If you found yourself on an island out in the Gulf of Mexico 70 miles west of Key West, where do you think you might be...in another country, or perhaps another state? You would still be in the USA and in Florida and would probably be visiting Ft. Jefferson on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas.

New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball - A tall impressive figure in a black cape entered through the backstage door greeted by a woman who would soon enchant the crowd as the Pierrot. The master of ceremonies had arrived and the party could begin...blast off would be more like it!

The exploration of old inns, especially those with a history of haunting, has always fascinated me. I made the three-hour drive from Tampa to St. Augustine on a chilly morning in January. Visiting the “oldest” city in America was something I had wanted to do for some time but life kept getting in the way. As soon as I exited the highway I knew this was a special town, after all, it isn’t everyday that one gets to visit the oldest permanent European settlement in North America.

If you're short on time, but long for sun-soaked adventure, Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas provides a different pace and a magical place. You'll find something to satisfy your every whim, whether it be snorkeling with stingrays, relaxing on a beachfront hammock or bartering for local crafts at the straw market. This is assuming that you feel like getting off the ship.

There is no better place to spend Presidents' Day weekend than in Washington, DC, the place where it all began. The original version of the holiday was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday. George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. Washington's birthday was not only celebrated during his lifetime but also before he was president. Without George Washington's generalship there may never have been a presidency.

One day my husband and I found ourselves with nothing to do - no work, no appointments, no obligations of any kind. This is a rare occurrence in our lives, especially since the arrival of our son last summer. I, being the travel fanatic that I am, was resolute to go somewhere, anywhere. It had been a long six months since we had moved from New Jersey to Florida, marked with the stresses of a cross-country move, the new experience of raising an infant and beginning a new job with no time off. We decided to take a trip to Tarpon Springs because it was somewhere we had never been and because the locals praised two points of interest there.

Everyone knows the story of George Washington. He was America's most famous founding father. He was the legendary general who led the fight against the British forces in the revolution that changed the world. He was the first president of the United States. However, most people never hear about his more personal side.

As we drove along the Elbe River in the early hours of the morning I kept my doubts to myself. Having never climbed before, I was a little nervous. Since I had already commited to the trip, I couldn't back out now. Not to worry though, our group would be led by two experienced climbers from Kreisel Outdoors, so there was nothing to be nervous about. What a terrific opportunity to actually climb real rock, up in the mountains rather than some climbing gym in the city. And I wasn't afraid of heights at all - or was I? As I saw the large rock towers looming in the distance I couldn't remember.

It is the geographical diversity which makes Peru so fascinating. Peru has three distinctive geographical regions: a narrow coastal belt, the wide Andean mountains and the Amazon Basin. The coastal strip, which is predominantly desert, contains Peru's major cities and an abundance of sea life and mysterious archeology.

Some call the island the Jewel of the Atlantic, while others call it a lover's paradise. Perhaps the secluded coves and miles of pink sand beaches make this one of the most romantic settings in the world. Or maybe it's the private beach villas overlooking aquamarine waters. Elegant and sophisticated, with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, Bermuda is unique with its breathtaking beauty, friendly people, warm hospitality and diverse vacation activities. From the moment you arrive, you'll fall in love with the charm and beauty of Bermuda. And you will soon see why this is the ultimate retreat.

International travel frequently means visiting exotic locales, meeting interesting people and always learning something new. If you’re ready to travel to a country that is interesting and affordable and doesn’t require a marathon airplane trip, it would be Peru.

From the moment you cross the Piscataqua River and enter the state of Maine, you are in a new world. Life is a little different here. The pace is relaxed, the people are friendly and the air is fresh with the sweet scent of pine. The usual hustle and bustle of the Northeast is left behind and replaced with tranquil days filled with scenic vistas, quaint fishing villages and rustic inns.

On a brisk October morning I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock at 6:00 a.m. sharp. In an hour I would be ready to lift off on a fun filled hot air balloon ride to a destination unknown. I had wanted to fly in a hot air balloon since my childhood days in Indiana where I would watch an occasional balloonist fly over my grandparent's meadow. There was something magical about watching a colorful balloon drift by while I chased after it hoping the pilot would land near our home.

The time portrayed is that of the 1770's, just prior to the American Revolution. In this living museum, townspeople, or "interpreters" as they are called, live and work within the town and literally bring the 18th century era to life. Throughout the historic area these interpreters perform tasks as they would if they lived in the 18th century. There are working silversmiths, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, milliners, printers, wig makers, basket makers and tavern owners. There are also people playing the role of famous Revolutionaries of the time like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry.

The sun was just poking out from beneath the horizon as I rolled out of my bed at Cherry-Crest Farm. The clock read 5:00am, it was time to milk the cows. Milking waits for no-one, especially a city slicker. On my way to the barn, the sight of the eighteenth century limestone farmhouse and dairy barn paired with open pastures and rolling hills made me feel happy to be out of the city. I listened to the distant sounds of cows and chickens, and watched as cornstalks gently swayed in the morning breeze. I was as far away from city life as I could get and I loved it.

A relaxed drive just south of Tampa transports visitors to an older, simpler Florida. Longboat Key is a throwback to an earlier Florida, when fishing for seafood rather than tourists was a way of life. Tucked between Bradenton and Sarasota, this quaint 12-mile long island offers a slower pace where entertainment is as simple as a stroll down the beach or a sunset dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

The sun is hot, almost too hot as you stretch out on your black inner tube. As you drift lazily around the creek's bend, a noise appears, faint but you recognize it well. That faint noise quickly becomes a low roar. Gradually becoming louder, you notice that you are tensing up a little. You look ahead but all you see is the gentle rippling of calm water. Moving faster now, that noise becomes a very loud roar. Looking ahead, this time you see the calm water end as the water sprays into the air and the rapids begin. Your adrenaline rushes and your breaths come quicker as you get your first look at what's to come.

When people think of Mardi Gras, the celebrations in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro often come to mind. I have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans once and I can only describe this raucous revelry as an opportunity for people to do things that would be illegal in their hometowns. I saw more drunken debauchery and exposed male and female anatomy during my three days in New Orleans than I had seen in my entire life! Many people don’t realize that there are many other Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans. This year, I went off the beaten path and experienced Mardi Gras in Lake Charles, Louisiana.