by Judy Hodges, Denton, MD

It quickly becomes apparent, upon arrival, why France and Germany have fought over the boundary lines of the region in France known as Alsace. Here you will find some of the gentlest riesling and finest pinot wines produced anywhere. Add to this the marvelous combination of German and French cuisine (there are more Michelin-starred restaurants here than anywhere outside of Paris) and you can appreciate the advantages of having the influences of two cultures...

by Fred DeVinney, Oakland, CA

In May ’04, my wife, Jean, and I and friends Cass and Marlene Candell embarked on a wonderful private tour of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Manu Wildlife Reserve in the jungle headwaters of the Amazon in Peru, followed by a week in the fabulous Galápagos Islands.

The cost of this 24-day tour, put together by Elizabeth Sanders of Tropical Nature Travel (Gainesville, FL; phone 877/827-8350 or visit www.tropicalnaturetravel.com), was $4,500 per...

A misty sky hovered over a pastoral patchwork of emerald and lime. White-capped waterfalls cascaded in glistening sheaths along the green hillsides and weaved through the wild heather and forested terrain. In the distance, a glimmer of sunlight struggled to lighten the lavish landscape drenched by days of rain.

“Looks like a bit of sunshine. Not very typical for Ireland, love,” said our bus driver, John, with a cheery lilt that belied the inclement weather.

We edged our way...