CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR BY GIVING YOURSELF THE GIFT OF LUXURY BEDDING

Each January, I like to start out the New Year by treating myself to a household item that will enhance not only my well-being, but will add a touch of luxury to my everyday life.

Since most people get the recommended 8-hours of sleep nightly, that translates into close to 3,000 hours annually that we spend in the comfort of our beds. So it makes sense that our bedding should be a top priority, as life is definitely too short to put up with stiff and scratchy sheets!

I didn’t quite realize that my sleep experience on certified 100% Egyptian cotton would make such a difference until I snuggled into them for a test drive. The first thing I noticed is that these sheets have a soft, silky-smooth feel (which remains after washing, by the way).  The best Egyptian cotton sheets are reputed to help absorb excess moisture from your skin, helping to regulate your body temperature all night long.

As an added bonus, my Pure Parima sheets arrived artistically boxed, making them a perfect gift for friends and family for any occasion. In fact, I did just that as a gift for my niece’s recent wedding, and she reported that it was the most thoughtful, practical and luxurious gift she had received.

For more information, visit the Pure Parima website. 

Sweet dreams!

EXPERIENCE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO RIDE THE VINTAGE #4014 BIG BOY TRAIN

We were among a few national journalists who had the opportunity to ride the Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy 4014 as it made it way across a 23-state railway network to bring the railroad’s rich heritage to vintage train fans, young and old. This gallery will take you on an intimate tour of the Big Boy #4014 as it departs the San Antonio Sunset Station on its historic ride to Houston, Texas.

Enjoy our USATODAY 10BEST ARTICLE for intimate photos of this journey. A complete gallery of our Big Boy photos can be found at the BIG BOY 4014 PHOTO GALLERY.

FROM JOANNE'S KITCHEN--TRY THIS SUPER EASY RECIPE FOR ITALIAN WALNUT PASTA SAUCE

This hike through the Italian Dolomites is nothing less than spectacular Photo courtesy of Overseas Adventure Travel

Since the holidays are in full swing, I wanted to share this old family recipe, taught to us years ago when we visited our Italian relatives in Northern Italy. It was autumn and the walnut crop was at its peak. Our cousin, an accomplished cook, brought us into her kitchen and taught us this oh-so-easy creamy walnut sauce.

After our quick and delicious lunch, we took a marvelous hike on a trail which took us past the famous Dolomite mountains, delighting in the awe-inspiring scenery. What a perfect day that was and a travel moment we will not forget—not to speak of learning a new recipe that we served over the years we celebrated with family and friends. It is always a hit!

Enjoying this pasta on our patio here in San Diego California ©Joanne DiBona Photography

Our article on this old family recipe was recently published on USATODAY10BEST with step-by-step photos of how to make this sauce with nothing more than a blender—or a mortar and pestle, for those who really want to prepare it in the traditional style.

Note: the cream in this recipe can be replaced with non-dairy substitute as a vegan alternative.

Savor The Beauty of Europe's Rhine River on an AmaWaterways Cruise

Enjoy our photo gallery of a glorious cruise down the Rhine River on the AmaWaterways AmaMora, from Amsterdam to Basel, published recently on USATODAY 10BEST

In addition, check out our CRUISE PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY to enjoy a detailed compilation of each part of this magical trip along one of Europe’s most picturesque rivers.

The medieval city of Strasbourg is one of the many excursions offered on this Rhine River cruise.

©Joanne DiBona Photography

Joanne & Tony DiBona Receive Top Honors for Their Travel Journalism

The DiBona team did it again! We were recently honored with a First Place Award by the San Diego Press Club in its 49th Annual Excellence in Journalism Award competition in the category of Online and Daily newspapers, International Travel. Our original photo essays of travel destinations around the world, published in USATODAY 10Best, caught the eyes of judges, and we came away with this prestigious prize.

We are grateful for this acknowledgment of our hard work and dedication in bringing the natural beauty of this earth, as well as the unique culture of towns and cities around the world, to the eyes of our readers through photography and the written word.

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

AmaWaterways Unveils Longest River Cruise Aboard One Ship for 2024

There’s no question about it. Travel consumers are looking to book extended river and ocean voyages these days, probably for a number of reasons. Retirees with a passion for travel and unlimited time on their hands are looking to make the most of their cruise, and a 7-day trip doesn’t quite fill their longing for immersive travel experiences.

As for younger travelers still in the work force, it is possible now to combine business and pleasure. As a result of the recent pandemic, more and more people are working remotely and they realize they can do this from any part of the world—including from a relaxing cruise ship on a leisurely itinerary.

Cruising through the Iron Gates Gorge between Serbia and Romania, photo courtesy AmaWaterways

So the recent announcement from AmaWaterways that reservations are now open for its historic 2024 Seven Cruise Journey, offering an epic 49-night itinerary on board the luxurious AmaMora, is definitely of interest to the cruise lovers out there, no matter what their age.

“Since the debut of our Seven River Journeys in 2021, we have received tremendous demand from travelers who are looking to spend extra time immersing themselves in beautiful destinations throughout Europe,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “With the widespread popularity of these immersive longer itineraries, we are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Spring and Summer Editions showcase enriching itineraries on board a single, award-winning ship – making it easy for guests to sit back, relax and enjoy the unparalleled experience of cruising seamlessly between the North Sea and the Black Sea visiting the historical sites and rich culture of the 15 countries in between.”

Guests who reserve their spot on AmaWaterways’ Seven River Journeys for 2024 will have the opportunity to dive deep into each region’s unique history, cultural traditions, and savory cuisine and wine, while being treated to a variety of exclusive experiences along the way. For the first time, the 2024 journeys will include a 7-day exploration of the Danube Delta visiting six new towns along the way and showcasing a special folkloric event in a new port, Giurgiulesti, Moldova.

Seven River Journey: Spring 2024 Edition

Embarking April 22, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands and disembarking June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania, guests will explore the hearts of 15 fascinating European countries in full bloom while gliding through legendary rivers and canals during the Seven River Journey: Spring 2024 Edition.

Seven River Journey: Summer 2024 Edition

The Seven River Journey: Summer 2024 Edition is the reverse journey of AmaMora beginning on June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania and ending on July 29, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Guests will enjoy summertime sailing the complete length of the Danube before passing through the history-making Main-Danube Canal onto the Rhine, Main, Moselle rivers and finally enjoying the Scheldt, Maas and Waal waterways of Netherlands and Belgium.

In addition to the locally influenced fine dining and hand-selected wines that AmaWaterways’ is known for, the 2024 Seven River Journey itineraries will also include complimentary gratuities both on board and ashore; a variety of new, unique small group excursions; complimentary laundry services; commemorative gifts; and a dedicated Cruise Manager and the same attentive crew throughout the voyage. On board, guests will be delighted to find spacious staterooms with AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies and top-notch amenities such as a relaxing sun deck, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room, complimentary bicycles and daily entertainment including cultural performances.

To book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.

FROM TRAVEL ITEMS TO SKIN CARE, READ ABOUT MY MOST RECENT FINDS

IT’S A “SHOE IN” GOING THROUGH SECURITY WITH THESE INNOVATIVE SHOES

These stylish and practical slip on sneakers can make going through airport security a breeze.

Going through the security checkpoint at an airport can be a headache and a hassle. And YES, unless you have Global Entry you can make your way through security without removing your shoes. However, know that many airports in countries around the world still require you to remove your shoes when passing through security, even with Global Entry status.

Needless to say, trying to quickly remove and put your shoes back on can have you hobbling around and potentially forgetting important items in the process.

KIZIK SHOES are a stylish and perfect answer to this problem. They feature a patented heel design so all you have to do is slip your toes into the shoe and the heel will compress so your foot can slide all the way in. Then, once your foot is in, it will spring back into place securing your foot in the shoe. Sneakers are now as easy to put on as slides or flip flops. You can view videos of how the shoes work on the website.

THIS SIMPLE ACCESSORY CAN HELP YOU KEEP ORGANIZED—AND ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT MORE

“Get Organized” and enjoy your flight more with this ingenious product

If you travel as much as I do, you know how frustrating it is to find room in the airline pocket in front of you for all the accessories you need during your flight. That’s when the SERENITY ORGANIZERS TRAY ORGANIZER will be your new best traveling companion.  Just slip it over the tray table and organize items like electronic devices, magazines, water bottles, sanitizer sprays, eyeglasses, snacks and more.

It’s also great for parents with kids! You’ll also enjoy knowing you have a clean surface to use. When you depart, the organizer magically transforms into a drawstring tote to pack up your items. The organizer is washable, so a quick laundry wash will get you ready for your next trip. Simple, but genius!

ANTIDOTE TO A LONG HOT SUMMER: WHISPERING WILLOW BODY OIL

After a long hot summer here in San Diego, my skin was showing signs of stress. So I was delighted to have been given the opportunity to sample the WHISPERING WILLOW body oil (both the lavender and eucalyptus & mint versions).

Smooth away dry skin with this natural body oil

I need to preface this review by saying that I only use and endorse natural products which are cruelty free. Whispering Willow definitely fills those criteria. The skin oil immediately soaks into my skin, without leaving a heavy oil feel, and I see a definite improvement almost immediately. The generous 4.5 ounce bottle, with an attached pump, will definitely provide skin relief for many weeks, if not longer.

These products are handcrafted by a small team in North Carolina, and the company donates 10% of their profits to charities each year.

STREAM2SEA, PROTECT YOUR SKIN—AND THE OCEAN

Know you are helping to protect the ocean when you use these biogradable products

In keeping with my love of natural and biogradable products, I was happy to try out some of the sustainable Stream2Sea products  founded by Autumn Blum, a certified dive instructor and chemist with a mission to set a new and reigning standard for sustainable, ocean-safe body care products and sunscreens. Loving to swim in the ocean as I do, it’s a good feeling to know that my efforts to protect my skin from sun damage will not harm the ocean’s delicate ecosystem. I was happy to try out some of the sustainable STREAM2SEA products, founded by Autumn Blum, a certified dive instructor and chemist with a mission to set a new and reigning standard for sustainable, ocean-safe body care products and sunscreens.

Her Every Day Mineral Sunscreen is unique as it was formulated to become even more effective when it comes in contact with water. You can’t get any better than that!

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES' NEWEST ITINERARY TAKES YOU ON A SPECTACULAR TOUR OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER AND THE NATION'S MOST FAMOUS NATIONAL PARKS

American Cruise Lines proudly announces a brand new 15-Day National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary for 2023. This incredible voyage is the country’s largest land-cruise package and the first-ever coupling of a river cruise with the mountain states’ national parks. Operating between Portland, Oregon, and Jackson, Wyoming, American’s National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary includes an 8-Day cruise, a special Jet Boat adventure in Hells Canyon, and a 7-Day land exploration through Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks. The National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary is available to book now.

2023 guests will begin their National Parks & Legendary Rivers journey along the Columbia and Snake Rivers as they re-trace the epic route traveled by Lewis & Clark. Along both rivers, American’s guests can immerse themselves in the history of the famous expedition, admire breathtaking landscapes of the diverse passing scenery which changes dramatically throughout the journey—from splendid views of the Pacific in Astoria to lush alpine meadows, to high desert canyons to the picturesque sight of snow-capped Mt. Hood. Guests will also enjoy guided immersive experiences both on board and on shore each day—diverse opportunities include active excursions like kayaking along the Columbia River Gorge to more relaxing experiences such as wine tastings at local wineries along the Hood River.

As the adventure continues on land, guests journey onward into the National Parks where they can explore the Parks’ magnificent glacier carved peaks and valleys, dense ancient forests, and pristine turquoise lakes. Guests will experience Yellowstone’s world famous geyser, Old Faithful, and be able to enjoy firsthand the majestic wildlife that still freely roams in Grand Teton National Park today. Special highlights include an exhilarating Jet Boat ride through Hells Canyon; visits to Mammoth Hot Springs, Lake MacDonald, and Jenny Lake; plus overnights in scenic Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and breathtaking Jackson, Wyoming.

Itinerary & Inclusions:

All American’s Columbia & Snake and Mississippi River cruises include a Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay in every departure city across the country. Everything on board American’s ships is included (all fine dining, snacks, drinks, cocktails, evening entertainment, and daily enrichment & lectures). There are also included shore excursions in nearly all ports, as well as some premium experiences which are available for additional fees. American Cruise Lines also offers Flat Rate Domestic Air Fare for all U.S. River & Coastal cruises.

The National Parks portion of the itinerary includes a dedicated American Cruise Lines’ adventure guide leading guests throughout their entire journey; accommodations in centrally located hotels; transportation to the parks each day; park entrance fees and fully curated experiences within the parks; all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); and transportation at the conclusion of the adventure to the airport in Jackson, Wyoming.

ALMOST HEAVEN: Enjoy a fall road trip through the picturesque towns and landscapes of West Virginia

Enjoy our photo gallery of our WEST VIRGINIA FALL ROAD TRIP which published recently on 10Best USATODAY.

Want to explore more images of this road trip through this “Almost Heaven” state? Our WEST VIRGINIA PHOTO GALLERY will take you through a photo tour of our adventures during this picturesque drive through the state.

Holland America Line Invites You to "SEE THE WORLD FROM YOUR DOORSTEP"

Cruising is finally making a come-back, to the delight of all of us cruise aficionados who find it one of the most luxurious and care-free ways to travel. Unpack once, wine and dine to your delight, and watch the beauty of the world roll by from your stateroom, outside deck or any number of scenic venues on board your ship.

While the actual cruise voyage represents the height of relaxation, getting to your port-of-call on time is another matter. With flight cancellations and delays at all-time highs, the thought of “missing the boat” is always lurking in the minds of potential cruisers.

And rightly so.

Any one of many factors can be responsible for delaying your arrival at your port-of-call, and you can’t avert them all without factoring in a pre-cruise stay of several days, which can add significant expense to your vacation budget.

In addition, the loss of luggage on airlines also seems to be at an all-time high, so if you are not “carry-on” travelers--which we are after years of travel experience--be aware that you may make your cruise connection, but your luggage might not!

Case in point: On a recent river cruise through France, we commiserated with a couple whose luggage was lost somewhere in the mid-West and never showed up in Paris for their cruise. They ended up buying T-shirts at the local market, and washing out the clothing they initially traveled in each night to wear each day of the week’s voyage!

So it wasn’t a surprise to learn about Holland America Line’s new “See the World from Your Doorstep” campaign. Those who want to avoid a long-haul flight can sail roundtrip from Boston, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego or Seattle with Holland America Line. The brand has more cruises over 15 nights roundtrip from these U.S. ports to destinations around the world than any other cruise line, visiting 225 ports in 91 countries.

Holland America’s Koenigsdam docked in the Port of San Diego

photo credit: Holland America

A recent survey by Cruise Critic found 82% of U.S.-based respondents would prefer to book an international cruise that sails from a domestic port than to fly to an international port. Holland America Line offers four Grand Voyages, all roundtrip from the U.S, for travelers who want to circle the world or explore Africa, South America or Australia.

Month long cruises include a roundtrip itinerary from San Diego visiting Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas, or a roundtrip departure from Boston visiting Greenland, Iceland, Norway and the British Isles.

In addition to extended voyages, Holland America Line also offers vacations 15 nights or less to popular locales like the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada, Alaska and Mexico roundtrip from a U.S. departure port and from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

 We’re looking forward to sailing out of our home port San Diego on a Holland-America cruise soon. Just a 15-minute ride from home to the Port of San Diego, we’ll launch off to experience the wonders of the world. Can’t ask for a better deal!

For more information about Holland America Line, call SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Sail down the Nile and discover the mysteries of ancient Egypt on the Viking Osiris, the line's newest river ship

Viking® today named its newest river ship, the Viking Osiris, with a celebration in Luxor, Egypt. As part of the intimate event, the company’s first ceremonial godfather, George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship—an evolution of the naval tradition that dates back thousands of years.

Designed specifically to navigate the Nile, the state-of-the-art ship was built at Massara shipyard in Cairo and will sail Viking’s bestselling Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Osiris is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. The vessel features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace.

During the 12-day, Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Beginning in late 2022, guests will also be able to visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum.

Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day, round-trip voyage on the Nile River, featuring Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan.

Guests also visit a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.

The naming of the Viking Osiris comes as Egypt marks several key events this year, including the highly anticipated opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum outside of Cairo on the Giza Plateau and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by the world’s most famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter, and his benefactor and co-explorer, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.

Viking Osiris docked on the Nile All photos courtesy of Viking Cruises

“Egypt has always drawn curious explorers for its rich history and ancient antiquities, and ever since we first began operating on the Nile River in 2004, our guests continue to be amazed by the country’s many cultural treasures. Today we are pleased to officially welcome the Viking Osiris to our growing fleet on the Nile River, which allows us to welcome even more curious explorers to this incredible destination,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.

Visit our YouTube channel to view the Discovery of King Tut Exhibition that was presented at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Sail Down the Seine River to Normandy on an Unforgettable Viking River Cruise

There is no better way to see the wonders of Europe than on a river cruise. This particular Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy exceeded all expectations. Not only were the cuisine and ambiance exceptional, but we had the opportunity to experience the history, culture, and beauty of this area from the comfort of our suites, with the opportunity to hike, bike, and stroll through some of the most beautiful areas of Europe on stops along the way.

Follow our story on our USATODAY10Best site.

View our original photos of this trip on our PHOTOGRAPHY SITE

Listen to a candid interview with a couple celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary on board had to say about their experience.

We’re always happy to answer any questions from our readers. Just send us a message at joannestravels@gmail.com and we promise to respond.

Holland America Cruise Line's Entire Fleet is Now Sailing, operating 240+ Cruises in the Past Year

Holland America Line's guests and team members celebrated an important milestone recently, marking one full year of a return to sailing after the cruise industry pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nieuw Amsterdam was the line's first ship back, resuming cruising July 24, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. The ship reached the one-year mark while in port in Whitter, Alaska.

Over the past year, Holland America Line's 10 remaining ships restarted in a variety of destinations as ports opened to visitors. In addition to Alaska, the brand has resumed travel to Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, Northern Europe, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South Pacific. Before the end of the year, the ships will return to Australia/New Zealand and South America/Antarctica.

The highly anticipated 71-day Grand Africa Voyage sets sail in October 2022, while the 128-day Grand World and 74-day Grand South America and Antarctica voyages depart in January 2023; Asia itineraries will resume in February 2023.

Fun Facts and Figures Since the Return to Service in July 2021:

• Cruises sailed: 242

• Different ports visited: 169

• Nautical miles sailed: 502,565 (577,950 miles), enough to travel to the moon and back two-and-a-half times

• Glacier visits in Alaska: 122

• Team members welcomed back on board to serve guests: 12,287 (98 different nationalities)

• Unique shore excursions operated: more than 2,000

• Funds raised for On Deck for a Cause: $210,000

• Meals served: more than 6,500,000

• Specialty coffee drinks served: 700,000

• Beers consumed: 1,117,306

• Soda, water and juice consumer: 3,235,855

• Entertainment: more than 25,000 performances

• Trivia questions asked: 76,000

• Floral arrangements: more than 60,000 fleetwide on cruises

For more information about Holland America Line, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

ENJOY THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY OF BAJA CALIFORNIA WITH UNCRUISE ADVENTURES

Take a virtual tour of the unparalleled beauty of Baja California’s Sea of Cortez on our USATODAY 10BEST photo gallery of our adventure on Uncruise Adventures as we sail along the rugged landscape of the “World’s Aquarium.”

Looking for more photos/videos of this adventure? Find them HERE and enjoy a virtual photo tour of this amazing part of our Planet Earth.

View on the pristine bay of Isla San Francisco, one of the many extraordinary locations along the cruise route. ©UnCruise Adventures

THE WORLD IN FOCUS

True to our photo-rich website theme, GET THE PICTURE travel, we are proud to introduce our newest Blog within a Blog. THE WORLD IN FOCUS. We’ll be regularly posting our favorite images from our travels around the world on this site, so log in often to get a dose of the world’s beauty, captured through our camera lens, to brighten your day.

River Cruise Reveries

Ehrenfels castle ruins are perched high on a cliff overlooking the Rhine River. Once a 13th-century fortress, today it is home to a hotel and museum. Photo taken from top deck of Viking Edgir while on a river cruise from Basel, Switzerland to the Netherlands. © Karin Pezo

True to our photo-rich website theme, GET THE PICTURE travel, we are proud to introduce our newest contributor, Karin Pezo, who will share her exceptional photo images from her world travels in our new “The World in Focus” column.

@vikingcruises @vikingcruises360 #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #myvikingcruise

Sometimes inclement weather makes for spectacular photos. As we were touring the picturesque island of Mykonos Greece on our Viking Cruise shore excursion a few years ago, dark storm clouds rolled in with heavy rain. A few minutes later, the skies parted and a rainbow cast its glory over the Viking Sky. ©Joanne DiBona Photography

@vikingcruises #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #myvikingcruise #visitMykonos

View on the magnificent Geiranger Fjord from the observation deck above. The fjord is one of Norway’s most visited tourist sites and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. © Tony DiBona Photography

@vikingcruises #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #myvikingcruise #visitNorway

Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of 19 windmills built around 1740. The rural location is a living testament to how the Dutch have learned to control water for their benefit for over 1,000 years. A visit to Kinderdijk is usually part of a Viking River Cruise tour on the way to Amsterdam. © Karin Pezo

@vikingcruises #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #myvikingcruise #Kinderdijk

HOW TO TAKE YOUR BEST GOLDEN HOUR PHOTOS ON YOUR TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD

Do you love photography? If so, check out our article published today on 10BEST.COM that gives you some tips as to how to capture your best images (by phone or camera) during your travels. Happy shooting!

View on the magnificent Kauai sunset from a Holo Holo Charter boat.

GO BACK IN TIME AND EXPLORE HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

No, it isn’t Europe. It’s Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where you can discover the history and architectural wonders of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Explore our recent post on USATODAY10Best for a photo essay of what awaits you in this historic town.

For an entire photo gallery of our exceptional experience here, as well as in all the other lovely West Virginia destinations we discovered along the way, log onto our WEST VIRGINIA PHOTO GALLERY.

We wish you happy travels as life gets back to normal in 2022!

In West Virginia

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What's it like right now to sail to the Mexican Riviera on the Majestic Princess

Enjoy a visual tour aboard the Majestic Princess cruising the Mexican Riviera on the USATODAY 10Best photo gallery.

Cruising returns and here’s what to expect

Cruising has long been a favorite vacation choice for travelers of all ages, for many reasons. The Covid pandemic took a significant toll on this branch of the visitor industry, but hope is now on the horizon, thanks to strict safety protocols that have recently been put in place. This photo gallery, captured on a Princess Cruises 7-night voyage from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, will give you an insider look on what to expect during your vacation onboard.

View our entire MAJESTIC PRINCESS photo & video gallery for a personal look at all we experienced on this magical voyage.

ENJOY A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE CHARMING AND HISTORICAL TOWNS OF LOS CABOS

The region of Los Cabos, the southernmost tip of Mexico’s  Baja Peninsula, boasts a sunny year-round climate making it a perfect destination for water sports and other outdoor activities. While the coastal town of Cabo San Lucas is famous for its bustling nightlife, luxury hotels, shopping  and recreational options, several charming towns lie between the desert and the Pacific ocean and the Sea of Cortez that are definitely worth a visit. These include the tranquil old towns of San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, as well as the coastal city of La Paz, gateway to Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where several of its plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.

Take a virtual tour of these cities on our recent gallery published recently on USATODAY10Best.

IT’S A NEW YEAR, AND TIME TO GET TO THE “ROOT” OF YOUR BEAUTY PROBLEMS

Let’s face it, in this time of pandemic stress (and having to wear a mask over your face most of the day), you may have ignored your regular beauty regime. The beginning of a new year is a perfect time to review new products that may help with common skin and hair problems.

Here are our top picks:

BIOTIN FOR HAIR CARE

Hair loss, both in men and women, is the bane of people experiencing it. That being said, it can be vastly improved provided you treat it quickly enough.

Over the past two months, I’ve tested  Pureauty Naturals Biotin Hair Growth Serum which uses a blend of biotin, pea sprout extract and pro-vitamin B5 to strengthen hair. Since I refuse any chemical lotions or hair products on my body, I was happy to try it out. My treatment resulted in a substantial improvement in texture and smoothness overall. This serum is free from any alcohol, parabens and sulfates--more chemicals I look out for before I buy any product, to consume or add to my skin.

The fact that this line is made in the USA reinforced my commitment to using it.

I recently gave the Biotin eyelash serum a try. It’s filled with biotin, castor oil, and green tea extract.  I’ve been blessed with great eyelashes all my life, but this serum seemed to soften my lashes and, who knows, they may grow even longer as a result.

You can’t go wrong with the power of nature!

VENAMINE Morrocan Argan Oil

 Another product that I can highly recommend is Venamine 100% Moroccan Argan oil. You can find it on Amazon for $21, and it competes with the super high-priced oils I have tested over the years as a reviewer.

This oil soaks into the skin and doesn’t feel greasy, and just a few drops hydrates and nourishes your skin. I’ve been dealing with dry skin this winter, and this oil has given me great relief. Again, it contains all natural ingredients and because of that, and how it makes my skin rejuvenate, I can highly recommend this product.

Please note that I am not compensated for any reviews I post on this site. I do hope you enjoy my “ad-free” website, which allows you to enjoy all my articles without those constant annoying advertising pop ups. And do note that all our comments are written by me and unbiased. If a product sent to me for review does not meet my parameters, I will not write about it.

Thank you for visiting our site and hope to see you back again soon!