WINTER ADVENTURE IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY Montana is variously nicknamed The Land of Shining Mountains, The Treasure State and Big Sky Country. Each name tells part of the story about this land of majestic alpine vistas, rich mineral deposits and seemingly endless skies arching over miles of forests, farm lands, prairies, rivers, lakes and badlands.

WASHINGTON WANDERINGS Washington is the “Evergreen State” and a photographer’s dream where scenic beauty appears around every corner. The Walla Walla valley is a rainbow of vistas where golden hillsides melt into broad expanses of crimson fields and lush evergreens cast shadows over backcountry trails during the noonday sun.

EUFAULA'S PRESENCE IS HER PAST After a trip down the Chattahoochee River retracing history along the way (thanks to storyteller and guitarist Billy Winn), I’m eager to find out what makes Eufaula so special (apart from the greatest bass fishing on the lake.)

THE WESTVILLE STORY The massive Singer Gates at the entrance welcome visitors into a village environment, re-created to function as a typical community from that era. Fred Rembert coined the classic nickname calling them “the gates to the past” for within these 58 acres are structures filled with some 5,000 artifacts reminiscent of the pre-Civil War years.

MYSTICAL LAND OF INDIA At first, the Powers That Be at Designer Monthly had thought that a good summer jaunt for the Armchair Decorator might be a little trip to Afghanistan to continue my global search for housewares from around the world. As determined, as I am to pry myself from the relatively snug corner of New York City that I call home, this was just too much.

SUMMER IN SAINT-SAUVEUR If you want to really enjoy the area the four-star logwood hotel is a perfect spot to spend some time - it’s perched at the top of the mountain with a picturesque view of the Valley of Saint-Sauveur located in the Laurentians.

GERMANY’S BLACK FOREST The town of Furtwangen, despite its rather clunky name, is known for the curative effects of its climate, so I figured I'd be right at home there, or at least closer to home than tromping around in some jungle. Perhaps there's a spa...

ESCAPE TO SALZBURG Like a flirtatious and beautiful woman, Salzburg has a reputation. Like it or not, Mozart would just be Mozart and there would be no Mirabell Palace to intrigue visitors.

FOREVER VIENNA Although Vienna is about 7,000 kilometers from Toronto, a continent away, my visit begins immediately. I hear a lovely voice bidding me “Willkommen” (welcome) as I prepare for the eight-hour flight aboard Austrian Airlines, the national carrier.

IRRESISTIBLY YOURS, INNSBRUCK Once in 1964, and then again in 1976, the world watched as thousands of athletes vied for gold medals at the Winter Olympics in this Alpine city. And for over 500 years The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) has continued to captivate the gaze of millions.

MUSEUMSQUARTIER WIEN: A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE Vienna’s class act has risen to world-class levels among the top 10 cultural districts since the opening of MuseumsQuartier Wien last year. To date, more than 1.4 million visitors have explored the cultural district and many of them plan to return again.

BLAZING THROUGH MISSOURI WITH JESSE JAMES Of all the world's legendary characters, few have attracted worldwide fascination like the outlaw, Jesse James. Some call him America's Robin Hood, one of America's most infamous and beloved outlaws; while others see him as a cold-blooded killer.

DISCOVERING THE FIRST STATE: DELAWARE Delaware's natural beauty, rich history and cultural attractions lured me to the state. Governor Ruth Ann Minner did too with the promise of magnificent sights like the sun rising over the Great Dune near Lewes and a great blue heron as it takes flight from Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge.

ENDLESS BEAUTY: THAT'S BVI Every one of the 60 islands, rocks and cays that form the BVI are sunkissed and splashed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and are as alluring as the emeralds and sapphires that often mirror their beauty.

LIFE'S A BREEZE AT FAIRWINDS My wife, Karen, and friends lounged around the sides of our private pool 15 feet below. Such a perfect setting could be completed by only one thing-a cannonball. I climbed over the railing, eyed the center of the pool as my target and leapt into the air.

PORTLAND CITYSCAPE In an effort to document the land and animal life in the newly acquired Louisiana territory and establish a water route to the Pacific, the president appointed Meriwether Lewis & William Clark to lead a 44-man expedition up the Missouri River.

THE GALAPAGOS: THEN AND NOW Located in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles west of South America and 800 miles southwest of Panama, the islands have belonged to Ecuador since 1832. They are officially known as the Archipielago de Colon, but many simply call them the Galapagos.

A CULTURAL CROWN JEWEL: MEXICO CITY This is a wondrous, exotic, mysterious and international metropolis of infinite variety and one of Latin America's key centers of finance and art. It blends old and new worlds and is dynamic, colorful and extraordinary.

GOING DUTCH The sea, together with lakes and swamps, once covered two-thirds of the country. With the help of windmills the Dutch "created" this land by pumping out the water. The Dutch justly take enormous pride in this accomplishment.

GERMANY - A MUSICAL INTERLUDE Be it an oompah band in Bavaria, the wildest techno-club in Berlin, a Beethoven symphony played by a world-class orchestra, an all-American musical sung in German or an opera at Bayreuth,a vacation in Germany is filled with music.

MAGICAL CHRISTMAS IN THE OZARKS The Branson Lakes area is located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, only 35 miles from Springfield, Missouri where my TWA flight from St. Louis landed. The city of Branson was founded in 1881, and the downtown area has more than 20 historic sites dating back to the early 1900s.

MEMORIES OF MISS AMERICA IN ATLANTIC CITY The stakes are high in "America's Favorite Playground" especially if you are among the 51 contestants vying for the Miss America crown in Atlantic City.

FUN SPOTS IN AMERICA'S FAVORITE PLAYGROUND These days it's not just the seaside resort that attracts tourists who have been traveling here since 1854. Thirty seven million odd visitors discover this year-round destination for its entertainment, history, outdoor fun and special events.

TO BE BORN WELSH Most of the Welsh have descended from people who began settling in the British Isles thousands of years ago. Early settlers were the Iberians and later arrivals were the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans and Englishmen who invaded Wales.

WALES IN YOUR HEART According to legend, Merlin was born in South Wales. His mother was the daughter of the King of South Wales and his father as described by other wizards, was a spirit who lived between moon and earth.

NORMAL ROCKWELL COUNTRY: PITTSFIELD AND THE BERKSHIRES Pittsfield, Mass. Pittsfield, in the heart of the Connecticut River valley in Massachusetts, is the perfect home base for touring the many and varied regional attractions.

ALL NATURAL BELIZE Black Howler monkeys, dolphins, manatees, rainforests and Mayan ruins are just a few of Belize's attractions. This small, English-speaking country of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is just waiting to be explored.

FLAMES AND FURY FAN THE WINDS OF CHANGE AT MESA VERDE Mesa Verde. Co. Mesa Verde National Park is a survivor, especially when it comes to fires. The years were 1934, 1959, 1972, 1989, 1996, and most recently two eruptions in the year 2000, July and August.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD AT UTE MOUNTAIN TRIBAL PARK Be prepared to climb five ladders, and walk three miles on unpaved trails if you are planning an all-day tour the promotional literature says. I think the headliner should read simply, "Prepare to be amazed."

NEWPORT AND THE GILDED AGE Rhode Island was always a Mecca for wealthy Victorian Americans, Newport in particular being chosen as an ultimate summer retreat destination. From its roots as one of the three most important ports in Colonial America during the 1700's, Newport grew to become the summer playground for several hundred families who possessed more than 80% of America's wealth during the late Victorian period.

A SEASON OF MEMORIES - THAT'S ITHACA An invitation to discover Ithaca and Tompkins County uncovers its historic past and some great spots in the heartbeat of the Finger Lakes region.

BONHOMME SIZZLES AT CARNAVAL DE QUEBEC Like fine wine, the Carnaval de Quebec (Quebec Winter Carnival) exudes a warmth that envelops your body and soul during the 17 days of revelry that rivals Rio and New Orleans. Before you know it you'll be saying, "Cheers to winter" along with the million visitors who will join in the fun.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY - ITHACA'S CLASS ACT One of Ithaca's proudest moments must have been in 1865 when Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White founded Cornell University.

RIO, LOVELY RIO This Brazilian city of seven million Cariocas (as Rio's residents are called) pulsates to its own beat every day of the year. Besides the samba, they adore soccer, but they also treasure the three "Bs" - beaches, beer and beauties in bikinis!

SANTA TERESA - RIO'S FAIRYTALE NEIGHBORHOOD As we wandered the curvaceous streets, footsteps echoing against the cobblestones, I have to remind myself I am in South America, not Europe. There is a certain tranquility that pervades the air around the residential homes, but the intricately designed facades are as eye-catching as a kid in a candy store.

TALLAHASSEE - FLORIDA'S STATE CAPITAL I was in Tallahassee to attend Florida State University's "Seven Days of Seven Nights" - the annual performing arts festival. An invitation from Tallahassee extended my visit to include "2000 Tour of Tallahassee" celebrating Black History Month.

COFFEE PLANTATION LEGACY LIVES ON IN BRAZIL The coffee barons probably never dreamed their plantations would see glory days again, but this time it's a work of art - preserving the rich, colorful history that transcended throughout the land, leaving a remarkable legacy for the people of Brazil and their visitors.

RIO DE JANEIRO'S ISLAND OF LOVE This idyllic tiny island, approximately 682 miles, is ideal for a quick getaway from the crowds in Rio, especially if you are with the love of your life - maybe that's why it's known as the "Island of Love."

AUSTRALIA'S CAPITAL CITY HOSTS MORE THAN POLITICS Canberra, New South Wales - In the traditional Aboriginal language Canberra means "meeting place" but it is also know as ACT, "Australian Capital Territory." It's quite common for Sydney to be mistaken for the capital of Australia, but all the parliamentary buildings are in Canberra, as the sign towards "The Capital City of Australia" clearly states

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL As a young Canadian the image of war is immortalized in stories, and I must rely on historical data and artifacts to remind me of the many young soldiers who fought for freedom, something we all take for granted today.

QUEBEC CITY - CHARMING AND UNFORGETTABLE What makes a city tour fun? A guide with a sense of humor with a strong French accent who takes us along on a lighthearted historical ride through his wonderful city.

Ocho Rios - Jamaica's North Coast Beauty - Ocho Rios in Spanish means "Eight Rivers" but local interpretation maintains a reference to Las Chorreras (the waterfalls), since these phenomenal beauties draw thousands of tourists to the area year round. Two main attractions are the famous Dunn's River Falls and the lesser-known Eden Falls at The Ruins restaurant.

Jamaica - Let's Get Together Island Style - Jamaicans are proud of their homeland, and they are splendid ambassadors of true Caribbean hospitality. Every year thousands of people from around the world sign up for the program and find themselves befriended by over 400 volunteer families in Jamaica.

Jamaica - Gardens by Nature and Design - A recent visit to Kingston, Jamaica's capital, included touring two botanical gardens. They are open to the public and you can wander around on your own.

Cranbrook Flower Forest - A Jamaican Oasis - A rather interesting feature of this garden/park is that the nature trail leads into the rainforest area on the property. At the end of the trail I was genuinely surprised and fascinated by the beautiful "cathedral-like gorge" where the sparkling waters of the Cranbrook River surge and flow over the rocks, amidst the tropical vegetation.

Taj Mahal - India - If there is a single object to represent India in the same way that the Eiffel Tower does for France, it can be none other than the Taj Mahal, the Monument of Love. The white-marbled edifice peeping out of every brochure, every literature on India has become such an integral part of the country that a visit to the Taj Mahal, or Taj as it is better known, has become synonymous to a visit to India.