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A moment of discovery in Mexico
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photo: Jim Ferri
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A rewarding aspect of travel is discovering the unexpected. I had one of the moments recently.
I was in Mexico City, and decided to take a quick side trip to San Miguel de Allende with my friend Greg. He's lived and worked in Mexico for many years and since he's raved about San Miguel for as long as I have known him, I had set my sights on it.
I rented a car and despite having gotten a late start (I was pushing the car hard to make up time) when I saw a sign for Querétaro we decided to stop even though we knew it would delay us more. I turned off the highway and with Greg directing, we headed for the old part of the city.
We bounced along the cobbled streets and after finding a parking spot, set out on foot for the center. A few minutes later the two of us had our moments of discovery.
It was about 9pm on a Friday and as we headed towards the plaza we stumbled upon a little park bursting with activity. A group of teenagers were gathered by a small fountain off to the side, as parents sat on benches chatting with friends while children ran and played all about them. The mini-park quickly tumbled into the old colonial plaza...
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Where are those Charleys at the airport?
 Whatever happens to all those Charleys at the airport? You know, the ones gate agents keep making all the announcements about - "Attention, Charles Someone-or-Other, this is the final boarding call for flight 10 to Nashville at Gate #5. Your flight is departing in (pause... look at watch) five minutes."
I'm in a boarding area at Ft. Lauderdale Airport and I've just heard another Charley call. Like others around me I'm going about my business but secretly waiting for him to come bounding across the concourse any moment now. After all, they've been calling him for at least ten minutes.
And then the coup de grâce..."Attention, Charles What's-Your-Name, the plane door will close in one minute." Still no Charley. (photo: David Lytle)
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The world's best music festivals
 Grab your tent and your sunglasses -- the summer music festival season is upon us once again.
Whether it's the world's biggest festival in Wisconsin or a rock fest at a Japanese ski resort, there will hardly be a weekend without a major music festival somewhere in the world from now until September. CNN provides its picks of the best upcoming music festivals of 2011 throughout the world. (photo: parttimemusic) Read the full article |
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The 5 best places to kiss in Rome
When most travelers think of romantic cities, they think of Paris. Stealing a kiss at the top of the Eiffel Tower or ducking into an intimate café to gaze  into each other eyes is indeed priceless.
But not so fast, Paris!
There's also an endless supply of romantic spots in Rome. The Eternal City inspires romantics from every vista, piazza and fountain. Looking for the perfect spot to profess your love? The hardest part will be narrowing down your options!
Nicole Arriaga of EuroCheapo provides her choices of the five most romantic spots in Rome. (photo: Neo II)
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The top 10 beaches in the USA
After years as a head-turning bridesmaid in the best-beach rankings, Sarasota's Siesta Beach is finally the bride.
The wide slice of brilliant white sand and warm, emerald water on Florida's southwest Gulf coast was named the best beach in the United States Friday in an annual survey by Florida International University professor Steven Leatherman, who is also known by the friendly nickname "Dr. Beach."
Siesta Beach, 40 acres of almost pure quartz crystal sand on the Siesta Key barrier island, was runner-up in Leatherman's rankings the past two years and was third in 2008. (photo: Roger Wollstadt)
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Texas theme park for visitors with special needs
The carousel has chariots for wheelchairs. Braille games decorate side panels on the jungle gym. And table-high sandboxes allow just about any kid to build a castle.
 Morgan's Wonderland aims to offer everything a special-needs guest might enjoy at a theme park - while appealing to non-disabled visitors too.
The result is both inventive and heartwarming: a 25-acre, $34 million park catering every detail to people with physical or mental disabilities, down to jungle gyms wide enough to fit two wheelchairs side-by-side, a "Sensory Village" that's an indoor mall of touch-and-hear activities, and daily attendance limits so the park never gets too loud or lines too long. (photo: Nan Palmero)
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Seen Along the Way
 | | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, at sunset / photo: Michael Caven |
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NeverStopTraveling video 
Travel to New York City for a short tour of the High Line, a park built on a former elevated railway spur, and now popular with both residents and tourists (click image for video)
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