In the summer of 2000, my best friend and I backpacked through New Zealand and Australia. We decided to make Fraser Island, off the coast of Brisbane and heralded as the world's largest sand island, a stop on our travels. At the time it was cheap livin' so we were camping. We took a ferry and trekked to our campsite, enjoying the scenery but worrying that daylight would run out before we got to our spot.

We enjoyed our first evening, feasting on dried noodles reconstituted with hot ...

Hi,

For one of our best hotel experiences, I would have to name the Hotel Arberg Hospiz in Saint-Christoph, Tirol, Austria because of its "above and beyond service".

Some years ago, we returned there on a Saturday evening for a week of skiing with both of our suite cases missing. I was coming from Germany, and the train baggage service had lost my suitcase. My husband was coming from the States, and his suitcase had not made it either.... We literally just had ...

My best travel experience may not be so exciting after all... my wife and I went to the home country of Bungee Jumping, New Zealand. Of course, I wanted to try out, but I'm not the yougest any more, and looking down that gorge nearly required the purchase of a new pair of pants. But hey, when does one get to go halfway around the world, and so chickening out was not an option. I got on the bridge, got the bungee tied to my legs, and crawled to the jumping ramp. I may have not jumped, but I have ...

On our way to Patagonia (Chile and Argentina), we decided to break the flight and to spend a day and night in Santiago before heading further south and another three nights in Santiago before flying back to Miami.
For years, we avoided Chile**, but decided it was time to go.
Using Marriott Reward points, we reserved a room at the Santiago Marriott (points are more fun to spend than money). On-line booking was a snap and our one bedroom corner suite (thanks to Platinum upgraded accommodations) ...

In the Adirondacksgreat camps and cozy cabins dot a vast wilderness of magnificent mountains and lakes. Historic inns offer legendary hospitality and dining amid rustic elegance.
Even though the Adirondacks are almost in our backyard, in late September, we took a 5-Day break and let the Adirondacks, with its lush forests, sparkling lakes and majestic mountain peaks provide the magnificent backdrop for some culinary adventure.

Day One

Before we began our tour, we spent ...