The romantic hills of Croatia, a perfect beach in Thailand, the gargantuan fjords of Iceland, the modern renaissance of Oman and ... the three rivers of Pittsburgh? Yes, Pittsburgh is now considered one of the world's top 20 places to visit in 2012, according to the newest edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine -- arguably the big kahuna of travel publications. (10/25/2011)

If you want to find the casino with the loosest slot machines in Western Pennsylvania these days, just jump on Interstate 79 -- to Erie. Slot machines at Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie paid out an average of 90.43 percent from June through September, the highest in this part of the state and the third best overall in Pennsylvania. (10/25/2011)

"Extreme Metropolitan Makeover." That's how National Geographic Traveler magazine describes the Steel City's "revolutionary" transformation over the past quarter century in its recommendation to visit Pittsburgh in its "Best of the World 2012." (10/24/2011)

The big beefy guy didn't really look like the jewelry-making type, but there he was, surrounded by beautiful baubles, stringing delicate purple beads onto a necklace. Somewhere else, I might have just walked on by, but the intimate setting and handmade wares at Minneapolis's Midtown Global Market encourage chatting. (10/23/2011)

Q I always check my luggage. On a recent flight, I placed a small carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. The flight attendant asked me to put it at my feet so someone else's large bag would fit. It was a five-hour flight and I wanted foot space, so I refused. I get claustrophobic in coach -- the seats are so close together -- but I can't afford to pay for extra leg space. (10/23/2011)