In “old” Las Vegas, to eat upscale you have to go downstairs! You enter Hugo’s by going down to the basement. That’s why it’s called “Hugo’s Cellar.” This is truly one of the not-so-often-seen traditional restaurants, and we are delighted it is still around after 30 years.

The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California is a little like the wine they produce and sell. You don’t know how good it is until you try it! The 2008 Trinitas Zinfandel they graciously give each guest was outstanding, as was our stay at this very special resort.

The Old Yacht Club Inn is pet-friendly, so we could bring our dog, Boomer. That rates high on the list for our travel needs. Could this be why we were given Hitchcock House? Boomer got to run on the beach every day with Dennis . . . and he loved that.

We had heard about the Saddle Peak Lodge for years, but in more than two decades of living in Los Angeles, we’d never been there. So on our way back from Santa Barbara one recent weekend, it felt like the perfect time to stop and enjoy what promised to be a truly unusual dining experience at this beautiful, rustic dining haven, nestled in the hills above Malibu.

Nikki Beach certainly opens the gate to finding the hippest and the sexiest vibe in party destinations all over the world, and this one in Marrakech rocks! This chain of hotels and resorts started out and was built for Nikki. If you’ve been to one of their beach clubs, you would see a picture of a beautiful dark-haired girl. That’s her!

Here’s a story to make your skin crawl! A traveler in South Mexico had the misfortune to be the victim of a fly that lays its eggs in living flesh. The eggs hatched into four worms beneath the skin—three of them were removed easily by a doctor, but the last one was proving more problematic. The inventive doctor suggested leaving a piece of meat on the leg next to the wound. Surely enough, six hours later the worm had been tempted halfway out and could be removed entirely. Medical costs that are claimed on travel insurance usually aren’t as grisly as this!