International Destinations - KRCW

Scouting the gems of San Juan

Phil Vettel — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:07:00 PDT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — This island offers so many visual treats — gorgeous beaches, rugged hills, beautiful churches and majestic historic forts — that dining becomes a virtual afterthought. A hunk of meat or fish, some sides of mofongo (fried mashed plantains) and mamposteao (rice and beans with other goodies), a stiff rum drink and you're good to go, right?

Chile: Go wine sipping, then hit the rapids in northern Patagonia

By Mary Forgione — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:00:00 PDT

If you're looking for the trip of a lifetime, National Geographic Traveler has 50 to choose from. Its best guided expedition list for 2013 singles out tours that ignite the "inquisitive spirit" of travel. Among the adventures: an eight-day tour of Chile that pairs wine touring by bicycle with white-water rafting in northern Patagonia.

Singapore: Lion City shows its prowess with new hotels, sights

By Rosemary McClure — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:45:00 PDT

Singapore , nicknamed the Lion City, is roaring into the future with a host of new or updated tourist facilities.

Vietnam: Metropole offering tours of rediscovered wartime bunker

By David Lamb — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:45:00 PDT

The Metropole , Hanoi ’s legendary colonial hotel built in 1901, is offering four daily tours to its recently reopened underground concrete bunker where guests, staff and anti-war activists such as Joan Baez and Jane Fonda sought safety from U.S air raids during the Vietnam War.

Hiking heaven

By Barbara Brotman, Tribune Newspapers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:09:00 PDT

Even a flatlander can scale trails in these Italian Alps

MERANO, Italy — A line of goats walked toward us, their bells ringing. A waterfall gurgled. The steeply pitched mountain farm angled down sharply below us. The goats headed downhill, then leaped over a stream through the grass, which looked like green velvet.

Tax-refund travel destinations in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean

By Georgina Cruz — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

With National Tax Day having passed, and the IRS reporting that many Americans will get refunds of close to $3,000, some of us may be looking for “tax refund-worthy” destinations. Here are some deals to consider in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean (all rates and packages are subject to availability):

Uruguay: Coastal reveries, away from it all

By Sasha Vasilyuk — Sun, 7 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Time seems to stand still in such towns as Punta del Este, Punta del Diablo and Barra de Valizas. Watch the waves, enjoy the fresh beef and seafood.

COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO, Uruguay — Straddling the crest of a sand dune, my back to the Atlantic Ocean, I watched a Uruguayan boy net fish in a river lagoon. He waded through the chest-high water, dragging behind him the reflection of the setting sun.

Canada: Is a hotel a crash pad? Yes, and much more, exhibition says

By Jay Jones — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:15:00 PDT

A hotel is more than just a place to lay your head down. If you don't believe it, check out a fascinating new show at the Canada 's Vancouver Art Gallery convincingly argues that hotels are far more than just bricks and mortar.

Mexico: Riviera Nayarit amps up its resort scene

By Rosemary McClure — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:30:00 PDT

A new hotel and several other tourist facilities are scheduled to open during the upcoming year in Riviera Nayarit , one of Mexico 's newest coastal developments. Several resorts in the region, which is north of Puerto Vallarta, also plan to add rooms or make other improvements.

Maldives: Park the jet, then park yourself at Shangri-La resort

By Rosemary McClure — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:15:00 PDT

Well-heeled travelers bound for the turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Maldive Islands now have a new place to park their private jets. Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa has put paradise on the radar with a private jet airport terminal.