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This is the second article in聽a four-part series on Rick Steves鈥� recent trip to the Holy Land. For years, my travels have caused me to think about organized religion.

SOCHI, Russia 鈥� The snow report. Ticket sales. Train times. Terrorist threats. Construction problems. Civil rights. In this Olympic winter, there鈥檚 plenty to talk about here.

FROM OASIS OF THE SEAS 鈥� I had a couple of reasons for being on the largest cruise ship in the world (sister ship Allure of the Seas is two inches longer, but that鈥檚 splitting hairs).

BILLWARD Star Tribune (Minneapolis) ROME Stand within the Colosseum鈥檚 massive bowl, and you can practically hear the roar of the ancient crowd.

Rick Steves has been travelling in Israel and Palestine to film a documentary about these complex and fascinating places. This is the first article in a four-part series about his impressions of the Holy Land.

Technology has made land and cruise travel much easier for all of us. We can find a hotel at the last minute at hotelstonight.com, check out prices at priceline.

A pop-up book and a smartphone prop. A pretty little poncho and a sturdy, stylish tripod. A comfy new pillow and a little lamb that lulls you to sleep.

When parents tell me they鈥檙e going to Europe and ask me where to take their kids, I鈥檓 sometimes tempted to answer: 鈥淭o Grandma and Grandpa鈥檚 on your way to the airport.鈥� It鈥檚 easy to make the case against taking the kids along.

What is it about awards that we love? Somewhere in your house, I bet you have a 鈥減erfect attendance鈥� award, a 鈥渕ost popular鈥� award, or 鈥渕ost improved鈥� award like mine, from when attending the late Dave Murray's summer ski camp at Whistler.

MONUMENT VALLEY, Utah It was 7 a.m. when the tour van got stuck in the sand. The temperature was 0聽degrees C and it was still dark outside.