How to deal with the unexpected during travel
I sometimes welcome the unexpected in travel because that’s the foundation for fond and lasting memories, even though you might not think so at the […]
travel
Hemingway haunts: Michigan to Florida, Cuba to Spain
Sixty years ago, “The Old Man and the Sea” was published in Life magazine, and author Ernest Hemingway won a Pulitzer Prize for the work […]
Les Paul, GuitarTown mold Waukesha’s music image
Waukesha’s love affair with Les Paul, whose work forever changed the sound of music, is about to deepen. The city soon unveils an outdoor public […]
Truly rural Fox Hills aims for good value
Vince Lombardi used to bring his coaches here for a little R&R in the 1960s. Hundreds of Chicago police officers more recently sought the same […]
Hot dog! Food trucks add sizzle to go-local menus
With the sunshine of spring comes a huge craving to fire up the grill and plop on the brats. Such simple, brown-and-sizzle pleasures turn extraordinary […]
Friendship Force boosts goodwill through travel
If tears flow at the end, as they are known to do, you can bet it’s a sign that the trip was successful. That’s because […]
Bible stories as tourism in Israel
This week’s column, an introduction to Christian tourist sites in Israel, can be found here.
Walking the ‘Way of Grief’ in Jerusalem’s Old City
This week’s column, about seeing Jerusalem’s Old City for the first time, can be found here.
‘Discover Wisconsin’ longest-running tourism show
Question: What television show (with about twice as many episodes as “Seinfeld”) is the nation’s longest-running for its genre? Answer: “Discover Wisconsin,” which aired its […]
Cutting into the mustard at Middleton museum
Shortly after our host delivered a platter of shaved corned beef and rye bread, he returned with a word of advice: If you need mayo, […]
Rural ramble: St. Croix curds, cave, Vino in Valley
Former Gov. Anthony Earl in the 1980s dubbed Ellsworth, population 3,200, as Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. The 102-year-old Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery produces 160 pounds […]
New national park, arms/armor museum, inn
Newly published is “The Wisconsin Passage: an Adventure in the Handmade, Homegrown and Historical Offerings of Wisconsin from the Mississippi River to Lake Superior,” a […]
Making magic: Houdini, other tricksters
Would you go out of your way to watch a guy escape from a straitjacket? How about if he was hanging upside-down outdoors, several stories […]
Springfield: politics through Abe’s eyes
The face of Lincoln shows up everywhere in Illinois – brass busts on office desks to bigger-than-life memorials in city parks – but there’s just […]
Valentine ideas, to enhance romance
Maybe you give or get roses by the dozen during this month of love, and that’s fine, but don’t dismiss other ways to freshen up […]
Chicago fans share their fave hidden gems
Spiritual sites, ethnic neighborhoods, down-home food, fine fabrics and Asian art are among your worthwhile reasons for stepping away from the Loop and Magnificent Mile. […]
Chicago food: beyond dawgs, pizza, Bayless
Jazzed-up hot dogs, deep-dish pizza and any product with chef Rick Bayless’ thumbprint are among the foods that make Chicago famous. Add wiener schnitzel from […]
Chicago travel: beyond the Magnificent Mile
For years, I’ve headed to Chicago for day trips or quick overnights – usually taking in the obvious sites and sticking to places tourists congregate. […]
Visit Indy without a Super Bowl game ticket
The next best thing to following your favorite NFL team to the 2012 Super Bowl is shadowing the pre-game action in Indianapolis, which hosts the […]