Dear Peter,

I am about to do a huge tour of Napa and California Wine Country for a new book, so I kicked off the research the way anyone would—in the city of San Francisco.

It was just a quickie visit, but the main purpose was to attend a re-corking workshop, something I had never even heard about before.

I was hoping for a perfect autumn week in New York, but instead got winter as I arrived to work on a TV show, go to some meetings and check up on what’s new in town.

The great thing about fall in New York City is that even if you don’t get crisp air and gorgeous leaves, there’s still a lot of energy on the streets and new stuff is constantly being introduced to catch your attention.

If you’re a woman traveling solo, this one is for you. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not safe to travel on your own. It’s entirely doable—if you pack a little common sense and have the right resources in hand.

In these tough times when daily stresses are compounded by the need to county every penny, you may yearn for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway.

If your ideal spot is a luxury spa, Marjorie Hope Rothstein has some tips on stretching your travel dollars and where to find great deals this fall and beyond.

First, some tips:

World traveler and shopper extraordinaire Suzy Gershman is back with her latest missive.

Dear Peter,

I know you have a little house somewhere here on the river in Bangkok, and I keep peering out the window looking for it, but frankly, I’ve been very happy bouncing around town in my tuk-tuk and staying at an assortment of luxury hotels.

Peter was broadcasting his radio show on September 5, 2009, from the Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. Guests in the second hour include:

New York Times columnist Joe Sharkey, giving us the latest travel news and weighing in on the seat back pocket debacle.

Musician Dan Roberts, who tours with Garth Brooks, giving an inside look at his life in Dallas and on the road.

Harriet Lewis, editor of 101 Tips for Women Travelers, giving her advice for travelers of the fairer sex.

Eric Lee, director of the Kimbell Art Museum, discussing the art and culture of Fort Worth.

 

 Fort Worth Art & Culture, Texas Honky-Tonks and Women's Travel - Hour 2 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“You are going alone?” asked my husband’s sister. Warnings poured in from concerned family and friends about the inherent dangers of traveling alone.

Yes, my primal fears surfaced occasionally.

I wasn’t the young woman who backpacked, carefree and clueless, on Ecuador’s gringo trail many years ago. Could I still do this as a more experienced adventurer?

That classic French pastime, topless sunbathing, is apparently on the way out as millions of younger French women reconsider the wisdom of prancing around near-naked on the nation’s beaches.

Citing fears of skin cancer and shifting feminist priorities, more and more women are supposedly ditching the so-called “mono-kini” (the bottom half of a bikini only) and shifting to traditional bikinis and one-piece swimsuits.

Retailers notes that sales of both are higher than ever this year.