Often there are ties with locations that we never thought connected us to a place.

One of the most desolate places on earth starts just across the border from where I live in San Diego, the approximately 760 miles/1200-kilometer-long Baja Peninsula.

Celebrated as the birthplace of reggae and highly regarded for its full-bodied rums and flavorsome cuisine, Jamaica is a destination that lends itself equally to cultural pursuits as it does to relaxing under swaying palms on a picture-perfect beach.

In this short roadtrip, we traversed America.

One of America’s most remote National Parks offers a fascinating history in a tropical setting, rich with wildlife and natural beauty.

Formerly a small fishing village on the Tokaido road, Yokohama, now Japan’s second largest city, was first made a treaty port in 1859. Then followed an influx of traders, especially Chinese and British, making it the biggest port in Asia by the early 1900.

The posh Proximity Hotel exudes swank luxury, New York City style, down south in glorious Greensboro, North Carolina. It provides the essence of comfort and welcome to all who visit.

With travel opening again, let us start with hidden gems like Clay County, Florida. It sits south of Jacksonville and west of St. Augustine.

This is a city of fallen women. It’s also a city of fallen men. There are more ways to stub your toe and take a tumble on the cobblestone streets of this magnificent little town than there are art galleries – and there are an incredible number of art galleries