:53:00.004-05:002010-02-27T11:59:41.769-05:00

Traveling on the level in Switzerland, home of the Alps? You bet if you can handle the occasional up and down slant. The trick is to take the country's wonderful trains through the mountains to see what else is there. My suggestion: Head east to the Neuchatel region in the foothills of the Jura Mountains, home to Switzerland's famous watch, cheese and chocolate makers. The old town of

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-84434347275887794292010-02-21T13:42:00.001-05:002010-08-27T10:55:39.124-04:00

You don't need a passport and deep pockets to escape to a private island. You don't need more than a weekend and a reservation from Private Islands of Georgia.  Its flagship, Eagle Island, is a 15-minute-long boat ride from the south Georgia coast and a world away from any vacation you've ever taken. The back barrier island, one of several that has formed between land and Georgia's eight

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-21594661487411395012010-02-17T16:24:00.001-05:002010-02-19T10:20:24.232-05:00

One last China post until I can travel back for more first-hand experience and tips. It's hard to tear yourself away from Shanghai but if you have the time, a great day trip is to Suzhou, the silk and garden city, and Zhouzhuang, the so-called Venice of China. Both are Leveler-lovin' flat although you'll encounter some stairs in Zhouzhuang.   Tip: There are many tours combining the two cities

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-18340010711429179332010-02-09T15:29:00.001-05:002010-02-12T10:06:08.662-05:00

Imagine hundreds of Union Army veterans and their families traveling to Georgia pine country, the heart of Dixie, 25 years after the Civil War. That's what happened in Fitzgerald, GA, a town designed for and built by Civil War veterans. Neighbors still were fighting the war but the soldiers themselves were ready for peace. They found it here alongside their former enemies in a town where streets

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-81453896916416495892010-02-05T09:01:00.001-05:002010-02-05T09:04:10.740-05:00

Imagine a three-day, kick-back island getaway where all you need to bring is what you wear. Where Nature with a capital "N" wanders by your window and where only 32 guests at a time get to see it. Where everything from top shelf liquors, gourmet organic meals, snacks, naturalist guides, boats, bicycles, even bug spray is included in the price. Where you have 7 miles of wide, white beach to

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-84454049113739579102010-02-02T11:25:00.008-05:002010-02-02T11:37:27.733-05:00

The Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions has launched a new marketing campaign - "Just be. In Holland." - and you might benefit. I know, it doesn't send me either but, first, as we all know, Holland is flat so we Levelers enjoy going there. Second, you might win some nifty Dutch things: Fresh tulips every month for a year (Feb. 4).       A Gassan 121 diamond made in Amsterdam (Feb. 11

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-15293415432166711302010-01-29T13:46:00.004-05:002010-02-03T10:45:40.773-05:00

This was the last day of my Yangtze journey and the entrance to a wildly fascinating blend of East-West and what the 21st century has in store. You rise early - entry into Shanghai harbor is scheduled for 8 a.m. and you do not want to miss it. At about 6:30 a.m. we began threading our way down the Huangpa River, leaving the Yangtze to wend its way to the sea without us.  River traffic was

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-20773153739356548672010-01-22T11:57:00.000-05:002010-01-22T11:57:28.544-05:00

Day 4 - Wuhan. The transition to the lower Yangtze is abrupt. Hills and mountains end at the dam's lock. Water runs slower, crops grow to the river's edges. If you've opted for the shorter cruise, this is where you disembark.                                                              Yellow Crane Tower Today's itinerary lists only the Hubei Provincial Museum. Too bad because the Yellow Crane

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-32813570841610537352010-01-18T17:44:00.004-05:002010-01-23T10:39:14.326-05:00

Well, the Yangtze used to be a dragon and was when I cruised down it, but post Three Gorges Dam, it's probably more like a gentle eel than a capricious dragon. The itinerary has changed since I made the trip but I doubt that it is any less memorable. Passenger boats on the Yangtze. Technically, only the stretch from Shanghai to Yangzhou of the world's third-longest river is the Yangtze. To the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-15671241969464059912010-01-15T12:01:00.003-05:002010-01-15T13:13:17.071-05:00

On the Emperor's family bridge in the Forbidden City Tour itineraries - and as a first-timer you'll be glad you're on one - rarely devote more than two days to China's capital which can be a shame or a good thing, especially for Levelers. My introduction to Beijing was like looking through a thick brown scrim; the city and color will be etched together forever in my mind. Someone said a dust

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-48153733191965248212010-01-11T13:12:00.004-05:002010-01-13T09:29:02.037-05:00

It is easier to climb to heaven than travel the Sichuan Road. Li Bai, 7th century China is a stretch if you have any trouble walking or climbing stairs but it's worth the effort, especially for Westerners who will find themselves flabbergasted by its size, culture and potential. My foray into its vastness began in Beijing, shifted to Chongqing, jumping off port for a cruise on the Yangtze

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-24753168741438034962010-01-04T13:38:00.002-05:002010-01-06T15:31:21.737-05:00

The less you pack, the lighter the bag, the easier the trip. We all know that but how is the problem.  I just road tested FRESHhanger, a start toward the solution.  You know how the third time you go to wear a blouse it looks okay but just doesn't feel fresh? If you'd left it in the closet overnight atop a FRESHhanger, it will seem as fresh as when you first

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-6424543783554897232009-12-28T14:07:00.005-05:002010-01-02T11:06:35.410-05:00

There's nothing like a Florida beach for flat as most Leveler travelers know, though the build-up of resorts and condos has added many a step and stair between you and the shore. Not so on Longboat Key, one of Florida's west coast islets connected by bridges to each other and the mainland. Here you can still find cottages and cabins three-four steps above ground level and at least one motel with

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-66648162565584836902009-12-24T10:43:00.002-05:002009-12-24T10:43:28.279-05:00

May whatever you celebrate this time of year be glorious and may the new year bring us all peace, health, happiness and many new, easily traversed destinations plus a return visit to one or two old favorites. Happy holidays and trails! Judy

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-54402943671520373522009-12-15T14:08:00.003-05:002009-12-19T22:18:15.051-05:00

Who knew a botanical garden of cactus - cacti? - could be so interesting? El Charco del Ingenio in San Miguel de Allende came as a surprise to all of us who traveled there. Having the second largest collection of cacti and succulents in Mexico (Mexico City has the largest) in its 167-acre nature reserve doesn't mean much until you see the diversity and hear of the plants' importance to the

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-59457797037918209592009-12-11T14:53:00.002-05:002009-12-12T12:04:06.510-05:00

I had wanted to travel to San Miguel for years - it's been designated a national monument  - no neon, no modern buildings - since 1926. Warning: Located in the Bajio or "low" region of the state of Guanajuato (despite being at around 6,500 feet), it is far from flat but not quite as steeply hilly as the city of Guanajuato. Once called San Miguel de Grande, the city was founded by a Franciscan

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-28090167555239403402009-12-07T12:31:00.002-05:002009-12-10T10:30:39.902-05:00

It's called the Sistine Chapel of Mexico although few have ever heard of its artist. The church, with its graceful, curving lines outside, is a tribute to the suffering of Christ and the martyrs who followed Him inside. While traveling in Mexico, we stopped here en route to San Miguel de Allende. Built in the mid 18th century, the Sanctuary of Atotonilco has been a place of retreat and

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-40452081238371188152009-12-03T11:32:00.002-05:002009-12-10T10:31:30.684-05:00

Shrimp ice cream? Yup. Cheese, guava and tequila too. They're all good - well, maybe not the shrimp so much -  in this city known for Talavera ceramics, ice cream, pork rinds and revolutionary announcements. It was another high spot in our Mexican travels. It was here, then a poor village with a population primarily of Indians known simply as Dolores, that Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-76114233098483231152009-11-30T11:06:00.002-05:002009-12-10T10:32:16.093-05:00

Ski-lift to the beach? That's what you can do when your cruise takes you to Carnival Cruise Lines' Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan, Honduras. The "Magical Flying Beach Chair" takes four people at a time on a six-minute ride directly from the cruise terminal to the line's private beach. Cost: $5 for unlimited rides. Sounds like a good way to eliminate steps, stairs and encounters with

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-52428984915342477982009-11-24T11:43:00.003-05:002009-12-10T10:37:59.363-05:00

After traveling to this must-see destination, here's what I suggest. Enjoy the city. World Heritage Site designations are not given to just any place and you have to walk to truly get the feel of this one. You can taxi from one architecturally significant building to another but it's what's in between that gives Guanajuato its exuberance and character. Where to stay. Can't recommend where my

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-37493004565673487042009-11-20T14:09:00.003-05:002009-12-10T10:35:41.438-05:00

Here's a short list of what to see when you travel here. Museo de las Momias/the Mummy Museum.  These are not neatly wrapped, beautifully packaged Egyptian mummies, but accidental mummies. Dead people whose families could not, would not or were no longer around to pay for their departed's crypt space. Yes, there's a ick factor, but also fascination and a big dose of reality. Besides, everyone

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-17105238267808960462009-11-17T10:04:00.004-05:002009-11-19T10:30:48.779-05:00

"Hilly place of the frogs" is what the Otomis called Guanajuato. Its silver mines were the "Mother lode"  to the Spanish who made it the richest city in Mexico during the 16th century. A challenge is what Levelers will consider its steep hills and winding streets. My new favorite place is the way I think of it. My calves and hip disagreed at the time but they've come around. Tip: Its streets

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-89560366756831083762009-11-13T12:04:00.001-05:002009-12-10T10:40:20.720-05:00

We were probably the only people who traveled to this town without knowing exactly why until we arrived. By bus, bicycle or on foot, devoted pilgrims flock to this town to pray to the small statue of at the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos, known to natives as Cihuapilli, Great Lady. To do so they negotiate steep hills, cobblestones and cracked sidewalks, but the final challenge is ahead.

Judy Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16318216013919007063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9189739342009301442.post-57574905182813667602009-11-10T10:07:00.007-05:002009-12-10T10:45:52.134-05:00

Tapalpa, a "magical" town in the mountains - the description sold me so I signed up for the tour. En route I discovered that "a magical city or town" is one that has hotels and activities for visitors, not necessarily one that is unusually charming or psychic. Keep that in mind as you travel through Mexico. Tapalpa is where Guadalajarans go when heat and work become oppressive, much as

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