The Best Travel Destinations



I moved to Scottsdale in August of 1976. So, some may call me a native. But to those of you who have never heard or Scottsdale, let me tell you why it’s so famous. It was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright who built Taliesin West as his retreat. It was a local favorite of Charles Wrigley as well. More recently, it is home to Mike Tyson, Michael Jordon, Charles Barkley, and Muhammad Ali, who all have homes nearby. Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad) and Go-Daddy (Domain provider) have their businesses here. It’s the location for the TPC golf course, a favorite of the pro tour. We are the spring training home to the San Francisco Giants and neighboring towns host the Chicago Cubs, along with over half the major league baseball teams. Next year, nearby Glendale will host a little event known as the Superbowl. We also hold the Barrett-Jackson auction of classic cars every year.

We border Phoenix to the west, Tempe to the south and Mesa to the East. The population is about 250,000 and our income is about $20,000 over the national average. We have Scottsdale Community College, home of the Fightin’ Artichokes (no kidding) and a private airport.

But it’s our weather that brings in the newcomers. The Phoenix area summers are infamous for baking at a crisp 105 to 110 degrees from June through September. But the rest of the year we can be in the 60’s through 80’s with very low humidity. It almost never snows or has frost. Every thing and place is well air conditioned to offset the scorching temperatures. We are a desert so rain is rare. We average less than seven inches a year and most days are sunny and cloud-free. The only pollution comes from neighboring cities and traffic that plods along one of our two freeways. We have a few wonderful malls with high-end designer shops and the normal Wal-Mart shopping centers. But, what sets us apart from many other cities, is our environment.

As I stated earlier, we were built on a desert, more specifically, the Sonoran Desert. So we boast scenic vistas of mountains and arroyos, cactus plants and tall saguaros. There are palm trees of varying sizes that can grow 50 feet tall. Many homes use xeroscaping which excludes grass and non-native plants. Rockscaped yards are common. Another common feature are the ranch-style homes built on a single-level. Many will have earthen-hued tile roofs and stucco exteriors to combat the sun. There are also in-ground pools in abundance. Here it is not a luxury. Most homes have central air conditioning and ceiling fans. Tile floors are an ordinary sight at every price range, many composed of Mexican tile. Citrus trees; orange lemon, and grapefruit, grow everywhere. Unfortunately, so do scorpions, rattlesnakes, and black widows. We are home to gila monsters and other smaller lizards. Add in roadrunners and coyotes and you have the wildlife picture.

So, why do I like Scottsdale so much? Well, it’s far different than Red Bank, New Jersey, where I was raised. I enjoy the sunny days, western landscape, lack of crowds, and relaxed lifestyle. It has a bit of California overtones without the beach, although I can drive to Rocky Point and lay on a Mexican beach in 4.5 hours or San Diego in 6 hours. I can be in Las Vegas in 45 minutes by plane. There’s great Mexican food, modern buildings, low crime, good schools, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. Every year, we get many retirees from the mid-west. Most have vacationed here for years, just waiting for the opportunity to get a winter home here.

You may be wondering what’s the point of me telling you all this? Am I a shill for the Department of Tourism, encouraging you to visit or move here? Heck no! Although I love living here, I hope you stay right where you are. I hope not a single new sole moves here to crowd our streets and businesses. But that’s not going to happen, I’m afraid. So, I will point out the downsides. Homes and apartments aren’t cheap, summer is a bitch, we have only two freeways, one with photo-radar to nab speeders, and, unfortunately, Mike Tyson. That should stop you dead in your tracks. Did I mention that Bob Crane of Hogan’s Heroes fame was killed in a Scottsdale Motel? Hopefully, that’s the final straw. Now stop whining, get back to your chores and clear the snow piled on your driveway.



Buenos Aires has always been a mysterious and dynamic destination and like any big city, you can have a variety of experiences.

Generally, those who visit Buenos Aires are glad they did. It is one of the most unique cities in the world and truly offers something for everyone.

However before you travel to another country, it is wise to glean information from those who have recently visited or even better, from people living there.

Here are 10 things to know before visiting Buenos Aires Argentina.

1. The Culture. They speak Spanish in Buenos Aires and the accent takes some getting used to. If you don’t speak Spanish, you can still get by but you may encounter some difficulties with taxis, shopping, and menus. Most people related to tourism speak English. The people are mostly friendly and very conservative keeping old traditions alive. Argentines are hard working people and work a 9-hour day without a nap. Families are the core of the culture and every Sunday is dedicated to spending time with loved ones. Everyone is good looking, even the dogs.

2. Is it safe? Buenos Aires is safe compared to most cities of 13 million people. The most common crime is petty theft including purse snatching and pick pocketing. You will always want to be cautious of this. But the murder rate is incredibly low, the kidnappings of the past have subsided, and there are plenty of police on the main streets to keep an eye on things.

3. What is the environment like in the city? Buenos Aires is an extremely urban environment and the noise and activity is constant. The weather is mild all year round with a few weeks in February that swelter, and a few weeks in August that get chilly. Pollution does exist on weekdays and can cause breathing troubles and the throat to itch. The streets are narrow and walking can sometimes be precarious. The architecture is a treasure trove spanning the last century.

4. What is the political situation? At the moment, politics in Argentina are stable with President Kirchner at the helm for the last 3 years and leaning toward the left. Argentines are very vocal about how they feel and there are peaceful protests around the government buildings several times a week. Throughout the last 70 years, there have been dictators and democracy and a strong rally for socialism. Despite a strong distaste for President Bush, in general the people of Buenos Aires are open minded to foreigners and enjoy meeting them.

5. How is the economy doing? The economy in Buenos Aires is thriving with small businesses, global companies, huge fashion districts, endless restaurants, and a growth in tourism. The University Of Buenos Aires is excellent and keeps the work place progressive. After the devaluation in 2001, the country had some difficult years, but now unemployment and homeless statistics are low and dropping. Foreign investment is booming and creating jobs in almost every sector.

6. Where should I stay? Choices for accommodations are staggering and each neighborhood will offer a different experience. You should rent an apartment if you are planning on staying a week or more. You should try to find lodging in a central part of the city keeping transportation costs low. Recoleta is surely the best neighborhood and very central. The Microcenter is the center of the city and most hotels and hostels are located here. Wherever you stay, make sure you are a few floors up from the street noise. It can be a serious annoyance for tourists and locals alike.

7. What should I pack? All you really need is your passport, something to help you sleep on the plane, and a camera with extra batteries. Everything else is available here at bargain prices. Laptops are accepted but cyber cafes are everywhere. Anything that can’t fit in 2 suitcases may be taxed heavily at the airport. Make sure to leave plenty of room in your luggage for souvenirs. And don’t forget to bring a pair of comfortable shoes.

8. What about money? Bring cash and exchange it at the airport. ATM’s are plentiful but have a $300 USD limit. To exchange money in the city, go to the financial district and look for signs that say “cambio” and bring your passport and an address of where you are staying. Currently $1 USD is worth about 3 pesos, which is good news for the tourist. Very few places accept credit cards. Only restaurants, grocery stores, and banks will break a 100peso bill. So always carry change with you. Always!

9. Transportation. Getting around Buenos Aires for a tourist will consist of 3 methods. Subways are cheap, safe, and only crowded at rush hour. (9am and 7pm). Taxis are also inexpensive but you may be taken on the scenic route if you speak English. Always have the necessary address written down so you can hand it to the driver. And finally, walking is the best way to see the city so make sure you carry a map. For locals, the bus system is the best transportation because there are so many. If you are brave, remember when you get on a bus, always tell the driver “ochenta”.

10. What happens after I get off the plane? When you arrive at the Buenos Aires International Airport (Ezeiza), you will first go through immigration. Before you get in line, make sure you have filled out the visa they give you on the airplane. Hand the visa and passport to the official for stamping. After that, go to baggage claim and collect your things. When you enter the terminal, go around to the right, all the way to the back to where a blue sign says “Banco”. Stand in this line to exchange your money for the best rate in the airport. Next, go to the center of the terminal where an indoor white taxi stand is. Tell them “Capital Federal” and have an address where you are staying. The cost is about 54 pesos and you will be escorted to a white taxi that will safely take you to your lodgings.