Greetings!

Travelscope / Winter 2017 

Joseph enjoys sunset 

over Havana, Cuba 

during his “My 

Cuba” tour with 

viewers. 

Greetings! 

Travel is Fatal to Prejudice, Bigotry and Narrow-mindedness. 

- Mark Twain 

It’s a new year; let’s pray for a healthy and 

happy one. Change, not all of it for the 

better, is in the air. When things seem 

darkest it’s good to remember that there is 

always a light at the end of the tunnel, gray 

skies do eventually clear up and all things 

must pass. 

At times like these more than ever the travel 

experience offers a welcomed relief from 

the braying “nabobs of negativism” as well 

as the opportunity to acquire a different and 

truly balanced view of our world and the 

people in it. The positive ways that travel 

augments our lives are countless. 

In a recent interview with Lonely Planet, 

available at this link, President Barak 

Obama credited his million miles of travel 

with giving him hope for the future. He 

gained that perspective from the thousands 

of optimistic, tolerant and engaged young 

people that he met on his worldwide travels. 

Their focus on cooperation instead of 

division, on compassion rather than 

separation gives them the power to deflect 

the fear being dispensed by many of their 

elders. 

At Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope we strive 

to be a guide for our audience along that 

path. Julie and I just returned from hosting a 

small group of Travelscope viewers in my 

ancestral homeland, Cuba. The group’s 

willingness to venture forth into the 

unknown with an open heart and mind was 

a joy to share. For those who haven’t had 

the chance to travel with us physically, we 

hope that thorough our PBS television series 

and our other avenues of communication, 

like our website and this eMagazine, you 

are with us in spirit. 

This latest issue of the eMagazine offers 

you, our intrepid travelers, all the 

information and encouragement you’ll need 

to take the plunge. We urge you to take the 

plunge. No matter what troubling winds 

blow, the travel waters are fine. Enjoy! 

Happy Traveling! 

In This Issue: 

Getting Around......................2 

Celebrations USA...................2 

Destination Hotspot 

The Douro River.....................3 

Dateline: The World...............3 

Road Trippin’ Through the 

Florida Keys: 

America’s Caribbean...............4 

Resorts, Hotels ‘n’ Inns...........7 

Charmed in Costa Rica...........8 

Spotlight on 

South Korea..........................10 

Book Marks..........................11 

Travelscope® is published by Travelscope® Inc., PO Box 519, Topanga, CA 90290, (310) 455-7164. Publisher and Executive Producer: Joseph 

Rosendo; eMagazine Editor: Barbara Beckley; Associate Editor: Teresa Conboy; Marketing Director and Producer: Julie Rosendo. Travelscope is not 

to be reproduced without written permission. Subscribe to our podcast, join our blog and follow our television shows at www.travelscope.net.

Travelscope/Winter 2017 

Page 2 

Getting Around 

Celebrations U.S.A. 

LOT Polish Airlines is set to begin nonstop service four 

times a week from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

to Warsaw, Poland in April 2017 onboard the Boeing 787 

Dreamliner. This is the first direct flight between Los Angeles 

and Eastern and Central Europe and is the shortest flight 

time from the U.S. West Coast to many destinations in 

Poland and other countries in Eastern and Central Europe. 

Lot.com. (Watch for Joseph’s Poland show airing now on 

PBS and public television stations.) 

Now, you can fly direct to Cuba from Los Angeles. Beginning 

January 5, 2017, Alaska Airlines will offer the only daily, 

non-stop flights from Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba. The 

flights are set to depart Los Angeles International Airport 

(LAX) at 8:50 a.m. and arrive in Havana, Cuba at 4:55 

p.m. Passengers must be authorized under one of the 12 

categories to visit Cuba. AlaskaAir.com. 

Watch the Aurora Borealis dance over black spruce forests 

outside your lodge by night and enjoy a dose of local culture 

by day on the GondwanaEcotour Alaska: Northern Lights 

Ecotour. Now through December 3, 2017 book this fabulous 

six-night tour into the Alaska countryside outside Fairbanks. 

Enjoy dog-sledding, hiking alongside Reindeer, geothermal 

hot springs and even a curling lesson. Each 12-person tour 

is led by a Northern Lights photographer, who works one-onone 

with each guest. $2,345 per person, double occupancy. 

GondwanaEcoTours.com 

Go off the beaten path in Joshua Tree National Park 

in California on a personalized tour with Joshua Tree 

Excursions. Experience hidden valleys, streambeds and 

giant boulders seen by only a few. Excursions are based 

on individual capabilities from novice to experienced hikers. 

JoshuaTreeExcursions.com. (Check out Joseph’s California 

adventures airing now on PBS and public television stations.) 

Protect yourself from sickness when you’re traveling with the 

Sickweather – Sickness Forecasting & Mapping iPhone App. 

Every day, people around the globe update social media sites 

when they get sick. Just as Doppler radar scans the skies for 

indicators of bad weather, Sickweather scans social networks 

for indicators of illness, allowing you to check for the chance 

of sickness everywhere you go. Sickweather.com 

Warm up your winter at the 33rd National Cowboy Poetry 

Gathering, January 30 – February 4, 2017 in Elko, Nevada. 

All around Elko you’ll experience poetry, song, video, visual 

art and new media featuring first-hand accounts, narratives 

and tall tales. The Gathering culminates with The Moth 

Mainstage, a leader in the resurgence of nonfiction 

story telling as heard on The Moth Radio Hour on NPR. 

NationalCowboyPoetryGathering.org 

Party hearty at New Orleans Mardi Gras, February 11 – 

28, 2017. Parades begin in January, and the party ramps 

up on February 11 followed by 12 days with dozens of 

parades dancing through the streets – 14 parades alone on 

February 18, culminating with the parades of the popular 

Krewes of Rex and Zulu on Fat Tuesday, February 28. The 

whirlwind of balls, beads, King Cake and non-stop revelry 

dates from the 1830s. NewOrleansCVB.com 

If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to celebrate the 

50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. In 1967, nearly 

100,000 young people converged on the Haight-Ashbury 

neighborhood turning the city into the epicenter of a cultural 

phenomenon known as the Summer of Love, where 

music, fashion, art and new ideas flourished. Throughout 

2017, museum exhibitions, special events, concerts and 

volunteerism events will explore what that period meant 

then and now. SummerOfLove2017.com (Watch Joseph’s 

California shows airing now on Public Television throughout 

the U.S. and Canada.) 

Enjoy tasty temptations and fine wines in the Florida Keys 

during Uncorked – The Key Largo & Islamorada Food & 

Wine Festival, January 5 – 15, 2017. Eleven glorious days 

of wine tasting events, cooking demos, wine dinners, live 

music, food and wine pairing classes, progressive wine 

dinners and art and wine shows. FloridaKeysUncorked. 

com 

Make it a Maple Weekend, March 18-19 or 25-26, in New 

York State. Taste pure maple syrup in its many forms – 

right from the source – at some 160 maple farms as well 

as museums and other sites. Enjoy tours, samples and 

pancake breakfasts. NYSMaple.com


Page 3 

Destination Hot Spot: 

The Douro River with Emerald Waterways 

Dateline: The World 

Flowing through a corner of Europe that’s lost in time, the 

Douro River winds through Northern Portugal, past medieval 

cities, picturesque villages, working family farms and the 

vineyards that give the world Portugal’s favorite export – port 

wine. 

Emerald Waterways’ eight-day “Secrets of the Douro” cruise 

offers a perfect way to discover this fairytale land while 

enjoying the best of river cruising luxuries. 

The journey begins at the mouth of the Douro in Porto, a 

beautiful coastal city known for its mix of ancient and modern 

architecture, stately bridges and, of course, port wine. Wine 

caves and tasting boutiques in the hillsides of the nearby 

Vila Nova de Gaia region provide a delicious pairing of 

local cuisine and port. The 19th century Palácio da Bolsa, 

once a stock exchange building, and the medieval castle of 

Guimarães are other highlights. 

The ship, Emerald Waterways’ newest Emerald Radiance, 

provides an excellent platform for viewing the Douro Valley, 

a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it cruises to villages 

including Pinhao, home to some of the world’s best port 

wines; Lamego, with Roman ruins and battlements, and Vega 

de Terrón, the Portuguese gateway to the Spanish city of 

Salamanca. 

Founded in Roman times, Salamanca is home to one of 

Europe’s oldest universities and is still a lively student town, 

with countless tapas bars. The ship’s walking tour to the grand 

square and numerous medieval structures is like a step back 

in time. Returning to Portugal, the quaint village of Pocinho 

features an excursion to the Côa Valley Museum, showcasing 

prehistoric stone carvings made by the early inhabitants of 

the Douro Valley, and the former Roman settlement of Peso 

da Régua includes a visit to the Douro Museum with exhibits 

on local winemaking, and a guided tour through the elaborate 

18th century Mateus Palace. 

*To learn more, go to EmeraldWaterways.com. 

(Watch for Joseph’s new Portugal river cruise adventure 

airing on PBS stations throughout the United States and 

Canada as part of Season 9 of JRTS this fall.) 

Thrill to the magic of winter at the Quebec Winter 

Carnival, January 27 to February 12, 2017 in Quebec, 

Canada. Led by Bonhomme Carnaval, its iconic living 

snowman, visitors experience more than 200 events from 

canoe races on the iced-over river to the International 

Snow Sculpture Competition, the glistening Ice Palace 

(made out of ice) and glorious Night Parades. Carnaval. 

qc.ca (Watch Joseph’s Quebec show airing now on PBS 

and Public Television.)* 

Celebrate the “crazy season,” now through February 28, 

2017, during Germany’s Winter Carnivals. Top carnival 

cities include Cologne with the nation’s largest carnival 

parade at nearly four miles; Dusseldorf, where celebrants 

laugh, dance and kiss at street carnivals and parades; 

Mainz with all-night parties, banquets and costume balls, 

and Rottweil in Baden-Württemberg with carved wooden 

masks worn by participants in its three big parades. 

Germany.Travel (Look for Joseph’s Germany Winter 

Carnival adventure coming on PBS and Public Television.) 

Experience Holy Week in Óbidos, Portugal, April 9-16, 

2017. Considered one of the most impressive religious 

manifestations in western Portugal, the festivities 

include the Funeral Procession of the Lord, illuminated 

by only torches along the way; concerts and exhibits. 

SemanaSantaObidos.pt (Watch for Joseph’s new Portugal 

River show airing now on PBS throughout the U.S. and 

Canada as part of Season 9.) 

Engage in Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) during 

Japan’s cherry blossom season from late March through 

April. Top spots include Tokyo’s Ueno-onshi-koen Park; 

Chidori-ga-fuchi, near the Imperial Palace, and Hitsujiyama 

Park. Other areas include Kyoto, Osaka and Mt. 

Yoshino-yama with what is considered the best blossom 

viewing in Japan. JNTO.org (Check out Joseph’s Japan 

adventure airing now on Public Television stations 

nationwide and in Canada.) 

Chill out in New Zealand at Luminate, February 1-8, 2017, 

a vibrant summer festival of cutting-edge live & electronic 

music, visual & performing arts, inspirational knowledge 

sharing, and pioneering environmental initiatives at 

the top of the south island in the beautiful mountain 

environment of Canaan Downs-Pikikirunga. Musical 

entertainment includes a line-up of international and New 

Zealand artists. LuminateFestival.co.nz


Page 4 

Road Trippin’ through the 

Florida Keys: America’s Caribbean 

Story & Photos by 

Debbra Dunning Brouillette 

Breakfast at Blue Heaven in the 

historic Bahamas Village neighborhood 

was the perfect place to begin our first 

full day in Key West. Dishes like lobster 

eggs Benedict and shrimp and grits 

are served up in the same building that 

hosted cock fighting, gambling and 

boxing matches refereed by Ernest 

Hemingway. 

Before hitting the high points of this 

unconventional city, we headed to 

Fort Zachary State Park where we first 

checked out the beach, then toured 

Fort Zachary, one of a series built in 

the mid-1800s to defend the nation’s 

southeastern coastline. 

My destination? The Florida Keys, the southernmost 

island chain in the continental U.S. My 

goal? To experience the best the Keys has to offer, 

from bottom to top. 

At the top of my list of “must-sees” 

was the Ernest Hemingway Home and 

Museum, where 40 to 50 polydactyl 

cats, which appear to have a thumb on 

My focus? Activities on, around, and 

under the turquoise waters surrounding 

the Keys, with a smattering of history 

thrown into the mix, and, of course, 

sampling as many varieties of seafood 

and Key lime pie as possible. 

While many visitors to the Keys fly 

into Miami, rent a car and start their 

journey south, I flew into Key West 

International Airport where I met 

a group of friends to begin a brief 

exploration of the irreverent “capital” 

of the Conch Republic, where about 

a third of the island chain’s population 

is concentrated. Our road trip would 

take us north to Key Largo and cover 

108 miles, before we made our way 

to Miami International Airport and our 

flights home. 

DAYS 1 & 2 – Key West 

The Key Lime Inn, one of six historic 

inns in the center of Old Town, just two 

blocks from Duval Street, was an ideal 

location for my first visit to the most 

southern point in the continental U.S. 

My late afternoon arrival gave me just 

enough time to settle into my cozy 

cottage and change clothes for a 

casual dinner at The Stoned Crab at 

Ibis Bay Resort, which features freshoff-the-boat 

stone crab, Key West pink 

shrimp and local fish. 

We skipped dessert to take a nighttime 

guided tour of Ibis Bay on stand-up 

paddleboards or clear-bottom kayaks, 

the first of many water-based activities 

we sampled. 

The southern tip of the Continental U.S.A 

continued on page 5


Page 5 

continued from page 4 

A major photo stop is at Mile Marker 0, 

site of the oversized buoy marking the 

Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. 

While Miami is 150 miles northeast, from 

here it is only 90 miles to Cuba. 

Dinner at Hogfish Bar & Grill on nearby Stock 

Island was on the agenda that evening, 

where we sampled the Keys delicacy, 

hogfish, a diver-caught mild-flavored fish, 

prepared in several ways. 

Inside Ernest Hemingway’s studio in Key West 

their paw, can be found inside the house and roaming the 

grounds. All are descendants of Hemingway’s six-toed cat, 

Snowball. 

After learning about the author’s storied life and the time he 

spent in Key West throughout the 1930s from one of the 

knowledgeable guides, I walked across the street to explore 

the Key West Lighthouse, built in 1825 after the U.S. Navy 

established a base in Key West. Visitors who climb its 88 

steps to the top are rewarded with views stretching to the 

sea. 

From there, I boarded Old Town Trolley Tours’ Hop on Hop 

off bus, which makes 13 stops covering Key West’s major 

landmarks, to continue my sightseeing. 

I hopped off at Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum where 

some of the $450 million in gold and silver bars and 

coins, emeralds, and other jewels he recovered from the 

17th century Spanish galleons the Atocha and the Santa 

Margarita in 1985 are on display. 

We made sure we were in Mallory Square 

for sunset, a tradition no visitor to Key West 

should miss. Street performers, musicians 

and vendors selling everything from sea 

sponges to shell jewelry contribute to the 

offbeat atmosphere. My travel companions 

and I gathered along the waterfront with 

hundreds of tourists and locals to watch for the fleeting 

phenomena of light refraction known as the “green flash” 

as the sun slipped below the horizon. 

Day 3 – Bahia Honda State Park and Marathon Key 

Our first destination off the Overseas Highway was at Mile 

Marker 37 — Bahia Honda State Park – where we enjoyed 

a two-hour yoga and meditation session on paddleboards 

at the park’s Loggerhead Beach, led by Serenity Eco 

Therapy’s owner, “Mermaid” Sarah. If mastering yoga 

postures on the board doesn’t excite, try renting a kayak or 

booking a snorkeling tour at the park’s concession. 

We crossed the famous Seven Mile Bridge to arrive at 

Grassy Key Outpost at Mile Marker 58 near Marathon for 

lunch. Its gourmet menu items, wine, beer and provisions 

have been the “go-to oasis” in the Middle Keys for 

generations. Jimmy Buffet, President Truman and famed 

angler Zane Grey are among the luminaries it has hosted 

over the years. 

While the guys in our group headed to Otherside 

Boardsports, at Mile Marker 59.3, to try wakeboarding 

or kiteboarding at Cable Park, a seven-acre saltwater 

tidal lake, the gals chose to tour The Turtle Hospital in 

Marathon at Mile Marker 48.5. Opened in 1986, more 

than 1,500 injured or ill sea turtles have been rescued and 

rehabbed at the facility. 

Faro Blanco Lighthouse in Marathon 

We checked into our evening’s lodging, the Faro Blanco 

Resort and Yacht Club, Mile Marker 48.2 in Marathon, 

where we dined bayside on Florida lobster and Key lime 

pie overlooking the Faro Blanco lighthouse, a landmark 

continued on page 6


Page 6 


Sunset at Mallory Square in Key West 

since the 1950s. The Hyatt Place-affiliated resort includes 

125 rooms and suites and a 74-slip marina, where charter 

fishing and dive excursions can be arranged. 

Day 4 – Big Pine Key and Islamorada 

Our Keys road trip was timed to coincide with the 32nd 

Annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival, held 

the Saturday following July 4th. Hundreds of snorkelers 

and divers converge in boats on Looe Key Reef, off Big 

Pine Key, to explore the world’s third-largest living barrier 

reef while enjoying a unique sub-sea concert staged by 

local radio station WWUS 104.1 FM. Thanks to speakers 

suspended under the boats, my diving companions and I 

could hear music while swimming among the fish. 

Amara Cay Resort, a 110-suite beachfront resort in 

Islamorada, was home for our last two nights in the Keys. 

We were happy to stay on-site that evening for Italian cuisine 

with a tropical twist at Oltremare Ristorante. 

Day 5 - Islamorada 

The next morning, we boarded a 65-foot deep-sea vessel at 

Robbie’s Marina, Mile Marker 77.5, in Islamorada -- known 

as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World -- for a half-day 

of party boat fishing, which included bait, tackle and fishing 

license. Afterward, our catch was filleted and delivered to 

the marina restaurant’s kitchen, where it was prepared and 

served with two side dishes of our choice. 

For our last night in the Keys, we chose to go a bit more 

gourmet. Chef Michael’s, on Islamorada at Mile Marker 81.7, 

features at least 10 different types of fish, all caught that day, 

including its specialty, hogfish. 

Day 6 – Key Largo 

We couldn’t leave the Keys without stopping by John 

Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Mile 

Marker 102.5. It is the first undersea park in the U.S., 

created in 1963 and was made a National Marine Sanctuary 

in 1975. 

We walked through the 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium 

in the visitor center before boarding the park’s 65-foot, 

glass-bottom catamaran, Spirit of Pennekamp, for a 2 hour 

excursion to the coral reef. 

Before heading to Miami International Airport, we had time 

for a quick lunch at Sundowner’s in Key Largo, ending 

our road trip with one last sweet memory. Key lime pie, of 

course! 

To learn more, visit Fla-Keys.com. 

Debbra Dunning Brouillette is a freelance writer based in 

Muncie, Indiana, specializing in tropical travel. 

Key lime pie at Sundowners restaurant 

Check out Joseph’s U.S. adventures airing now on Public 

Television stations throughout the U.S. and Canada.


Page 7 

Resorts, Hotels 'n’ Inns 

Here are some restful values. 

R = resort H = hotel I = inn ♥ = romance, of course. 

European elegance 

H 

defines the Lanson 

Place Hotel, Hong Kong, 

a boutique property and 

member of Small Luxury 

Hotels of the World, just a 

stroll from Times Square 

and Hysan shopping center. 

You’ll enjoy a kitchenette 

and a smartphone in every 

guestroom and suite, 

including two-bedroom 

penthouse suites. Additional amenities include the private 133 

Lounge and Library, a fitness center and free shuttle service 

to the Central and Quarry Bay neighborhoods. Three function 

rooms accommodate 12 to 32 people. Specials include the 

Festive Celebration package, good through March 1, 2017, which 

includes daily breakfast, a gift basket, a bottle of prosecco and for 

guests staying two nights or longer, a HK$500 Lane Crawford gift 

certificate. LansonPlace.com (Look for Joseph’s Hong Kong shows 

airing now on Public Television stations throughout the U.S. and 

Canada.) 

Immerse yourself 

H 

in history and 

luxury at the Omni La 

Mansion del Rio along 

the scenic River Walk on 

the banks of the Paseo 

del Rio in downtown 

San Antonio. Built in 

1852 as a school, today 

the Spanish Colonialstyle 

property sports 338 guestrooms and suites, including the 

sumptuous Presidential Suite featuring a dry sauna, Jacuzzi, 

living room and dining area overlooking the river. La Mansion 

boasts the largest collection of Mexican folk art in the U.S. and 

signature turndown service featuring tiny “worry dolls,” which 

Yanaguana Indian legend says make your worries disappear when 

you put them under your pillow. Its celebrated restaurant, Las 

Canarias, offers romantic meals in the three-tiered dining room 

and outside watching the boats sail by, while enjoying the freshest 

ingredients from top-rated farms and ranches. Rates begin at $179. 

OmniLaMansion.com ♥ (Look for Joseph’s San Antonio shows airing 

now on PBS and Public Television Stations.) 

Just steps from 

H 

the harbor, the 

sleekly styled Loden Hotel 

Vancouver makes an 

ideal location for a true 

Vancouver experience. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows 

in the guestrooms offer 

breathtaking views of 

the city’s Coal Harbour 

and the North Shore 

Mountains. Hip amenities 

like complimentary Electra-Townie Cruiser bikes and WanderFIT 

custom-curated rides and hikes make it easy to enjoy the city’s 

ocean, mountain and forests landscapes. Other amenities include 

the BeFIT (workout) Studio, a Spa Suite and infrared sauna, and 

the Tableau Bar Bistro, serving contemporary French bistro cuisine, 

located adjacent to the hotel lobby. It’s also Fido friendly, providing 

a plush pet bed, house-made dog biscuits, a dog-walking map 

and a copy of Modern Dog magazine. Book one to three months in 

advance and take up to 25 percent off your entire hotel stay with 

the “Savings worth Celebrating” special. TheLoden.com ♥ 

For tropical 

R 

elegance and 

ecotourism, the Four 

Seasons Resort Costa 

Rica at Peninsula 

Papagayo is as good 

as it gets. Nestled 

on a hillside isthmus 

surrounded by the 

Pacific Ocean and 

tropical dry forest, 

the resort features 

181 guestrooms, 

suites, villas and 

estate homes; two beaches, three pools, four restaurants including 

Caracol fine dining steakhouse, an Arnold Palmer-designed 

championship golf course and a lavish spa. Eco adventures include 

on-property cross-peninsula hikes and guided treks along the Trail 

of the Giants to see monkeys and other wildlife, and off-property 

excitement from zip-lining and horseback riding to voluntourism 

at local schools. The resort’s holistic wellness program, “Pura Vida 

for All,” taps into Central American healing traditions with guidance 

in nutrition, fitness and wellbeing. The “Your Adventure Awaits” 

package includes a daily choice of one activity. FourSeasons.com/ 

CostaRica. ♥ (See Joseph’s Central American shows airing now on 

PBS and Public Television.)


Page 8 

Charmed in Costa Rica 

Story and Photos by Barbara Beckley 

made-to-order grouper and rock shrimp 

ceviches I was eating were fantastic. 

Pancho finds save haven at the Four Seasons Costa Rica 

“Whoa! The butterfly.” I gasped as it fluttered out from 

between the trees – and, as I stood breathlessly still – lit 

on my shoulder! Then came another. And another. 

I’d been hoping to see these creatures my entire trip – 

Costa Rica’s gigantic Blue Morpho butterflies, with bright 

turquoise wings the size of luncheon plates. 

Now, on my trek back from the Rio Negro Hot Springs – 

natural pools of warm mineral waters bubbling up in an 

Eden-like setting at Hacienda Guachipelin inside Rincon 

De La Vieja National Park – my wish came true. 

I’d been exploring Costa Rica’s lush northwest 

Guanacaste region for a few days and had already 

experienced wonderful adventures. Or so I thought. Like 

negotiating the long, narrow, swinging bridge to the hot 

springs; sea kayaking around Monkey Head Rock in 

the Gulf of Papagayo’s crystal waters, and climbing 700 

hillside steps to enjoy beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean 

on the vast grounds of the Four Seasons Costa Rica 

Peninsula Papagayo, where I was staying. 

But then came the butterflies. And then the monkey. And 

then the snakes. And the school children. 

Following my butterfly encounter, I was sipping a margarita 

at the Four Seasons’ open-air Tico’s Lounge, when I saw 

a movement high above me. A large Capuchin monkey 

was inching his way across the wall some 30 feet up, just 

beneath the open-air lobby balcony. He seemed ready to 

jump down and join me. Good move, I thought, since the 

Eventually, however, he disappeared into 

the upstairs lobby – only to reappear and 

cause a photo frenzy by snoozing in a 

palm tree by the pool. I noticed his tail 

was short and not prehensile like most 

Capuchins. “He’s been ostracized by 

the other monkeys in the forest,” Kristen 

Thompson, director of marketing, told me. 

“We’ve named him Pancho and we’re 

pleased he lives here in peace.” 

Thompson’s sentiment pretty much 

reflects the way of life in Costa Rica. One 

hears how friendly, caring and eco-centric the Costa 

Ricans are. But you can’t imagine how true this is until 

you visit. 

At the Serpentarium and Frog Exhibit at Hacienda 

Guachipelin, I was most impressed by the affection my 

guide and serpentarium manager Diego Badilla had for 

the animals. Costa Rica has 139 snake species and 

at least 133 species of frogs and toads. “Look closely, 

she’s gorgeous,” he said, pointing out Costa Rica’s 

iconic green and red-eyed leaf frog. He was equally 

complimentary of the poison dart frog, whose bodily 

fluids once tipped arrows for an instant kill. Even with 

its bright red body and iridescent blue legs, this teeny 

weeny amphibian was hard to spot among the foliage. 

And of the snakes. “She loves attention. Do you want 

to hold her?” Badilla asked me a bit later, unlatching the 

door to the boa constrictor enclosure. Costa Rican boas 

are immense, and this girl was no exception. “Isn’t she 

beautiful,” he enthused, pointing out the brown stripe on 

her creamy colored head – a marking unique to Costa 

Rican boas. She was. But I admired her from afar, and let 

Badilla hold her. 

The Costa Ricans’ love extends to their fellow man. 

Paintbrush in hand at a local elementary school, 

I experienced the satisfaction of giving back as a 

participant in the Four Seasons’ Voluntourism program. 

First, the students entertained us with a dance program 

they’d choreographed themselves and been practicing 

continued on page 9


Page 9 


Making new friends at the Serpentarium & Frog Garden 

for weeks. Brightly colored traditional costumes, smiles 

and fancy footwork opened the show. But the finale was 

the show-stopper – a vigorous hip-hop homage to Michael 

Jackson’s Thriller, complete with creepy costuming and 

scary make-up. 

Then we went to work. Slathering fresh blue paint onto 

faded brick walls making them sparkle like new. The 

students chipped in, replenishing our paints and brushes, 

and painting alongside us. 

The Four Seasons is getting into the Costa Rica lifestyle 

with more than voluntourism. Its new Pura Vida for All 

Wellness Program is set to begin in early 2017. “The 

program is all-encompassing; designed to refresh the 

mind, body and soul,” said Kelli Ricco, Four Seasons 

fitness and wellness director. Program perks include 

a wellness concierge, culinary workshops, wellness 

approved menu items, a local remedies class, and 

physical well-being initiatives from guided meditation to the 

Pura Vida Climb stairway challenge. 

Getting there: Alaska Airlines flies direct from LAX to 

Liberia, Costa Rica on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and 

Sunday; and direct to San Jose, Costa Rica on Monday, 

Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. * 

Learn more: VisitCostaRica.com, Guachipelin.com, 

FourSeasons.com


Page 10 

Spotlight on 

South Korea 

One year from now, South Korea will host 

the 2018 Winter Olympics, February 

9 – 25, 2018, in Pyeongchang, 110 miles east 

of Seoul. The perfect excuse to experience 

all this fascinating country (about the size of 

Indiana) has to offer. 

The Olympics will focus on the Alpensia Ski Resort and 

surroundings in the Taebaek Mountains, popular for yearround 

recreation including hiking, biking and camping. But 

it’s just the beginning. From ancient to modern, mountains 

to beaches – and delicious cuisine everywhere – South 

Korea has something for everyone. 

Soothe your soul at myriad Buddhist temples. Breathe in 

the scent of incense and listen as the monks beat out their 

chants on wooden moktaks at 1,200-year-old Jogyesa 

Temple in Seoul; Naksansa Temple, clinging to a sea cliff 

in Gangwon-do, and Haeinsa Temple, a UNESCO World 

Heritage Site, enshrining 8,000 ancient Tripitaka Koreana 

Printing Woodblocks. 

Chronical the rise and fall of the Joseon Dynasty 

(1392-1910) in Seoul at Gyeongbokgung Palace, 

Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, 

Deoksugung Palace and the Jongmyo Shrine. 

If you have time for only one Seoul attraction, make it 

the N Seoul Tower. Rising 1,574 feet above sea level in 

Namsan Park, the views are spectacular day and night. 

Two hours from Seoul, view the traditional hanok houses 

and the Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School in historic 

Jeonju. Then dine on bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and 

veggies) and kongnamul gukbap (bean sprout and rice 

soup), both of which originated in Jeonju. 

Natural beauty is all around – along with creative ways to 

see it. Try rail biking, which uses bicycles and railroads 

specially built for sightseeing. In the Gangchon Rail Park, 

near Seoul, you can rail bike through forests, tunnels and 

beside the Bukhangang River. 

Walk through the dense Juknokwon Bamboo Garden, 200 

miles outside Seoul. Afterward sip jungnocha tea, made 

from tea leaves growing among the bamboo. 

Savor South Korea’s green tea traditions in the country’s 

largest green tea producing regions: Hadong in 

Gyeongsangnam-do and Boseong in Jeollanam-do. Visit 

Hadong for the Green Tea Experience, which details the 

region’s 1,200-year tea history; and Boseong for beautiful 

tea plantation views and the Tea Museum of Korea. * 

VisitKorea.or.kr (Watch Joseph’s South Korea shows 

airing now on public television stations throughout the 

U.S. and Canada.)


Page 11 

Book Marks 

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Cuba 

by Barbara Beckley 

Now that Cuba is welcoming U.S. travelers 

in large numbers, it’s time to crack open 

the guide books and plan your trip! DK 

Eyewitness Travel Guide to Cuba is an 

excellent source of everything you need to 

know, with 825 photos, 20 illustrations and 

60 detailed maps that cover this island nation 

from end to end. 

* 

* 

Throughout its 328 pages, you’ll learn about 

Cuba’s unique history, pristine beaches, vintage cars and 

strong cultural traditions of music and salsa. You’ll discover 

how to delve beneath its dazzling surface to experience Cuba’s 

extensive arts scene and bold architecture, escape to the 

beautiful mountain ranges and enjoy exceptional meals in its 

backstreets. 

To make planning easy, DK’s Cuba guide is extremely 

user-friendly. You’ll find detailed itineraries and “don’t-miss” 

destination highlights at a glance; illustrated cutaway 3-D 

drawings of important sights; floor plans and guided visitor 

information for major museums, guided walking tours, local 

drink and dining specialties to try, things to do and places to 

eat, drink and shop by area. 

It also has area maps marked with sights and hotel and 

restaurants listings that highlight the authors’ DK Choice 

special recommendations. And you’ll find insights into Cuba’s 

history and culture to help you understand the stories behind 

the sights. 

Turn to page 78 and the “Havana Area by Area” chapter and 

you’ll learn about the Plaza de San Francisco and the Museo 

del Ron, which highlights Havana Club, the most famous brand 

of Cuban rum. A sidebar explains all the types of Cuban rum. 

The “Flavours of Cuba” chapter, on page 266, begins with an 

overview of Cuba’s farmers’ markets, with bright color photos 

and explanations of mouthwatering national dishes like Moros 

y Cristianos (black beans and rice), filete de pescado grille 

and Ajiaco, a hearty stew (that dates from the 1500s) of local 

veggies including plantain, corn, Cuban boniato (sweet potato), 

yuca and taro simmered to perfection with beef, pork, chicken 

and herbs. 

Find the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Cuba at DK.com.

Joseph celebrates art and culture on Havana, Cuba’s Callejón De Hamel 

Visit Travelscope.net 

Subscribe to our Podcasts 

Follow Joseph’s worldwide treks on 

his Blog 

Joseph Rosendo has been a travel, food and wine journal ist for 34 years. 

His awards include Emmys ® for Host and Director, the Globe and Mail 

Travel Media award and France’s Medaille d’Or du Tourisme. He lives 

in California with his wife and producer, Julie, and their cats, Topanga 

Jones, Carlito and Bates. 

Stay in touch with Travelscope 

E-mail us at info@travelscope.net or call Travelscope at (888) 876-3399. 

Distributed by 

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Twitter.com/JosephRosendo

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