British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley...

Wine and Dine your way through this HOSPITABLE REGION WRITTEN BY ROBYN ROEHM CANNON Growing luscious table fruit has always been a mainstay for farmers in British Columbia’s Thompson Okanagan Valley, which lies in the center of the province, with the Vancouver mainland and Fraser Valley on the west and the Rocky Mountains on the east. But this semiarid high-altitude region is also perfect for growing grapes, and...

Dreaming of a Vacation Home?...

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) – Been dreaming of a vacation home? Somewhere warm to get away? Or maybe a cabin in the woods? Prices are right if you can afford it. The median price of a vacation home was $150,000 in 2010, down 11.2% from a year earlier, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday. In contrast, the national median for primary residences fell only 4.5% in 2010, according to NAR. “The fall in...

Tips on Maintaining Your Vacation Home...

How you’ll maintain your vacation home might not be at the top of the list as you shop for a beach cottage or mountain cabin, but it should be. You’ll need to devote time and money to handling routine home maintenance and responding to emergencies. Hiring a professional property manager can ease the maintenance burden, but not the price tag. An informal arrangement with a local caretaker can be cheaper. Doing the work...

Take a Trip to Las Vegas to Chase Away Your Winter...

It’s easy to dismiss Las Vegas as simply a city full of gambling and nightlife. But there’s much more to the City of Sin than casinos, nightclubs, and risqué performances. With its mountainous desert landscape, excellent dining, and proximity to some of the most impressive national parks in the country, Las Vegas is not only for high rollers but also for foodies and outdoorsmen alike. From five-star dining and exclusive...

Toast Washington Wines in Boutique Wineries Near S...

After California, Washington produces more premium wines than any other state in the country. This article has many tips on what to do and taste if you’re in the area. Washington State is recognized for many things: Mount Rainier, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and cherries and apples, just to name a few. But this Pacific Northwest state is also the largest producer of premium wines next to California. In recent...

Destination: Boston...

Boston is a great place to visit, with much to do and see. This U.S. city has a lot to offer its visitors. Some call it “Beantown”—the locals say “Baaastin”—but either way, Boston, Massachusetts, is one of my favorite places. Surprisingly walkable, its unique neighborhoods are filled with colonial-era history, beautiful parks, diverse culture, culinary excellence, world-class museums, and shopping. Here are some...

Planning an International Trip? Here Are a Few Tip...

For those of you lucky enough to be planning an international trip, here’s some things to consider before boarding:   Most of us have mastered the art of domestic travel with weekend trips to Disneyland and road trips to national parks. But when we switch the destination to a far-flung locale, we’re at a loss as to how to prepare for our vacation and, even, what to do once we’ve arrived. Everything from language...