Although Eurodisney Paris has lots of fun rides and attractions, unless you’re the best parent in the world, it’s probably not real high on your list of things to do in Paris. If you’re like many people, shopping is at or near the top.

But if you can find a volunteer to go with the kids to Disneyland Paris Resort, you can spend the day at La Vallee Village, the outlet mall that’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Disney park entrance. If you’ll have the kids in tow, there’s a play area for them at the Village. Read more…

Everyone knows that the French make incredible red and white wine. But their rose wine is also fantastic, albeit sometimes misunderstood.

When I told a friend that we loved the rose wines we drank on our recent trip to France, she turned up her nose and said, “Isn’t that like Kool-Aid?”

The truth is that most American roses, if you can even find them, aren’t very good. We went to the California wine festival yesterday in Santa Barbara, and of the 350 wines they poured, probably fewer than 5% were roses. Of those, only one was even slightly dry. Read more…

Being sick is always a drag. But being sick when you’re away from home is doubly so. Toughing it out in a strange hotel room with none of the items that might make your feel better is miserable. In fact, the only thing that’s worse is being on a crowded plane or train, unable to sleep or get any rest.

We’ve been stricken in Africa, South America, Alaska, and Europe, and an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. And though you can’t prevent everything, you can stack the odds in your favor. Read more…

With some of the top flea markets in the country going strong for years now, L.A. needs another flea market like it needs a hole in the head. But Southern Californians are so crazy for flea markets that too much is not enough. In fact, the only thing more popular than flea markets is food trucks. And some brilliant entrepreneur got the idea to combine the two.

The new L.A. Flea Market debuts on July 18 in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium. The grand opening will feature the Hollywood Yard Sale with items donated by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and other celebrities. Proceeds from sales will benefit the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center. Read more…

Around 500 BC, the Etruscans discovered a plateau of volcanic tufa high above the valley and founded the town that would become Orvieto. Today, it has one of the most spectacular settings in the region.

The top attraction in Orvieto is the Cathedral or Duomo. Construction of the church began in 1288 and employed more than 350 architects, painters, sculptors, and mosaic artists. It blends both the Gothic and Romanesque styles beautifully. Read more…

Liguria is one of the most enjoyable places in Italy for travelers. From glamorous Portofino to sleepy fishing villages, the province offers a wide range of experiences. And wherever you choose to go, you’ll likely have terrific food – pesto is a specialty here – and fabulous coastal views.

The area has long attracted poets and painters, including Shelley and Lord Byron. And thanks to the Rick Steves guidebooks, the five towns of the Cinque Terre were discovered by Americans decades ago. Read more…

Eurodisney Paris, AKA Disneyland Paris Resort, is easy to reach from almost anywhere in Europe. If you’re going there or to Walt Disney Studios, you have plenty of options in all price ranges.

If you’re flying to Paris and going straight to Disneyland from there, Air France uses a VEA shuttle bus from Roissy/Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport. The shuttle is included if you purchase your air as past of a package through Disney. During peak times, the shuttles leave three times an hour, seven days a week. The trip takes 40 minutes and costs 18 euros, 15 for children. Read more…

Southern California flea markets have something for everyone. Whether you’re a serious collector, or just someone who appreciates one-of-a-kind items, you can find something cool for a great price, if you follow a few simple steps.

If you’re looking for something specific, do some homework in advance. Go online and get an idea of what fair market value is for the item you’re trying to find. Then, figure out which flea market is most likely to have a vendor who carries it. Read more…

Having just returned from the Cote d’Azur, we can endorse the idea that Santa Barbara is the American Riviera. Located on a gorgeous stretch of coastline where the mountains tumble down to the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.

You’ll likely enjoy perfect weather and sensational food and wine during your visit. And many of the hotels in Santa Barbara have ocean-view rooms, so you can enjoy the scenery as soon as you open your eyes. Read more…

Rome is one of the world’s great food destinations. Whether you’re savoring a slice of pizza bianca at Campo de Fiori or enjoying a gelato on the Spanish Steps, eating great food is an integral part of Roman life.

In addition to world-class Italian restaurants, charming trattorias, and homey pizzerias, Rome also has wonderful food store, bakeries, and markets where you can sample incredilble meats, cheeses, sweets, produce, and more. Read more…

We’ve recently returned from Provence and the French Riviera, and Arles was one of our favorite spots. The city first flourished under Roman rule – and there are several impressive sites dating from Roman times, impressive medieval architecture, and delightful squares where you can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine.

Virtually everything is within walking distance. And Arles hotels and restaurants provide great value for money. Read more…

We’ve just finished two weeks of driving around the South of France, and for the most part, it was a very pleasant experience.

After picking up our rental car at the TGV station in Avignon, we visited St.-Remy-de-Provence, Arles, l’Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Aix-en-Provence, Cap d’Antibes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, and Bormes-les-Mimosas, without any trouble. Read more…

Avignon is one of the most interesting cities in France. In 1309, Pope Clement V disliked all the politics in Rome and decided to move the Papacy to Avignon. A couple of subsequent Popes chose to remain in Avignon, and in 1335, Pope Benedict XII began construction of the Palais des Papes, which dominates the city today.

It’s an imposing place, and surprisingly secular. After the revolution, it was used as a prison and later a barracks, so most of the Papal splendor is long gone. Read more…

As far as we’re concerned, no visit to Paris is complete without spending some time in its marvelous flea markets. Always a place of incomparable style, Paris has produced exquisite art, decorative objects, and fashion, as well as wonderful, whimsical souvenirs. And flea markets have it all — from the sublime to the silly.

If you’re looking for something truly unique for a special gift, or a treasured memento, check one out. Take cash, keep an eye on your wallet, and de prepared to do a little bargaining. Read more…

Santa Monica Beach is one of the most appealing places in Southern California. The beach itself is terrific with more than three miles of golden sand. You can surf, bike, sun, or ride the Ferris wheel. And there’s great shopping and restaurants along Ocean Avenue and at the popular 3rd Street Promenade.

You’ll find Art Deco hotels that date from the 1920s, bungalows, and luxurious, ocean-front resorts where guests want for nothing. Read more…

Although it’s now part of Croatia, the Istrian peninsula is very Italian in feel. The Italian town of Trieste is less than 15 miles away, and Venice is just across the Adriatic.

Fans of Lidia Bastianich know that the chef grew up here and many of her recipes combine Italian tradition with local ingredients. Truffles are a specialty of the region. Read more…

With some of the best views in the world, sizzling nightlife, and balmy breezes virtually all year long, Miami is one of the best cities in the world for roof bars. Once the sun sets and the temperature drops, there’s no more appealing place than a sybaritic roof-top terrace high above the city.

Many are open only at night and on weekends, but some are open in the afternoon when the view is completely different. Read more…

While you’ve probably heard of Santorini and Mykonos, you may not have heard of Skiathos. It was first developed in the 1970s and today, its sandy beaches, quaint villages, and vibrant nightlife make it a popular vacation destination. And Skiathos hotels take advantage of the stunning scenery.

If you’ve ever seen a calendar with photos of the Greek Islands, you know that the water here is crystal clear and absolutely gorgeous. Read more…

One of the five Cinque Terre villages, Manarola has some of the best hotels in the area. Few views are more breathtaking than the first glimpse of the town on the path from Corniglia. From here, the village is almost vertical with pastel houses piled on top of one another. Surrounded by black rock, the emerald bay beckons you to take a dip.

Winemaking, fishing, and producing olive oil are the order of the day here. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample all three. Read more…

Unlike Paris, where department stores were part of Baron Haussamans’s grand plan, Rome’s grandi maggazzi aren’t all that grandi.

They’re actually pretty small – the big stores are in the new shopping malls on the ring road that runs around Rome’s perimeter. But you can certainly find whatever you’re looking for in Rome’s department stores, and many are located near Via Condotti were luxury labels like Versace and Dolce & Gabbano are located. Read more…