Candyce H. Stapen

The best domestic airline frequent flyer programs, after analyzing the 11 largest domestic airlines, are Delta Air Lines, with a score of 59.05 out of a possible 100, and Alaska Airlines, with a score of 55.09, according to 

Amazing. First of all, scoring a 55 or a 59 out of a possible 100 points is, as my mother might say, “nothing to brag about.” Secondly, although I rarely fly Alaska Airlines, I do know about Delta’s program. Over the years, I have accrued more than 176,000 miles on Delta. The reason that I still have 176,000 miles on Delta is that I can almost never swap my miles for a ticket. In the last three years when I have tried to purchase miles 11 months in advance, the Delta system requires me to spend the most miles possible.

I even called a customer service agent about this in case I was misreading the charts, but he assured me that for the privilege of obtaining a seat well in advance, I would need to cash in more miles than is typically required. That seemed outrageous. So I waited a few months and tried again. That’s when I discovered that most of the frequent flyer seats on reasonably direct flights were already booked. I could, however, get to my destination by flying south in the U.S. to pick up a partner airline over the Atlantic that would land hours and hours north of my goal. At that European airport, I would have to wait 8 hours for a connection to my intended destination. So that’s why I still have 176,000 miles. But I digress.

· Delta Air Lines, with a score of 59.05 out of a possible 100

Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways are the only two major airlines whose miles do not expire because of inactivity.

About 7 percent of flights are paid for with points or miles.

Hawaiian Airlines offers the most rewards value per $1 spent ($0.21), with Alaska Airlines coming in a close second ($0.20).

Airline miles cost an average of 62 percent more than they’re worth when purchased rather than earned.

The Frontier Airlines Credit Card and the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express are 2017’s best airline credit cards.

Eight out of 11 airlines do not impose blackout dates on tickets purchased with miles. WalletHub does not provide the names.

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The two airlines that topped the list scored a 59.05 and a 55.09 out of a possible 100 points, leaving substantial room for improvement.

The Best Frequent Flyer Programs of 2017

They're cute, but when left unatended, they can be a menace on a plane. In this study, passengers cited the rear-seat kicker (often children) as the most offensive airline ettiquette violation.

The most disliked passenger on a plane, isn’t the drunk, the person who smells bad, the overweight ticketholder who eats up your floor space with his thighs, or even the curious child sitting next to you. It’s the kid positioned behind you who swings his legs into your seatback for hours. The rear-seat kicker earned the top spot in 

Expedia.com’s 2017 Airplane Etiquette Study

 with a disapproval rating of 64 percent.

Of course, passengers couldn’t experience the full impact of their number-one nemesis without the second most annoying flyers: inattentive parents. These fellow travelers, defined by Expedia as people “who have no control over, or pay no attention to their crying, whining or misbehaved children,” landed with a negative rating of 59 percent.

Expedia.com, a full-service online travel site, commissioned the study, conducted by 

. The research company interviewed and analyzed the responses of 1,005 U.S. interviewees aged 18 -years and older.

The Top: 14 Expedia’s Ranking of Onboard Etiquette Violators 

4. Audio insensitive (the passenger who talks loudly or who listens to loud music), 

6. Chatty Cathy (the neighbor who talks to you and others and won’t stop), 

Click to the next page for behaviors 7-14.

8. Seat-back guy (the passenger who reclines his seat fully soon after the plane takes off), 

 (Have you ever experienced an undresser? We haven’t.)

12. Amorous couples who display inappropriate levels of public affection, 

Interestingly, only 53 percent of respondents recline their seats when flying. Of these, a hardcore 11 percent said they would still recline their seat even if the passenger behind them were noticeably pregnant. (Now, who is being rude?) Some 23 percent don’t recline because they feel it is improper etiquette and another 11 percent don’t recline because they find doing so to be uncomfortable. In addition, 37 percent of Americans would like to have reclining seats banned totally or restricted to certain segments of short-haul flights.

How do we handle bad behavior once onboard? Most U.S. flyers remain reluctant to address boorish passengers directly. Sixty-two percent would choose to alert the flight attendant, 33 percent of respondents would suffer in silence, 13 percent would record the offending behavior on their smartphones and 5 percent would either post the bad acts on social media or tweet about it.

The good news: 76 percent of respondents feel that “for the most part, fellow passengers are considerate of one another.”

Expedia.com commissioned the study, conducted by GfK. The research company interviewed and analyzed the responses of 1,005 U.S. interviewees aged 18 -years and older.

The 14 Worst Airplane Behaviors

Don't be dismayed by Chicago's winter winds. This city is lively when temperatures are low.

In winter, Chicagoans go out. Never mind the chilly gusts blowing off Lake Michigan, temperatures below freezing or the snow. Locals bundle up and savor their city, a Midwestern gem with trendy restaurants, popular microbreweries, packed blues and jazz clubs, plus world-class museums.

Nothing melts the cold like good food and drink. With some 40 James Beard award-winning chefs and 26 Michelin-starred restaurants, plus additional creative tables, Chicago rates as one of the nation’s best food destinations. 

Even the city’s cheap eats come with a distinctive flare. Served in a poppy seed bun, the classic Chicago hot dog is “dragged through the garden,” a reference to the multiple toppings: yellow mustard — not ketchup – relish, white onions, chili peppers, tomato slices and a pickle spear. Deep dish pizza, long associated with Chicago, is readily available. Popular places include Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s. Among the myriad stops for thin-crust fans are Piece Brewery and Pizzeria, as well as Parlor Pizza Bar.

Good dining thrives in the Fulton Market/West Loop neighborhoods. Condé Nast Traveler names 

 as serving one of America’s best burgers. Casual and friendly, 

 also gains fame for its burgers while its upstairs sister 

 serves prix fixe fine dining. Chef Sarah Grueneberg’s flavorful pastas won Monteverde a spot on Bon Appétit’s finalist list of America’s Best New Restaurants 2016. Aficionados point to the former “Top Chef” contestant’s ragu alla Napoletana and the wok-fried strangozzi noodles as entrees not to miss.

Another “Top Chef” star, Stephanie Izard, works culinary magic at her trio of popular restaurants. 

, also a bakery and a bar, dishes out clever takes on comfort food all day long. Lunch “Sammiches” include Tonkatsu, breaded pork cutlet and Asian barbecue sauce, as well as an array of burgers, including Goat Almighty. For supper, munch on chicken pot pie, fried chicken and pork belly ramen. Leave room for imaginative milkshakes such as sweet potato pecan, and smoked pork and toffee crunch.

, Izard mixes atypical ingredients — goat meatballs with escargot – for flavorful dishes. Izard’s newest restaurant, Duck Duck Goat, serves Sichuan-influenced fare.

You can sweeten the evening with everything chocolate at the 

. On Friday and Saturday evenings, The Lobby café serves mini-chocolate cakes, puddings, mille-feuilles, and even a chocolate martini.

, Chicago’s only restaurant with three Michelin stars, Chef Achatz and his staff employ molecular techniques and performance art to present imaginative creations. At Alinea when broth pours over sheets of dehydrated scallops, they morph into a noodle-like state. Inhale an edible helium-filled balloon to discover it’s a green apple taffy dessert.

At The Aviary, mixologists manipulate the ingredients’ states of matter to create new textures and flavors, plus visual surprises. The cocktails arrive frozen into spheres, turned into jelly cubes, oozing foam or billowing smoke.

Along with downing craft cocktails, Chicagoans warm up at microbreweries and trendy taverns. 

 draws fans with some 20 craft beers on tap plus, in winter, an outdoor patio that morphs into an ice curling rink. Other popular brewpubs, including 

At Fremont in the River North neighborhood, the downstairs restaurant serves salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads, and upstairs, DJs lead the dancing.

For more music, take advantage of Chicago’s long tradition of nurturing blues and jazz artists. Listen to the soul-reaching rhythm of blues at 

Laugh at the comedy sketches performed by 

, whose legendary alumni include Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert. The troupe stages two shows: timely riffs of “The Winner of Our Discontent,” and top sketches in “The Best of The Second City.”  

Less visited by tourists but loved by locals, the 

 screens art films, international movies, and documentaries as well as explores genres and themes. Among the center’s February programs is “New Sensory Cinema,” movies that aim to create feelings of devotion, entrapment and ecstasy in viewers.

The iconic "Cloud Gate" sculpture reflects and distorts Chicago's skyscrapers.

After the 1871 fire that destroyed much of the city, Chicago rebuilt. Among the noted architects constructing their visions were Frank Lloyd Wright (Robie House, Hyde Park, 1909, Prairie Style); Daniel H. Burnham (Art Institute of Chicago,1893 Beaux Arts,) and William Le Baron Jenney (Home Insurance Building, 1885). Although no longer standing, Jenny’s 10-story structure earned bragging rights as America’s first skyscraper.

If you can brave the cold, sign up for the 

’s Historic Skyscraper tour, two-hours of a walk and talk covering the city’s iconic structures. Spring through fall, the Chicago Architecture Foundation operates informative river cruises.

To stay warm and get thrilled by the city views, lean into 

 floor of the John Hancock Tower that moves, angling observers out over the city’s Magnificent Mile, the upscale, downtown shopping district. At the Ledge at Skydeck, Willis Tower, (formerly the Sears Tower), the bold stand on a clear platform that projects from the 103

 floor, giving viewers the sensation of floating above the city.

, houses the country’s third largest art collection. Highlights include the large collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art that feature works by Renoir, Seurat, van Gogh and Monet as well as the comprehensive contemporary collection that showcase works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons and others.  

, a 25-acre urban landscape of gardens and greenery in summer, serves year-round as a showcase for outdoor sculpture. It has become a Chicago tradition to take a selfie in front of “Cloud Gate,” aka “the Bean,” the park’s elliptical, stainless steel structure that reflects the city’s skyline and the sky above. Another tradition: ice skating at the park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.

, an impressive natural history facility, meet “SUE,” the largest — 40.5 feet long – and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever found. Feel like a bug as you walk through worm tunnels and soil chambers. And at the 

, opened November 2016, learn about some of the Field’s research, including how scientists use minerals to re-think Earth’s history and how experts employ DNA to discover other species. Talk with the researchers at select times.

’s 32,000 animals inhabit freshwater, marine, land and air environments. Sharks, octopi, stingrays, sea lions, sea otters, penguins, river turtles, frogs and monkeys from the Amazon live at the Shedd. Book special experiences to get even closer to some critters. With behind the scenes at the shark tank, find out how each toothy predator is trained to respond to its own cue for food so that feeding frenzies don’t occur. On other adventures, meet a penguin or a beluga whale.

You can observe monkeys, zebras, jaguars, wolves, snow leopards and more critters at the free, 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo, a Chicago landmark since 1868. Through Feb. 26, enjoy ice skating on select days at the zoo’s rink (fee required).  

Whether you like zoos or not, Lincoln Park, just north of downtown, is worth exploring. The trendy lakefront neighborhood is home to the aforementioned Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S clubs as well as Alinea.

While Lincoln Park has its big box and big name chain stores, the neighborhood hosts enough boutiques to make shopping less predictable than the high-end stores along downtown’s Magnificent Mile. Among the browse-worthy are Bevello for casual, women’s dresses, jeans and tops and Art Effect for its mix of watches, jewelry, scarves, tops and dresses.

A winter weekend in Chicago is great fun; just don’t forget your hat, scarf and gloves. 

Chicago locals bundle up and head out in winter, savoring the city's restaurants, microbreweries, and packed clubs. There's no reason you can't do the same during the Chicago Dental Society's Midwinter Meeting, from Feb. 23-25.

Chicago: Savor the Windy City in Winter

 has recently launched several initiatives to lure passengers as part of the line’s Come Back New Promise, a $450 million, multi-year product innovation and cruise ship renovation program that launched in 2016.

“The Come Back New Promise,” says Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president, “differentiates our approach to cruising and offers our guests enriching vacation experiences by connecting them with each other, nature and different cultures in a new way. Our promise is to provide guests transformative moments designed to inspire them to discover the world and themselves, ultimately allowing us to declare that a cruise isn’t good enough unless you ‘come back new.’”

That’s a great deal to undertake. Based on my last Princess Cruise four years ago, I’d be delighted if the line would improve its mostly mediocre food. I understand that new menus and food experiences are also part of Princess’ Come Back New program.

Princess has renovated its youth and teen rooms and, in partnership with Discovery Communications, revamped the programming to include more “edutainment” content from the media company. In the Treehouse, children ages 3 through 7 can engage in hands-on play. At the Lodge, children ages 8 through 12 can hang out and play air hockey and foosball, learn about sharks, and find out about Alaska and other regions to which the ships sail. At the Beach House, teens ages 13 through 17 can enter video game tournaments, try dance lessons and watch movies.

The new centers and programming are currently on board Grand Princess, and will debut on Caribbean Princess March 2017, Regal Princess, April 2017, Sea Princess, October 2017, and the remainder of the fleet in 2017 and 2018.

The revamped programs and rooms sound great. What would complement the new programming would be to create narrower age groups. Developmentally, there’s a great deal of difference between a 3- and a 4-year-old, and a 6- and 7-year-old. This is not to mention that 13-year-old boys or girls may feel bullied by 17-year-olds.

Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Princess Cruises, recently announced that it has developed the “world’s first interactive guest experience platform” designed to enhance service. A wearable device, the Ocean Medallion, allows passengers to check in and out quickly, access their staterooms without a key card, locate family and friends on the ship, purchase merchandise without using any paper, and order food and drinks to be delivered to them wherever they happen to be.

The Ocean Medallion pairs with Ocean Compass, a digital concierge available online, on smart devices, on stateroom televisions and on tablets and interactive surfaces throughout the ship. Guests use the Ocean Compass to book experiences and create itineraries. Another benefit: The devices are supposedly easy to use.

The Regal Princess will be the first ship to activate Ocean Medallion and Ocean Compass technology, starting with the November 13, 2017 sailing. Royal Princess will launch the gadgets starting January 19, 2018, and the Caribbean Princess, starting March 18, 2018.

The new youth facilities and programs and the hi-tech Ocean Medallions and the Ocean Compass concierge are exciting programs for Princess.

The Come Back New Promise, says Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president, differentiates our approach to cruising and offers our guests enriching vacation experiences by connecting them with each other, nature and different cultures in a new way.

Princess Cruises Overhauls Fleet to Attract Passengers

Image Source: Greater Charleston Restaurant Association

Visit a city during a festival and you get a special taste of your destination. That literally occurs January 29 in Charleston, South Carolina, at the 

. The event serves 80,000 pounds of oysters, making it, according to claims, the world’s largest oyster festival. “We encourage guests to bring not only their oyster shuckers but their appetites as well,” says Athan Fokas, Greater Charleston Restaurant Association Secretary/Treasurer.

Aficionados can get by with a firm grip and a sharp oyster knife. Newbies might want to bring along gloves as well to protect their hands from the mollusks’ sharp edges. Buckets of the bivalves, about 36 oysters, cost $12. Don’t worry if you prefer not to shuck your own. Food trucks and Charleston restaurants will serve the Lowcountry staple on the half shell as well as steamed and fried.

Festival highlights include contests in oyster shucking and oyster eating, live music, and for kids, the Pluff-a-Pallooza Children’s Area with crafts, cookie decorating, balloon animals, face painting and oyster shell puppet making.

 in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.  Established in 1743, the plantation, located about 8 miles from downtown Charleston, is known for its tours and its 200-year-old live oaks draped with Spanish moss that canopy across the plantation’s entrance drive. Admission costs $17.50 in advance, $25 on the day of the event. Food and beverages cost extra.        

While in Charleston, stroll the historic district with its antebellum mansions, take in the views from Waterfront Park, visit the South Carolina Aquarium and tour Fort Sumter. There’s no shortage of good food in Charleston. Top spots include167 Raw for its seafood, the 

 for its blend of Southern, French and modern fare, 

 for its fusion of Lowcountry and French cusisine, 

 for its fried chicken skins and burgers, and 

For lodging near Boone Hall, consider the 

, Mt. Pleasant. The inn serves meals as well as offers six guestrooms, each with a private bath. Accommodations in Charleston range from moderate to more pricey. Among the options, are a Doubletree by Hilton, the Planters Inn (a boutique property in the Historic District), The Courtyard by Marriott in the Historic District, the downtown King Charles Inn, and the Belmond Charleston Place, a luxury hotel near the Historic Charleston City Market.

A bucket of oysters or about 36 of the briny treats will cost you about $12 dollars. If you don't feel like shucking them yourself, there are plenty of food trucks and restaurants to take care of it for you.

A Pearl of a Destination: Savor Charleston's Oyster Festival

Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George's Castle) in Lisbon, Portugal

Castles and royalty intrigue kids. Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) and the Alentejo region, an hour’s drive away, intrigue kids with their princely abodes and ancient cities. In summer, sunny 

’s cities can feel too hot and dry for kids craving beaches and sand. In February, March and April, flowers and almond blossoms bloom and temperatures remain moderate, making the destination perfect for a spring break visit.

The port made Lisbon — and Portugal &mdash; powerful in the 15th century. During this “Age of Discovery,” ships sailed from Lisbon’s harbor to the New World in search of gold and glory. The warmest and westernmost capital in Europe, Lisbon rises on seven hills situated along the Tejo River and its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean.     

Get a sense of the city during its medieval prime by strolling the cobblestone streets of Alfama, a centuries-old neighborhood once populated by nobles. It’s fun to search for the family coats of arms fronting the 16

 century houses. Along the winding streets, you pass shops, cafes, old churches and even vendors selling canaries.

The high, stone walls of the Alfama’s Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle) testify to its 5

 century beginnings as a fortress. Although an earthquake destroyed the original castle, the structure has been rebuilt. Peacocks stroll the gardens and you can pace the ramparts for a scenic city and water view. 

The castle of Marvão in the Alentejo region of Portugal

For centuries, mountains, wheat, water and castles were the elements of survival in Portugal’s Alentejo region on the border with Spain. Within an hour’s drive of Lisbon, the Alentejo stretches from the banks of the Rio Tejo (Targus River) south to the mountains of the Algarve.  On the fertile plains farmers still tend cork tree forests and grow wheat. And for centuries, rulers bolstered their kingdom’s safety by building mountain fortresses. 

Marvão is a walled medieval village. Its castle, set defiantly atop a rocky 2,837-foot pinnacle, soars above the surrounding countryside. On a clear day you might see Spain’s mountains fewer than 5 miles to the east, as well as Portugal’s peaks.

Marvan, a Moorish king of Coimbra, built the first fortress at this site in the 8th century. After successive kings, battles and “renovations,” the castle was transformed again in 1640 following Portugal’s independence from Spain. For more than two centuries, Marvão’s walls withstood the Spanish. Marvão, whose last battle took place in 1830 during Portugal’s Civil War, rates as one of Portugal’s best-preserved, still-inhabited, walled medieval villages with a standing castle. Your kids will be impressed.

In February, March and April, flowers and almond blossoms bloom and temperatures remain moderate, making the destination perfect for a spring break visit.

Portugal's Castles Capture the Childhood Imagination

 launched two apps this week to help make choices for travelers easier. Both conform to the desires of Millennials (and other travelers) for quick and easy services that do away with talking, instead delivering what you want at the push of a button.

In fact, the new Hotels.com Concierge is powered by the aptly named 

, a platform that connects consumers to products available within the marketplace. Research by Hotels.com indicated that 46 percent of travelers would like to use a mobile concierge service, especially for restaurant reservations, directions and tickets to tourist attractions.

“Mobile is changing the way people travel, and at the forefront of that we’re constantly innovating and investing in mobile, to offer more than just hotel bookings. We want to make our customers’ lives easier before, during and after their trip,” says Daniel Craig, Senior Director of Mobile at Hotels.com.

While Hotels.com plans to have a ticketing service available soon for the app, the virtual concierge uses your hotel’s location to provide transportation by Uber, food delivery by delivery.com, restaurant reservations through Open Table and activities through Groupon. These, of course, are all things you could do anyway if you had the applicable apps on your smartphone. The aim of Hotels.com’s concierge is to make connecting to these services easier by grouping them together.

Also, remember that the activities suggested may be limited to what Groupon or other tied-in services offer. These may or may not be the most interesting or signature activities for the location.

You might find out more about your destination with Hotels.com Apple TV app, also new. Designed to inspire your travels before your trip, the new app features “600 different activities to choose from across hundreds of destinations,” according to Hotels.com.

Depending on the breakdown, that may or may not provide more than a few choices for each destination. Each activity is accompanied by high-definition images as well as recommendations on where to stay. Videos should be available soon. 

 “We want travelers to use the app for inspiration, to give them new ideas on destinations to visit and activities to try. It’s also perfect for group bookings, as friends and family can gather around the TV to choose their holiday together,” says Craig.

Both of Hotels.com’s apps provide destination information. The Apple TV app targets those in the process of choosing a trip while the Concierge delivers services at your hotel. Both services are helpful; just remember that not all the available choices are delivered by either app.

You might want to check with the property’s human concierge to find that out-of-the-way café with the terrific chocolate croissants or the surfing school in Waikiki that specializes in teaching kids.

Mobile is changing the way people travel, and at the forefront of that, we're constantly innovating and investing in mobile, to offer more than just hotel bookings. We want to make our customers' lives easier before, during, and after their trip, says Daniel Craig, Senior Director of Mobile at Hotels.com.

New Apps Aim to Streamline the Travel Process

Active travel is on the rise. Southeast Asia, the Arctic, Alaska and Morocco as well as Central and South America are destinations that appeal to Millennials on a budget, families with kids, and luxury seekers, according to adventure travel companies.

Sri Lanka. Image Source: Austin Adventures

“One thing that might surprise folks is that travel to Southeast Asia continues to be strong,” says Dan Austin, president of 

, a multi-sport adventure tour company for adults and families. Austin cites a slow and steady increase in interest to the region over the years.

 12 day/11 night trips to Sri Lanka with a jungle safari for leopard and sloth in Wilpattu National Park and a boat safari in Gal Oya National Park to see elephants swimming between the islands. From $6,798 per person.

, a tour operator that offers economical trips for Millennials, has seen growth in interest from its 18- to 29-year-old customers. “Southeast Asia is by far our most popular destination and it continues to entice travelers, up 17 percent for the whole region in 2016,” says Leigh Barnes, North America regional director for Geckos Adventures. Barnes notes that bookings are already up 41 percent for 2017 trips.  Barnes also cites strong interest in Nepal and India.

 12 day/11 night Essential Cambodia. Explore Ho Chi Minh City, Angkor and Bangkok. Meals not included. From $895.

, recently named AFAR’s World’s Best Tour Operator, has witnessed increased demand for trips to Iceland, Greenland, Lapland and Norway’s fjord country. “We are proud to have pioneered some really interesting hiking trips in Norway, both in the fjord country and hiking above the Arctic Circle,” says Barbara Banks, director of marketing and new-trip development for Wilderness Travel. Wilderness Travel is known for its itineraries that feature off-the-beaten-path places and an emphasis on cultures and landscapes.    

 12 day/11 night expedition to Lapland with snowshoeing in national parks, a reindeer safari through the forest, cross-country skiing and dogsledding. From $6,495 per person.

For Austin Adventures’ travelers, interest in Peru continues to be strong. “Peru continues to be popular and is such an amazing destination. There’s so much more to Peru than Machu Picchu and we open up that world to our guests,” says Austin.

 Peru Family, Machu Picchu: 9 days/8 nights. Visit Cusco, hike the Inca Trail, and raft the Urubamba River. From $4,998 per person.

“Central America is our fourth most popular destination overall and has shown 27 percent growth for 2017 booking from 2016,” says Barnes. “While growth increases in 2015 flattened out in 2016, due to concerns about Zika and availability around the Olympics, travelers are coming back in 2017.”

 14 days/13 nights Bolivia. Escorted by an expert in Inca culture, explore La Paz, visit Inca ruins, meet the weavers of Tarabuco and hike nature reserves. From $5,295 per person.

Lounging In the lap of luxury isn't for all vacationers. Some want to rough it a bit. That's why adventure-based travel is on the rise. If that's something you might be interested in, here are some good options.

Journeys for Explorers at Heart: Adventure-Based Travel

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Image Source: C.H. Stapen

We wanted a couples’ getaway within driving distance of Washington, D.C., someplace where we could celebrate two January birthdays. That meant that despite the cold weather, we sought interesting activities. And we also craved good food. 

, Farmington, Pennsylvania, located 180 miles from the District of Columbia, delivered. 

Bouncing in a Jeep that tilted 30 degrees as it crawled over a boulder, felt exhilarating and frightening. My husband and I took turns driving, as Ty, our instructor, calmly guided us through the Rock, a 3 mile, snow-covered course. We traversed iced-over ditches, maneuvered through sharp curves, crunched rocks in gullies and climbed over three, 10 to 20-foot hills in quick succession, all while managing not to hit trees that seemed to pop in front of us in the dense woods.

Driving was challenging but fun. Sitting in the backseat was more difficult because, positioned over the axle, we were shaken, bumped, pitched and rocked mercilessly. Not eating lunch before our drive proved to be critical. We didn’t succumb to motion sickness. Another tip: wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty since some of the mud that covered the Jeeps and the floor mats will end up on your clothing.

Nemacolin has long been known for its spa, an oasis with 40 treatment rooms and a wide range of offerings from facials to wraps to bath rituals, massages and skin therapies. During my facial, one of the best I’ve ever had, the therapist asked me questions, listened to my answers and then chose appropriate products to cleanse, moisturize, exfoliate, soothe and plump my skin. I came away relaxed and my skin felt smooth.    

Nemacolin’s Holistic Healing Center, distinct from the spa, focuses on providing guests with ways to “achieve life balance and wellness,” according to its brochure.  Many guests come for assessments and ongoing treatments. Along with fitness classes and yoga sessions, the Center offers meditation, acupuncture, select massages and other services. I chose a Thai massage. I don’t know whether the combination of stretching, acupressure and pressing released blocked energy, but after the vigorous session, I felt good.

Although Lautrec, Nemacolin’s Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond restaurant was closed for dinner, we had good meals at Aqueous and at Autumn. At Aqueous, known for its steak, my 8-ounce filet mignon was delicious. So was my husband’s Chilean sea bass; however, the tiny portion, easily consumed in four bites or less, made the $39 price not go down so well for my husband.

Our server at Autumn announced that the cuisine was “Appalachian and French.”  The menu featured venison, scallops, ribeye, duck and sea bass. The duck was a little bit dry but tasty, and the sea bass was good. Priced at $39, the portion looked about three times bigger than the one served at Aqueous. We appreciated that Nemacolin featured good restaurants, an important part of our couples’ getaway.

: Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Nemacolin, less than 3.5 hours from the District of Columbia, sprawls on 2000-acres. The resort offers a total of 320 rooms in five types of lodging. Falling Rock, recipient of an AAA Five-Diamond award, offers 42 rooms. Chateau Lafayette, inspired by the Ritz Paris, has 124 rooms. The Lodge, the original resort property, and the Lodge Annex, are the most economical choices. Nemacolin also offers two-bedroom townhomes and several houses that sleep two to 20 guests. 

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort strikes an ideal balance of outdoor adventure, refined spa and wellness treatments, and good dining experiences.

Book This Rustic and Refined Weekend Getaway for Couples

San Juan keeps surprising us. Two urban finds we recently discovered are the 

 (MAPR) dedicated to the island’s visual arts and 

 a historic area café devoted to serving Puerto Rican coffee picked according to standards the owner learned at his grandfather’s farm.

Caribbean Getaways: Kiteboarding, San Juan, Puerto Rico

The 130,000-square foot museum opened in 2000 in Santurce, a San Juan district typically off the tourist trail. Come to the MAPR for the galleries, the sculpture garden and to dine at 

, the trendy restaurant operated by chef owner Mario Pagán.

The MAPR’s collection of 1,100 works dates from the 17

 centuries. The permanent exhibit provides a perspective on Puerto Rican art by detailing Mexican, American and European influences and also by showcasing paintings and prints that reflect the island’s politics, geography and culture. 

Viewing the works in this context offered new insight. To the traditional portrait of the Spanish governor’s daughters, noted 18

 century painter José Campeche added the island touches of a pineapple and a maraca. Francisco Oller, a 19

 century artist, positioned soursops, an island fruit, at the center of his still life.

In the poster gallery, circa 1950-1970, see how island silkscreen artists manipulated design and color to convey educational messages and movie themes, and later, political commentary. In a 1994 mixed media installation 

 Pepón Osario staged a New York City shop whose hubcap-lined walls, pool table, and mural size “tattoo” of roses encircled with “

The 2.5 acre sculpture garden is a serene spot with a pond and waterfall. Contemporary pieces bloom amid the bamboo, ferns and palms. For children, the MAPR offers activARTE, a colorful, interactive space where kids can draw and paint. At select times, the museum hosts family programs.

Unlike many museum restaurants, Laurel serves tasty fare. Iron Chef participant Mario Pagán labels his food as the “new Caribbean cuisine,” one that adds fresh, native ingredients to international items. We recommend the sirloin steak served with a sweet plantain mousse and red wine reduction.

For another authentic island taste, stop by 

, Old San Juan. To serve a truly Puerto Rican cup of coffee, owner Joaquin Pastor selects only certain beans, hand-picked from his grandfather’s farm and from the fields of a few other local growers.

Pastor roasts the beans in the back of his shop. “We do not use flavors — vanilla, hazelnut – to hide the defects of the coffee,” said Pastor. “Puerto Rican coffee has traces of chocolate. In a balanced roast, you can taste a little bit of chocolate.”

The coffee, like the day of island finds, is delicious.

. Puerto Rico appears to have a handle on the problem. The number of confirmed new cases throughout the entire island has dropped considerably, from an October 2016 peak of 5,317 to 502 cases on December 16.

Nonetheless, avoid Puerto Rico if you’re pregnant or if you and your partner are thinking about becoming pregnant. Travelers should heed the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s

 advice that includes using mosquito repellant and wearing long sleeves

You need to make your own informed decision about visiting Puerto Rico and other affected Caribbean islands. If you do decide to travel, you will find plenty of good deals. 

San Juan is full of surprises. Off the beaten path, you'll find stunning collections of artwork and a historic area cafe that serves a delicious, authentic Puerto Rican coffee roast.