Until I started working as an inspector, one place I never considered visiting was the remote and tiny city of Churchill, Manitoba.

But thousands of visitors flood the tiny town in October and November, for the sole reason of seeing polar bears (the town is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”). ... Read More

Thousands of visitors are expected to fill the streets of Indianapolis throughout the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012.

While many of those out-of-town guests will dedicate their time in the Circle City to football-related activities, it’s important to realize that Indianapolis has many other types of attractions and offerings. ... Read More

Modified from story written by William J. Purpura and originally appeared in AAA's Home & Away magazine.

Bobbie Thomas’ path to NBC’s Today show is best described as unconventional. During her three years of graduate studies, she volunteered as an advocate and counselor at the Valley Trauma Center in Van Nuys, Calif., a rape crisis treatment facility.

Later she served as the West Coast editor and columnist for two national teen magazines, J-14 and Twist. Soon, Thomas found herself moving from print to television, doing work for Fox, CNN, VH-1, MTV, ABC, Style Network, E! News and Extra.

Her work is part fashion, part beauty and part female empowerment. ... Read More

Things don’t always go as planned. Two years ago, when I was 38, I ran down the ramp at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium and crossed the marathon finish line in just under four hours. Perfect, I thought. Two more years, and I’ll be 40 and in prime condition to finally qualify for the Boston Marathon.

But that was then. Now, as my Aer Lingus flight taxied toward the gate in Dublin, Ireland, things had changed. I was now 40 and still had my Boston Marathon dreams but qualifying in Dublin wasn’t on my mind. ... Read More

Baltimore is known as the Charm City – and I must admit, I was charmed by it.  Since I was tasked with shipping my son’s vehicle to Germany at the Port of Baltimore, I thought I might as well spend some time poking around the city. 

It was a pleasant, stress-free six-hour drive from Cleveland to Baltimore. As always, the AAA TripTik provided accurate, easy-to-follow directions. (And I still don’t trust a GPS.)

My home for my two-night stay was the Hampton Inn Downtown Convention Center. This Three Diamond hotel is located across the street from Oriole Park at Camden Yards and close to a couple of attractions that I was planning to visit. Public transit stops are just a few blocks away.... Read More

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said, “There’s no such thing as fun for the whole family,” but Fort Worth is one place that might prove him wrong. 

My previous post on the Fort Worth Stockyards (Fort Worth: Cowboys and Culture, Part One) emphasized the cowboy influence that is both part of the city’spast and present Residents here, however, may be even more proud of the cultural gems Fort Worth has to offer with its myriad of museums and attractions that can accommodate every member of the family. ... Read More

Farmers markets are great places to pick up quality produce and specialty foods straight from the source, I also like the fact that you’re giving back to the farmers, growers, bakers, butchers, cheese makers and others who labor to supply us with tasty and (usually) healthy things to eat.

So when I ended up in St. Louis on a travel assignment, I made it a point to visit the Soulard Farmers Market, which has been in business in one form or another since—believe it or not—1779. 

The market is in Soulard, a riverside neighborhood just south of downtown. The area, with its old redbrick buildings, is a bit on the gritty side, but the location is convenient for a big-league market that serves as a vital link for regional farmers to get their products to the people. ... Read More

One of the best ways to experience the historic city of Boston is to walk its famous Freedom Trail. The 2.5-mile trek winds its way throughout the city and highlights some of Boston’s most noteworthy sites.

I traveled to almost all of the locations listed below and enjoyed an informational walking tour that I took at my own pace. From start to finish, the Boston Freedom Trail sites are marked by a red brick pathway and include: ... Read More

I visit Las Vegas about every other year, and I place my first bet on the fantastic entertainment this city has to offer for visitors, even for those in town just for a few days (three days is my usual length of stay). 

I’m a really pathetic gambler, so I’ll knock a few bucks in some slot machines while in town, but the sure thing for me in Sin City is the access to world-class entertainment. I know I will leave far richer for the experience of  seeing fantastic live performances — especially the unique entertainment of Cirque du Soleil. ... Read More

Who doesn’t enjoy going to a farmers market? You’re buying fruits, vegetables and other foods directly from the source. You’re in the fresh air rather than within the confines of a supermarket. You can nibble and nosh on the spot.

You also can meet friends and turn the outing into a relaxed social occasion rather than the “Oh no, I’m out of milk, which means I have to stop at the store on the way home from work even though I don’t have time” urgency of yet another grocery run. In fact I can’t think of anything not to like.... Read More