Travel

Hawaii's beaches are in retreat, and its way of life may follow

Little by little, Hawaii's iconic beaches are disappearing. Most beaches on the state's three largest islands are eroding, and it is likely to accelerate as sea levels rise, the U.S. Geological Survey says.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Russian airline plans Anchorage-Kamchatka flights in 2012

Vladivostok Air is planning weekly flights for two months next summer between Anchorage and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of about 175,000 on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. It will be the first commercial air link between the Russian Far East and Alaska since Alaska Airlines dropped its Anchorage-Russia routes in the late 1990s. Continued on jump

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Beverly Hills is literally a city within a city. Surrounded by Los Angeles like a rare solitaire diamond, it sparkles in the California sun, its many facets beckoning all to admire its lavish shops and restaurants that line Rodeo Drive.

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When I think of Switzerland I think of snow-covered mountain peaks, rich coffee, dark chocolate, impeccable time pieces and castle-like banks filled with the money of the rich and famous.

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Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, was one of the first civilizations in Europe. The Minoan culture dates back to 2700 BC. The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea surround its sandy beaches and rugged coastline.

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The Australian state of Tasmania is an island that lies about 150 miles south of the mainland. With more than a third of the heart shaped island designated as national parks and world heritage sites, there is an abundance of wilderness to explore, along with sandy white beaches tucked between rugged volcanic cliffs.

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As Greta Garbo famously said, "I want to be alone." I can relate to that. Sometimes you just need to get away from it all. A great way to tune out the static of your every day routine and decompress is at a private island resort.

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"Glamping," glamorous camping, is for the outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy all the beauty of camping without the "roughing it" part. My mom would have loved it!

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Why take a river cruise instead of an ocean cruise? So many reasons!

Trip tracker (7/3/11)

With the long winters and rainy summers we endure, we Alaskans sometimes forget how truly majestic this state is. Cruising the frigid waters on a warm boat and witnessing the spectacular landscape of the last frontier will remind any long-timer just why this state is worth living in.

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Imagine the feeling of gliding through a forest canopy on the wings of the wind. The sun shining on your face, warming your skin as you fly from tree to tree. Zipline tours give you a bird's-eye view of nature, from frolicking monkeys to sleeping sloths. Tours are located in dense forests and jungles around the world.

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Beach vacations are a great way to enjoy the sun and sand in a location that specializes in activities that will keep your entire family entertained from sunrise to sunset.

'Alaska App' aimed at both visitors and residents

On your next wilderness excursion to, say, a well-visited glacier, you may encounter another adventurer staring at his iPhone. Don't imagine that he's tuning out nature. He's more likely to be tuning in with a new and free application designed to put a comprehensive guide to Alaska's wonders in the palm of your hand.

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Ireland, with its rolling green hills, thatched-roof cottages, castles and fairy and druid lore, is a magical travel destination.

Annual Denali Park road lottery is going online-only this year

The wildly popular Denali Road Lottery will accept applications in June, but there's a new wrinkle this year. All applications must be made online by 11:59 p.m. June 30.

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Has Spring Fever hit you yet? Are you looking into the eyes of your significant other and thinking that a long awaited proposal is in order? Or maybe you're just ready for some alone time after a long winter.

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The term "plein air" is used to describe painting that is done outdoors. Natural landscapes and shifting light and weather create a wealth of inspiration for a painting vacation.

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You don't have to be an archaeologist to get your hands dirty digging up ancient bones and artifacts. Many tour companies offer vacations where you can volunteer at a dig or learn about these sights from experts in the field.

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My little piece of earth may not be big but I do enjoy getting my hands dirty every year planting colorful flowers. Plan a visit to some accessible estates or just browse the beautiful photos and get some inspiration for your own garden.

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Bryce Canyon National Park, technically, is not a canyon. The 56-square-mile park, located in Utah, contains a series of natural amphitheaters, the largest being 12 miles long.

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The Cote D'Azur is known to Americans as the French Riviera. The coastline in the south of France runs along the Mediterranean Sea and is considered to be the playground for the world's rich and famous.