Santa Barbara, CaliforniaMy first trip to Santa Barbara wasn't just my first time in this beautiful city, it was my first visit to California. The weather was as glorious as I expected, and I was delighted with the variety of outstanding cultural and historical attractions I was able to visit in addition to gorgeous beaches.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Zoo were two attractions I thoroughly enjoyed visiting, but wandering through downtown was equally entertaining - especially since I'd never seen an adobe or Mediterranean architecture in person. Virtually every activity in Santa Barbara seems interesting and upbeat, in part due to the terrific weather, but also because the city is so picturesque.

California State CapitolI recently returned from a two-day, three-night trip to Sacramento, and I'm already anxious to return. Traveling on business left me with a limited amount of time to see this city's many attractions, but what I was able to tour in the vicinity of my hotel was fantastic.

I choose the Vizcaya hotel in downtown Sacramento for my accommodations, and from the moment I arrived, I felt I'd lucked out. The Hotel's pillared portico and tall windows give it an elegant appearance, and the beautiful gardens and iron fountains nearby emphasized its charming appearance.

When a friend of mine suggested a day trip to Death Valley, I agreed mainly out of curiosity. I had no idea what to expect other than desert landscapes and high temperatures. Much to my surprise and delight, there was a lot more to see than rattlesnakes and cacti, and I'm actually looking forward to a longer return visit.

Artist's Drive
Artist's Palette, Death Valley, CaliforniaMy visit to Death Valley started out with the incredible Artist's Drive. This is a one way, paved loop drive that stretches for nine miles, and during our slow tour, I took dozens of photographs. There are incredible color variations in the volcanic and sedimentary rocks you'll view along the drive. From the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle, you'll find this ride almost surreal.

I visited Tucson with the goal of exploring its natural attractions during the day and enjoying a leisurely, lively city experience centered on viewing and shopping for art. It turned out to be the ideal combination I hoped for, and a wonderful weekend visit I wished had been longer.

Desert MuseumOne reason I would like to return to Tucson is to visit the many natural attractions I didn't get to see, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the place I did visit - the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

I started out on my first day in Tucson intending to visit both the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park, but I only managed to visit the first on my list. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was so entertaining, I decided to just spend a few extra hours there. I arrived in the morning, and by the time early afternoon arrived, it seemed too hot to leave to visit Saguaro National Park. I visited Tucson in late May, and if you aren't accustomed to a lot of sun and heat, you may wish to plan limited afternoon excursions, too.

Petrified Forest NPPetrified Forest was top on my list of attractions to visit in Arizona, and it was just as intriguing and spectacular as I had hoped. If you approach Petrified Forest with an interest in exploring a very unique, ancient natural site, you will enjoy your trip immensely. If you visit hoping to find an attraction as dramatic or picturesque as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, you may be disappointed.

Edinburgh, ScotlandEdinburgh is one of my favorite destinations in Europe. It's a fabulous to visit during one of the exciting summer festivals, but it's also a great place for a weekend getaway. Edinburgh is even fine for an off-season retreat, provided you bring warm clothes. Between the attractions in the Old Town and New Town, you feel as if you're visiting two destinations, yet it's incredibly easy to get around in and between both areas.

Dubai CityIf you've ever thought of going to Dubai but imagined it was too ritzy or expensive for your tastes, think again. Dubai is a cosmopolitan city characterized by an almost unbelievable level of extravagance, but it is also much more.

If you like experiencing different cultures and spending time outdoors in fabulous weather, you'll love Dubai. Whatever type of water-based sports you like, you'll have a ball on the water. The beaches are immaculate, the water is incredibly warm, and every day is hot and sunny. There are also many, many interesting attractions and places to visit off the beach and away from the Mall.