The Republic of Cyprus has a lot in common with the mosaics found in the 2nd-century House of Dionysus, an archeological site near Paphos. Both are colorful with many intricate parts, and a pleasure to view. The mosaics have all the colors of Cyprus: the blue of the Mediterranean Sea, the greens of the Troodos Mountains, the browns of the sandy beaches, and warm colors of the setting sun, plus they represent Cypriot history that dates back to mythical times.

Although the term The Caribbean lumps together a vast geographic area under an umbrella of sunny skies and warm beaches, the experiences found there are varied, offering options for all.

It’s certainly possible to visit Mnarani Resort in on the coast of Kenya and totally forget that you are on the Dark Continent of Africa – not that you’d necessarily want to, but you could.

EUROPE An annual pilgrimage for many, Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is a celebration of light and all things natural! Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in the English county of Wiltshire. One of the most famous sites in the world, it is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones.

Back in the mid-to-late 1990s, finding decent and reliable travel information on the World Wide Web (who actually calls it that today?) was more like exploring the Wild, Wild West.

Some cities have such an abundance of sights that certain venues become lost in the embarrassment of riches. Only the locals can see the forest for the trees, as it were. And so it is with Fort Mason Park in San Francisco, a delightful grouping of vistas, walks and history often overlooked between the tourist magnets of the area’s Embarcadero and the Golden Gate Bridge.

EUROPE The Munich Spring Festival, lovingly called “Octoberfest’s little sister,” is leading off the funfairs in Munich April 16 – May 2, 2010. The enjoyment for the whole family runs 17 days and will fill Munich’s Theresienwiese with fairground rides, beer tents and live music.

Do you know your pommes frites from your pescado? Whether you have a timeshare in Taiwan or fractional ownership in France, it makes sense to get a grasp of the local lingo. Even a few basic words will go down well with the neighbors. Angela West shares her top tips on how to pick up a few words and phrases to get you by. In just a few hours a week you’ll pick up the basics in no time. It’s easier than you think!

The costumes are colorful, flamboyant, and ornate; the festivities are lively, raucous even, and it’s all known simply as carnival. Yet, it’s not a simplistic affair. In addition to celebrating the people, many of the rituals are meant to appease various spirits and cast a shroud of good fortune over the island for the coming year.

For the athletes travelling to British Columbia this winter, it’s all about the focus of competition. For the rest of us, though, it’s all about the fun. From the deep snows of the mountains to the bright lights of the city, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are going to be a celebration for the ages. It’s been called “the biggest potlatch the world has ever seen,” and the good news is that you don’t need a ticket to feel the Olympic rush. While there are hundreds of events with free and open access, here are 10 best bets to get into the spirit of British Columbia’s world-welcoming bash.