MiamiHerald.com: Travel Wires

A look back at the top 10 scenes from the final half of the TV season

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:30 EDT

MINNEAPOLIS - Watch enough television and your mind can feel like it's dissolving into liquid cheese. Thank goodness for those magic moments, the ones that make you proud to own a TV rather than being deeply ashamed. Even though the 2011-12 season was less than inspiring, I found 10 reasons this winter and spring to celebrate:

New South Florida hotels range from earthy to ultra-luxe

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:16 EDT

MIAMI - This year's crop of new and improved hotels in South Florida runs the spectrum from eco- and budget-friendly to extravagantly splurge-worthy. Chic boutiques, family-friendly chains and intimate hideaways all beckon to tourists - or locals seeking a quick backyard escape.

New Transformers ride at Universal puts you in the movies' world

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:16 EDT

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - The 10-foot-tall, red-blue-and-silver Transformer Optimus Prime stomps his way through the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park - sending adults and kids scrambling.

Old California and good grub in San Juan Capistrano

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:11 EDT

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - What an appealing slice-of-life California town, an easy day trip by car or train. Come for the history, stay for the food. This restaurant-intensive ranch town is the oldest community in Orange County. If San Juan Capistrano - or SJC - had a dating profile it would say: "Self-deprecating, authentic, still likes a good time."

Portland, Ore., is a smaller, cleaner, wetter alternative

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:11 EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Hop. I know, it sounds like a dance craze in 1937. But really, it's what you do when Southern California gets you down and you need to drink small-batch beer, eat Northwestern locavore meals and see bike commuters in the rain. My wife, daughter and I hit Portland, Ore., for a few days last August. Here's the report.

Florida Keys: Pedal and paddle trips growing in popularity

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:11 EDT

ISLAMORADA, Fla. - Mark Terrill led a couple on bicycles down a narrow road lined by perfectly manicured trees, flowers and shrubs. At the end was the crystalline white sand beach of The Moorings Village, a luxurious 18-acre resort along the Atlantic Ocean that formerly was a coconut plantation.

Dog-friendly Del Mar a relaxing getaway outside of race season

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:11 EDT

DEL MAR, Calif. - The coastal town is quiet and peaceful when the horses aren't running. Stay at L'Auberge del Mar Resort & Spa and visit Free Flight, an exotic bird sanctuary.

Pet estate planning: It's easier than ever to include your pets in your estate plan

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:07 EDT

Henry loves fetching his tennis ball and playing tug with his stuffed animals. About 6 years old, the Shih Tzu mix likely has many good years left.

Industrial production grows at fastest pace in more than a year

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:12 EDT

Strong auto manufacturing and output from utilities pushed industrial production to swell 1.1 percent in April, its fastest growth rate in more than a year.

More Americans plan on summer travel, surveys say

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:48 EDT

Americans plan to travel in slightly higher numbers this summer, according to surveys, starting with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.