Off the beaten path in Paris on Ile St-Louis.

The Seine runs through Paris, dividing the city into the Left and Right Banks.  The larger of the two islands in the river, the Ile de la Cité packs a lot of sightseeing bang, -- including Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame -- into a few blocks.

But it’s the other island, the Ile St-Louis, that we always return to.  When the square in front of Notre Dame is packed with tourists, Ile St-Louis offers a comparatively peaceful respite about five minutes away.  To reach it, walk to the back side of Notre Dame, where you’ll have great views of the magnificent buttresses.  Then walk through the lime tress in the park and cross the Pont St-Louis bridge.

Arts and Crafts in Upstate New York.

Fans of the American Arts and Crafts movement are probably familiar with the Roycrofters -- a community of artists and craftsmen who lived and worked together in upstate New York, around the turn of the century.

Inspired by William Morris, founder Elbert Hubbard started the Roycroft Press when he was unable to find anyone who would publish his journals. Eventually, printers, bookbinders, furniture makers, metal smiths, weavers, and leather workers came to tiny East Aurora to work with Hubbard. And by 1910, more than 500 people were living on the Roycrofters campus.

Image Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpape/

Rafting the Boise and Payette Rivers.

Boise is one of America's most underrated capital cities. Those who know its charms would probably just as soon keep them a secret. But we're willing to share.

Few places provide such hassle-free access to both town and country pleasures. Depending on the time of year, you can spend the day skiing, hiking, white-water rafting, fly-fishing or water-skiing. And then head back to town for a sophisticated supper or an al fresco dinner and performance at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.