A surprisingly delightful attraction in the city of Big Bear Lake is the Moonridge Animal Park and Wildlife Center. Located at the base of Bear Mountain Ski Resort in the San Bernardino Mountains, this rare alpine zoo is only a two-and-a-half hour drive from Los Angeles. Unlike many animal parks, the Moonridge Zoo exhibits animals […]
Tucked away on the northeast corner of the remote Azorean island of Santa Maria is the quaint village of São Lourenço. Formed by a volcanic eruption eight million years ago, the crescent-shaped bay is all that remains of the ancient caldera. Steep, rocky cliffs terraced with grapevines and dotted with charming whitewashed cottages surround this […]
Nestled between the rugged foothills of the Alps and the deep, cerulean waters of Lake Como lies the comune of Varenna, Italy. Only an hour’s journey north of Milan, Varenna’s idyllic natural setting has drawn visitors from the bustle of the big city for centuries. Evocative old buildings in shades of ochre, umber, and saffron line […]
This week’s Snapshot is of Segovia, Spain—one of the most enchanting places I’ve ever visited. Set high on a rocky hilltop, the walled Old Town of Segovia exudes all the charming character of medieval Europe. Because of its proximity to Madrid, tourists often think of it as a day trip destination, but to me it’s […]
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed attending the Tournament of Roses Parade yesterday morning. Sure, I only got about 2 hours of sleep and had to brave freezing cold temperatures, but overall it was a relatively hassle-free experience with a beautiful and memorable payoff. I took the Gold Line light-rail train to […]
