36 Hours in Zurich

By Robert Goff
December 13, 2010


ZURICH is divided into 12 districts, or kreise, but visitors generally don’t venture beyond the Altstadt (Old Town), or Kreis 1, where the gears of capitalism move with Swiss precision. That’s a shame because Zurich is more than a city of plutocrats and financial courtiers. Kreis 2, which hugs the west side of Lake Zurich, offers entertainment, youth hostels and handsome beaches. The industrial district of Kreis 5 is now filled with big-name contemporary art. And for youthful chaos and culture, take the tram to Kreis 4, where the red-light district has come alive with bohemian design, food and night life. “It’s the difference between Madison Avenue and the Lower East Side,” said Marc Spiegler, the co-director of Art Basel, who calls Zurich home.

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7 Caribbean resorts that go all out for families

By Michelle Higgins
November 10, 2010


CLOSE your eyes and imagine a Caribbean paradise: throngs of baby sitters minding tots around the raucous swimming pool, chicken fingers on every menu and Big Bird plodding cheerfully along the beach, the white sand drifting across the Muppet’s yellow feathers.

A nightmare, you say? Not if you’re traveling with kids craving constant activity and entertainment and you’re hoping to steal a little time for yourself.

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Mexico currency laws make it tougher to pay in U.S. dollars

By Laura Bly
October 25, 2010


American travelers bound for Cancun and other popular Mexican destinations have long been able to pay for meals, souvenirs and other goods or services in U.S. dollars instead of pesos.

But under new currency laws that took effect last month along the Mexican Riviera and elsewhere, restaurants, stores and other businesses can now accept a maximum of $100 in cash per transaction.

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36 Hours in Santa Monica, California

By Fred A. Bernstein
October 19, 2010


Santa Monica, CA — When Angelenos think of the perfect beach town, they think of Santa Monica. Venice (to the south) has its countercultural charms, and Malibu (up north) is celebrity central, but only Santa Monica feels homey. Residents enjoy cultural institutions, athletic facilities, and stores and restaurants of the highest order. Now, there’s even more. In August, Santa Monica Place, a sprawling indoor-outdoor mall a few blocks from the beach, reopened, with offerings both high (Louis Vuitton and Tiffany) and low (a food court with priceless sunset-over-the-ocean views).

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Japan, Sweden join U.S., U.K. in terrorist warning

By Thomas Frank, Laura Bly & Kevin Johnson
October 4, 2010

Japan and Sweden issued travel alerts for Europe on Monday, joining the United States and Britain in warning of a possible terrorist attack by al-Qaeda or other groups.

The two newest alerts came one day after the Obama administration formally warned Americans about potential terrorist attacks in Europe, urging U.S. citizens to be careful on public transportation and at tourist sites.

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10 great train trips for fall

By Larry Bleiberg
September 29, 2010


Railroads pass through some of the country's most scenic landscapes, especially in autumn. Hop aboard an excursion train and you'll discover views you can't see from any road, says Don Heimburger, who runs a publishing company devoted to railroads (HeimburgerHouse.com) and has traveled on trains around the world. He shares some favorite trips with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

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