When I finally decided to visit my last continent, Australia, I picked Eclipse Traveler (Lake Mary, FL; 800/276-1168) primarily because of their itinerary offering a chance to see a total solar eclipse north of Cairns. 

Including a single supplement, the cost of my trip (Nov. 6-21, 2012) was $8,790, which covered round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, domestic flights in Australia and mostly 5-star hotels.

There were only 14 of us on the tour, and for some this was their fourth...

As a solo traveler, I enjoy the hospitality of a small hotel or guest house, and in central London the Lime Tree Hotel (135-137 Ebury St., Belgravia, London, England, SW1W 9QU, U.K.; phone +44 [0] 20 7730 8191) was excellent in this regard.

The Lime Tree has only 25 rooms. My single room, with facilities en suite, was small but cozy and spotlessly clean. The shower was very small, but the bed was fantastic and easy to fall asleep in. The windows were double-paned, so no noise from...

Following a 10-day self-arranged tour of southern Italy, my wife, Jean, and I stayed in a splendid boutique hotel in Rome, May 31-June 4, 2013. 

Located in a lovely mid-city neighborhood, My Guest Roma (Viale XXI Aprile 12, 00162, Rome, Italy; phone +39 06 86 32 4590 or mobile +39 349 355 6758), though small, provided a restful stopover. 

The nice-size rooms, kept spotlessly clean, were colorfully and tastefully decorated and most comfortable. Some rooms had added bunks —...