Wild and untouched

China’s Bayinbuluke Grasslands reward the adventurous traveler

Is this surprise car-rental damage claim for real?

Brendon Taketa is broadsided by a damage claim two months after he returns his rental. Is the bill legit? Q: Last March, I rented a vehicle from Hertz in Los Angeles. When I picke...

Tiny Belize teems with jungle ruins, sea life

SAN IGNACIO, Belize – The same turquoise waters that lure tourists to Caribbean destinations slosh around Belize’s island chain. But tiny Belize has a major advantage in reeling in the holid...

Scientists resume digging at La Brea Tar Pits in LA

LOS ANGELES – The public can once again get a close look at scientists working to uncover the bones of saber-toothed cats, mastodons and mammoths in the heart of Los Angeles. Offi...

Fidel’s former limos reborn as taxicabs

HAVANA – In a former life they were the “comandante’s” cars: A fleet of black, boxy, Soviet-made limousines that for years were at the disposal of the presidency in Fidel Castro’s Cuba. ...

U.S. credit cards can let you down when overseas

If you happen to drive down the Brenner Autobahn between Austria and Italy this summer, here’s a little advice for crossing the wind-whipped Europabrücke, or Europe Bridge: keep a little cas...

Hop on a bike, take a walk or catch the bus

Clean Commute Week will kick off today at Durango Farmers Market

For World Cup tourists, sticker shock to kick in

RIO DE JANEIRO – World Cup visitors, welcome to Brazil, land of soccer, sun and sky-high prices. Unlike nearby Latin American nations where a tourist’s U.S. dollar or European Uni...

Mysterious Manaus

50,000 World Cup tourists expected in this rainforest city

My mom died, but my airline won’t refund my fee

When Patricia Clay’s mother dies unexpectedly, US Airways promises to “consider” a refund of her change fees. Why won’t it pay up? Q: I recently flew from Washington to Chattanoog...

Roaming the ruins

An old villa beckons darkly

More airports adopt free Wi-Fi

ATLANTA – Steve Parker, sitting in the atrium at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, was about to dig into his bag for a hot spot device when he noticed a poster nearby. ...