During World War II, the White Cliffs became the powerful symbol of home, hope, and firm resolve. Disembarkation day on the Seabourn Ovation after our 7-day Iceland and Scotland cruise arrived soon enough. On Saturday morning we awoke at 6 o'clock and, while enjoying coffee in the suite, were treated to a wonderful view of the famous White Cliffs of Dover before docking at that city’s port. This famous English coastal landmark in Kent faces France across the Strait of Dover.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With Japan's deeply rooted traditions, there exists a profound sense of both harmony and discipline. Japan is an alluring nation and a fascinating mix of old and new, from Tokyo’s bustling neon streets juxtaposed with its serene temples and traditional tea houses. This nation is also a paradise for food lovers offering sushi, ramen, tempura and street food that emphasizes precision and quality. Japanese cities are world renowned for being safe, clean, and quiet, with incredib

Portland is a vibrant Pacific Northwest city known for its eco-friendly culture and lush green spaces. Portland, Oregon, known as the "City of Roses," is the state's largest city and is located in the Pacific Northwest at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Although I had never traveled there, I was anxious to make my first visit for two days in springtime time some time ago. Famed for its eco-friendly culture, craft breweries, diverse food cart scene, and

Considered one of the safest large US cities, San Diego also enjoys mild, sunny and dry weather. It was on a Friday in May several years ago when I had the pleasure of traveling to San Diego for a weekend business meeting. San Diego is a premier travel destination due to its near-perfect year-round weather, 70 miles of stunning coastline (including La Jolla and Coronado), and world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park . The city boasts a unique blend of la

Denver is a premiere travel destination with many world-class outdoor, cultural and sports attractions. It had been a while since I’d traveled to the Colorado Rockies to visit family. Normally, I’d schedule such a journey to Dillon, CO, in November to avoid the worst of the winter weather. But, that month found me in Dallas pursuing my Presidential Library quest (see my post of January 24, 2026 titled A Charge to Keep ). As a result, I opted to travel in late January. Aware

Edinburgh is one of the world's most beautiful cities with stunning architecture and a rich history. While my business travels took me to many wonderful places, I was very excited to visit Edinburgh in Scotland a number of years ago and scheduled the trip to take place on my way home after several days in Munich, Germany. Edinburgh is so beautiful and reminiscent of the old-world, thanks to the city’s stunning architecture. Medieval buildings and neoclassical structures make

The streets of Bridgetown, Barbados are lined with brightly painted Colonial-era buildings and homes. Although I briefly touched upon the Island of Barbados in a post dated November 15, 2025 titled The Caribbean Beckons , a single paragraph does not do it justice. The allure of Barbados lies in its perfect blend of stunning natural beauty, from turquoise Caribbean waters to rugged Atlantic coasts. Add to the mix its vibrant Bajan culture , which is a blend of West African and

The Sixth Floor Museum chronicles the legacy and 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. My extra day in Dallas was spent visiting the infamous Texas School Book Depository Building . It was at this site from which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the shots which assassinated President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This is one of the most well-known crime scenes in the United States and indeed, one of the 20th Century's most famous. Even after the passage o

The White House years of George W, Bush is well detailed in his Presidential Library and Museum. After a restful sleep at the Westin Dallas Park Central Hotel , I had the buffet breakfast at the lobby's Urban South Restaurant . From there, I headed off to Southern Methodist University in order to visit the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, arriving on campus shortly after the center's opening hour of 9:00 AM. The 207,000-square-foot facility opened in 2013 and

The National Archives Building is headquarters for the National Archives and Records Administration. As any reader of this blog post knows, I’m an avid American history buff and have made it my mission to visit all of the Presidential Libraries in chronological order. These libraries are archives and museums established by the US Government to preserve the papers and artifacts of American Presidents and their administrations. Their archives contain millions of pages of docum