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Vidu Gunaratna

by Marita Acosta

Last month marked the 50th anniversary of the release of Jaws - which changed the movie industry - and as I rewatched it, the impossibly picturesque maritime settings and endless beaches awakened in me a nostalgia for the light, colours, sounds, and tastes of summertime holidays. It was then I discovered that the film's fictional Amity Island is actually ritzy Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, a 45-minute to hourlong ferry ride from Cape Cod.

Come summer, one of

New York City is a dream destination, but it’s no secret that it can be expensive. The good news? You don’t need deep pockets to enjoy the energy, culture, and excitement of the Big Apple. With some smart planning, you can soak up the best of NYC—from iconic landmarks to local hotspots—without draining your wallet. And if you’re looking for an authentic, less touristy vibe, don’t miss Manhattan's Lower West Side, a dynamic area packed with charm, history, and affordable fun.

Free & Cheap Things

Mountain Lake Lodge, other photos by Victor Block unless otherwise noted

Is there any pop culture fan who doesn’t know "nobody puts Baby in a corner"? Even plenty of youngsters who weren´t born when Dirty Dancing was made still have a soft spot for this 1987 romantic drama. And of course its mystique also is being kept alive as a hit musical on London´s West End, with a Broadway version expected later this year. So imagine revisiting this iconic flick at its original locale - and seeing with yo

 Claudio Schwartz

The premier cultural and economic hub of the United States, "the city that never sleeps" is a melting pot of diversity, energy, and iconic landmarks. From towering skyscrapers to historic neighborhoods, from world-class museums to scenic parks, the city´s five boroughs - the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island - offers a plethora of attractions to explore, and everyone should visit at least once A first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, here are the top 10

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Whatever your politics, the capital of the United States is a delight to visit, with a charming, attractive cityscape on a distinctly human scale and bursting with culture, history, and even romance. And it doesn´t have to be a wallet-buster, either - in fact, Washington DC is arguably one of the best destinations in the world for free options!

Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.

Free Monuments/Landmarks

The abundance of free museums and well-known landmarks here is one of the city's greatest fe

This winery is more than just a producer of fine wines in the heart of Sonoma County's picturesque landscapes.The story of Balletto Vineyards is woven into the very fabric of this wine-rich region, and it´s as captivating as the wines it crafts. Come along with us as we discover the secrets and stories behind Balletto, where passion and tradition meet, and every bottle of wine is a testament to the dedication of its maker. And browse our online wine store for a curated collection of Balletto Vin

Sean Pavone

The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and I go way back, as one of my earliest travel memories, in the 1970s, though my family only visited Minneapolis and the also appealing city of St. Cloud, about an hour north. And of course one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, was set in Minneapolis.

And while Minnesota ranks somewhere around the middle of U.S. states in terms of tourism popularity, it does boast one of the country´s top draws – the Mall of the Americas

Perched on the edge of the Kenai Peninsula, a four-hour drive south of Anchorage, this attractive little town of around 5,500 boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural splendor, including unparalleled views of Kachemak Bay, the Cook Inlet, and the Kenai Mountains, Homer also serves as a gateway to adventure and tranquility, from the rugged outdoors to the serene waters of Kachemak Bay, Founded by gold and coal miners in the 1890s and with a much more temperate climate than mainla

Monserate Vineyards and Winery genuinely has it all.  Along with a group of fellow food, wine, and travel writers, I was fortunate to be hosted to an afternoon of winetasting and lunch.  The Gird Valley winery was previously the Fallbrook Golf Course for more than half a century.  Jade Work, erstwhile professional golfer and golf course developer, and his wife Julie, purchased the 116-acre property in 2016 with a vision to create a winery that would sustain and preserve the land, with its lakes

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The Granite State is blessed with more than 20 great winter resorts, most of them in the White Mountains in the north center of the state, around a two-hour drive from capital Manchester and 2½ hours from Boston, and most of them are just as enjoyable to visit for nature and adventure activities the rest of the year when the snow is gone. So to give you a flavor of what winter fun New Hampshire style is like, here´s my pick of the top half dozen (all in the White Mountains unless

Killington Ski Resort


Beyond its cozy small towns/cities and quintessential New England vibe, the Green Mountain State may be small but punches way above its weight when it comes to ski resorts, with a whopping 24 - many ddeveloped in the mid- to late-1950s - offering a mix of family-friendly slopes, challenging terrains, and picturesque settings. And here´s a quick look at are a half dozen of its best, most of which also have a good range of other winter activities as well as cool stuff to d

tomwachs

The capital of the United States may not be among the first places you´d imagine when looking to travel for Christmas. But it, too, is decked out in twinkling lights and holiday finery, combined with its amazing cultural richness, seasonal events, and human scale (no skyscrapers here!). Despite the sometimes toxic politics taking place here, DC is actually a very cosy, welcoming city - and a great place to spend the holidays.

Lights, Trees, and Markets

One of DC´s holiday highlights is the

The "Big Island" of Hawaii is the largest of the state´s eight islands, and full of extraordinary natural, historical, and cultural wonders. and here are ten not to miss on your visit here:

´Akaka Falls State Park

Visiting this 11 miles from Hilo involves a half-mile hike to a pair of lovely waterfalls, Kahuna Falls and the spectacular ´Akaka Falls, plunging from a cliff into a pool 442 feet below. A natural must!

Anaeho'omalu Bay

In the island´s northwest, 20 minutes or so north of Kailu

A two-hour drive from San Francisco, northern California´s Sonoma County with its picturesque landscapes and wineries producing world-class wines is an utterly enchanting haven for oenophiles seeking an unforgettable getaway. There are plenty of historic sites and other fetching spots, including the 201-year old Spanish Mission San Francisco Solano; the former Russian trading post Fort Ross, founded in 1812; the ranch of iconic 20th-century writer Jack London, woodsy resort area Russian River;

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It may be among the USA´s least visited states, but the Great Plains grasslands and rolling hills of the Cornhusker State are home to some great travel experiences, from stunning natural vistas to big-city sophistication to charming small towns (including several with fascinating ethnic backgrounds, including "Irish capital" O'Neill, "Czech capital" Wilber, and "Danish capital" Dannebrog).  To give you an idea, here are a half dozen of Nebraska´s most worthy draws:

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Lincoln

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There’s something universally charming approximately a sundown – it’s a reminder of the splendor in transitions, the herbal ebb and waft of time, and the promise of a brand new day. From golden sands to mountain peaks and bustling towns, some places around the sector offer views that turn sunset-watching into an unforgettable experience. Here are a number of the most beautiful locations where sunsets take center stage, painting skies in enchanting colors, much like the comfort and support of a h