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Since ancient times, Korea has been famous for its ceramics. In fact, while many travelers visit Japan for its pottery, they often overlook the reality that Japanese ceramics, which spread north through Japan via its southern island of Kyushu, was actually “introduced” from Korea. Honestly, “introduced” is too mild a term. When the Japanese invaded Korea during the 16^th Century, they abducted the great Korean potters and forced them to work in Japan. One Korean potter taken to Japan at this time was referred as “the god of pottery.” Korea's great Ri Sam-pyeong, known in Japan as Kanegae Sampei, actually established the world famous pottery village in Arita, Japan, near Fukuoka City. Yi was originally from the Geum River Basin in Korea. As recently as 1990, a memorial was set up at the entrance to Donghaksa Buddhist Temple in Gongju, South Korea, with the inscription paid for by the people of Arita, Japan. 

Susie and Beau have new friends in South Florida - Miss Roxie, a blond tea cup Yorkie and her long time companion Miss April Kirkwood. They are bringing new insights to the Pet Patrol.

A snapshot of three cooking schools: Peru Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru; the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont; and Swinton Park in the United Kingdom.

It’s been said that the number one leisure activity for the baby boom generation is travel, and, being a boomer, I can attest to the allure that travel holds.  Journeying is invigorating, fun, relaxing, and romantic and it can bring history alive in a way nothing else does.

Yves du Parc, Vice President and General Manager of Beijing Sideways, sized my helmet and adjusted my lap belt in the side car of his “Chang Jiang,” literally "The long River" motor bike. He then took my photo, hopped onto his seat, turned the ignition key, and we were off. Although I had traveled through Beijing many times in the back seat of a taxi, this was a new experience, in-fact my first ever motorcycle experience!

Generally, I write about hotels that stand still, however, this time, you get to take your hotel with you! If you can drive a car, you can captain a boat on a canal. After a short demonstration and briefing, you get the keys to your own floating Villa. You don’t ever have to worry about getting seasick, because these boats are so stable, you won’t spill your morning coffee. 

It is a Thursday, around 12:30 and it is as busy as ever, a lot of the visitors are boomers! This fun spot is a weekly visit for me and my family. It is placed right in the middle of a neighborhood surrounded by charm, trees, top restaurants and shops nearby. Randall Selland and Nancy Zimmer operate all of the four top culinary delights above along with their children.

After our two night stay in Niagara Falls, Canada, it was finally time to head home.  The other adventures in the Niagara Falls area will appear later in the Guest Patrol, since they are not primarily related to pet travel. These will include the fireworks show on Sunday night, a visit to a large Buddhist temple and exploring the river down from the Falls, and the ride up to the Falls on the Maid of the Mist. Obviously Susie would not have enjoyed the fireworks display, nor would she appreciate the soaking we received near the Canadian Horseshoe Falls.  The pet friendliness of the Fallsview Hotel made it possible to make these short local side trips knowing that Susie was well cared for when I was gone whether for a meal or to see a site unsuited for pets. 

If you're up for adventure with a hint of relaxation, Costa Rica is the place for you. This is the country in Central America whose catch phrase is “Pura Vida”, which translates to mean pure or good life, and that is what you will experience in this country of “Ticos”, the term they use to refer to themselves. They are outgoing and friendly and most people speak English.

If you love to travel, chances are you have been to Amsterdam, the city of canals, windmills, museums and friendly people. I never tire of taking a Canal Boat sightseeing tour when I visit because it seems I spy something unique each time I go.

The Red Lion Inn has been taking care of travelers of all ages (a lot of boomers visit) for over 200 years! It is the oldest Inn in the United States and New England still running. This is a place you want to have the magical luxury of visiting at least one time in your life. I have visited at least 50 times!!!! It will take you back to a different time in history. As you sit in the rocking chairs on the long porch you will glance down the street and feel as though Norman Rockwell is sitting right next to you. He lived right down the street. This town is all about history and the inn is a charter member of Historic Hotels of America.

Occasionally there are risks worth taking. In early December we took a chance on some late-season camping in central Indiana. The forecast predicted light snow, but we didn't let that scare us off.

Join Liz as she discovers great hotels in every budget. From a 1960's vibe to a Yurt in Turkey, she will find lodging in every category. As a former travel agent, Liz has been in some interesting locales and will share her insights. We also want to hear about your hotel discoveries, so let us know what's out there. Sleep tight!

An hour’s drive north of the wonderfully historic city of Barcelona you begin to climb into the foothills of the fiercely independent and stunningly beautiful region of Catalunya. Its northernmost coastal area, called the Costa Brava, boasts a rugged 40-mile stretch of sandy beaches that sweep from the Spanish capital up to the border with France. But, if you aren’t interested in the beaches, fear not, as here you will discover the world’s top-rated restaurant and the best golf course Spain has to offer.

When it comes to top holiday destinations, size really doesn’t matter...and Barbados clearly proves the point. One of the smaller islands that form the archipelago chain of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados is barely 34 kilometres in length and only 23 kilometres wide. Yet its 431 square kilometres is home to over 80 billionaires....yes, you read that correctly, not common or garden millionaires, but billionaires...and they can’t all be wrong, can they?. With stunning beaches, top restaurants and happening night spots that rest hand-in-hand with excellent golf courses, a world-famous international cricket ground, quaint horse racing track at Garrison Savannah, and elite polo facilities all go to make Barbados one of the best, most sought after and yet friendliest tourist destinations in the entire Caribbean.

Stockholm is a must see destination for those of you who dream of yesteryear and take pleasure in being transported back in time where the elegance of rituals and beauty are valued, bound by the glue of freedom’s spirit of expression.

Guayquil, Ecuador, classiness and luxury come together in this small yet vibrant city. Situated along the Pacific Ocean, Guayaquil delivers exclusive shopping, dinning, culture and luxurious lifestyle.

Jordan is one of the most culturally rich and magnificent places to visit in the entire world.  The breadth of civilization and depth of history is overwhelming: from the Nabateans to the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads to the Ottomans, the history truly humbles one's knowledge of ancient cultures and traditions.  The visitor immediately recognizes the graciousness of the people, who represent a crossroads of cultures: there is a mixture of Palestinian, Chechen, Turkmen, Circassian, and Druze.  The one word that best describes this country is tolerance.... and a celebration of cultural diversity.  This is reflected in their artwork and cuisine.

Nashville gives us the best stars and legends in country music and they also give us restaurants that are legends and stars…..The Victorian Home restaurant named Jimmy Kelly’s is on the top of that list!

The Pet Patrol rolled into Erie around 6:00 pm on Friday, May 31 after the long drive from Louisville ready for a good night’s rest before proceeding on their journey to Camp Gone to the Dogs.  For those travelling to this hotel, be aware that the street address is misleading, so a typical GPS will not know that the actual hotels in this area are behind the shopping center on the main road which has the address. The TownePlace Suites is located behind the other hotels in the corner of the property.

On Saturday, June 1, the team left Erie to drive to Albany, NY to be close to the camp the night before our arrival in Vermont. Albany was a good stopping point because it put us within 70 miles of Marlboro for an easy drive to registration between 12:30 and 2:30 pm on Sunday.

We all are watching our budgets and trying to stretch those dollars as much as we can, given the current economic environment that we all have been enduring!   Don’t despair, boomer patrol is but a click away and here I will share with you the secrets for unlocking that treasure chest where you will find great deals on air travel, despite all the fees the carriers keep” packing” on day after day!

MONTE CARLO - or, as Somerset Maugham famously said, "A sunny place for shady people!" Some of those crimes have made international headlines, especially the sad, sorry tale of the death of international banker/financier billionaire Edmond Safra. Let's talk about the happier times, and more fun crimes.

Imagine combining the rugged beauty of the Irish coastline with one of the finest and most spectacular golf courses Mother Nature and bundles of money could create.

Then throw in five-star dining and the ability to arrive by helicopter. Well, you’d be forgiven for thinking it all sounds too good to be true.

Yet this was the vision of Irish brothers John and Patrick O’Connor when they purchased the Old Head promontory in 1989 and spent the next decade creating the incredible Old Head Golf Links.

The fact that these links appear to have been there since time immemorial is testament to the O’Connor’s publicity statement which reads that the course is: “In keeping and in harmony with its surroundings” and simply “helping nature to fulfil its potential”.

It may all sound like Irish blarney, but the reality is, it’s all true.