travel

My incredibly smooth ride, the 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design, had room for everything. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Road tripping with Rerun – Part I

A pandemic-era series chronicling a U.S. tour with a four-legged passenger

My incredibly smooth ride, the 2020 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design, had room for everything. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Some hotels may choose to stay closed until tourist demand rises high enough to sustain the cost of operations. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

San Francisco hotels prepare to reopen Monday

Will travelers return to The City?

Some hotels may choose to stay closed until tourist demand rises high enough to sustain the cost of operations. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara has a walking trail situated alongside the bluffs. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

A pooch’s Pacific paradise

Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is fine for canines and their humans

Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara has a walking trail situated alongside the bluffs. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Hurtigruten is among the first lines to see a coronavirus outbreak after resuming cruises in July. (Ole Martin Wold/NTB Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

The bruising season for cruising

Drastic changes needed before passengers can safely return to the sea

Hurtigruten is among the first lines to see a coronavirus outbreak after resuming cruises in July. (Ole Martin Wold/NTB Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
The casino-less lobby of the Vdara Hotel & Spa is welcoming. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Casino-less Las Vegas

There’s more to Sin City than gambling

The casino-less lobby of the Vdara Hotel & Spa is welcoming. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Massachusetts, the 10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1 stop on America’s Summer Road Trip, tells the story of a woman who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. (Courtesy Henry S. Rutkowski)

‘America’s Summer Road Trip’ showcases notable historic sites

Free online journey takes U.S. history lovers to 12 places of interest

The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Massachusetts, the 10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1 stop on America’s Summer Road Trip, tells the story of a woman who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. (Courtesy Henry S. Rutkowski)
Traveling overseas isn’t necessarily safe for several reasons, including a lack of enforcing distancing on flights and in terminals. (Courtesy photo)

Have passport, but should you travel?

Access to reliable health care not guaranteed overseas

Traveling overseas isn’t necessarily safe for several reasons, including a lack of enforcing distancing on flights and in terminals. (Courtesy photo)
The dependable Vinny Von Van, supplied by ModVans, is hooked up at Bear Lake Venture RV Park, Utah. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The Great American Road Trip — Part Three

The third of a three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

The dependable Vinny Von Van, supplied by ModVans, is hooked up at Bear Lake Venture RV Park, Utah. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Hoodoos and canyons populate Fairyland Trail Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The Great American Road Trip – Part Two

A three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

Hoodoos and canyons populate Fairyland Trail Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
A short and scenic hike leads to the base of Horsetail Falls from Highway 50. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Sierra Nevada outings beat blues of vicious virus

Hikes offer chance to stretch legs without rubbing elbows

A short and scenic hike leads to the base of Horsetail Falls from Highway 50. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)
On American Airlines flight 512 LAX-JFK on June 20, every seat was occupied despite the airlines’ assertions that middle seats would go unsold, and the crew did not enforce mask wearing during boarding or flight. (Courtesy photo)

Flying in the COVID-19 era

Airlines are having a difficult time adapting to the new world of travel

On American Airlines flight 512 LAX-JFK on June 20, every seat was occupied despite the airlines’ assertions that middle seats would go unsold, and the crew did not enforce mask wearing during boarding or flight. (Courtesy photo)
My ride is a 2019 Ford Transit CamperVan fully outfitted by ModVans. (Courtesy photo)

The Great American Road Trip – Part One

A three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

My ride is a 2019 Ford Transit CamperVan fully outfitted by ModVans. (Courtesy photo)
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was eerily quiet on a Sunday in May. (Courtesy photo)

Air travel in the COVID-19 era

Future of flying holds uncertainty for providers and passengers

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was eerily quiet on a Sunday in May. (Courtesy photo)
There’s virtual tours of some of the best travel destinations in the world, including Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.(Courtesy photo)

Travel: Armchair journeys during the pandemic

From the Great Wall of China to Mars, it’s easy to get your travel fix virtually

There’s virtual tours of some of the best travel destinations in the world, including Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska.(Courtesy photo)
National parks, such as Zion (pictured here), and other outdoor places, are likely to be the first areas that travelers return to after the pandemic shelter-in-place orders are lifted. Courtesy photo

Travel: When will we start traveling again after the pandemic passes?

Two travel experts discuss what the future holds for leisure tourism

National parks, such as Zion (pictured here), and other outdoor places, are likely to be the first areas that travelers return to after the pandemic shelter-in-place orders are lifted. Courtesy photo
The Tolosa Tasting Room in San Luis Obispo may be empty these days, but its tours bring tasters there virtually (Courtesy photo)

Virtual California winery tours and real wine tastings while sheltering-in-place

Several wineries have taken this opportunity to more fully engage in social media and use various available platforms

The Tolosa Tasting Room in San Luis Obispo may be empty these days, but its tours bring tasters there virtually (Courtesy photo)
The need for medical care while overseas can be daunting. (Courtesy photo)

Medical care while traveling and during the days of COVID-19

Primary care physicians sailing in same uncharted waters as patients

The need for medical care while overseas can be daunting. (Courtesy photo)
There are plenty of things to do at home during shelter-in-place, including relaxing. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Viral musings: Dealing with cabin fever in the days of COVID-19

A few helpful tips for enduring these unusual times

There are plenty of things to do at home during shelter-in-place, including relaxing. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Rock formations line turquoise waters along the beautiful four-mile Bondi to Coggee Walk. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Three perfect days in sensational Sydney

Clean, walkable city is both friendly and diverse

Rock formations line turquoise waters along the beautiful four-mile Bondi to Coggee Walk. (Julie L. Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Yosemite Sam the Samurai Dog accompanied the author on a winter ascent of Elephants Back near Carson Pass on Highway 88. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Winter hikes in Northern California’s snowy mountains

Here are some favorite day trips in our area, arranged from easiest to more challenging.

Yosemite Sam the Samurai Dog accompanied the author on a winter ascent of Elephants Back near Carson Pass on Highway 88. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)