The nice thing about coming to San Diego that time of year is that it's the rainy season here (relatively speaking) and the aloes and other succulents will be plumped up and loads of new growth and loads of blooms. It's the best time of year to visit gardens around here. San Diego botanical gardens in Encinitas (use to be called Quail), San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, the Rose and succulent gardens in Balboa Park, the beach communities like La Jolla and all up the coast have nice parks along with the beachs. I haven't been to the Wild Animal Park out past Escondido in years. I've heard it's declined considerably but that's only through word of mouth. Even going over the mountains and down into Borrego Desert for a day is a treat that time of year. -Ron-

rococogurl, you nailed it with that Grand Central train to White Plains recommendation. 12:30pm - Walked out of my room at Hotel Plaza Athenee, upper east side manhattan 12:48pm - Caught the Grand Central Metro North train on Track 112, via the elevator down near track 30 with 2 x 29" luggage in tow at this point... Destination: North White Plains. $8.50 maybe. Odd though - I couldn't use my MCA card to pay for it. There was a kind woman setting nearby who said that even this car opened, at that North White Plains station, although that wasn't always the case. I made the train by all of 2 minutes, so I hopped on the caboose...or the first car available. 1:30pm - I was in the elevator at North White Plains train station! I remember this time clearly because I thought the elevator was stuck. I eventually realized I had to first go UP and change elevators in order to go DOWN. Picked up rental car from the Hertz there. Totally painless. More soon! :-D.

I go to Paris every year, though I now travel alone since my husband died (some of his ashes went with me and stayed). I think I know Paris better than the town I'm now living in here! We made so many friends over the years, and I'm returning again this fall. I now stay in an apartment in a residential building near my friends, with the closest famous sight being the Palais Royale. One of my friends who lives in Paris arrived in Brussels today. She didn't change her plans. It's a good idea to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so that the US Embassy will know where you are, and when you're there. You'll get alerts, if anything is happening. I use the métro when it's raining, but Paris is very walkable. I easily walk over 8 miles a day when I'm there, just going about my business. If you're nervous about the métro, then walk. The terrorist attacks in Paris were in a neighborhood far from the sights most tourists see. My friends who live in Paris had been to that nightclub; a few were there the week before the attacks. The main-attractions in Paris are heavily guarded. SWAT team guarded. The National Police wear protective SWAT gear and carry automatic weapons. They tend to be in teams of three or four together. That's normal. BUT -- If you see buses of armed police parked along a street and/or congregating around an area, turn around and go the other way---they know something is going on! In July 2014, I was alone and staying on THE main street in the Jewish neighborhood in the Marais. Rue des Rosiers was blockaded and guarded while I was there due to demonstrations protesting Israeli attacks in the Gaza. The demonstrations grew into vandalism, and it forced many of the shops to close. Except for the bomb squad checking out a parked car at the entrance of my apartment building, I felt safe, coming and going, because of the heavily armed police. One night, I missed the last train from my friends' neighborhood and walked all the way from the Concorde to the Marais at two o'clock in the morning, I felt safer walking than getting in a taxi at that time of night! There are some good tips if you're staying in a hotel (which I don't) -- ask to stay on the middle floors (not the first or second) and your room is away from the hotel restaurant. Make sure your cell phone always charged, and it is enabled for traveling in France and that you know how to place calls. Turn DATA off, and use voice roaming only so that you don't incur enormous charges. Your phone carrier can explain this and enable your phone. I use Verizon, here and there. Don't make yourself stick out like an American. The French will know you're not one of them, but try to blend in. These tips apply more regarding pickpockets and scam artists, than terrorists: Leave those white sneakers at home, unless they're Converse. No baseball caps on men. Don't wear t-shirts with writing on the front or back. Don't wear shorts, and I discourage calf-length crop pants. Ankle pants/jeans are fine. Shift dresses in the summer are great if it's hot. Keep the color scheme subdued. Navy blue or grey are great for summer; black is good anytime. Don't take backpacks around the city. With high security, you'll be searched going into museums. When you wear a backpack on the métro or crowded places, it's the first place the pickpockets will reach to steal your stuff. Don't wear fanny packs, for the same reason as backpacks. Carry a cross-body purse and keep it zipped, with your hand over the top of it.Don't hang it on the back of a chair anywhere. Keep it on your lap while eating. Don't put a cell phone on a restaurant table top anywhere. BTW, some of the nice restaurants may not like it if you take photos of their food. Keep your voice down everywhere you go. You'll really attract attention--not the good kind,. Just go have fun, but be aware of your surroundings. Be polite...learn enough French to say hello, please, thank you and goodbye. I figure I have a greater chance of dying from being sedentary at home than getting out and traveling.

Depending on 'when' you go, the evening, temps may be in the 60's, 70's, 80's, etc. We're currently experiencing a bit of a heatwave right now so evening temps are in the 70's. If you go in July or August, day & evening temps can be pretty hot & we have lots of humidity. Hopefully, your hotel will be close to the falls so when you walk close by; you'll get that great mist from it that'll keep you cool even when it's fairly blistering! There are fireworks every Friday night-usually around 9-9:30pm. I can hear them from my house but not see them unfortunately. Home fireworks have been banned here recently as well as outdoor fires as we are experiencing a drought. You'll see lots of brown grass, Prettypetals which is a shame since the Niagara region is known to be lush & green. N.O.T.L & Niagara Parks are still amped up with lush flower baskets, containers and gorgeous beds that are bursting with flowers so you'd never notice we haven't had a good rain in awhile.