WHAT'S HOT

Smack in the middle of San Francisco's Chinatown, Portsmouth Square is a kaleidoscope of sounds, smells and colors. The cadence of Chinese dialects fills the air and splashes of red and gold glow from shop windows to banners strung across the narrow streets. The rich smell of roast duck curls out of hole-in-the-wall eating places, blending with the faint smell of incense burning on modest shrines.   Full Story

Guys who hunt and fish use cabins - rustic dens with wood stoves and barnboard floors and rough-hewn tables - where for entire weekends, and longer, men park their glasses of whiskey and show their poker hands and yak into the wee hours.   Full Story

Sometimes the best vacation to-do list holds next to nothing - and the funky little towns that break up the staggering views of Oregon's ancient forests falling off into moody Pacific beaches are fine places to get it done.   Full Story

MAUTERN, Austria — Think of it as a workout where frequent wine-sipping breaks are a must. With paths that wind through vineyards, fruit groves and fairy tale villages overlooking the Danube, the Alpine republic's world famous Wachau region is best explored by bike.   Full Story

Ready for a road trip? Well, buckle up and head north to the Napa Valley, where harvest season is right around the corner. Why drive when flying is so much quicker? Ever since 9-11 and the crackdowns on carrying liquids, the main answer to that question is simple.   Full Story