Famous landmarks frequently hold some surprises proving that history often hides their many secrets. Famous global sites achieve landmark status by transcending local geography to become symbols of human achievement, natural wonder, or shared global history. These world-class landmarks generally meet distinct criteria that elevate them to international recognition.They are instantly identifiable by people worldwide, often serving as the visual representation and defining imag

UK Border Force Officers checked all passports, and verified travel documentation for UK entry. Our good luck stayed with us weather-wise because Wednesday proved to be another sunny day as we continued our journey on the Seabourn Ovation. The ship docked in Lerwick in the Scottish Shetland Islands at 8:00 AM. Shortly thereafter at pre-designated times, all cruise passengers had an immediate and mandatory, UK face-to-face border inspection. Passports were presented to UK Bord

The flying public will not be the only ones beyond the security checkpoint under the Gateside plan. TSA PreCheck is a US Government trusted traveler program that provides expedited security screening at more than 200 airports across the United States. It’s traditionally been associated with travelers who already have a boarding pass in hand, but that's changing with the launch of Gateside by TSA PreCheck. The new program allows eligible TSA PreCheck members to pass through ai

Sunrise in Iceland in early June is magical as it never really dips far below the horizon at all. Monday dawned very early on the Seabourn Ovation as we were so close to the Arctic Circle, but thank goodness for black-out drapes. When we did awaken at 7:00 o'clock, we were greeted with yet another cool but sunny day. By 8:30 in the morning, we were docked in Djupivogur, a small, picturesque fishing village in Iceland’s Eastfjords. I decided to skip the room service breakfas

Safety is first and foremost for flight attendants, taking precedence over all customer service duties. Turbulence is something most passengers dread. Flight attendants, however, are well-rehearsed in necessary safety procedures, often dealing with turbulence on a daily basis. Sometimes turbulence can be predicted and other times it occurs without warning. Safety is always their first priority and there are strict procedures which flight attendants follow to keep everyone abo

Despite having 11 passenger decks, the Seabourn Ovation accommodates only 604 guests on board. After a day of cold, wet and jet-lagged touring in Reyjkavik, we enjoyed a wonderful nine hours of warm, uninterrupted sleep. Come Saturday morning, we were delighted to note the weather was being more cooperative. While still very cool, the sun was shining and the skies were blue, which made for perfect sailing weather. So, we were more than ready to hit the ground running and look

Charles Lindbergh was only 25 when he touched down at Le Bourget Airport after his famous flight. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it has a much shorter history than other major European airports such as London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) or Frankfurt (FRA). It opened in 1974 as the newest airport to handle the capital city’s exponential aviation growth and has expanded significantly since that time. Paris' fi

The mountains surrounding Reykjavik offer a dramatic backdrop to that city's skyline. Visiting Iceland was a long time “bucket list” item for me. Iceland's booming appeal comes down to its dramatic, alien landscapes and its reputation as one of the world's safest, most progressive countries. Travelers love Reykjavik because it acts as a cozy, culturally vibrant basecamp that puts otherworldly natural wonders within easy reach. The city is located in Southwest Iceland on the v

Riding in the open biplanes of the 1920s with the noise and the wind was not for the feint of heart. Most people today have access to relatively easy and economical air travel, thanks to modern and efficient airliners. Whether for a relatively short domestic flight or a long haul between continents, modern aircraft have expanded the horizons of air travel. It was only a little over a century ago that international air travel began. The first regular international passenger fl

The United Club at RDU features snacks and hot food items as well as a bar and comfy seating. It was with a great deal of love and pride that Diane and I traveled to the Rocky Mountains in late May to attend our eldest granddaughter’s high school graduation. That our son Nicholas and daughter-in-law Jessica could themselves have a child who reached such a milestone was hard to fathom, but time flies by quickly without regard to our sensibilities. Starting out from the Raleigh

The CAB flag and seal alongside a flight attendant uniform at the National Air and Space Museum. Prior to 1978, air travel in the United States was tightly managed by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). Established in 1940, the CAB was an independent agency of the US Federal Government and controlled which airlines could fly specific routes. It also dictated ticket pricing and effectively prevented new competitors from entering the market. This regulatory system was intended t

Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto enjoys a booming and extensive waterfront culture. Our neighbor to the north holds great allure. Sharing the longest stretch of relatively undefended border in the world, the proximity of Canada to the United Sates fosters deep familial, cultural, and travel connections with both nations enjoying a similar standard of living. Most of that nation's southern strip stretches along the US border, which fostered early settlement. In

There are many unique hotels worldwide that push the boundaries of traditional architectural styles. Why settle for a routine hotel stay when you could, perhaps, spend the night in a giant hollowed-out potato? Or maybe you’d like to sleep in a former jail cell or even bundle up in a room made entirely out of ice? While keeping within their preferred guest program, most frequent travelers choose their hotels to maximize rest and relaxation after a day of business or sightseein

Doing business in India requires patience, building trust and navigating many layers of bureaucracy. After a good night’s sleep at the Rambagh Palace Hotel upon arrival in Jaipur, I faced a few days of a professional conferences and any number of meetings. Doing business in India has often been described as a high-reward, high-complexity endeavor, frequently likened to a "surprising marathon" due to its mix of massive opportunities and unique logistical, regulatory, and cult

Utilitarian military transport aircraft lack the interior aesthetics often found on commercial airplanes. Military transport aircraft are often based on civilian counterparts. Others are custom-built in response to bids or tenders issued by governments for aircraft to meet specific needs. Military aircraft are designed to withstand more extreme conditions and are built or modified to fly at higher altitudes than civilian aircraft. One of the key differences between commercial

Jaipur, India's first planned city, was painted pink in 1876 to welcome Albert, the UK's Prince of Wales. I had occasion to visit India on an annual basis every January and normally went to larger cities like Delhi or Mumbai. One such trip to the subcontinent, however, took me to Jaipur, the capital and largest city of the north western Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is affectionally known as the Pink City and is a captivating destination that blends rich history, stunning

Airport confusion is a common phenomena caused by unfamiliar terminology and sensory overload. For an aviation enthusiast or frequent flyer, navigating through any airport feels like a routine visit to school, where you know where all the classrooms, labs, and facilities are located. But, for those who don’t travel frequently, finding their way around an airport can often feel like getting lost in a maze. Even if airports have the clearest signage and the friendliest custome

The impressive Manor House of the Graylyn Estate features 85 guest rooms and elegant dining rooms. For some time, we’ve wanted to visit the Graylyn Estate in close-by Winston Salem, NC and selected Easter Weekend as the time to make this trip with two other couples. The estate is set on a 55-acre historic property. It includes a boutique hotel designed by Luther Snow Lashmit built in 1932 for Bowman Gray, Sr., the former president of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and his

The busiest airport in the world handles an average of over 2,100 to 2,500 daily arrivals and departures. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport on the planet. Last year, the airport processed more than 106.3 million passengers, eclipsing the second and third-busiest airports; Dubai International Airport (DXB), through which 95.2 million passengers were processed, and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) which welcomed 91.7 million. With so mu

ANA dominates Haneda operations, utilizing it as a primary hub for domestic and international routes. After several days in Tokyo, it was time to say goodby to the city and the lovely Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I had booked another flight with All Nippon Airways and, as this was a domestic flight to Hiroshima, it departed from close-in Haneda Airport. That airport is only a short, nine-mile distance from the hotel and it didn’t take long for my taxi to navigate the Tokyo traffi