By May S. Ruiz Oxford, England, located in Oxfordshire (51 miles north of London), is best known for its university – the oldest in the English-speaking world and, quite possibly, the most esteemed institution of higher learning on earth. There was some form of teaching there as far back as 1096. Unlike at other university…
If you are in desperate need of a better work-life balance you might already be planning your next vacation. Planning and dreaming about days spent on the beach or hiking in the mountains is great until you need to figure out how you will pay for your travels. It’s time to get off the couch…
By Greg Aragon The stars twinkled through the treetops like a million Christmas lights. A crackling fire provided warmth. And a harmonious concert of croaking bullfrogs, chirping crickets and a trickling stream served as background music. It was a great first night at El Capitan Canyon campground. Our getaway to El Capitan began when we…
By Greg Aragon I am always looking for fun and inexpensive getaways to tell my readers about. So when I heard about a giant, beautiful park in Irvine, with a big hot air balloon and bunch of cool free things to do, I had to investigate. My recent getaway began when a friend and I…
By Greg Aragon I always dreamed of staying in a French chateau, sipping wine beside a serene lake. And while I knew this day would come, I didn’t think it would be in the Palm Springs desert. But this is exactly what I discovered on a recent getaway to The Chateau at Lake La Quinta, the only lakefront hotel in the Palm…
By May S. Ruiz I love college towns – they’re typically alive with students either hurrying off to lecture, tutorial, or the library, or leisurely heading out for a cup of tea with friends. Mingling with the young crowd are usually tourists with a map in hand, trying unsuccessfully to find a specific site on…
By Greg Aragon Southern California has so many great beach towns that it is sometimes hard to choose one to visit. While most are beautiful and perfect destinations, some are more crowded and touristy than others. One of my favorite, quieter beach towns is Redondo Beach, where charming hotels and a historic pier set the stage for relaxing near…
By Donna Polizzi The Central Coast Wine Region has become a modern- day gold rush. People are jumping on the bandwagon, and in some cases, “can wagon.” Wine bars, wineries and breweries are popping up all over the California Central Coast. Talking with owners and wine makers has revealed that this industry has become a…