by Richard Reid, Clarkston, WA

Since the mid-18th century, Scottish immigrants have contributed to the growth of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere. For those wishing to discover their Scottish heritage, there is no better way than to go to the country from which those immigrants originated.

What usually is discovered, however, is that these ancestors came from small, isolated villages or towns. With that being the situation, the best approach is...

by Jane Albusche, Contributing Editor

I’d wondered why Grand Circle Travel named its European river cruise ships after composers or musical terms (Debussy, Ravel, Concerto, Harmony and so on). After the first few days aboard the M/S River Melody, the answer was obvious: our September ’07 cruise, “Romance of the Rhine & Mosel,” had a soothing yet swinging rhythm and was as fun as a German beer hall song.

It’s incredibly relaxing to have your “hotel” travel with you from...

by J. Norvill Jones, Alexandria, VA

Iran has been demonized by our government and the American news media, but is it really part of an “axis of evil”? As one who spent much of his working life dealing with foreign policy issues, I am inherently skeptical of government pronouncements. In April 2007 I went to Iran to see the country for myself.

The plan

Iran is an ancient land of proud and friendly people where many villages have been continuously inhabited...