Passengers aboard a New England to Canada cruise oftentimes visit Sydney, located on Cape Breton, an island that is part of Canada’s second-smallest province, Nova Scotia. Last fall, my Celebrity Cruises itinerary included an eight-hour stop in this port.

It’s officially summer in the northern hemisphere. Days of beach frolicking, no alarm clocks, park picnics, and RV tours are met with nights spent following the trail of fireflies, roasting that perfect marshmallow, and watching nature’s evening show as the sun meets the horizon.

These are the cherished days of summer where traditional schooling is flung by the wayside and finding fun reigns supreme.

The birthplace of Zeus, the home of the Minotaur, Daedalus’ labyrinth (and Ariadne’s clue), the launching place of Icarus – where are you? Why, Crete, of course! The largest of all the Greek islands, Crete is one of the most beautiful – and historic – places in the world.

The Chapel of Bones is an amazing, if not eerie, place to visit in Évora, Portugal. Decorated with the bones of 5,000 dead from the local cemetery, this room certainly gives you a chill when you step inside.  Apart from the Chapel of Bones, what else is

Any visitor to Portugal will tell you that the architecture is a must-see. While you’re there, why not arrange your driving plans to include an architectural tour of Portugal?

Salivating over the various bakery finds – from oversized carrot-cake muffins heavy with icing and thick slices of flourless chocolate cake, I came across an intriguing find: vegan chocolate mouse. Packaged in a nondescript plastic cup with a gold "VEGAN" label, I thought at best it would satisfy my sweet tooth and at worst it would taste a bit like chocolate-imbued gritty pudding.

When you are working on creating something, or solving a problem, or sorting out choices, travel is often a good way to give you new perspectives on what is going on, to refresh your thoughts, to give you new ideas. That is as true when you are considering day to day life or the course of world events. 

The city of San Antonio is celebrating 300 years since its founding by Spanish friars and Spanish settlers with historic events all year. That’s why the “Summer in Spain” initiative focuses specifically on the city’s artistic Spanish heritage.

Something most people don’t consider when making their packing list is what exactly they are going to pack. If you need help with a packing list, check out one I put together.  While you plan to pack 10 shirts, do you have an idea of what you plan to actually pack? 

One way to enhance a travel experience is to stay at an historic property. These distinct sites offer a glimpse into the region’s culture and history and set the tone for daily and evening adventures. Price points and room styles vary from location to location. My trips have included a sparse room at a former U.S. Army barracks to an opulent suite at a restored Asian palace. Each experience has demonstrated why it’s important to occasionally select an historic place as a place to stay.